By Matt Gade

605 Sports

SIOUX FALLS — Hill City’s Tate Grabow knew he had to be smart about his two races on Friday. 

As the defending Class A boys 3200-meter champion, Grabow wanted a shot at another gold.

The senior Ranger got out early in the 3,200-meter run and didn’t let up.

“It felt really good. I’m just trying to get through one race and onto the next,” Grabow said. “I just kind of wanted to get ahead early, that way I wouldn't get into any crazy foot races that might tax me for the 800 tonight.”

Grabow’s big lead led to a four-second win ahead of West Central’s Peyton Tetzlaff, recording a 9:34.02 to Tetzlaff’s 9:38.18.

Grabow, who is also the Class A state cross country champion, said he wanted the gold medals not only for himself, but to try and help the Rangers finish no worse than third in the team standings.

Grabow was also a part of Hill City’s Sprint Medley Relay team that finished third on Thursday, scoring six points to the team standings.

Following his 3,200-meter run Friday morning, Grabow said he needed to be sure and take it easy, rest and get ready for the 800 in the mid-afternoon.

In the 800, Sioux Falls Christian’s Levi Vander Leest didn’t make it easy for Grabow. Despite getting an early lead, Vander Leest pushed Grabow in the final 100 meters to close the gap.

But Grabow held on, edging the Charger 1:55.02 to 1:55.96.

“Levi had a great kick that I had to defend,” Grabow said. “I am just so happy to get this one. Personally, the 800 race is my favorite race. So it means a lot to me that I was to come out here and get that.” 

Despite coming in with the top mark in the 800 meters, Grabow said he knew he would be pushed.

“To be honest, there's always doubt,” Grabow said. “I mean, even in that two mile, I was like, ‘Wow, I'm gonna get second here.’ But I was able to just push that down and I was able to find the right mindset.”

Grabow, who is going to run at South Dakota State University in the fall, has a chance to add another gold medal to his list of accolades.

The Ranger is seeded first in the boys' 1600-meter run with a mark of 4:18.99. Lennox's Cloy McVey is seeded second with a 4:27.81.

The boys' 1600-meter run is scheduled to begin at 11:45 a.m. (CST) beginning with Class B followed by Class A and then Class AA.

Grabow said he’s feeling good about the race after his performance Friday.

“It just fills me full of confidence. I mean, there were some kids that came in today on pretty fresh legs, and now tomorrow everybody's gonna be tired. It's just gonna be who's gonna have the most guts at the end.”