Woodland's Layton named MSHSAA XC Coach of the Year

Woodland cross country coach Ryan Layton added another accolade from the 2023 cross country season. 

The first coach of the year award for the 2023-24 school year was announced by MSHSAA on Aug. 20. 

Layton earned the honor after overseeing the Cardinals to win the Class 2 boys cross country championship in November 2023.

It was the school's first-ever boys championship for any sport and only the second ever for the Marble Hill-based school - joining the girls 1994 volleyball championship in 2A.

The trophy for the boys program was No. 2 overall, joining the 2016 team that placed fourth.

It was Coach Layton's sons that led the charge for the title.

Senior Reed Layton won the championship with a time of 16:25.20, while sophomore Calvin Layton was fourth with a time of 16:43.5.

The top five for the Cardinals finished in the top 51.

Woodland finished with 96 points, easily ahead of runner-up Lutheran Kansas City's 137.