By 605 Sports Staff

SIOUX FALLS — Bennett County eighth-grader Reagan O’Neill had a monstrous day at the state track meet Thursday. 

O’Neill jumped out of the blocks in the preliminaries of the 100-meter dash and crossed the finish line in a time of :11.74. O’Neill’s effort broke former Belle Fourche standout Shayla Howell’s state meet record (:12.01) and was the fifth fastest time in South Dakota history. 

O’Neill captured her first state title Thursday in the long jump (18-4.75).

The Sioux Falls Christian girls flexed their talents Friday breaking their own record in the 400-meter relay from 2023 (:49.03) with a :48.99 in the preliminaries of the 400-meter relay. The Chargers picked up relay wins in the 3,200-meter relay (9:34.00) and the sprint medley relay (4:16.05).

The Sioux Falls Christian girls racked up 37.5 points Thursday, ahead of Custer (27) and Lennox (18.5). Canton scored 15 points while Madison scored 14 points to round out the top-five teams. 

In other girls action Canton’s Jenna Vande Weerd won the discus (122-9), Wagner’s Ashlyn  Koupal won the high jump (5-4) and Custer’s Ciana Stiefel won the pole vault (12-7). 

The Sioux Falls Christian boys scored 27 points Thursday, ahead of Custer (22) and Milbank (22). Winner (13) and Hanson (12) are the top-five teams after day one. 

Hill City won the 3,200-meter relay (8:01.91) and the Hot Springs foursome of Hunter Kunz, Luke Haertel, Braden Peterson and Matt Close won the sprint medley relay (3:35.87). Peterson also was the top qualifier in the 100-meter dash (:10.70). 

In field event action Thursday, Winner’s Shawn Hammerbeck won the discus (163-03), Rapid City Christian’s Chase Maher won the pole vault (14-9) and Ethan/Parkston junior James Deckert won the long jump (21-9.25).