See who was honored as South Dakota high school cross country coaches of the year

Roger Merriam, Watertown Public Opinion

Ralph Kroetch of Philip (boys) and Tony Thoreson of Brandon Valley (girls) have been named the 2023 South Dakota Cross Country Coaches of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Kroetch guided Philip's boys to the Great Western Plains Conference and Region 5B titles before the Scotties repeated as the Class B team champions in the South Dakota State Cross Country Championships recently in Sioux Falls.

Kroetch has led Philip to nine conference and six region titles as well as the 2014 state Class B championship.

Thoreson led Brandon Valley's girls to the state Class AA title last month, the first in program history. The Lynx also won the Metro Conference title, one of eight victories in nine meets this fall.

During his tenure, Thoreson has guided the Lynx to five Eastern South Dakota Conference and two Metro Conference titles.

More: Class B champion Potter County among eight teams, 38 area runners to receive awards

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

Head coach Tony Thoreson, second from right, is pictured with the Brandon Valley girls team that won the State AA title recently in the 2023 State High School Cross Country Championships at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls.
Head coach Tony Thoreson, second from right, is pictured with the Brandon Valley girls team that won the State AA title recently in the 2023 State High School Cross Country Championships at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls.
Coach Ralph Kroetch (left) is pictured with the Philip High School boys team that won the State B title recently in the 2023 State High School Cross Country Championships at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls.
Coach Ralph Kroetch (left) is pictured with the Philip High School boys team that won the State B title recently in the 2023 State High School Cross Country Championships at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: South Dakota high school cross country coaches receive state honors

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