The St. Louis boys’ cross country team, along with Abby Dice as an individual for the girls’ team, competed at the 2024 MHSAA Michigan Division Three State Finals at Michigan International Speedway Nov. 2.
The boys team finished 22nd in the state, and Landon Pestrue led the pack running 15:59, next was Colin Kuhn running 17:05, followed close behind by Alex Rodriguez at 17:08, Hayden Shattuck with a time of 18:21, and Jackson Schulz with 20:07.
Dice was the only runner representing the lady Sharks on race day, and she ended with a time of 21:00, placing 116th in the state.
“I was really grateful to have raced at the state meet for all four years of high school. The race went pretty well, but it was kind of a bitter-sweet feeling at the end knowing that I was going to be done with cross country,” said Kuhn.
Dice also shared a similar thought on her last cross country race in high school: “It was definitely sad racing for the last time as a Shark, but I was still happy with my performance in the end. I was proud of myself for representing the St. Louis girls’ team on the course that day.”
“I’m proud of all of our seniors, all of their hard work and dedication to the program throughout the last four years, and they are leaving behind a tremendous championship legacy. I can’t thank them enough for their leadership that they showed all season,” shared coach PuffPaff, emphasizing his appreciation of the senior Sharks he has coached for all four years.
PuffPaff continued, “The whole team for that matter performed admirably, as we were able to leave it all on the course at MIS, I’m pleased with all of the growth our athletes have made this season.”
