![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
The cross country team continues to experience success in each of its meets, with promising finishes from top varsity runners.
In the Stan Nelson Invitational on Sept. 11, the girls placed first, and the boys placed fifth. Sophomore Jessy Maddox took first in the girls varsity division with a time of 20:57.67, with sophomore Grace Bueckendorf following close behind in second place, finishing in 21:07.59.
As promised, senior Kurtis Harshman delivered for the Lancers in the boys varsity division, placing fourth with a time of 17:06.15.
The teams returned less than a week later at the Parkway Central Invitational on September 16, representing Lafayette with an 11th place finish for the boys and second place for the girls. Freshman Mary Augustin proved herself, finishing the highest among the Lancers in seventh place in 21:04.70. Kurtis Harshman led the Lafayette pack, once again, earning an eighth place spot in a mere 17:08.20.
On Sept. 21, the team participated in the Fox Warrior Invitational, again finishing with impressive standings. Placing third overall, the varsity girls were led by freshman Rachel Wuestling who finished in seventh place in 23:08.00.
Harshman placed fourth for the boys with a time of 17:02.00, contributing to the boys’ sixth place finish in the meet.
Most recently, the Lady Lancers competed in the Hancock Invitational on Sept. 25. The Lancers took seventh in the Class 4 girls varsity division, represented once again by Augustin who placed highest among the Lancers in 25th with a time of 21:20.60.
The teams will compete in the Class 4 District 2 meet on Oct. 23.
