By Rich Winter

For anyone that follows Class A cross-country Region 5A is a gauntlet. Custer and Hill City always seem to be in contention for region and state titles while St. Thomas More has a long tradition of excellence. With three teams that qualify for the state meet for each region, Russ Cournoyer’s Red Cloud girls have typically been on the outside looking in concerning qualifying for the state meet. 

If Saturday’s Lakota Nation Invitational is any indication, the Lady Crusaders are ready to mix it up with the big dogs of Class A cross-country. 

“Four or five girls set personal bests on the LNI course, Russ Cournoyer, Red Cloud coach said. “If we keep them going in that direction we should be setting good for regions and state.” 

Junior Jade Ecoffey took the lead from the gun, led the entire race, and won handily. Teammate Ashlan Carlow broke 20 minutes for the first time in her career to finish second. Seventh grader Rarity Cournoyer was fourth with senior Cheree Ferguson crossing the line with a fifth place effort. 

“For Ashlan and Rarity this is their first or second year running at the high school level and they are still learning how to take care of themselves and learning to race,” Cournoyer said. “They have a lot of potential and if they dedicate themselves to this sport I can see them going a long way.” 

Just one regular season meet on the schedule, the Black Hills Conference meet. After that, the region meet takes place on a hilly course in Custer. 

“If we are able to compete with the top teams in the region we know we can compete with any team in the state,” Cournoyer said. “Our region (5A) is the toughest so if you do well your chances at state are pretty good. 

Girls results

Team scores: 1. Red Cloud 21, Rapid City Central 47, Wyoming Indian 56