State Bound: Girls named Region Champs, boys runner-up

After rainy conditions pushed the Region 3A Cross Country Championships back one day from Oct. 15 to Oct. 16, the Lennox High School cross country teams found success, with the Oriole girls claiming the Region 3A title and the boys earning runner-up honors. 

The Lennox girls dominated the competition, placing four runners in the top 10 to finish with just 19 team points.

Kamille Schmidt led the Orioles with a second-place finish, completing the 5000-meter course in 19:55.5. Lucy Carlson followed closely behind in third place with a personal-best time of 20:03.9, while Adie McVey crossed the finish line just behind Carlson in fourth place at 20:04.3.

Sophia Johnson rounded out the Orioles’ scoring runners, placing 10th with a season-best time of 20:25.6.

Also competing for Lennox were Chloe Aesoph, who finished 29th with a personal-best time of 22:06.1, and Kaydence Gerry, who placed 37th with a personal-best time of 23:09.8.

On the boys’ side, Lennox secured second place in the team standings led by three runners finishing among the top 10.

Landon Strasser paced the Orioles with a third-place finish, clocking a time of 16:33.0. Isaak Booker followed in fifth place with a time of 16:48.0, while Leo Aesoph placed ninth with a season-best time of 17:11.0.

Isaiah Sayler finished 23rd, recording a personal-best time of 18:03.6, and Jackson Schmidt placed 30th in 18:30.2 to round out the team’s scoring runners. Cade Aasheim also competed for Lennox, finishing 39th with a time of 19:49.3.

With their strong regional performances, both Lennox teams will now turn their attention to the State A Cross Country Meet, scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 24, at Hart Ranch in Rapid City.

The Class A girls’ race is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Class A boys’ race at 3:15 p.m. The Class A awards ceremony is scheduled for 3:45 p.m.