CHEYENNE — The Star Valley High School cross country teams left everything on the Little America golf course this weekend, returning home with hardware and historic achievements from the 4A state championship meet.
The boys’ team secured a strong second-place finish, while the girls broke through for their first podium appearance in eight years with a fourth-place performance.
For the Lady Braves, the fourth-place trophy represents a milestone moment. The team hadn’t stood on the state podium since 2017, but smart pack running and determination carried them back to the top tier of Wyoming cross country.
“The Lady Braves used some great pack running to place 4th — their first podium finish in 8 years,” said head coach Ty Draney. “More great things to come from these ladies.”
The boys’ team came to Cheyenne as defending state champions, knowing they had a target on their backs. Rather than crumble under pressure, they used it as fuel.
“We wanted to prove that hard work pays off, and I think we did just that,” said sophomore Luke Harris. “Everyone gave everything they had for Star Valley.”
Leading the charge was senior Colton Cranney, who claimed the individual state championship with a dominant performance. His victory extended a remarkable streak for the Braves program — the fourth consecutive individual title for a Star Valley runner and the ninth in the last ten years across both 3A and 4A competition.
“Colton Cranney is the 4A individual champ,” noted Dahl Erickson of SVI Media, highlighting the program’s sustained excellence.
Sophomore Brigham Huan also delivered a standout race, finishing eighth overall to earn all-state recognition and provide crucial points for the team’s second-place finish.
Behind the success stands a coaching staff that has built more than just fast runners. Coaches Ty Draney and Alexander Scharmann have cultivated a team culture that junior Kylee Linford describes as family.
“They truly turned the team into a family through the season, creating memories that everyone will have for years to come,” Linford said. “I couldn’t have asked for better coaches. They have always been there for me and my teammates, cheering us on no matter what.”
From early morning practices to road trips to Oregon for The Mook invitational, the coaches’ dedication showed in their athletes’ performances when it mattered most.
“Super proud of the efforts of our teams this past weekend,” Coach Draney said. “They set some big goals for themselves last summer. More great things to come from this crew.”
With strong returning talent and a culture of excellence firmly established, the Braves’ cross country program shows no signs of slowing down. The spirit of Ohana — family — continues to drive this team forward, promising more memorable chapters ahead.
