HURON — Simeon Birnbaum’s 2022 calendar year got even better on Saturday.

The Rapid City Stevens distance ace logged one of the best track and field seasons in state history during the spring. He continued to pile up wins at national competitions during the summer and the fall was no different. 

Birnbaum won his second straight Class AA boys state cross-country championship at Broadland Creek Golf Course. He covered the 5,000-meter distance in 15 minutes and 16 seconds in gusty conditions. 

“I definitely wanted to give a really hard effort today,” Birnbaum said. “I was hoping to break 15. I am kind of ambitious and I was hoping for a 14:40s to PR. I don’t know how realistic that was with running in not great conditions.”

He was still close to a full minute ahead of second-place runner Cashton Johnson (16:10) of Harrisburg. 

“I am definitely happy with it,” Birnbaum added. “I feel like I had a pretty good gap against everyone.” 

In true Birnbaum fashion, he bolted to the front of the pack and held a comfortable cushion throughout the entire race. Birnbaum could sense through the first mile his opening surge broke his opponents’ wills.

“I just kept on pushing harder and harder and I feel like a lot of guys went through harder than they should have that first mile,” Birnbaum said. “I mean, I went through faster than I should have. I feel like a lot of guys got halfway through the race and they had nothing left to give.”

In addition to the individual championship, Birnbaum powered Stevens to the team championship. The Raiders recorded 122 points for their second straight state championship, while the girls also won the Class AA title. 

“That’s just crazy,” Birnbaum said. “We definitely weren't expected to do this. So to do it and prove people wrong, is really awesome.”

Birnbaum will continue to train for the Champs National Cross-Country Championships in San Diego, California, in December. 

Canistota’s Josiah Schroeder won the Class B boys cross-country championship on Saturday in Huron. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Philip wins first title since 2014, Canistota’s Josiah Schroeder wins B title

Philip won its first state championship since 2014 on Saturday.

The Scotties finished with 20 points, finishing in front of Northwestern (38) and Freeman Academy/Marion (53). Philip’s Wakely Burns was the team’s top finisher, placing fifth in 17 minutes and 36 seconds. 

Individually, Canistota’s Josiah Schroeder was the Class B boys state champion in 16:38. Schroeder placed second last season and he’s the first-ever boys cross-country champ from Canistota. 

Freeman Academy/Marion’s Tavin Schroeder (17:06) and Potter County’s Nicholas Schlachter (17:11) placed second and third, respectively. Northwestern’s Lincoln Woodring (17:15) and Burns rounded out the top-five runners. 

Belle Fourche's Sawyer Clarkson won the Class A boys cross-country championship on Saturday in Huron. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Belle Fourche wins first-ever championship, Clarkson repeats in Class A 

Belle Fourche picked up its first-ever boys cross-country championship on Saturday.

The Broncs recorded 38 points, finishing ahead of Hill City (46) and defending champion Sioux Falls Christian (59). 

Belle Fourche’s Sawyer Clarkson covered the 5,000-meter distance in 15 minutes and 30 seconds to repeat as the Class A champion. Clarkson topped teammate Lane Krautschun (16:06) for the individual title. 

Hill City’s Luke Rupert (16:29), Sioux Falls Christian’s Isaac Davelaar (16:36) and Custer’s Gage Grohs (16:40) rounded out the top-five finishers.