Freshman Lyla Huffman finished sixth at the Missouri Class 3 state championship to become the first all-state cross country runner in Houston High School history.
Huffman ran a time of 19:36.47 to lead the Lady Tigers at the state meet Friday at the Gans Creek Cross Country Complex in Columbia, where Houston finished 15th out of 16 teams.
“Lyla ran an amazing race,” said HHS head coach Justin Brown. “It definitely was a learning experience and we now know what we have to do to get her prepared for next season.”
Huffman’s historic day capped a dominant freshman season. Despite battling a nagging foot injury, she won six races and finished second four times — including three runner-up finishes to Fair Grove junior Katrina Cantwell. Cantwell finished fifth at state with a time of 19:05.51.
Huffman’s performance continues the program’s surge forward. Last season, the team’s top finisher — Kristen Ely — placed 48th in a field of 163 runners, and the Lady Tigers finished last as a team at state.
This year, Huffman’s efforts were supported by senior Lilly Kincaid (97th), senior Natalie Clinton (122nd), sophomore Jessyn Allen (123rd) and junior Adyson Dailing (147th).
Huffman set the program record this season at Clever with a time of 19:02.6 — topping her previous record. She was the highest freshman finisher at the state meet.
The program’s future looks bright as eighth-grade state champion Myles Copley will join the roster next fall.
“I’m extremely proud of Lyla and our girls program,” said Brown. “We look forward to bringing in Myles next year and competing at a high level with our girls. This was a great way to end an awesome season.”