By Rich Winter

605 Sports

Rapid City Stevens junior Simeon Birnbaum had a sneaky good performance at Saturday’s Black Hills Classic in Sturgis. The young man who broke the state record in the mile several weeks ago, ran a :49.89 to win the 400-meter dash. 

High school athletes that run the 3,200 meter run in 9:14 (season’s best on March 29)) aren’t supposed to run sub-50 400s, but at this weekend’s Howard Wood Dakota Relays, track fans could see some special stuff from Birnbaum. 

Birnbaum Class AA rankings: 

400-meter dash: 3rd, :49.89

800-meter run: 1st, 1:54.55

1,600 meter run: 1st, 4:06.51

3,200 meter run: 1st, 9:14.18

A couple of records to keep an eye on during next weekend’s track meet. 

1,600 meter run: The Howard Wood Dakota relays record in this event is 4:09.74 by Sioux Falls Lincoln’s Jim Reinhart in 1973. 

3,200 meter run: The Howard Wood Dakota relays record in this event is 8:50.12 by Joe Klecker of Hopkins High School (Minn.) in 2015

1,600 meter sprint medley relay: The Howard Wood Dakota relays record for AA schools in this event is 3:27.44 (Larson, Elliott, Tyler, Reinhart, Sioux Falls Lincoln, 1973).

We won’t know until mid-week what events Birnbaum will be entered into. One time to keep track of if he dabbles in the 3,200 meter run is 8:56.30. That is the South Dakota state record run by former Rapid City Stevens standout Erik Grumstrup in 2001. 

Several other athletes and events to keep an eye on

Isaac Davelaar, Sioux Falls Christian: The defending Class A champion in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs is quietly making his way towards tip-top shape. 

Class A ranks for Davelaar: 

400-meter dash: 2nd, :50.35

1,600 meter run: 3rd, 4:26.40

Davelaar doesn’t have an 800-meter run or 3,200 meter run on his resume yet this season. The 400-meter dash time suggests Davelaar will be quick in any event he enters.

Records watch: 

3,200 meter relay: Sioux Falls Christian has the top time in Class A this year, 8:22.78. Don’t be surprised if you see the Charger boys looking to break their school record and the Howard Wood Dakota Relays record of (8:00.76, Hitt, Watley, VanZee and DeWeerd from 2017). 

Sawyer Clarkson, Belle Fourche: Clarkson won the Class A cross-country race last fall and looks to be in phenomenal shape. 

Class A rankings for Clarkson

800-meter run: 5th, 2:05.33

1,600 meter run: 1st, 4:25.47

3,200 meter run: 1st, 9:22.35

Clarkson has run out west this spring  (largely unchallenged) and dominated every 1,600 and 3,200 he’s entered. The added competition at Howard Wood will likely tow Clarkson to some fast times. 

Nick Batchelor, Milbank: Another seriously talented runner from the Class A ranks, Batchelor is having a great senior campaign. 

Class A ranks: 

800-meter run: 1st, 1:57.38

1,600 meter run: 2nd, 4:25.85

3,200 meter run: 2nd, 9:42.84

Record watch: 1,600-meter sprint medley

A year ago the Milbank boys won their first-ever relay title at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays. Batchelor anchored the team with an overall time of 3:36.67. The record in this event is 3:32.25 (Hyde, Bohnenkamp, Rafferty, Trainor) of St. Thomas More in 2018.