The miles have been logged and the preparation completed. Now it’s time for one last event as runners head to Hart Ranch in Rapid City this weekend for the State Cross Country Meet.

Hundreds of runners will be competing in six different races on Saturday, Class B Girls at 10 a.m. (MDT), Class B Boys at 10:45 a.m., Class AA Girls at 12:15 p.m., Class AA Boys at 1 p.m., Class A Girls at 2:30 p.m., and Class A Boys at 3:15 p.m.

Here is a look at each of the classes:

CLASS B

While there are no such things as complete locks in any sport, the Ipswich girls will be a huge favorite to defend their Class B state championship. The Tigers took five of the top six spots at a loaded Region 1B meet last week and appear ready to cap off another dominating season.

“They’re hitting on all cylinders right now,” said Ipswich coach Todd Thorson. “I just think the hard work is paying off. They put a lot in the money bank is what I told them, and now it’s time to cash in.”

Thorson noted that the girls spent the time during the offseason and that usually translates into success down the road.

“They had a quality summer,” Thorson said, “and quality training usually leads to good runs late in the season.”

Deubrook Area’s Nora Olsen won the Region 1B meet followed by five straight Ipswich runners.

Thorson noted that the Dolphins do have the potential to make a serious push for the team crown this weekend.

“Anything can happen,” Thorson said. “If Deubrook’s third girl pops one, and she’s capable of it … and if Nora wins it, all of a sudden they’re right in this race for sure.”

The ability to run in a pack at the front of the field has become of trademark of the current Ipswich runners, which include Isabella Galbraith, Kalynn Oban, Jayla Stiles, Jennay Gisi, and Addison Galbraith.

“It’s suppose to be a little bit on the windy side,” Thorson said, “so having some people to run with will help with team strategy.”

Thorson said he doesn’t talk about defending the state title with the runners, instead focusing on performing up to potential.

“We really haven’t talked about winning the state meet,” Thorson said. “We just talk about having our best time, following a game plan, and then controlling the controllables.”

Northwestern and Herreid-Selby Area have had strong seasons and figure to be near the top of the team standings. Della Ernst of HSA is among the state’s elite Class B runners.

On the boys’ side, Thorson said Mitchell Christian will be favored with Philip and James Valley Christian also having strong squads.

North Central, led by Drew Arbach, is coming off a Region 4B team title and will also be in the mix.

Aberdeen Christian has two boys, Andrew Schwab and Joseph Richards, who will be competing.

CLASS A

Aberdeen Roncalli qualified both its girls’ and boys’ teams for the first time since 2020.

The Cavaliers are coming off girls’ conference and region championships for the first time since 2019 and will be looking for their highest finish in school history. Roncalli was eighth at state a year ago and its best girls’ finish was seventh in 2020.

Roncalli had four girls among the top eight finishers at last week’s Region 1A meet.

“That’s just a testament to what we’ve asked out of our girls. Going into the races we’ve seen our spread and we told them to be successful at these meets, they have to find each other in the pack,” said Roncalli coach Taylor Thorson. “And especially in these smaller meets, too, having that inner-squad competition really pushes those girls, and that’s what really helped us out.”

Thorson said running in a pack is a bit more difficult in a larger field, such as will be on hand this weekend.

“This state meet is a lot bigger than these Class B and Class A races,” Thorson said. “Our girls like to get out differently, so it might be a little challenging finding each other, but if we do, I feel like we’re going to put ourselves into a good spot.”

Roncalli’s Addison Cassady, Hazel Kannegieter, Taylor McComsey, and Hannah Eskro were just 70 seconds apart at the region.

Competing in a pack has been a strength of the squad each meet this season.

“That’s our strength right there,” Thorson said. “These girls, not only in races, but in workouts and runs, are pushing each other, too, wanting to get better.”

The Cavaliers had a strong showing the past few weeks and will now take aim at the top teams in the state.

“We told the girls squad, it’s a privilege to talk about how we are being chased in the conference,” Thorson said, “and it’s a privilege that we are being chased in the region.”

The Roncalli boys finished third in the region and will now try to take advantage of the opportunity of having one more chance to compete this fall.

Thorson noted that there is literally no pressure on the team, which features a variety of young runners, the oldest of which are sophomores.

“All these guys have two years left,” Thorson said. “It’s just an experience to make it to the state meet. … We have nothing to lose. Why not go out and try something new? Maybe try to get out a little harder, maybe try and set new goals, because we’re not looked at. These boys don’t have any pressure right now and that could be a good thing.”

The Cavaliers have been led all season by seventh-grader Ben Weigel, who finished in the top 10 at the region meet.

What Weigel lacks in size, he more than makes up for in determination and drive.

“He’s the ultimate competitor at heart. … He just gives it all he’s got,” Thorson said. “It doesn’t matter how old he is, it doesn’t matter how tall he is compared to everyone else, he’s going to give it his all.”

Thorson is hoping that competing in the state meet will be a valuable experience for all the Roncalli runners and become the standard for years to come.

“We want to prepare these kids for their future,” Thorson said. “Hopefully going to the state meet, this is something that Roncalli cross country with boys and girls continue to go to.”

Thorson said that Sioux Falls Christian will be favored to sweep the team titles this weekend with the potential to have four runners among the top 10 spots.

Clark-Willow Lake’s Kamryn Nesheim, and Milbank’s Jeter Scoular, who both led the Region 1A races from start to finish, will be among the top area runners in the Class A fields.

Thorson noted that it is has already been a memorable season for the Cavaliers.

“From day one to where they’re at now with the boys team making it and our girls being conference and region champions, I am super proud of those kids,” Thorson said.

CLASS AA

Aberdeen Central’s top runners will arrive in Rapid City well rested and highly motivated after Allie Novstrup, Tate DeVries and Max Nelson did not compete last week to help prepare for the state meet.

“Allie Novstrup has had a really a good season, a really consistent season in terms of placing and overall times when given the course makeup or the weather,” said Central coach Eric Pedersen. “She is really becoming a leader on the team, which is great. She sets good individual goals and I have faith she’ll run a strong race on Saturday.”

The Golden Eagles have had a pair of runners step up late in the season and will look to finish off the season strong.

“Khloe Cochran and Evie Novstrup have made some pretty conscious efforts to put themselves in spots that benefit the team,” Pedersen said. “Especially at the ESD meet, those two raced really well and cut a lot of points.”

Allison Brenner is also a returning state meet qualifier.

The Golden Eagles have a goal heading into the weekend.

“We have sat down and talked about the team aspect and what the girls from our 2-7 position need to do,” Pedersen said. “We are coming in 13th and if we do what we need to, the girls could find themselves closer to 8 or 9, so that’s the overall goal is to see how high we can go for team scores.”

DeVries is one of the premier runners in the state, with numerous race victories to his credit this season, including the Eastern South Dakota Conference championship.

“Tate DeVries definitely captures attention and for good reason. Really awesome that he can add ESD champion to his growing resume of accomplishments,” Pedersen said. “He fully earned that finish and worked his butt off to get to that point. He knows the job isn’t done though with the state meet comping up and he’s a kid who always looks to what’s next. … He learns every week too, which is only another thing that’s made him better.”

Nelson has been the number two runner for the Golden Eagles all season, often recording top 10 finishes.

“Max Nelson has filled in the role of consistent number two really well all season long. In a year where we have really just been plagued with injuries on the boys’ side, I cannot speak highly enough of how well Max has stepped up to push himself,” Pedersen said. “He’s a leader through and through, and I know he’s going to leave it all out there on Saturday.”

Central has a group of younger runners which will comprise the rest of the squad at state including Riley Tople, Kyler Hannigan, Jaxon McPartland, and seventh graders TJ Weidner and Porter Bindenagel.

“That group of 3-7 for the boys will really just see how far up they can go as well,” Pedersen said. “A lot of wild cards on the boys’ side, but a lot of potential and learning for those guys as well. Overall, a really great group of kids to put out on the line.”