SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The top runners from across the state gathered in Sioux Falls on Saturday for the state cross country meet.
This year, over 700 runners competed for individual and team titles.
At Class AA, the Sturgis Scoopers brought home second place in the team title with 129 points. Sioux Falls Lincoln captured the title with 115 points. Rapid City Stevens was third.
Winning the boys Class AA race was Jared Lutmer of Pierre in a time of 15:15. Grady Loos of Rapid City Stevens placed second and Petyon Cast of Douglas was third. Top placing Scooper was Ty Petrocco in 7th and Quinn Bruch finished right behind him in 8th.
Winning the girls race was Libby Castelli of Sioux Falls Lincoln in a time of 17:31.91. Peyton VanDeest of Spearfish captured second and Mia Wentzy of Brandon Valley was third. Gracie Uhre of Rapid City Stevens was fifth and the top placing Scooper was Iris Zylstra in 29th.
In the girls team standings, Brandon Valley was first with Spearfish in second. Rapid City Stevens placed fourth.
In Class A, Luke Rupert of Hill City won the individual boys title in a time of 15:26. Lane Krautschun of Belle Fourche came in second and Payton Brown of Milbank was third. Hill City’s Leighton Aves was fifth. Winning the team title was Hill City with Sioux Falls Christian second and Belle Fourche third. Custer placed fifth.
In Class A girls, Corinne Braun of Sioux Falls Christian won the race in a time of 18:02.59. Faith Weise of Flandreau was second and Isabelle Bloker of Sioux Valley was third. Top placing area runner was Abby Cutler of Hill City in 10th. Winning the girls team title was Sioux Falls Christian with Chamberlain finishing in second and Vermillion in third. Top placing area team was Hill City in sixth.
And, at Class B, Silas Holdeman of Mitchell Christian won the race with Wakley Burns of Philip finishing in second. His teammate Asher Peterson finished in fourth. Those two top five finished helped Philip win the team title with Mitchell Christian finished in second.
Winning the girls race was Emery Larson of Chester in a time of 18:21.47. Ella Boekelheide of Northwestern placed second and Dannika Kaup of Potter County was third. Top placing area athlete was Karly Riley of Lemmon in 9th. Potter County won the team title with Arlington placing second and Lemmon coming in third.
