Wyoming State Meet

Thorvaldson Almost Two Minutes Ahead Of Field In Wyoming

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Winter-like elements couldn't slow down Sydney Thorvaldson Saturday at the Wyoming State High School Cross Country Championships in Afton.

Battling an October cold blast, mixed in with snow flurries, Thorvalson, a junior from Rawlins, put together an impressive race on the Afton Valley Golf Course to win the 3A title in 17 minutes, 32.7 seconds, breaking her own course record from earlier this season. Her time is also the fastest ever run at the Wyoming state meet. Ranked No. 7 in the latest DyeStat individual rankings, Thorvaldson was nearly two minutes faster than runner-up Riley Smith of Cody (19:25.4). Cody, however, won the team title with 52 points.

It was a similar setup in the boys 3A race, as Star Valley junior Peter Visser broke his course record en route to an individual win in 16:01.3. Visser's big win was just the start of a banner day for Star Valley as four runners placed in the top 11 to finish with 29 points and claim the team championship.

In 4A girls action, Laramie senior Abigail Whitman became the program's first individual winner since 1987 when she crossed the line 19:12. Natrona County repeated as team champions.

Sheridan claimed the 4A boys title for the first time. Trevor Stephen of Cheyenne Central crossed the tape first in 16:26.9.

Freshman Paris Barrera of Wyoming Indian came up big in the 2A/1A race as she won the individual title (20:13.6) and helped guide her team to its first ever state championship. Wyoming Indian placed three runners in the top 5.

The Saratoga boys edged out Tongue River, 42-46 to win the 2A/1A team title. Freshmen Grant Bartlett (1704.6) and Grady Bartlett (17:37.8) went 1-2 for Saratoga.

Team Scores -

Class 4A: Sheridan boys 53 points; Natrona County girls 67 points - RESULTS 

Class 3A: Star Valley boys 29 points; Cody girls 52 points - RESULTS

Class 2A: Saratoga boys 42 points; Wyoming Indian girls 31 points - RESULTS