SIOUX FALLS — Kali Ringstmeyer put the finishing touches on a storied track and field career for the Pierre Governors on Saturday. 

The Pierre High School senior capped off her sprinting career with three first-place finishes and a second-place finish at the South Dakota state track and field meet. 

Ringstmeyer’s final prep track and field meet included first-place finishes in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and she ran the anchor leg on the record-setting 800-meter relay. She also ran the anchor leg on the second-place 400-meter relay. 

Ringstmeyer admitted her final meet went better than expected, and she praised those around her for making it possible. 

“Just the people and just being able to run with such a fun team, and with amazing coaches and being able to run my last meet and exceed in the way that I did is just so fun,” said Ringstmeyer, summing up her final prep track and field meet. “Being able to put in work that shows off always feels good and it’s always going to be rewarding.” 

Ringstmeyer set a meet record in the Class AA 100-meter dash, clocking in at 11.80 seconds early in the morning. She then ran the anchor leg on the 800-meter relay, which set a meet record in 1:39.69. 

The Pierre quartet of Lennix Dupris, Charlee Williams-Smith, Emlyn Swanson and Ringstmeyer also earned the all-class gold medal, which is given to the best time/height/distance in the finals, in each event, regardless of class.

Not bad considering the foursome only started running the relay within the past few meets, said Ringstmeyer. 

“That was so special because it’s such a fun team,” Ringstmeyer said. “We came in this season and had no idea what would be in it for us this year, and to be able to not only win state, but get a state record is crazy, and to share it with my teammates is awesome.”

Swanson, Dupris, Brooke Hansen and Ringstmeyer finished second in the 400-meter relay, finishing in 48.46 seconds. Stevens won the relay in 47.76. 

Ringstmeyer then concluded her career with a first-place finish in the 200-meter dash, clocking in at 24.49 seconds. Stevens’ Ella Bradeen was just behind at 24.70. 

The first-place finish buttoned up Ringstmeyer’s time as a Governor sprinter, and she was filled with mixed emotions entering the final race. 

“A mixed of a little bit of everything,” Ringstmeyer said. “I was excited to run, but also sad.”

Ringstmeyer is however not finished sprinting. She will run next season at the University of South Dakota, majoring in elementary education. 

“I know a lot of the girls going there already and I am just excited to have a fun team and being able to run at such a high level will be awesome,” Ringstmeyer said.