South Dakota State Meet

Sioux Falls Lincoln Sweeps Class AA Team Titles 

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Sophomore Alea Hardie from O'Gorman ran 18:12.1 for the fastest time of the day among girls at the South Dakota state cross country championships at Broadland Creek Golf Course in Huron. 

Hardie, who placed 144th earlier this season on a rough day at the Roy Griak Invitational, didn't let that September meet define her season. She improved from a seventh place finish last year at state.

The Class AA team race was a runaway for girls from Sioux Falls Lincoln, who put five girls in the top 11 and scored 35 points.  

The Sioux Falls Lincoln boys won a very tight competition with Aberdeen Central 39-44. Lincoln's top three made the difference. Senior Andrew Lauer won the race in 15:42.6, junior Zeb Mendel was third in 16:10.9 and Ryan Schroeder was sixth in 16:27.0. The Patrriots also got the 13th and 16th places. 

Aberdeen Central went 2-9-10-11-12. 

Freshman Lawyer Clarkson of Belle Fourche ran 16:25.1 to claim the Class A boys title. Sioux Falls Christian won the team title with 40 points. 

Another freshman, Ali Bainbridge from Lennox, won the girls race in 18:54.6. The Custer pack was right behind her, going 3-6-7-12-13-15, although only four scorers were necessary. Custer scored 28 points to win.

Cody Larson of Warner won the Class B boys race in 16:32.7. Burke edged Timber Lake 37-45 to claim the team title.

Dakota Hills edged Wall 32-34 to claim the girls team title. Madison Fairley from Gayville-Volin ran 19:14.1 for the victory.

State Champions - 

Class AA - Sioux Falls Lincoln boys 39 points, Sioux Falls Lincoln girls 35 points - RESULTS

Class A - Sioux Falls Christian boys 40 points, Custer girls 28 points - RESULTS (four scores)

Class B - Burke boys 37 points, Dakota Hills girls 32 points - RESULTS (three scores)