During this fall season, many LHS sports teams have tried their hand at state titles, but in Huron SD, on Saturday, Oct. 22, both cross country teams took the prize. Five state titles were won, including the individual title won by junior Courtney Klatt who finished in first with a time of 18:38.58, the individual title won by senior Gabe Peters who also finished first with a time of 16:05.73, the team title for first place for both boys and girls and the combined title for teams winning and placing in first. With the hard work and determination shown throughout this season, the girls team was able to grasp the first place state title for the second year in a row.

This is not Klatt’s first race at a state meet. Last year, Klatt placed seventh when she was running for Brandon Valley before she transferred to LHS. Now what was some of Klatt’s biggest competition is now the people who helped her the most to win the team title. Not only did the Lady Patriots have a first place finisher, Klatt, but they also had runners finish in second and seventh place; Caroline Sudbeck who finished in second place and Jasmyne Cooper who finished in seventh, three in the top ten.

The season was not only a winning season but also a season that would go down in history. In LHS’ athletic past, never has both cross country teams won in the same year but, on Saturday they were able to do it. With continued training and practicing, who is to say the LHS girls will not win again next year.