By Matt Gade

605 Sports

SIOUX FALLS — Coming into the state track meet, Rapid City Stevens sophomore Ava Holzwarth knew the Class AA girls’ long jump was hers to lose.

On Friday, Holzwarth took care of business.

The Raider made a leap of 18-2.75 to edge out Sturgis’ Avery Marler, who finished with a mark of 17-9.25 for second place.

“It feels really great just to see that I have accomplished so much this year. I have amazing coaches, amazing teammates, just to see what all my effort can do,” Holzwarth said. “Even going into finals, I was still a little nervous. 

I mean, you never know what can happen. So I was still a little nervous, but not until I did my last jump, I knew. It was just very exciting.”
Holzwarth came into the state meet with a state-leading 19-8, which also placed her third all-time. 

While her 18-2.75 wasn’t her best jump, Holzwarth said her goal was just to win the gold.

“Anytime you can win a state championship, that's just special,” Rapid City Stevens head coach Paul Hendry said. “She was, I think, third place last year as a freshman, and she just set some big goals. I don't think anybody saw it coming this year from her as a sophomore, but she really worked hard and was able to accomplish it.”
Holzwarth is also a part of the Raiders' state-record 400-meter relay team and the 800-meter relay team heading into the finals on Saturday.

Holzwarth also earned a spot in the Class AA girls 100-meter finals on Saturday with the fourth-best time of 12.42.

“That was good for the long jump today, and then tomorrow, I'm really excited to run all of my events and hopefully win some more golds,” Holzwarth said.

Hendry said he kept Holzwarth out of the 800-meter relay on Friday to help keep her legs fresh for the long jump, but is excited to see how Holzwarth and the rest of the Raiders do on Saturday in the finals.

“We've got some pretty good girls, and so it allows us to be able to run some other people and give her rest and focus there,” Hendry said. “But she'll be busy tomorrow, doing everything.”

Holzwarth said she enjoys all of her events and does not have a particular favorite. 

“I just love to compete, compete here (at state),” she said. “I just love competing in all my events.”