Steve Rischling coached the Air Academy cross country team alongside his good friend Glenn Peterson for 31 years.

Peterson was the program’s first coach from 1966-1973 before he returned to coach with Rischling from 1983-2014. He died last December from leukemia.

“He was a big part of the success here,” Rischling said.

Less than a year after his death, the Kadets won their first state title in program history. Led by Katie Rainsberger, the girls won Class 4A with 60 points in October.

Rischling said Peterson would’ve been happy for the kids.

“He cared about the kids above all else,” he said. “He didn’t care about state titles and winning. He was coaching because he cared about young people.”

Rischling also credited much of the season’s success to assistant coaches Lu Sultze and Alli Wintterle.

The Kadets will graduate two seniors from the girls’ varsity team.