RAPID CITY — All season long cross-country fans across South Dakota knew the Class B boys team race between Philip and Mitchell Christian was going to be a dandy. 

Often high expectations don’t deliver but on Saturday the top two teams slugged it out. When the dust had cleared the Philip boys claimed their third consecutive title with 12 points, just ahead of Mitchell Christian (17). 

“Three in a row means a lot,” Philip’s top finisher Jack Peterson said. “Next year we’ll have a nice strong team so we’ll try to get four and be maybe one of the only Class B teams to ever do that.” 

The Scotties join St. Francis Indian (1972-74), Wessington Springs (2007-09) and Parker (2010-12) as the only Class B teams that have won three consecutive state team titles. 

Peterson finished third (17:03) with fellow junior Baylor Burns finishing fifth (17:19). Senior Trey Larson was eighth (17:35) while the other Scottie runners, Creston Burns and David McKinley were 10th and 11th respectively. 

All week long the Scotties talked about keeping an eye on Mitchell Christian and the experienced crew did that.

“We knew Mitchell Christian was going to be really tough because Silas (Holdeman) is an amazing runner and Luke Mentele and Sawyer Holdeman are also really good,” Baylor Burns said. “My goal was to try to stay as close to Luke as I could. I almost got him and I was right behind him at the end so I was satisfied with that.” 

On Friday night, prior to going to bed the Scotties gathered and each Philip athlete was allowed to speak. Cross-country coach Ralph Kroetch quoted from Isaiah 40:31 when it was his turn to speak.

Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" 

Kroetch called the difference in Saturday’s race the ‘Heart’ of his athletes.