Trinity and Sacred Heart Win State Cross Country Titles
The programs secured Class 3A team victories at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Track & Field
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Trinity claimed the boys Class 3A cross country title while Sacred Heart took home the girls team championship. Individual crowns were earned by Van Weimer in the boys race and Lucy Gaunt in the girls division.
Why it matters
These team victories highlight the current competitive landscape for Kentucky high school distance running. The results establish new benchmarks for programs as they conclude the 2026 season.
Van Weimer finished the boys individual race in 15:09.89, while Lucy Gaunt secured the girls individual title with a time of 17:54.56. Sacred Heart clinched their team win by placing four runners in the top 15.
The players
Trinity
This high school athletic program secured the boys Class 3A team championship.
Sacred Heart
This school claimed the girls Class 3A state cross country title after a multi-year drought.
Lucy Gaunt
She is the individual champion of the Class 3A girls cross country race.
Van Weimer
He finished first in the Class 3A boys individual competition.
The details
Trinity secured the boys title through a deep rotation that saw multiple runners finish within the top 20. On the girls side, Sacred Heart achieved their first team championship since 2014, outpacing the competition at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Timeline
The state cross country championships took place in October 2026.
Lucy Gaunt finished 13th at the state meet in 2025.
Coach Rick Heim died in 2025.
Season Trajectory
The 2014 Sacred Heart state championship victory marks the return of a program to the top of the podium after a decade of rebuilding. This title win effectively ends a 12-year drought for the school and signals a shift in the regional power balance.
Freshmen members on the Sacred Heart team are now positioned to build upon this year's championship momentum for the 2027 season. The program's ability to place four runners in the top 15 suggests a high ceiling for returning talent next year.
The takeaway
Success at the state level often relies on depth rather than just a single standout performer. Programs that focus on developing multiple top-20 runners are significantly more likely to secure team-wide titles.
Further reading
For more on competitive running results across the state, visit the Kentucky Track & Field section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Courier-Journal.
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