SIOUX FALLS – Flandreau’s Faith Wiese finished second in the Class A State Girls’ Cross Country Meet on Saturday at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls.
Wiese, a sophomore, came in second with a time of 18:12.78 defeating one her commonly seen opponents, Isabell Bloker of Sioux Valley, and narrowly missing the championship.
“The girls’ field was also a field in a historical sense as the top six finishers were all faster than the State Championship time from this same course in 2021,” said Head Coach Brendan Streitz.
Sioux Falls Christian’s Corinne Braun won the race with a time of 18:02.59 and her team won the team portion with 27 points.
“Faith was second in the Region 2A meet a week previous losing to defending State Champion Bloker. She was determined to give herself every opportunity to bring home the first ever individual State XC Championship in Flandreau school history.  In a race for the ages, in which she was seven seconds faster than she was on the same course a week ago, she kept Bloker in her sites gradually closing the gap, which she ultimately did, but with about 400m to go Braun closed the gap as well passing Faith and Isabelle to win.”
Her second place finish ties her own record for the best finish in school history.

Streitz also commented on her ability and drive to be as competitive as she can.
“Faith has already cemented not only her place as the best XC runner in Flandreau history, but as one of the best in state history as she has finishes of 2nd, 12th, 6th, and 2nd (at state events).  Those four finishes stack up against the resume of any runner in State A the past four years,” he said.
“It has been fantastic to watch an athlete from our small neck of the woods go out and represent the community, and herself so well, athletically, and with outstanding character,” he concluded.
Josie Hamilton was the other runner for the Fliers and she came in 39th (20:15.44).
“Josie’s goal was to stay in medal contention and see what happened,” said Streitz.
“She did that, she was 31st late in the race and took a spill which cost her eight spots.  She ended up finishing 39th and still ran a Personal Record and was two seconds faster than she was on the same course at the region meet a week ago.”

For the Class A boys event, Brenton Westberry was the only runner for Flandreau and he finished in 81st (18:28.85).
“Brenton’s goal was to get out hard and compete and let the chips fall where they may,” said Streitz.
“He was able to position himself well early on being in the mid-forties and less than 10 seconds out of medal contention.  As the race wore on, he ran out of steam and finished with a respectable 18:28 in a loaded class.  Historically finishing with a 18:00 minute 5K will put a runner in contention for a top 25 medal in class A at state.  This year 25th place was 16:46.”
Luke Rupert of Hill City won the individual race with a time of 15:26.51). Hill City won the team portion with 26 points.