SIOUX FALLS — The champion defended his throne.

Deuel’s Oliver Fieber captured his second-straight state championships in the 100-meter and 200-meter races on the final day of the state track and field meet.

Fieber helped the Cardinals win the Class A boys 800-meter relay with a time of 1:29.81, as well as a second-place finish in the 400-meter relay (:43.30).

“It feels great,” Fieber said. “The outcome wasn’t what we wanted in the 4x1, but I’ll take three wins anyday.”

Fieber, who also ran a meet record time in the 100-meter preliminaries (:10.60), says it was important for him to come back out and defend his two state titles from a year ago.

“It meant a lot, it really did,” Fieber said. “That’s what I ultimately wanted to do.”

And after being sidelined for eight months during his sophomore season following a torn meniscus tear, Fieber is grateful to make a comeback and go out a 4-time individual state champion.

“It feels really good,” Fieber said on coming back from injury. “I’ve been through a lot and to say I’ve made it this far, it feels great.

“Just putting your faith towards God. I’d say that’s where I struggled, I found him and then good things happened.”

Fieber will continue his sprinting career at Minnesota State University-Mankato while majoring in exercise science, but says he’ll miss the support and opportunities he’s been given at Deuel.

“They’re huge supporters for everything I’ve done, football and track,” Fieber said of the Deuel community. “Just being your personal self, they’ve meant a lot.

“Probably the people. I’m going to miss the people for sure. All my friends, they’re all underclassmen so I’m going to miss them a lot.”