For incoming Whitesboro High School freshman Creede Newman, running has already become a year-round pursuit.
Newman tested himself against some of the best young distance runners from across Texas this summer, advancing to the State meet in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs as a member of the Texoma Track Club.
The trip to State capped Newman’s second season of summer track and gave him another opportunity to build toward his goals his freshman season at WHS.
Summer competition began with two circuit meets, which Newman said were, “essentially practice meets leading up to the regional competition.”
He turned two State-qualifying performances at the regional meet in Midlothian.
He finished second in the 3,200 meters with a time of 11:51 seconds and placed third in the 1,600 with a time of 5:11.
The top six finishers advanced to State.
Unlike UIL competition, where athletes compete based upon school classifications, the summer track circuit brings together club athletes from communities and schools of varying sizes across Texas.
That made earning a spot at State particularly meaningful for Newman.
At the State meet in College Station, he competed in both distance events and finished seventh in the 3,200.
Distance running is nothing new for Creede.
His mother, Tina Newman, said he ran his first 5K when he was about 8 years old. His interest in running grew as he watched his father take up the sport.
“I think when Dad started running, he started getting interested in it,” Tina said.
Creede’s own recollection of how his running career began is a little simpler.
“They just signed me up,” he said.
What started with that first 5K has developed into a commitment to distance running. Creede now competes in cross country and track and will also participate in marching band as he enters his freshman year at Whitesboro High School.
The transition to high school comes with ambitious goals.
WHS has developed a strong cross country program, and Newman hopes to contribute immediately. Asked what he wants to accomplish during his first high school season, he didn’t hesitate.
“Qualify for State,” Newman said.
He also has a specific individual benchmark in mind — breaking 17:30 in the 5K, a 3.1-mile race that serves as the standard distance for high school boys’ cross country.
Getting there will require Newman to continue lowering his personal best, but he said he is willing to put in the miles.
The summer season also provided the experience of racing against strong competition from throughout the state.
Now, after qualifying for State in two events before ever competing in a high school race, Newman will turn his attention toward his first season as a high school runner.
