LHS runners shine at home meet

The Lennox High School cross country team made the most of their only home meet of the season, turning in strong performances across all divisions at the Lennox Invitational, held Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The event brought together schools from across the region.

The LHS varsity girls were led by freshman Adie McVey, who crossed the finish line in 14th place with a time of 19:19.62. Eighth grader Sophia Johnson followed close behind, taking 22nd in 20:29.15, while freshman Kamille Schmidt finished 25th in 20:37.05. Fellow freshman Lucy Carlson ran a personal record time of 20:53.57 to place 32nd, and eighth grader Kensi Holland rounded out the top five for Lennox, finishing 66th in 22:57.79, a season-best mark.

As a team, the LHS girls took fourth. Sioux Falls Christian captured the team title, Tea Area took second and West Central third. There were 14 teams competing. 

For the varsity boys, Sophomore Isaak Booker led the Orioles, clocking 17:00.76 to place 9th overall. Fellow sophomore Leo Aesoph ran a personal record 17:04.42, good for 13th place, while senior Cloy McVey finished right behind him in 15th with a 17:08.36.

Freshman Landon Strasser continued to impress, notching a personal record of 17:27.73 for 20th place. Rounding out the varsity lineup, Jackson Schmidt (10th grade) finished in 48th at 18:59.07, Charley Bittner (9th) ran 20:15.59 for 69th, and Cade Aasheim (11th) set a personal best of 20:18.62 for 71st.

With multiple PRs and top-20 finishes, the LHS boys captured second place in the team standings. Sioux Falls Christian won the team title, Tea Area took third, and Vermillion fourth. There were 15 teams competing. 

On the junior varsity side, Kaydence Gerry finished 8th overall in 17:30.92, setting a new personal record. Freshman Harper Walsh also had a strong day, running a personal best of 19:41.79 to place 44th.

The JV boys also found success, led by Lance Aasheim, who finished 17th with a personal record of 15:35.99. Junior Isaiah Sayler followed closely in 18th place with a season-best time of 15:36.46, while Cade DeWolf (11th) finished 73rd in 19:00.77 and Duncan Johnson (11th) ran 20:00.68 for 78th.

In the middle school division, seventh grader Gage Ebbeson ran a personal record time of 12:34.88 in the 3000-meter race to place 25th overall. Nolan Vietor, also a seventh grader, took 74th with a time of 19:29.79. On the girls’ side, eighth graders Sophie Wood and Adalynn Nielson finished nearly side by side, placing 48th (14:44.72) and 49th (14:47.77), respectively. Lily Kuiken, also an eighth grader, clocked 16:18.37 for 75th.

The LHS cross country team will compete in the DAK XII Conference Meet on Thursday, Oct. 9 when they travel to Canton. Regions are slated to be held in Parkston on Oct. 16 with the State Meet set for Oct. 25 in Huron.