31 years! If you are familiar with the tradition and success of the Jefferson High cross country program, 31 years between boys’ championships doesn’t seem possible. Scan the rafters in the high school gym and you should see 19 old boys’ and girls’ XC state champion banners. Now, a 20th is joining them. With wholehearted joy, I want to congratulate the team, the coaches, the school, and the community on bringing the State Champion title back to the school. It is fantastic to see the regrowth of the school’s cross country program in recent years.
Earning the title of State Champion is rare and elusive; Jefferson High might have been spoiled in the Hoofer’ heyday. The legacy of Sam Samson, a national and state Hall of Fame coach, seemed to almost guarantee team hardware every fall. I was fortunate to spend time in that program, and Coach Samson’s leadership and mentoring helped shape who I am today. Jefferson High and all the kids that ran for Samson were lucky to have been a part of what he created. Well, after a decades long wait, the cross country program is seeing success again under Coach Karson Klass.
When Coach Klass took over the program a few years ago, there was little interest or excitement in the program. With several years of time, energy, and commitment, he has grown a competitive team. Watching the program develop, it was only a matter of time before the team won a title. Coach Klass has breathed confidence, work ethic, commitment, and joy into the kids running cross country.
