SIOUX FALLS — Jade Ecoffey continued to be a trailblazer for the Red Cloud Crusaders. 

Last season, Ecoffey became Red Cloud’s first-ever state track champion, winning both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs at the state meet. She accomplished the same feat at this year’s Class A state track and field meet, completing the distance sweep in the 1,600-meter run in 5:09.79 at Howard Wood Stadium. On Friday, she won the 3,200-meter run in 11:09.26, edging out Custer’s Ramsey Karim (11:09.41). 

“It feels amazing,” Ecoffey said. “That’s all I wanted this season was to defend my title. I didn’t know if it was going to be in the 3,200 or 1,600, but it ended up being both and I am just so, so grateful.” 

What championship means more?

“Honestly my favorite race is probably the mile,” Ecoffey said. “The two mile is a little long for me. It’s really long. The mile is just a perfect mix of not too long, not too short. It’s really been my race.”

She proved it on Saturday, but the junior runner had to earn it. Sioux Falls Christian’s Ellie Maddox took the lead coming around the final lap, but Ecoffey used a strong kick in the final 200 meters to secure the win. Maddox, an eighth-grader, finished in 5:11.42. 

“I definitely had to earn that one,” Ecoffey said. “I think my race strategy was just go out front and hold onto those top leaders and that’s what I did. Ellie Maddox pulled away in the last 200, but I knew I had more. So I kicked it in and I used my kick because that’s been very, very effective these past couple of weeks.” 

And once she accomplished her distance sweep, the emotions began to set in 

“My emotions were like ‘I did it again,’ ” Ecoffey said. “ ‘I did it for my school again and I am the defending champion.’ I am so grateful.”