South Dakota Names West River Runners to All-State List
Fourteen boys and three girls from West River earned spots on the state cross country all-state performer lists.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Running
The South Dakota Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association named West River runners to its all-state performer lists following the state cross country championships on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Hart Ranch Camping Resort in Rapid City. Fourteen boys and three girls from the region made the lists.
Why it matters
The honors recognize top finishers across the state's three classifications and highlight the depth of West River programs in statewide competition. Several runners posted new personal bests at the championship meet.
Eric Errea of Rapid City Central ran 15:15.3 for third place in Class AA, a new personal best, while Iris Birnbaum ran 17:21.2 for third in Class AA girls. Mikayla Dennis ran 19:16.6 for eighth in Class A girls.
The players
South Dakota Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association
The state organization that governs and recognizes cross country and track and field coaching in South Dakota and publishes the annual all-state honors.
Eric Errea
A Rapid City Central runner who placed third in Class AA at the state cross country championship.
The details
The all-state lists were compiled from finishing positions at the state championship in Rapid City, with runners grouped by class. Carter Cooper finished fourth and Zachary Cooper ninth in Class A, both recording new personal bests, and a separate all-class list honored the top 25 runners regardless of classification.
Timeline
Saturday, Oct. 24: State cross country championships held at Hart Ranch Camping Resort in Rapid City.
Nov. 5: All-state performer lists published by the South Dakota Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association.
Season Trajectory
The all-state lists follow the existing AA, A, and B classification structure that divides South Dakota high schools into competitive groups. The honors give West River programs a visible measure of their standing against statewide competition.
Being named to an all-state list places these runners among the top finishers in their classification and can factor into postseason recognition. Fans tracking statewide cross country results can use the class-by-class lists to see how each West River finisher ranked.
The takeaway
Performances at the state meet show how individual personal bests can translate into all-state recognition. Readers following South Dakota distance running can use the class lists as a reference for the season's top finishers.
Further reading
Find more coverage in Running from across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rapid City Journal.
