LHS cross country senior Gabe Peters won first place individually and with his team at the state cross country meet last weekend. This was Peters’s second consecutive year winning the state meet individually, and he capped off his senior season with his historic win. He was named Gatorade Player of the Year last year for all cross country runners in SD, so what is in store for Gabe after another outstanding season is a mystery.

Affecting his team in more ways than just leading the pack, he is known as a solid teammate as well, helping his teammates and driving them to their full potential. Peters’s teammate Henry Klitzke has been good competition for him over the years, as Klitzke placed seventh at state and helped them get their team state championship.

“Running with Gabe has impacted my running career by always having someone faster than me to push me at practice, and also being a friend to run with,” said Klitzke. “Gabe is special because he is such a competitor. He always pushes everybody to be their best.”

Even though running can be a focused sport, Peters’s teammates know that he will always be there to have fun with, and keep a good balance between having fun and being competitive. This helps create a happy medium for their team, which works as a way of leadership, considering that this team won the state championship.

“He always keeps the mood light, even during hard workouts he is joking around while still making sure everyone is focused on the task,” said Klitzke.