By Rodney Haas 

605 Sports 

SIOUX FALLS — Aleah Musser became the final athlete to compete for Colome High School as a Cowboy or a Cowgirl Friday afternoon at Howard Wood Field. 

The senior wearing the customary Colome green top with the name “Colome” spread across her chest competed in the javelin where she finished in a tie for 17th place with Addison Heinje of Waubay/Summit with a throw of 103-08. Meanwhile, Sanborn Central/Woonsocket’s Liz Boschee took first with a new meet record throw of 147-07. 

“It’s been an amazing experience for sure,” Musser said of her time at the state track meet. “I never expected to be here, but with my coach and my teammates support and my parents support. It’s amazing.” 

After winning a state football championship a decade ago, the district has suffered from declining enrollment over the past 10 years, which has resulted in the school struggling to field athletic teams. 

This year Colome, which is located between Gregory and Winner along Highway 18 in south central South Dakota, fielded varsity teams in football and volleyball, while playing a junior varsity schedule for basketball. 

Next year, the school will enter into a co-op with Gregory and compete as Gorillas, while the school will remain open in the town of about 330 people. 

“There’s a loss there,” said Colome coach Heidi Vancura of no longer competing as Colome. “The athletes will still have an opportunity to be athletes, but to no longer call us the Cowboys or Cowgirls sucks.” 

Aleah Musser , of Colome watches the Class B javelin competition with her coach Heidi Vancura during the South Dakota state high school track and field championships Friday, May 28, 2026 in Sioux Falls. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)
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This year the school’s enrollment was at 140 students with a boost coming from the district’s new Cyber Academy that allowed students from anywhere to take courses online, but still be counted in the school’s official enrollment.   

Musser, who has been going to school in Colome since Kindergarten, said her graduating class wasn't that big and consisted mostly of online students.  

“A lot of classmates had moved to Winner or to another school,” she said. “I have been here since Kindergarten. I might as well be a true Colome person.” 

Musser had barely qualified for the state meet after posting a PR at Andes Central with a throw of 104-11. 

Friday marked her one and only time she ever made it to the biggest track and field stage in the state, and was the only athlete from Colome to qualify for the meet.    

“It’s been an amazing adventure for our senior,” Vancura said. “She’s out the door but giving us one last go-around at state. It’s been an experience. She’s worked hard. There’s a lot of pressure and a lot of nerves. She came out and did her best and represented Colome for probably the last time. 

“The name is still going to be out here and they are going to know we were here. It’s a great opportunity. But it’s a sad bitter sweet end at the same time.”