By Rich Winter

605 Sports

Mount Vernon/Plankinton’s Berkeley Engelland put on a show at the 2023 state track meet winning state titles in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash and 800-meter run.

The future University of South Dakota athlete has already decimated Class A records and will be looking to challenge several state records as the season progresses. 

Engelland, along with Reagan Rus (hurdles) and Clara Fink (throws) are part of a strong returning cast for the Titans. 

The Sioux Falls Christian girls ran away with the 2023 state title scoring 126.5 points, ahead of MVP (68.5) and Custer (49). The Chargers will be looking for a third consecutive Class A team title this spring.

Distance events (1,600 - 3,200)

A year ago Sioux Valley’s Isabelle Bloker broke Heidi Reed’s (Canton, 1991) record in the 3,200-meter run (10:50). Bloker doubled back to win the 1,600-meter run (5:03.55). In each of those races, Sioux Falls Christian’s Corrinne Braun chased Bloker to the line in finishing second. Both of those runners, along with Flandreau’s Faith Wiese, return to bolster very deep fields in the Class A distance races. Braun won the class A cross-country title followed by Wiese and Bloker. Seven of the top eight finishers in each of these races return for what should be outstanding competition in the distance events.

Sioux Valley's Isabelle Bloker is the defending state champion in the 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run - Ryan Deal - 605 Sports

Sprints (100 - 400)

Mount Vernon/Plankinton’s Berkeley Engelland is the returning champion in the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes. The future University of South Dakota athlete is the prohibitive favorite to win each of those races again, but she may have company, particularly in the short sprints. 

100 meters: At last season’s state track meet Engelland (:12.36) nipped Custer’s Jordyn Larsen (:12.37) and just edged Ethan/Parkstons Lauren Ziebart (:12.47).

Hurdles: 

Mount Vernon/Plankinton’s Reagan Rus returns after winning the 100-meter hurdles as a sophomore. Rus was second in the 300-hurdles last season behind Red Cloud’s Ashlan Carlow-Blount. Both Rus and Carlow-Blount are capable of challenging one of Class A’s oldest state meet records (44.6, Amy Allard, Jefferson, 1981). 

800-meter run:

With the 800-meter run the feature event at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays expect a number of Class A athletes to contest this event early and often this season. Engelland won the race at the state meet a year ago (2:13.51) with SFC’s Anna Vyn (2:15.95) finishing second. Both athletes should see invites to the Howard Wood special event. 

Relays: 

A year ago the Sioux Falls Christian girls capitalized on team depth and talent to win the 400-meter relay, 800-meter relay, 1,600-meter relay, 1,600 meter sprint medley relay and 3,200 meter relay. While there are several holes to fill on those relays no other Class A girls team can produce that kind of firepower with the passing of a baton. 

Sioux Falls Christian's Anna Vyn anchored the Chargers 1,600-meter sprint medley relay team to a state meet record in 2023 - Rodney Haas - 605 Sports

Field Events:

High Jump: Wagner’s Ashlyn Koupal won the high jump last year (5-06). Madison’s Audrey Nelson jumped (5-04) at the state meet and she and Koupal will have some terrific battles this season. 

Triple Jump: Belle Fourche’s Mataya Ward is the top returner finishing  second at the state meet with a jump of (35-00). 

Long jump: A host of talented returners in this event with Ethan/Parkston’s Lauren Ziebart and Canton’s Jayrn Warejcka the top athletes heading into the season.

Throws: Mount Vernon/Plankinton’s Clara Fink is the top returner in the shot put and discus. 

Pole Vault: Custer’s Ciana Stiefel soared to a state meet record of 12-08. A very talented athlete that could challenge state records this season. 

Wagner's Ashlyn Koupal won the high jump (5-06) at the 2023 state track meet - Ryan Deal - 605 Sports