KENTUCKY STATE MEET

James Ndayishimiye Wins Kentucky State Title In First Year Out For Cross Country

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

A year after finishing just outside the top 10, the Trinity (Louisville) boys cross country team made sure they were on the podium this fall. The team accomplished that and more Saturday at the Kentucky State Cross Country Championships. At New Horse Park in Lexington, Trinity placed five runners in the top 30 to score 95 points and win the 3A state crown. 

Lafayette’s James Ndayishimiye, a former refugee from Congo, ran to an individual victory in 15:27.38 in his first season out for cross country. 

In the girls 3A race, Addison Moore of Woodford County clocked 18:12.41 to finish first, while Assumption won the team title as three runners finished in the top 10. 

It was all Thomas Nelson in 2A. Riku Sugie covered the course in 15:40.02, defending his title from 2022, while freshman Baili Hoten clocked 19:03.35 to make it a program sweep with a victory in the girls race.  

Lexington Catholic dominated the girls field scoring 38 points to defend the state title. Lexington Catholic was led by senior Cate Conklin’s runner-up finish (19:11.29). 

The Covington Catholic boys won the team title with 62 points. 

In Class A, Bishop Brossart’s Nathan Ruth led his team to a state title as he won the race in 16:04.2. The team victory was the 10th overall title in program history. 

In the girls race, it was upcoming talent Emmie Underwood, a seventh-grader at Fort Campbell, who claimed the state title in 19:11.35, winning by 15 seconds. Beechwood went 2-3 to claim the 1A title again with 41 points. 

Team Champions

Class 3A: Trinity boys 95 points; Assumption girls 54 points 

Class 2A: Covington Catholic boys 62 points; Lexington Catholic girls 38 points 

Class 1A: Bishop Brossart boys 124 points; Beechwood girls 41 points