Saturday, October 31, 2026----Sacred Heart Academy raced to a historic cross country win at the KHSAA state meet at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Valkryies won the first class 3A championship for Sacred Heart since 2014 and sophomore Lucy Kate Gaunt crossed the finish line as the individual state champion in 17:54.56.
The Valkyries scored 55 points (runner up Ryle scored 82) and had 4 runners in the top 15. Lucy Gaunt (1), Addisyn Potts (8), Allyson McArthur (12), Mavyn Hasch (13), Ellery Eblen (22), Evelyn Wolf (29), and Libby Gipe (41) made up the SHA championship team, coached by Joe and Nancy Buechler.
SHA Athletic Director Donna Moir with individual state champion Lucy Kate GauntThis win marks the 121st state title for SHA and the second state championship earned this week by the Valkyries. (The field hockey team won the KHSAA state championship on Wednesday, October 28.) The 2026 cross country championship is the eighth title for the XC program, previously coached by Rick Heim until his death in 2025.
The Valkyries celebrate after crossing the finish line
Coaches Joe and Nancy Buechler with Donna Moir