By Rich Winter

605 Sports

SIOUX FALLS — For nearly half a century athletes from across the upper midwest have tried to best former Washington high school athlete Dave Bakke’s meet record in the long jump (23-08.25). 

Bakke set the Howard Wood Dakota Relays record in the long jump in 1976. 

While the mark has been untouchable, a number of South Dakota athletes are in the vicinity in 2025.

Custer’s Kincade Lehman reached 23-01 at a meet on April 23, 2024. Class A long jump state champion, James Deckert of Ethan/Parkston, is right behind (22-09). Harrisburg junior Daniel O’Connor has a season best of 22-11.75) and Sioux Falls Roosevelt’s Daniel Dean has a best mark of (22-10). The top mark in the 2025 is 23-04.5 by Minot, North Dakota’s Grayson Schaffer. 

Harrisburg’s Nick Tucker has the top pole vault in South Dakota this spring (15-00). The top athlete in the field is Dickinson, North Dakota’s Blake Homiston with a jump of (16-01), one inch above the current meet record.

Former Rapid City Stevens great Scott Benson’s record in the high jump (7-02) looks safe but Bennett County sophomore Rush O’Neill has a season's best of 6-10. 

The Howard Wood Dakota Relays record in the discus is 198-11 from 2023. Harrisburg’s Carson Stiff has a mark of (191-05) this season. 

A year ago Dickinson, North Dakota athlete Jazmin Barry set the meet record in the girls long jump (19-01). While a number of athletes could potentially break that record, the top athlete in the field is Rapid City Stevens sophomore Ava Holzwarth who has a season's best of 19-06.

Custer’s Ciana Stiefel set the meet record in the pole vault last year (12-09). Stiefel has the top mark in the field so far (12-03).  

The girls triple jump record (39-08.25) was set in 2014 and could be challenged by Sioux Falls Lincoln’s Kenya Harris has a best of 39-07 this season. 

Four South Dakota girls have jumps of 5-05 or better in the high jump this spring. Several of those athletes could challenge former Stanley County great Sam Ostarello’s meet record in the event (5-09.75). 

Boys Field Event Records:

Long Jump: Dave Bakke, Sioux Falls Washington (23-08.25), 1976.

High Jump: Scott Benson, Rapid City Stevens (7-02), 1988.

Pole Vault: Brock Larson, Fargo South (16-00), 2011.

Triple Jump: Dane Allen, Bismarck High School (48-01.75), 2018.

Shot Put: Kyle McKelvey, Beresford (69-03), 2011.

Discus: Hayden Bills, Rosemont High School (198-11), 2023.

Javelin: Sam Hankins, Manhattan High School (220’2).

Girls Field Event Records: 

Long Jump: Jazmin Barry, Dickinson High School (19-01), 2024.

High Jump: Sam Ostarello, Stanley County High School (5-09.75), 2009.

Pole Vault: Ciana Stiefel, Custer, (12-09), 2024.

Triple Jump: Alexis Gannon, Brookings, (39-08.25), 2014.

Shot Put: Gracelyn Leiseth, Hamlin (52-00.50), 2023.

Discus: Gracelyn Leiseth, Hamlin (171-03), 2023. 

Javelin: Katelyn Fairchild, Andale High School (159-01), 2021.