SIOUX FALLS — The O’Neill family showed out on the way to Bennett County’s first-ever girls team championship at the South Dakota state track and field championships.

Freshman Reagan O’Neill, the Class B girls field MVP, won gold medals in two events at the Howard Wood Field this past weekend, recording top times and marks regardless of class in the 200-meter dash (24.08) and long jump (19-02.25). O’Neill also won the 100-meter dash (11.86), setting a meet record in that sprint as well.

“It’s so surreal because when I was a seventh-grader I came here and getting to witness all the older girls compete and win, and I’ve always wanted that,” said Reagan, who set meet records in all three events. “Put in the work and we get to come here this year and do this and this is what I've been dreaming of and finally accomplished it.”

But her younger sister Peyson, who was the Class B girls track MVP, was just as impressive. The eighth grader also recorded meet records in the 100-meter (14.30) and 300-meter hurdles (43.88), earning all-class gold medals for both events while taking first in the Class B girls high jump (5-06).

Peyson O'Neill, of Bennett County, clears the final hurdle to win the Class B 100-hurdles during the third day of the South Dakota High School Track and Field Championships on Saturday at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls. (Matt Gade / 605 Sports)

“It’s awesome, my little sister is getting to accomplish all this stuff,” said Reagan on Peyson. “It’s amazing to watch all the hard work she’s put in pay off.”

And for the sisters, who helped Bennett County win the Class B girls basketball championship for the first time 1986, it’s been a wild few months as they become household names. Bennett County is the first Class B girls school to win state championships in basketball and track and field in the same year since Armour in 1983. 

“It’s been really amazing, especially having the community cheer us on,” said Peyson. “And winning state basketball definitely puts a name out there for us, and then coming to state track and being able to compete in front of everyone is nice.”

But the two sisters weren’t the only members of the BC girls track team with big weekends, Freshman and cousin Harley Harris added 15 points for the Warriors taking first place in the Class B triple jump event (36-03.25) and fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (15.68), setting a new PR. 

With just four girls competing at the state track meet, including eighth-grader Macy Claussen, they combined to win the Class B girls team championship for BC.

“All of us girls, we’re so young and we’re just getting to be the best we can,” said Reagan on the BC girls track team.

Behind the Warriors, Colman-Egan (45.5) took second while Burke (45) took third place in the Class B girls team championships.