By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Des Lacs-Burlington sophomore Brynn Hanson is still the individual cross country runner to beat in the Class B girls division.

Hanson successfully defended her Class B girls cross country individual crown by winning her third consecutive individual state championship on Saturday, October 28 during the 2023 NDHSAA Cross Country State Meet held at Jamestown’s Parkhurst Campground/Pipestem Reservoir.

Hanson raced to a time of 19 minutes, 42.5 seconds. Hanson entered the State Meet the No.1-ranked Class B girls runner in the state.

Earning runner-up individual honors was New England sophomore Noa Sancho who finished with a time of 19:49.5.

In the team race, it was Bowman County who took home state title honors. The Bulldogs won their program’s first team state title since 2005 and their 26th state championship in team history. Bowman County has won state titles in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2023.

Bowman County had all five of its scoring runners finish in the Top 20 to earn All-State honors. The Bulldogs team score was 45.

Leading the way for Bowman County was eight grader Anna Sarsland, who finished fourth in the individual race with a time of 20:01.8

Jaci Fischer (sixth, 20:24.9), Julie Sarsland (eighth, 20:47.8), Jordyn Honeyman (13th, 21:00.7), and Landyn Gerbig (14th, 21:03.5) were the Bulldogs’ other All-State runners.

Rugby, winners of the previous four NDHSAA Class B girls cross country team state titles, were runners up in the 2023 team race scoring 91 points.

INDIVIDUAL TOP 20 (All-State)

1. Brynn Hanson, Des-Lacs-Burlington, 19:42.5; 2. Noa Sancho, New England, 19:49.5; 3. Mallory DeVries, Central Cass, 19:57.8; 4. Anna Sarsland, Bowman County, 20:01.8; 5. Kenadie Pazdernik, Carrington, 20:09.8; 6. Jaci Fischer, Bowman County, 20:24.9; 7. Hannah Senechal, Rugby, 20:31.5; 8. Julie Sarsland, Bowman County, 20:47.8; 9. Peyton Gette, Kindred, 20:52.7; 10. Lily Kaldor, Hillsboro/Central Valley, 20:53.0; 11. Allyson Goodmanson, Kindred 12 20:55.0; 12. Keyara Lundstrom, Rugby 9 20:59.2; 13. Jordyn Honeyman, Bowman County 8 21:00.7; 14. Landyn Gerbig, Bowman County 11 21:03.5; 15. Myla Kaldor, Hillsboro/Central, 21:04.8; 16. Taryn Roesler, Kindred, 21:05.1; 17. Shaycee Johnson, Hillsboro/Central Valley, 21:08.0; 18. Adaleene Hansen, Lisbon, 21:09.4; 19. Mashae Miller, Kenmare-Bowbells-Burke Central, 21:12.9; 20. Azlynn Johnson, Hillsboro/Central Valley, 21:14.6

TEAM RESULTS (Top 5)

1. Bowman County (45); 2. Rugby (91); 3. Hillsboro/Central Valley (106); *4. Central Cass (193). 5, Kindred (193). * Central Cass won a tie breaker with Kindred. 

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