SIOUX FALLS — Dawson Reckling made the most of his first and last state track and field meet appearance. 

The Kadoka Area senior high jumper claimed the Class B boys high jump, finishing with a leap of 6-feet, 6-inches to earn the state title on Saturday at Howard Wood Stadium. 

It capped an impressive senior season for Reckling, who hasn’t competed in track and field since his freshman year. Reckling’s sophomore season was canceled due to COVID-19 and he opted not to compete last season. 

But decided to go out his senior season and he went out on the ultimate high. 

“It feels pretty great knowing that I came out and I did what I had to do and I ended up winning it,” Reckling said. “It just feels amazing.” 

Reckling credited Kadoka Area jumps coach, Jeff Nemecek, for helping in his development during the season. 

“He came out and helped me a lot,” said Reckling, who stands 6-foot-5. “They knew I had the potential to win state and so having them help me almost every day, teaching me different things, making me watch videos, it helped me out a lot.” 

It helped during the season and it continued on Saturday. Reckling set the school record earlier in the season at 6-8. He tried three attempts at the height on Saturday, but couldn’t clear the bar. 

Reckling’s height was still four inches clear of second-place finishers Freeman Academy/Marion’s Thalen Schroeder and Gregory’s Daniel Mitchell. 

“I know the kid from Gregory was going to be tough to beat,” Reckling said. “I was nervous coming into it and it was my first time being at state. I was pretty nervous, but I just stayed confident.” 

Confident enough to earn the state title. 

“It feels good today getting first place at state,” Reckling said. “It’s what I came out to do and I did it.”