By Rich Winter

605 Sports

When longtime Philip cross-country coach Ralph Kroetch learned that Miller and Kimball/White Lake were moving up to Class A, he let his runners know a door had opened. 

The Scotties were fourth at the state meet in 2021 and Kroetch told his guys the 2022 season could be a good one. 

“I told them the door is as open as it is going to get,” Kroetch said. “We were fourth last year and I think we have a chance to be in the mix by October.” 

While that door is open for Philip it is also open for any number of teams that could challenge by late October. 

“Northwestern will be strong, Freeman Academy/Marion will be strong and I think Frederick Area, along with us will be in the mix,” Kroetch said. 

Philip lost Reese Henrie to graduation but the Scotties return veterans Trey Larson and Wakely Burns. Kroetch noted Tukker Boe and Asher Peterson as both having good summers.

We have three juniors and a sophomore that were all in the mix last year and five freshmen that will be fighting for spots on the varsity,” Kroetch said. 

605 Sports confirmed Wednesday that 2021 Class B state cross-country champion Lane Krautschun of Bison will be running for Belle Fourche this year. 

Canistota senior Josiah Schroeder is the top returner, finishing second a year ago (16:53.81). Potter County junior Nicholas Schlachter finished fifth a year ago while Freeman Academy/Marion’s Tavin Schroder was eighth in 2022. 

Potter County's Nicholas Schlachter was 5th in the 2021 Class B cross country championships - Photo courtesy of South Dakota Public Broadcasting

At the 2022 South Dakota Class B state track meet Josiah Schroder was second in the 3,200-meter run (10:01.33), Tavin Schroeder placed third (10:07) and Schlachter finished fourth (10:14.24). 

Northwestern will be led by juniors Lincoln Woodring and Nathan Melius along with senior Quintin Fischbach. 

Freeman Academy/Marion returns Schroeder and sophomore Finley McConniel. 

Frederick Area returns freshman Milo Sumption, 19th a year ago, along with seniors Stephen Achen and Johnathon Bretsch and freshman Winston Clark.