Boys take 3rd place!
Saturday, October 21st, Belle Fourche Cross Country teams took both boys and girls teams to the State Championships at Yankton Trail Park, Sioux Falls, SD.
October is known for unpredictable weather in SD for the XC state meet, and this year the teams couldn’t have asked for a better day. With a small breeze and a perfect 65-degree day the Broncs used this to their advantage. The top 6 teams in each class place and top 25 individual runners are recognized at the state meet.
The Belle Fourche Bronc Boys team placed 3rd overall and were led by returning senior Lane Krautschun, running his last race in a Bronc jersey, Lane placed 2nd overall with a season best time of 15:47.72. Returning senior, Aiden Voyles, was the next Bronc to cross the finish line in 20th place and an outstanding personal best time of 16:41.18. Freshman, Lennon Clarkson was next for the Broncs, just making the podium in 25th place with personal best time of 16:47.63.
Senior Justus Funk finished right behind Clarkson in 26th place with personal best time of 16:49.49, which rounded out the point scorers for the Broncs. Senior Harley Rivera finished 49th with a time of 17:37.94 and Oden Walding (soph) placed 102nd 19:19.11.
The Broncs will lose 4 seniors out of their top 5 runners next year and will be looking to recruit younger upcoming runners to continue their success next year.
On the girl’s side, it was the first time since 2004 that a full girls’ team has qualified for the state championship meet. The Lady Broncs have had an outstanding season, led by 7th grader Lia Mundt, who placed 48th with a time of 20:30.85. Returning senior Ava Allen ran a strong last race and finished 51st with a personal best time of 20:32.89. Freshman Misty Drieling was the third runner for the lady Broncs finishing 56th with a personal best time of 20:47.60. Eighth grader Rhys Pearson came in shortly after in 63rd with a personal best time of 21:00. Senior Shaine Weishaar finished a strong last race placing 71st with a personal best time of 21:10 and rounding out the Lady Broncs was senior Allison Hayes with a season best time of 22:26.50 placing 109th. The girls’ team finished 10th overall for their first appearance at the state meet since 2004.
The Lady Broncs will also lose 3 key seniors this year who have had a positive influence on the upcoming younger girls to help the program’s futures success.
