By 605 Sports Staff

STURGIS — Weather cooperated Thursday as west river athletes opened their outdoor season with some extremely impressive results at the Sturgis Early Bird track meet. 

The Spearfish girls looked strong, winning a number of events and scoring points in just about every event. 

Peyton VanDeest won the 800-meter run (2:21.79) and the 1,600 meter run (5:13.81). Spartan sophomore Anna Hoffman won the100-meter hurdles (:15.32) and 300-meter hurdles (47.74). Spearfish won the 800-meter relay (1:46.56) and the 1,600 meter relay (4:09). Avery Kirk won the high jump (5-02) and Spartan pole vaulter Reese Nida won with a leap of 11-03. 

Some really great marks to open the season Thursday led by Sturgis senior Aiden Hedderman  who won the 110-meter hurdles (:14.42), 300-meter hurdles (:41.44) and pole vault 14-00. Custer’s Robbie Emery also cleared 14-00 in the pole vault. 

Keep an eye on a couple of west river sprinters. Hot Springs senior Braden Peterson won the 100-meter dash (:10.94) and was second in the 200-meter dash (:22.36). Rapid City Stevens sprinter Landon Matkins won the 200-meter ​​dash (:22.04) and 400-meter dash (:51.16).

Belle Fouche’s Lane Krautschun won the 1,600 meter run 4:33.96 and the Hill City boys dominated the 3,200 meter run with three athletes running sub 10:00. Luke Rupert won the race (9:43.93). The Ranger quartet of Devin Buehler, Tate Grabow, Leighton Aves and Brandon Escalante ran a sizzling 3,200 meter relay 8:13.06 to hold off a good effort from Sturgis (8:15).