By Rich Winter

Belle Fourche junior Sawyer Clarkson knows he's not the fastest runner in any kind of sprint finish. Withthat in mind Clarkson put the hammer down early in Friday's Rapid City Invitational with a plan in mind.

“My goal was to go out fast and see who was willing to pay an early price,” Clarkson told 605 Sports.

Clarkson hit the first mile in 4:36 with absolutely no other athlete close. The Belle Fourche athlete crossed the line in 15:23, a season's best and a new Belle Fourche school record.

The girls race featured last years Class A champ, Abby Cutler from Hill City, several tough contenders from Custer and a relatively unknown eighth-grader from Sioux Falls Christian.

It was the eighth-grader, Ellie Maddox that announced herself as a Class A favorite, winning the race in 18:20.

Boys results:

Top-20 individual results: 1. Sawyer Clarkson, Belle Fourche 15:23; 2. Keenan Urdiales, Spearfish 15:57; 3. LaneKrautschun, Bison 16:15; 4. Austin Akers, Sheridan 16:16; 5. Alex Otten, Rapid City Stevens 16:19; 6. DomSantiago, Chamberlain 16:20; 7. Simone Birnbaum, Rapid City Stevens 16:21; 8. Braik Hurm, Campbell County16:25; 9. Hayden Shaffer, Pierre 16:27; 10. Resse Charest, Sheridan 16:36, 11, Dominic Eberle, Laramie 16:27; 12Sam Kjerstand, Campbell County 16:42; 13. Isaac Davelaar, Sioux Falls Christian 16:42; 14. Robby Miller, Sheridan 16:46; 15. Patrick Vogel, Sioux Falls Christian 16:50; 16. Mayer Smith, Laramie 16:51; 17. Peyton Cast,Douglas 16:52; 18. Jared Lutmer, Pierre 16:53; 19. Miles Ellman, Custer 16:59; 20. Carter Matthews, Thunder Basin 17:01

Team scores: 1.Sheridan, 66; 2. Rapid City Stevens, 89; 3. Sioux Falls Christian, 111; 4. Laramie, 118; 5. Sturgis,155; 6. Pierre, 160; 7. Sioux Falls Jefferson, 180; 8. Campbell County, 229; 9. Douglas, 252; 10. Belle Fourche,279

Notables:

• Bison's Lane Krautschun finished third in this race and will be one of Class B's favorites.

• Chamberlain's Dom Santiago finished sixth but improved his time on the Hart Ranch course by over a minute from last year's state meet. Santiago was the second Class A finisher in Friday's race.

Girls results

Top-20 individual results: 1. Ellie Maddox, Sioux Falls Christian 18:20; Addison Forry, Laramie 18:21;3. Brionna Holso, Rapid City Stevens 18:30; 4. Peyton VanDeest, Spearfish 18:30; 5. Hailey Uhre, RapidCity Stevens 18:44; 6. Kadense Dooley, Custer 18:53; 7. Ramsey Karim, Custer 18:56; 8. Abby Cutler,Hill City 18:58; 9. Kinsey Evans, Chamberlain 19:02; 10. Abby Newton, Sheridan 19:09; 11. CorrineBraun, Sioux Falls Christian 19:12; 12. Hallie Person, Lead-Deadwood 19:14; 13. Reilly Wilson,Campbell County 19:15; 14. Kira Ubence, Douglas 19:23; 15. Eva Studt, Custer 19:31; 16. Jade Ecoffey,Red Cloud 19:33; 17. Gracie Uhre, Rapid City Stevens 19:35; 18. Margaret Vogel, Sioux Falls Christian19:36, 19. Acey Elkins, Mandan 19:45; 20. Leah Schabron, Laramie 19:51

Girls team scores: 1. Rapid City Stevens, 80; Sheridan 98; 3. Custer 123; 4. Laramie 136; 5. Chamberlain 149; 6.Sioux Falls Christian 158; 7. Hill City, 159; 8. Red Cloud, 220; 9. Campbell County, 231; 10. Sturgis Brown 238

 

Photo courtesy of Britt Clarkson