By 605 Sports Staff

SIOUX FALLS — As runners toe the line Friday night at Howard Wood field for the boys Special Event 800 meter run there will be extra juice in the stadium. 

The star-studded field is highlighted by Rapid City Stevens senior Simeon Birnbaum who has the fastest time in the field (1:50.12). Top challenges could come from Sioux City North’s Gabe Nash (1:52) and from Sioux Falls Christian’s Isaac Davelaar who has a personal best of 1:53.78.

The Howard Wood Dakota Relays 800 meter run record is 1:52.46 set by former Parkston prep Alex Muntefering (1:52.46) in 2009. 

2023 Howard Wood Dakota Relays Special Event 800 meter run participants: 

Sam Castle, Sioux Falls O’Gorman: Castle was the 2023 Metro Conference 800m champ. He was fourth in the AA 800 meter run at the 2022 State Meet in a personal best of 1:55.60 and anchored SF O'Gorman to a state title in the 3,200 meter relay. He is a South Dakota State University commit. 

Quinn Roehl, Grand Forks Central, North Dakota: An NDSU commit, Roehl finished 3rd in the Class A 800 meter run at the 2022 ND state meet in a PR of 1:54.70. The senior is unbeaten indoors and outdoors at 800 meters, 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters this season.

Noah Breker, Robbinsdale Armstrong, Minnesota: Breker is the defending MN Class  3A 3200 meter champ and currently ranks #2 in the 800 meter run in MN. He is a University of North Carolina commit.

Isaac Davelaar, Sioux Falls Christian: Davelaar is a six time Class A state champion in track and the two time defending champion in the 800 meter run and the 1,600 meter run. He is a Dordt commit and has a personal best of 1:53.78. 

Gabe Nash, Sioux City North, Iowa: One of the best mid-distance preps in Iowa, the future Cornhusker is the reigning Iowa 4A state champ. He is also a former Dakota Relays 1600 meter champion and has clocked a sub 1:52 800m.

Simeon Birnbaum, Rapid City Stevens: Birnbaum, A University of Oregon commit is one of the top distance runners in the nation. Last June he became the 17th high schooler to break the 4-minute mile. He owns the South Dakota state records in the 800 meter run, 1,600 meter run and 3,200 meter run. His personal best in the 800 meter run is 1:50.12).

Jonah Dafoe, Red River, North Dakota: Finished seventh in the North Dakota Class A state track meet 800 meter run 1:55.83. Has a season's best of 1:58.94 run on April 18.

Alternate: Kaleb Foltz, Tri-State: Won Class B state titles in the 800 meter run and 3,200 meter run in South Dakota. Anchored the Tri-State medley relay team to a state championship. Has a personal best in the 800 meter run of 1:59.73.