By 605 Sports Staff

A year ago the Sioux Falls Christian boys broke three meet records on their way to piling up (133.6) points more than doubling up second-place Milbank (66). While the Chargers may not have the horsepower that helped them break the Class A record for points at a state track meet, Sioux Falls Christian looks to be in the driver’s seat as the state track and field meet starts Thursday. 

Sioux Falls Christian has Class A’s best times in the 400-meter relay (:43.80), the 800-meter relay (1:29.96), the 3,200 meter relay (8:10.13) and the sprint medley relay (3:33.72). 

Junior Isaac Davelaar has Class A’s best time in the 800-meters (1:53.78) and 1,600-meter runs (4:25.08) while fellow junior sprinter Josiah Adams is ranked No.2 for the 200-meter dash (:22.58) and Class A’s best time in the 300-meter hurdles (:40.11). The Chargers have two shot putters, Jaden Witte and Paul Hoekman ranked in the top six and two long jumpers Kennan Voss and Eli Gillett who have both jumped (21-1) this season. Voss has the third best triple jump (42-8) entering the state track meet.

Milbank's Bennett Schwenn competes in the long jump at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays this season. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Teams to watch: 

Milbank: The Bulldogs hopes for a Class A state title revolve around seniors Nick Batchelor and Bennett Schwenn. Batchelor has the No. 2 800-meter run (1:57.38), No. 3 1,600 meter run (4:25.85) and the No. 2, 3,200 meter run (9:38.91). Schwenn is Class A’s No. 2 ranked long jumper (21-11.75) and top triple jumper (45-5). Milbank enters the meet with Class A’s top time in the 1,600 meter relay (4:26.42), the No. 2 time in the sprint medley (3:38.22) and No. 3 time in the 3,200 meter relay (8:28.14). 

Custer: The Wildcats are strong every year and 2022 is no exception. Junior sprinter Blake Boyster is top ranked in the 200-meter dash (:22.01) and 400-meter dash (:49.28). Senior Miles Ellman has the fourth-best 800-meter run (2:00.84) and the fifth-fastest 1,600-meter run (4:36.65). Mikael Grace has top-five marks in the 110-meter hurdles (:15.44) and high jump (6-2) while Justin Doyle has Class A’s fourth-best shot put (50-10). Custer has the No. 3, 400-meter relay time (:44.36) and the No. 5 time in the 3,200 meter relay (8:30.88). 

Custer's Blake Boyster (646) competes in the 200-meter dash at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Athletes to watch: 

Aiden Giffin, Belle Fourche: Giffin has the fastest 100-meter dash (:10.74) and long jump (23-00).

Sawyer Clarkson, Belle Fourche: Top-ranked 3,200-meter runner (9:19.34).

Michael Beyer, Tri-Valley: Top ranked in 110-meter hurdles (:15.04), No. 2 in 300-meter hurdles (:40.22). 

Reed Rus, Mt. Vernon/Plankinton: Top high-jumper (6-4) and one of Class A’s best hurdlers.

Hanson’s Colton Dillon: Top ranked Class A shot putter (52-11.75).

Chase Maher, Rapid City Christian: Only a sophomore, Maher has cleared 15-0 in the pole vault. 

Class A Boys State Meet Records

100-Meter Dash: Slade Hinrichs, West Central, :10.63, 2003

200-Meter Dash: Jacob Hyde, St. Thomas More, :21.51, 2019

400-Meter Dash: Eric Mundt, Spearfish, :48.23, 1986 

800-Meter Run: Alex Muntefering, Ethan/Parkston, 1:53.76, 2009

1,600-Meter Run: Luke Julian, St. Thomas More, 4:17.37, 2016

3,200-Meter Run: Isaac Davelaar, Sioux Falls Christian, 9:28.37, 2021

110-Meter Hurdles: Justus Adams, Sioux Falls Christian, :14.37, 2018

300-Meter Hurdles: Chris Oostra, Sioux Falls Christian, :38.12, 2021

400-Meter Relay: St. Thomas More, :42.66, 2016 (Freidel, Aanderud, Keegan, Thurness)

800-Meter Relay: Sioux Falls Chrsitian, 1:29.14, 2021 (Adams, Walker, Gillett, Oostra) 

1,600-Meter Relay: Canton, 3:22.51, 1986 (Ulrickson, Hertin, King, Sieverson)

3,200-Meter Relay: Madison, 8:05.78, 1986 (Kirstein, Venekamp, Lammers, Heckenliable)Meet 

Sprint Medley Relay: Mt. Vernon/Plankinton, 3:35.68, 2018 (Tobin, Hastings, Rihanek, Glanzer)

High Jump: Nick Johannsen, Miller, 7-0, 1991

Long Jump: Curt Urevig, Howard, 1990 and Jared Vlastuin, Lennox, 2007, 23-4.5

Triple Jump: Derek Gearman, Lennox, 46-9.25, 2003

Discus: Daniel Roberts, Mobridge-Pollock, 191-10, 2013

Shot Put: Kyle McKelvey, Beresford, 67-10, 2011

Pole Vault: Jaden Peters, Wagner, 15-6, 2021