Friday, May 8, 2026

605 Sports
De Smet’s Hazel Luethmers reaching new heights in chase for elusive high jump state title
De Smet's Hazel Luethmers competes in the high jump during the Howard Wood Dakota Relays on May 1, 2026, in Sioux Falls.
(Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

De Smet’s Hazel Luethmers reaching new heights in chase for elusive high jump state title

May 8, 2026
  

 

By Jon Akre

605 Sports

DE SMET — De Smet’s Hazel Luethmers has one last goal in mind before capping off an accomplished high school career.

The Bulldog senior is on a mission to earn her first state high jump championship this season after falling just short of Bennett County’s Peyson O’Neill a year ago.

This year, Luethmers has won the high jump event in all but one meet, placing third at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays on May 1.

“I felt I jumped pretty good,” Luethmers said. “I was a little messed up on my steps on some of them, but overall I thought it went good.”

Luethmers cleared 5-04 on the frigid Howard Wood Field last Saturday, only behind Wagner’s Ashlyn Koupal and Brandon Valley’s Jayaunna Stroh.

But as it sits, Luethmers holds the season-best mark in high jump in the state. She hit a new personal best back on April 16, clearing 5-07 at the De Smet Invite.

“We haven’t had much time to high jump just because of weather not cooperating,” Luethmers said. “But having all the running drills and speed going into the bar has helped quite a bit.”

Luethmers also competes in long jump and De Smet’s 400, 800 and 1,600-meter relay teams alongside her sister, Gemma. The 400-meter relay team placed second at Howard Wood while the 1,600-meter relay team took 16th.

But Luethmers, who placed second last season and fourth as a junior, hopes to cap off her high school career with a state high jump title.

“I would be more than grateful honestly,” Luethmers said. “Just so, so thankful for all the people who’ve helped me grow and getting to close it off with that would just bring tears to my eyes.”

Following her final year of track and field, Luethmers will continue her high jumping career at South Dakota State University. She says the proximity to home was a sticking point for her decision.


“SDSU has always just felt like family and felt like home,” Luethmers said. “It’s close to home, so I’m going to have fun no matter where I go.”

Luethmers has already capped off decorated careers in both volleyball and basketball earlier this school year.

De Smet's Hazel Luethmers (13) goes for a block during a high school volleyball game against Estelline/Hendricks at the Dakota Valley Conference volleyball tournament on Oct. 18, 2025, in Colman. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

The 6-foot middle hitter helped lead the volleyball team to a 17-12 record this season with 481 kills, 246 digs, 84 blocks and 33 aces. She was named the Dakota Valley Conference volleyball MVP and an all-state honorable mention this year as well.

In basketball, Luethmers was a three-time all-state selection that averaged 22.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 69 steals this season. 

And despite entering the postseason as the No. 5 seed in Region 2B, Luethmers powered De Smet all the way to the SoDak 16 and nearly pulled an upset over No. 2 Parkston, before falling short 40-36.

De Sme's Hazel Luethmers celebrates after a foul during a girls basketball game against Dell Rapids St. Mary on Dec. 22, 2025, in Dell Rapids. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

She holds a school record for most points in a game with 43 during her junior year, and ended her career as De Smet’s all-time leading scorer in girls basketball with 1,705 points, surpassing 2022 De Smet graduate Kennadi Buchholz with 1,617 points.

With all of the accomplishments in mind, she credits a lot of it to the coaches and community she’s surrounded with at De Smet.

“If I didn’t go to De Smet, I would not have half the opportunities I did,” Luethmers said. “Just the coaches, the people, we’re so interconnected in our small town, and I’m so thankful for it.”

But there’s still one accolade she has in mind, and hopes to achieve that goal in the coming weeks.

“I’m so thankful for all the opportunities and just grateful that I get to experience all of these things,” Luethmers said. “I’m just going to continue to keep working hard and hoping that gets me far at the state track and field meet.”