Two Britton-Hecla cross country runners competed in the Class A state cross country meet held in Rapid City on Saturday.
The top 20 runners in each region across the state advanced to the state event held at the Hart Ranch Camping Resort.
Sophomore Livia Knecht placed 102nd in the 122-runner field in the girls division with a clocking of 22:22.1 over the 5,000-meter course, while sophomore Joseph O’Brien was 114th among 130 runners in the boys bracket.
“The state meet was a great way to end the season,” said B-H coach Stephanie Symens. “Joseph and Livia worked hard this year to make it to Rapid City, and I have no doubt that they will get this opportunity again. I am also very proud of the cross country team this year. All the way from our sixth graders to our older athletes, they have all improved this season.”
The top two teams in each region, along with any squad qualifying four runners for the state meet, were eligible for the team competition. Sioux Falls Christian won both the boys and girls team crowns.
The SFC boys scored 24 points, Custer was second at 49, Vermillion 71, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte 93, Lennox 119, Belle Fourche 133, Deuel 133, Flandreau 144, Elk Point-Jefferson 145, Chamberlain 155, West Central 161, Hill City 161, Sisseton 185, Platte-Geddes 226, and Aberdeen Roncalli 236.
In the girls division SFC led the way with 22, followed by West Central 61, Belle Fourche 80, Aberdeen Roncalli 87, Chamberlain 108, Lennox 114, Milbank 122, Sioux Valley 130, Hill City 140, Platte-Geddes 149, Dakota Valley 149, Beresford 150, Custer 177, and Mt. Vernon-Plankinton 286.
