By Sam Kombrink
We always pass by Lutheran High School driving down Wornall road without much thought. But the quiet private high school is turning heads concerning high school sports.
Cross Country
The Lutheran High School has gone 39 years without ever producing a Missouri team state championship. That all changed on Saturday, November 3rd.
At Oak Hills Golf Course, in Jefferson City, MO, the Lutheran Knights Cross Country program took home two Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 1 State championships within 45 minutes of each other.
The boys’ were first to claim victory for the Knights. Lutheran was led by senior Jesse Schultz, who ran himself to a first- place finish. Schultz accumulated a championship score of 86 points. Schultz finished fourth in the race. He was followed by All-State running teammates senior Christian Hinrichs (20th), and senior Caleb Schemp (22nd). Junior Nathan Fischer (50th) and sophomore Sam Allred (95th) also contributed to the first-place team total.
The crowd was ready for more triumph as they cheered on the Class 1 Girls’ race. Lutheran was led by sophomore Abigail Allred who came in sixth, followed by junior Lauren Ada (10th), and senior Madison Chiappetta (17th). The ladies posted a team score of 60 points to complete a rare double state championship victory for the Knights. Sophomore Reece Pohlman (26th), and freshman Rachel Ada (27th) all recorded personal best times in rallying the Lutheran Knights to lifting up the first place, championship trophy. Daniel Gibson, Lutheran’s first year head cross country coach, was obviously pleased with the results of his team, saying “Both teams maximized their potential through a season of hard work, and determination.”
The Knights were ready to make history, and that is exactly what they did. Within 45 minutes of each other, the boys and girls cross country teams were Missouri State Champions.
Volleyball
In other Lutheran Sports news, Senior Lauren Gruber was selected as a member of the MSHSAA division 1 All-State Volleyball team. The Lutheran Knights finished the season as District Champions, with a record of (27-6-2).
In Jefferson City, on December 1st, Gruber got the opportunity to participate in the Missouri Volleyball All-Star game. This season, Gruber was joined on the All-State team by Lutheran Sophomore Aleena Peterson, a rare occurrence: only selected All-Star seniors are allowed to compete in the game.
The Knights of Lutheran look to continue their recent Athletic Success, here in south Kansas City.