SIOUX FALLS — Lane Krautschun added another title to Belle Fourche’s distance legacy.

The Belle Fourche High School senior won the Class A boys 3,200-meter run in nine-minutes and :28.18 seconds, surging past Hill City’s Luke Rupert (9:29.21) on the final lap under windy conditions. 

For Krautschun, who finished fourth in the event last season, it kept the Class A 3,200-meter run title in Belle Fourche. Sawyer Clarkson, a current University of Gonzaga runner, won the Class A 3,200-meter run the past two seasons. 

“That’s really special to keep the Bronc running legacy going after such an incredible runner like Sawyer graduating,” Krautschun said. “I am pretty proud of that. I hope he is proud too that we can keep that going.”

Krautschun, a future University of Montana runner, kept the Bronc running legacy going in dramatic fashion.

Krautschun trailed Rupert for much of the race, but used a strong closing kick and moved ahead of the Ranger in the final 100 meters.   

“He’s been so hard to beat,” Krautschun said. “I mean today. It was no different. That was a tough, tough race. It was really hard to beat him.” 

Krautschun felt he had more foot speed than Rupert, the 2023 Class A state cross-country champ, which led to his strong close.  

“So I was just kind of trusting my legs hoping I could get him,” Krautschun said. “I saw him coming back to me a little bit. So I just let it go and got him. I was lucky to catch him.” 

For Krautschun, who transferred from Bison after his sophomore season, it was a Class A state championship he’s been striving for since moving up a class.  

“When I came to Belle to Class A, one of my goals was to get a state championship,” Krautschun said. “It’s pretty awesome to finally get the individual state championship, but it’s just incredible.”

Krautschun was also complimentary of his fellow West River runners from Hill City, which in addition to Rupert, placed two other runners in the top eight: Leighton Aves (fifth) and Tate Grabow (seventh).

“Shoutout to the Hill City boys,” Krautschun said. “They are just an historic, historic group of running guys right there. I love them to death. They are all awesome guys. I am not going to lie, they broke the wind. They ate wind the entire race. It’s not my favorite way to race but I got the job done today and I am proud of everybody that raced today. It’s awesome.”