Jadeth Elder makes an outstanding run to earn 2A State Championship

The Wyoming High School Cross Country State Championships were held in Cheyenne on October 26. Following up his second place finish at regionals the week before, outstanding junior athlete Jadeth Elder finished the Little America championship course in first place with a time of 17:43.80 to earn the 2A State Championship title and take his place at the top of the podium.

Elder finished in third place at the 2023 2A State Championships, with a time of 18:01.50, behind champion Howard McNiven of Burlington. This year, however, Jadeth topped McNiven by nearly 21 seconds, to drop the Burlington standout to a third place finish. Jadeth will be a senior next year, and will look to repeat as state champ.

This year, the boys team came in third place, with a team score of 42. Wyoming Indian took home their fourteenth state championship since 2003 with 32 points. The Burlington team was runner up with 33 points. The Bobcats finished the 2023 State Championship in third place, with a combined score of 58 points.

Cole Keller finished in 9th place, with a time of 18:36.00. Ammon Gevas ran a 18:53.70, and finished 11th, Teancum Gevas ran a 20:08.80, Trevin Shaffer ran a 20:32.70, Clayton Keller ran 21:40.80 and Alec Martinez ran a time of 23:39.90. Ammon Gevas was the top placing freshman in 2A.

The Bobcats are a young team – with four freshmen, two sophomores and two juniors. The team worked hard this year, and earned a very successful season. With no seniors on the team this year, they look to build upon their success next year, and to bring home a team championship.

Elder and Keller earned 2024 All-State honors. Each class's top ten finishers make the list. Elder made the list in 2023 as well. Elder's outstanding performance also put him in the running for the WyoPreps male high school athlete of the week. Results were not announced at press time.