By Rich Winter

605 Sports

For the last three years Colman-Egan has dominated Class B track and field.

The Hawks will have to replace Reese Luze (SDSU track) and Josie Mousel (Wyoming rodeo), who were absolute centerpieces of three consecutive state titles. Defending Class B state champion in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash Daniela Lee returns for her senior season.

In 2023 Colman-Egan scored 88 points at the state meet to finish in front of Chester (49) and Deubrook Area (49). Colman-Egan is always strong in the short relays and with Lee, along with Lanie Mousel and Elaina Rhode returning the Hawks will still score plenty of points at the state meet. 

Last year’s runner-up Chester, led by sophomore distance runner Emery Larson, should have another strong season. Larson won the 1,600-meter run and 3,200 meter run, finished fourth in the 800-meter run and anchored the 1,600-meter sprint medley team to a second-place finish. The flyers return Jacy Wolf, Ramsie Shoenrock and Addison Bates who will help in the sprints and relays.

Event previews:

Sprints (100-400)

Lee is in a class by herself in the short sprints but Arlington’s Chloe Raw, Aberdeen Christian’s Shawnteah La Croix along with Iroquois/Lake Preston’s Adison Moore will be challengers in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash.

Marhall, along with Wall’s Paige Kjerstad are the top returners in the 400-meter dash. Keep an eye out for Centerville’s Emma Marshall, who ran a 1:01.04 to win the 400-meter dash at the recent DWU High School Classic. 

Distance  Events:

(800-1,600)

Chester’s Emery Larson is the defending state champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs to go with a fourth-place finish in the 800-meter run. Northwestern’s Elle Boekelheide finished second in the 800-meter run, 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run.

Several athletes to keep tabs of this season are Arlington’s Kaelyn Ulschmid, Highmore-Harrold’s Autumn Fallis, Freeman Academy/Marion’s Jade Koerner, along with Potter County’s Emma Schlachter in the 800-meter run.

Hurdles: 

Menno’s Ashton Massey is the defending champion in both hurdle disciplines. She is the heavy favorite to win both events again but the fields will be crowded with youngsters like Freeman’s Rylee Peters, Burke’s Piper Hanson and Chester’s Jacy Wolf. 

One name all the competitors will be keeping an eye on is Lyman’s Skyler Volmer. The Lyman senior missed most of last year after fracturing her hip last year. 

Relays:

Colman-Egan is the favorite in the short relays but could be challenged by Centerville, Freeman, Burke and Wall. 

Potter County will be very competitive in the 1,600-meter relay, 1,600-meter sprint medley relay and 3,200-meter relay. If they win all three races the Battlers might even figure into the upper echelon of the Class B teams.

Throws: 

Shot Put: The top seven finishers return with junior Trinity Bietz of Scotland (39-1) leading the way. Look for Iroquois/Lake Preston’s Hadlee Holt and Wessington Springs’ Avery Orth to also contend. 

Discus: Burke’s Paige Bull (123-03) is the defending state champion, and only a junior. Bietz and Holt finished third and fourth with the top four places being separated by less than three feet. 

Jumps: 

Long Jump: Avon’s Courtney Sees is the defending state champion (17-00.05). She will  be challenged by Irene/Wakonda’s Emma Marshall, Castlewood’s Presley Knecht and Centerville’s Rylie Tieman.

Triple Jump: Menno’s Ashton Massey is the defending state champion (34-10.75). Gayville-Volin’s Jolie Westrum, Britton-Hecla’s Abigail Lee and Ipswich’s Ashley Ptacek will also be in the picture.

High Jump: All eyes will be on Volmer as she has a clearance of 5-07 to her name. White River’s Kamaria Krogman and Wolsey-Wessington’s Tatum Luce should figure into the state competition.

Pole Vault: Ipswich’s athletes Jalyssa Hutson and Marley Guthmiller, along with Lemmon’s Payton Olson are the top three returners in this event.