Mitchell’s Hunter Patton Makes History with All-State Finish at Class AA Cross Country Meet

Mitchell’s Hunter Patton Makes History with All-State Finish at Class AA Cross Country Meet

Mitchell’s Hunter Patton has etched his name in the Kernel history books by securing an all-state finish at the Class AA state boys cross country meet. The talented sophomore finished in 23rd place at Yankton Trail Park, completing the course in an impressive time of 16 minutes, 24.33 seconds.

Patton’s achievement is significant as he becomes the first all-state boys finisher for the Kernels since Michael Temple in 2009. His dedication to training and hard work paid off as he finished just 2 seconds shy of his personal-best time from two weeks ago at the Eastern South Dakota Conference meet, which took place on the same course.

Notably, this was the third time this season that Patton completed a race in under 17 minutes, all at Yankton Trail Park. His consistent performance showcases his determination and skill in cross country running.

In addition to Patton’s accomplishment, Mitchell had other notable runners in the competition. Floyd Korzan finished as the top Mitchell runner in 76th place, followed by Elijah Schroeder in 107th place, Colin Pickett in 121st place, and Hunter Killion in 125th place. Austin Reimnitz and Karsten Herges rounded out the team in 131st and 132nd place respectively. Mitchell’s team score placed them 18th out of 19 Class AA teams.

On the girls’ side, Mitchell’s freshman runner, Londyn Schroeder, finished 56th overall with a time of 20:43.83. The team’s other runners, Aspen Evers, Alexis Daley, Madeline Vogel, and Danny Borja, also gave their best effort. The Kernels were placed last among the 19 teams in the Class AA team scoring.

In the Class A state meet, the Chamberlain girls cross country team displayed their talent once again by securing the second-place spot for the third consecutive season. Kinsey Evans, a standout senior runner for the Cubs, finished an impressive seventh in a time of 18:48.91. Chamberlain’s Kylah Biggins and seventh-grader Grace Phillips performed admirably, securing 16th and 17th place respectively. Aine Graesser’s 38th place finish rounded out the team’s total score.

Sioux Falls Christian emerged as the champion in the team standings, scoring an impressive 27 points. The Cubs scored 62 points to secure second place, while Vermillion finished third with 70 points.

In the Class B state meet, the Freeman Academy/Marion boys finished fourth as a team with 69 points, closely followed by Gregory in fifth with 72 points. Tavin Schroeder of Freeman Academy/Marion secured a commendable third-place finish, with Finley McConniel of Gregory close behind in fifth place. Gregory’s Finn Adams and Luke Barreto finished 15th and 16th respectively.

Howard’s Caden Schwader showcased his talent by securing 13th place in the Class B boys race, capping off a successful sophomore season. Avon’s Tyler Tjeerdsma also impressed with a 22nd place finish, earning him all-state honors.

Among the Class B girls, Ashton Massey of Menno finished 19th, while Gregory’s Asia VanDerWerff secured 20th place. Mitchell Christian’s Hannah DeLine and Amy Henderson also competed in their first state meet, finishing in 63rd and 95th place respectively.

In the Class A boys race, Joseph Laprath of Winner Area had the top individual finish among Mitchell-area runners, securing 21st place to conclude his senior season. No area teams managed to place in the top-15 for the race.

The Class AA and Class A state cross country meets highlighted exceptional talent and determination from athletes across South Dakota. These runners have not only made their mark in their respective schools but also showcased their potential to excel in the sport. Congratulations to all the participants on their remarkable performances.