By 605 Sports Staff

SIOUX FALLS — Entering the Class AA state track meet, perennial power Rapid City Stevens was a bit of an afterthought as a contender for the boys team title.

After Day 2 of the state track meet the Raiders have 42 points, ahead of Brandon Valley (35.5) and Yankton (33). Harrisburg (31) and Sioux Falls Jefferson (28) round out the top-five teams after Friday’s competition. 

Stevens junior Elias Gillen scored 18 points by himself Friday winning the discus (170-10) and finishing second in the shot put (55-10.5). Grady Loos added eight points with a second-place finish in the 800-meter run (1:58.62) and junior Miles Brekhus added four points with a fifth place finish in the 3,200-meter run. 

Senior Cael Meisman was the second fastest qualifier in the 200-meter dash (:21.83) and anchored the Raiders 800-meter relay that also had the top qualifying time (1:29.24).

Pre-meet girls favorite Brandon Valley continued to apply pressure to the rest of the Class AA field with Madison Pederson finishing second in the long jump (17-9.25) and teammate Kadence Coughlin taking seventh in the long jump (17-1.75). Mia Wentzy (2:15.16) and Sarah VanDeBerg (2:18.00) finished second and third in the 800-meter run.

The Lynx have 63 points ahead of Spearfish (48.5) and O’Gorman (42.5). Harrisburg (35.5) and Rapid City Stevens (33) round out the top-five girls team scores to add 14 points to the team total.

After getting outkicked by Wentzy on the anchor carry of the sprint medley relay on Thursday, O’Gorman’s Libby Castelli held off Wentzy Friday afternoon to win the Class AA 800-meter run (2:14.62). On Friday morning Castelli won the 3,200-meter run (10:45.12). 

Pierre’s Reese Terwilliger repeated as Class AA state champion in the shot put (41-10.5).