By Ryan Deal

605 Sports

SIOUX FALLS — Ciana Stiefel’s budding pole vault career continued on Friday.

The Custer High School sophomore captured her first-ever state championship, winning the Class A pole vault with a meet record mark of 12-feet, 8-inches. 

It concluded a stellar sophomore campaign for Stiefel, who also set the meet record (12-7) at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays earlier this season. She also achieved her goal of winning a state championship, one year after placing second in the event. 

“It definitely motivated me,” Stiefel said. “Last year, I came in not knowing where I really was. But I ended up second and I am glad I pulled out the win this time.” 

Custer's Ciana Stiefel won the Class A pole vault state championship on Friday. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Stiefel was well ahead of second-place finisher, Sioux Falls Christian’s Rylee Punt (10-6). Once Stiefel cleared 12-8, she tried her luck at 13-feet. The Howard Wood Stadium crowd also encouraged her with each attempt. 

“It’s kind of crazy to think everyone is watching you,” Stiefel said. “But I try to put it behind me and not overthink about it and just do my thing.” 

But Stiefel was unable to record a successful attempt as fatigue set in and the wind continued to swirl. 

“I was getting tired,” Stiefel said. “My first attempt was definitely one of the better ones and then I kind of got sloppy with the other ones, but things to work on.”

She hopes to crack the 13-feet mark next season. 

“It’s definitely a goal,” Stiefel said. “I hope to beat it the first meet next year. That would be awesome.” 

Stiefel vaulted up the record books, too. She now has the second-best pole vault mark in state history, behind only Watertown’s Leslie Brost (13-5.25). 

Custer's Ciana Stiefel won the Class A pole vault state championship on Friday. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)