BELLE FOURCHE - Qualifying for next Saturday's state A cross country meet was the common goal for teams and individuals at the Region 5A meet at Belle Fourche Golf Course on Friday.

Todd County claimed the boys title, while St. Thomas More/Rapid City Christian edged Todd County for the girls team honors.

The Todd County Falcons topped the boys team standings with 38 points. Red Cloud was second with 51, followed by Custer with 56.

Hill City's Andy Coy posted a winning time of 16 minutes, 19 seconds in the boys 5K run. Marc Whirlwind Soldier, of Todd County, took runner-up honors in 16:25. Colton Njos of Belle Fourche finished third in 17:03.

Coy moved up one place from last year's second place performance at the region meet.

"It was tough today," said Coy. "Marc pushed me really hard. We were pretty much neck-and-neck until the last hill. In the last lap, I tried to surge up the hills. Marc is a good downhill runner. Uphill is my strength."

Joining Whirlwind Soldier as top 20 finishers for the Falcons were Wes Running who took fourth in 17:28 and Max Grimshaw who crossed the line in 18th with a time of 19:13.

"At first, I wasn't aware we won the team title," said Todd County coach Tonya Whirlwind Soldier. "I was so amazed."

The top three teams and top 20 individuals in both the varsity boys and girls divisions earned berths in the state A meet at Broadland Creek Golf Course in Huron on Oct. 25.

Red Cloud and Custer each had three runners claim top 20 finishes in the boys division. Henry Crow led the Crusaders, notching fifth place in 17:32. Kyle Blacksmith was seventh in 18:06 and Jon Ross took 17th place in 19:10.

Cody Herman and Jared Fischer paced the Wildcats with ninth and 10th place times of 18:08 and 18:30, respectively. Travis March collected 19th place in 19:15.

Rounding out the top 10 finishers were: Dallas Two Lance, of Pine Ridge, taking sixth in 18:02 and Tobie Spitzer, of Hot Springs in eighth with a time of 18:06.

Lead-Deadwood qualified two individuals for state. Shelby Wayne Williams was 13th in 18:55. Cody Ertman captured 16th place in 19:05.

St. Thomas More/Rapid City Christian nipped Todd County by two points, 37-39, for the girls team title. Custer collected third place with 51 points.

Lottie Grimshaw, an eighth- grader at Todd County repeated as girls 5A Region champion, crossing the finish line in 16:14, 33 seconds ahead of the Cavaliers' Alayna Ackerman.

"It was fun, but it was kind of hard," said Grimshaw of her first place performance. "I was pushed at the beginning by Karley Konkol (Custer) and Jessica Tall (Pine Ridge).

"I pulled away at 1,500 meters. It was a tough course."

"The win was a big surprise," said St. Thomas More/Rapid City Christian assistant coach Corey Whalen. "We ran really well. Our fourth runner was sick this week."

Allison Eaton claimed fifth place (17:20) and Madison Kirsch was 14th (18:02) for the Cavs.

Tawny Berry and Kylie Wilson recorded eighth and 10th place times of 17:37 and 17:44 for Todd County.

Custer harriers earning top 20 times were: Konkol in third, Mariah Gaston in 16th and Laura Muse in 20th.

A trio of Red Cloud runners placed in the top 20 - Christi Sioux Bob took seventh place, Desirae Blacksmith was 12th and Saige Pourier was 18th.

Hot Springs, Hill City and Lead-Deadwood each had a pair of runners notch top 20 places. State qualifiers for Hot Springs were Natalie Bahr and Cassidy Schoenfelder. Earning trips to state from Hill City were Stephanie Qualm and Mariah Asheim. Lead-Deadwood's state meet participants include Bailey Voss and Jessi Sterhnagen.

Rebecca Meza was the lone Belle Fourche qualifier for state.