By Rich Winter

605 Sports

RAPID CITY — Coming off back-to-back Class B state cross-country titles the Philip Scotties have an opportunity to join the short list of Class B teams (St. Francis Indian - 1972-1974, Wessington Springs - 2007-09 and Parker 2010-12) that have won three consecutive team titles. 

Standing in the Scotties way is a Mitchell Christian team that finished second a year ago led by 2023 individual champion and Golden Eagle sophomore Silas Holdeman. If Mitchell Christian is able to win Saturday’s Class B title led by Holdeman, sophomore Luke Mentele and freshman Sawyer Holdeman, the Golden Eagles could be poised to go on a state title run of their own. 

The 2024 team battle is expected to be close throughout and you can bet Philip coach Ralph Kroetch and Mitchell Christian coach Julie Holdeman have poured over the possible scenarios. The final 800 meters of Saturday’s race should be very intriguing as athletes from these two teams try to put themselves in front of athletes from the other team. 

All five of Philip’s runners finished in the top-nine at last week’s Region 5B meet with Jack Peterson and Baylor Burns claiming the top two spots. 

Class B team favorites: Philip, Mitchell Christian, James Valley Christian, Gayville-Volin, North Central

The Philip Scotties will be looking for a third consecutive Class B team title - (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Having won as a freshman, Mitchell Christian’s Silas Holdeman looks to be the clear favorite heading into Saturday’s 5,000-meter race at Hart Ranch. Kiko Mendoza, Takini (2005-07) and Cheyenne-Eagle Butte (2008) remains the only male athlete to win four consecutive state cross-country titles.

Class B boys contenders: Silas Holdeman, Mitchell Christian; Finley McConniel, Freeman Academy/Marion; Wamni Kills Crow, McLaughlin; Gabe Johnson, North Central; Korbin Stark, Faulkton Area, Lance Kaufman, Arlington; Luke Mentele, Mitchell Christian; Jack Peterson, Philip; Baylor Burns, Philip.

Potter County girls have company in the battle for Class B team title

In each of the last two years you could almost pencil in Potter County as the school that was going to win the Class B girls team title. In 2022, Potter County scored 24 points to outdistance second-place Arlington, which scored 60 points. A year ago it was the Battlers racking up 22 with Arlington a distance second with 43 points. 

Until someone knocks Potter County from its perch the girls are the favorites, but this year's team race will be much closer with a number of schools that could challenge. The Battlers return an experienced crew led by Dannika Kaup, Jaycee Stevens, Paige Ahlemeier, Emma Schlachter and Charlee Stuwe. 

Among the teams expected to challenge Potter County is Kimball/White Lake, the last team to win a Class B state title (2021) other than Potter County. Kimball/White Lake had four of the top five finishers at last week’s Region 3B meet. 

The Potter County girls are aiming for a third consecutive Class B state team title - (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Class B girls contenders: Potter County, James Valley Christian, Northwestern, Ipswich, Arlington, Kimball/White Lake, Lemmon. 

Northwestern’s Ella Boekelheide won the Class B state title as an eighth-grader and looks to be a heavy favorite heading into Saturday’s race. 

Class B individual contenders: Ella Boekelheide, Northwestern; Madisyn Gellhaus, Ipswich; Emmerson Eppard, Chester; Kaelyn Ulschmid, Arlington; Lily Baker, Kimball/White Lake; Dannika Kaup, Potter County; Autumn Fallis, Highmore-Harrold; Brynn Odenbach, Lemmon; Chel Odenbach, Lemmon.