By Rich Winter

605 Sports

SIOUX FALLS — Spearfish’s Peyton VanDeest has put in the work.

After a less than optimal cross-country season, and in addition to playing basketball for a Spartan team that finished sixth in the Class AA state tournament, VanDeest put in miles on the pavement and trails around Spearfish this winter.

“The cross-country season wasn’t what I wanted but I’m glad I could rebound, especially with basketball going on,” VanDeest said. “It was a lot of early morning training and stuff and I came into track season feeling like it was time to perform.”

VanDeest opened some eyes at the Pierre Legion Relays on Friday, April 23 when she won the 1,600-meter run (4:51.11). VanDeest took the lead from the gun and ran unchallenged on her way to a personal best. 

“I had gone 4:59 before and I was really hoping to get under that mark, especially going to Howard Wood next week,” she said. 

VanDeest went into that race with a plan and with the help of her coach executed that plan to perfection. 

“There was a pace my coach and I talked about before the race,” she said. “My coach was at the 200-meter mark telling me where I was. I trained by myself all winter and I went into that race with a positive attitude knowing what I could accomplish today.”

At the same Pierre meet VanDeest doubled back to win the 800-meter run (2:14.52) outkicking Sioux Falls Christian’s Ellie Maddox down the stretch.