By 605 Sports Staff

SIOUX FALLS — Gracelyn Leiseth punctuated her high school career with another state championship.

The Hamlin High School senior won the Class A girls shot put state title on Saturday, one day after she won the discus state title. It was a fitting end for Leiseth, who is the state’s all-time record holder in both events. Leiseth summed up her historic career on Saturday.

“It’s been amazing,” Leiseth said. “You learn so many things from so many people in high school, from teammates, classmates, coaches, parents, and your community honestly supports you. It’s amazing to see that.”

Leiseth continued to amaze on Saturday.

She won the shot put title with a toss of 50-feet, 8-inches. On Friday, she captured the discus title with a meet record toss of 169-11.

“I wanted to get (personal records) obviously,” Leiseth said. “PRs are always the goal, but also the goal was consistency and definitely discus I got the goal of being consistent.”

Leiseth’s teammate, Kami Wadsworth, finished second in both events at the state meet. Wadsworth had a mark of 137-5 in the discus and 42-7.5 in the shot put. Leiseth said her classmate pushed her to be at her best.

“She’s definitely pushed me,” Leiseth said. “She is always striving to be her best. So then that always pushes me to strive to be my best.”

In the process, they left a lasting legacy for the Hamlin Chargers. During the basketball season, Wadsworth powered the Chargers to the Class A state championship and was named the 2023 South Dakota Miss Basketball.

The pair will both compete at the college level. Leiseth will throw for the University of Florida and Wadsworth will play basketball at the University of Sioux Falls.

“I am always going to cherish those memories I made in high school, for sure,” Leiseth said. “It’s a bittersweet moment for sure leaving high school and going onto college. But it’s got to happen sometime. But I am just going to continue to remember the memories and hold those in your heart.”

Leiseth picked the Gators over Wisconsin and Iowa State University. Leiseth was drawn to Florida for its similar feel to her Hamlin community.

“I like the feel of the community in that town,” Leiseth said. “Honestly, the community of the team and the coaches I really appreciated because that’s something important to me as my community is amazing now.”