SIOUX FALLS — Custer’s Tenlee Stiefel set a new meet record in the pole vault at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Saturday.

Stiefel reached a personal best 13-feet and one inch to break the previous mark of 12-09 set by her older sister and current South Dakota Coyote pole vaulter, Ciana, in 2024.

“It feels kind of crazy,” Tenlee said. “Breaking Ciana’s record, it’s kind of hit-or-miss, but I’m sure she’s going to be so happy for me because we just push each other. It’s really great.”

Ciana was a three-time Class A pole vault champion for the Wildcats.

Stiefel says she felt ready heading into Saturday’s meet to not only break the pole vaulting meet record, but also increase her personal best of 13-feet, set on March 21 at the Chadron State High School Invite.

Custer's Tenlee Stiefel competes in the pole vault on Saturday at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in Sioux Falls. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

“Just at Howard Wood Stadium, it’s just like I always feel it and so I was really happy that I could move some big poles and get the height there too,” Stiefel said.

After breaking the meet record, Stiefel attempted 13-04 but was unable to reach the mark on her three attempts.

“I tend to stride out on my run, and just reach and reach so I just stopped myself almost,” Stiefel said. “Also punching the poles so I could bend them, it just wasn’t working but I’m still happy with what I did today for sure.”

Stiefel, who holds the highest mark in the state and now sits with the 15th best high school pole vault jump in the country this season, is already making a mark in just her freshman season as she gears up for the state meet in a few weeks.

“It’s definitely crazy,” Stiefel said. “I’m grateful to start as early as I did so I could be here, where I am now as a freshman.”

Tenlee’s other sister, Kelsey, also placed tenth in the pole vault event Saturday, reaching 10-09.

The three sisters combined to take the top-3 spots in the Class A state pole vault event last season.