By Rich Winter

605 Sports

A year ago, with a cast of underclassmen, the Hill City boys finished second at the Class A state cross-country meet. 

Luke Rupert, third place; Brandon Escalante, 13th; Leighton Aves, 15th and Tate Grabow, 19th all made the podium a year ago. All four runners are back on what looks like a loaded squad for the Rangers. 

That team title is not a done deal though as defending champion Belle Fourche returns Lane Krautschun, second place a year ago. The Broncs also return Aiden Voyles and Lennon Clarkson who could both easily be in the top-15 this year. 

Sioux Falls Christian is always dangerous but the Chargers do not return a podium placer from the 2022 roster. Custer was fourth a year ago with Drew Lehman, 10th a year ago leading the charge for the Wildcats.

Dakota Valley was fifth a year ago with Jack Brown finishing eighth. Joe Cross, ninth a year ago, transferred from Elk Point-Jefferson to Dakota Valley and instantly ramps up team title thoughts for the Panthers. 

Cross had an outstanding track season finishing second in the 3,200-meter run (9:26.99) and fourth in the 1,600-meter run (4:23.00).

Individually, Krautschun ran a 16:06 at the state meet and has to be among the favorites. Hill City’s Luke Rupert, third a year ago, should also be among the favorites at the state meet in October. 

The Sioux Falls Christian girls return a host of talented runners from last year's state championship team - Photo courtesy of South Dakota Public Broadcasting

The Sioux Falls Christian girls cross country team ran away with the Class A state title in 2022 scoring 30 points well ahead of second place Chamberlain (82).

With their top-four returning teams the rest of the Class A field will be chasing the Chargers all season.