![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)
All season long, members of the boys and girls varsity cross country teams have been training with a single goal in mind: the State Meet.
Many Lancers reached this goal, competing in the MSHSAA State Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Oak Hill Golf Center in Jefferson City.
The girls, who qualified as a team, had a very impressive showing, placing 13th out of the 16 Class 4 schools.
Sophomore Jessy Maddox led the Lady Lancers, placing 51st in a time of 20:06.05, followed closely by junior Maddie Henning in 69th with a time of 20:27 and freshman Mary Augustin in 94th place, running the race in 20:43.61.
The strong performance of the girls was accompanied by great runs by senior standout Kurtis Harshman and sophomore Derek Legenzoff.
Harshman, who earned National Elite status earlier in the season, placed19th with a time of 16:21.60, earning himself an All-State title.
Legenzoff followed closely behind, finishing with a time of 16:39.45 in 34th place.
With fulfilling finishes from both teams, it is safe to say that the Lancers met the standards set for them earlier in the season, competing at the highest level possible.
“It was a surprise that we made it to State, but at the same time we worked really hard all season,” said sophomore Grace Bueckendorf, who place 128 in a time of 20:59.00.
“We earned it.”
