SUGAR HOUSE, Utah — For the first time in nearly three decades, the Lehi High School boys cross country team stands atop the podium as 6A UHSAA state champions.
Despite not placing a single runner in the individual top eight during Tuesday morning’s 6A state meet at Sugar House Park, Lehi packed five runners into the top 18 to edge Region 3 rival American Fork and claim its first state crown since 1995.
Lehi secured the championship with a team-best 61 points, followed by American Fork in second with 66 points and Riverton in third with 82 points.
The key to the Pioneers’ historic win was remarkable team pack-running. A razor-thin gap of just 15 seconds separated Lehi’s top five scorers:
Owen McMullin – 9th place
Brayden Barlow – 10th place
Everett Quist – 11th place
Luke Shumway – 13th place
Milo Amakasu – 18th place
Lehi head coach Chris Dorton expressed both excitement and relief after bringing the championship trophy back to Lehi, emphasizing the deep community roots behind the triumph.
"It took generations," Dorton said. "Four out of our top seven on varsity are multi-generational Lehi runners. They’ve had brothers and sisters come through the program who encouraged and inspired them to do better than their older siblings did. It’s just so much fun to see a program build from families who love the sport and dedicate themselves to it together."
Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, and families on a historic season!