The track and field season officially got underway Monday, albeit indoor track as the University of South Dakota hosts the Dan Lennon high school meet Monday and Tuesday. 

Outdoor meets begin next week culminating with the South Dakota state track and field meet May 26-28 in Sioux Falls. 

Two events to keep an eye on this season are the Class A girls shot put and discus. 

A year ago Custer junior Kellyn Kortemeyer broke the all-time South Dakota record getting the shot put out to 48-10.75. That mark helped Kortemeyer get signed with the University of Nebraska, however, she finished second at the Class A state meet. 

The Class A shot put title went to then Hamlin sophomore Gracelyn Leiseth. 

2021 Class A shot put results: 

1. Gracelyn Lesieth (Hamlin): 45-5

2. Kellyn Kortemeyer (Custer): 44-5

3. Kami Wadsworth (Hamlin): 42-5

This trio of athletes will look to push boundaries in this event and South Dakota track fans may see the first 50-foot throw in state history. 

Equally as fun to keep an eye on will be the Class A girls discus. At the state meet last year Leiseth won the event with a toss of 149-3. That mark scared the Class A meet record (151-8, Sarah Stevens, Hot Springs 2001). The oldest girls track and field record is in the girls discus (163-2.25, Karen McDonald, Pierre (1980). 

Leiseth, who comes from a family of throwers, will have this season and next to challenge McDonald’s all-time record. 

The top seven throwers from last year’s state meet return in this event. 

1. Leiseth (Hamlin): 149-3

2. Kortemeyer (Custer): 135-5

3. Wadsworth (Hamlin): 129-11

4. Carlee Laubach (Canton): 120-7

5. Grace Peed (EPJ): 119-8

6. Nat Myers (Canton) 118-4

7. Jenaya Schrader (Winner) 118-4 (Only a ninth grader this season)