Official All-Time State XC Championship Meet

     Last week, I introduced an All-time XC Championship article that only covered the All-Time teams from this past season's State Cross-Country Championship. After some thought, I wanted to see how the Meet would look if we took 30 of the best teams in KHSAA Cross-Country history, off of State Title numbers or generally regarded as top teams, and brought them into a meet. I also, in true cross-country fashion, took the 35 fastest runners outside of those teams and threw them into the race. Why 35? Because there are 7 regions in our State Cross-Country and the 5 fastest individuals from those Regions who were not on one of the teams who make State get to run at the State Championship, so I thought 35 was a perfect number. Without further delay, I now give you the All-Time State Cross Country Championship based on MileSplit data and KHSAA official reports. 

    Just as before, the winners of this All-Time XC State Championship were the men from St. Xavier. Led by Villanova legend Bobby Curtis and KHSAA Official and Coaching legend Joseph Buechler, St. Xavier dominates this meet. That wasn't unexpected either as St. Xavier has won 24 State Championships. 

    Slightly surprising, however, is that Daviess County finishes 2nd overall. I say slightly, because Trinity High School has won the second most State Championships at 20 compared to Daviess County's 10. Nonetheless, Daviess County performs strong here.

    Another surprise came in that Top 3 as a team with only 4 State Championships, South Oldham, find themselves in remarkable shape here. Not only do they have a low stick in Isaac Lafond, but they also have solid depth as there 3,4, and 5 guys fall between 36 and 49. Speaks to a deeper meaning about Cross Country racing as you are only as good as your 5th man and South Oldham's depth helps them here. 

    The top Class 1A team in this race is perhaps the team of the 2010's. Holy Cross (Louisville) won 4 straight Cross-Country Championships in the years 2017-2020. Those teams, of course, were led by Keeton Thornsberry, Caleb Bolus, DK Schnieders, and Josh Meiman who all went under 16 minutes.  However, the All-Time Cougars are led by the 2023 USA Half Marathon Champion, Jacob Thomson, who finishes 3rd all time in this race. 

    Notable results among those without a team, Michael Eaton wins the All-Time State Cross Country Championship with the overall state record of 14:35.9, a record that has stood since 2005. Only Lane Hoyes from Thomas Nelson and Jacob Thomson ran faster 5000m races then that and they came on the track. Thomson of course ran 14.34.78 which was surpassed just two years ago by Hoyes' 14:33.68. 

    As we look to next season, let's hope some athletes join/move up this list in an effort to take down Michael Eaton's 14:35.9.