By Rich Winter

605 Sports

The 2024 Class A team title came down to the final event with Sioux Falls Christian winning the 1,600-meter relay and edging Custer, 68-66, to win a fourth consecutive team title. 

With the 2025 season set to open as soon as weather permits, the Chargers and Wildcats are expected to be among the top teams in Class A this season.

Sioux Falls Christian has a number of key returners including Bennett Wassenaar, fifth in the 400-meter dash (:49.88) and third in the 800-meter run (2:00.61), Aiden Buys, eighth in the 300-meter hurdles (:42.33). The Chargers medaled in every state meet relay and won the 1,600-meter relay (3:33.10) and finished second in the 3,200-meter relay (8:08.57). 

Runners like Kian Clapp, Aiden Buys, Tate Gadbois, Levi Davelaar, Brant Wassenaar and Levi Vander Leest will man the relays and will likely start placing in the individual events. 

Paul Hoekman won the shot put (60-08.75) and finished second in the discus (157-01) and is the top field event returner for the Chargers. 

Custer has a number of athletes returning and the Wildcats are very strong in the field events. 

Distance runner Sean Shipp finished sixth in the 3,200-meter run (9:41.66). Runners like Danny Immormino should bolster the sprints and the relays.

Roland Sedlacek finished second in the javelin (157-05), Carter Tennyson finished second in the high jump (6-05). Kincade finished second in the long jump (21-08) and won the triple jump (44-10.75). 

Class A athletes to watch: 

Zac Van Meeteren, Hamlin: Second in the 100-meter dash (:11.17), second in the 200-meter dash (:22.96) and fourth in the 400-meter dash (:49.85).

James Burke, Lead-Deadwood: Third in the 100-meter dash (:11.27)

Donovan Rose, Sioux Valley: Fourth in 100-meter dash (:11.31), eighth in 200-meter dash (:24.40), fifth in 110-meter hurdles (:15.35). 

Kolter Kramer, Ethan/Parkston: Sixth in 400-meter dash (:50.21).

Brandon Escalante, Hill City: Sixth in 800-meter run (2:01.45). 

Jack Brown, Dakota Valley: Seventh in 1,600-meter run (4:24.71), fourth in 3,200-meter run (9:37.76).

Tate Grabow, Hill City: Seventh in 3,200-meter run (9:42.10).

Liam Schmeichel, West Central: State champion in the 110-meter hurdles (:14.68), fifth in the 300-meter hurdles (:41.31). 

Shane Veenhof, Madison: Second in the 110-meter hurdles (:14.73), third in 300-

meter hurdles (:40.68). 

Ezra Wildeman, Rapid City Christian: Second in the 300-meter hurdles (:40.01). 

Emmett Hanson, Milbank: Eighth in 110-meter hurdles (:16.61), fourth in 300-meter hurdles (:40.83). 

Matthew Mount, Webster: Second in the shot put (54-01.75), sixth in discus (143-10) as a sophomore. 

Shawn Hammerbeck, Winner: State champion in discus (163-03), fifth in javelin (153-11).

Lucas Johnson, Great Plains Lutheran: Third in the high jump (6-03). 

Cruz Mollman, Lead-Deadwood: Fifth in the pole vault (13-09). 

James Deckert, Ethan/Parkston: State champion in the long jump (21-09.25). 

Samuel Rick, Milbank: Seventh in the triple jump as a freshman (41-06).