By Rich Winter

605 Sports

Looking at early-season results the juggernaut that is Sioux Falls Christian track seems to be rolling right along like a well-oiled machine.

At the Corn Palace Relays on April 13, the Chargers swept the relay events competing mostly against Class AA schools. The Chargers swept the relays at the 2023 state track meet and early season times in the 400-meter relay (:49.58), 800-meter relay (1:44.86), 1,600-meter relay (4:06.95), 3,200-meter relay (9:36.65) and sprint medley relay (4:12.77) suggest the Chargers could not only sweep those relays again but challenge several Class A state meet records. 

And then you have the long-distance runners that are bound to score a ton of points at the state meet. The Chargers, led by Anna Vyn (2:19.74) have four of the top six Class A times in the 800-meter run this season. In the 1,600-meter run the Chargers, led by Ellie Maddox (5:11.24), have five of the top six fastest times in Class A. In the 3,200-meter run, led by Corrine Braun (10:56.05), have three of the top five times in Class A this season.

Class A girls pole vaulters chasing Leslie Brost’s state record (13-05.25)

The Class A girls pole vault will be one of the can’t miss events at the 2023 state track meet. 

Custer’s Ciana Stiefel gave us a show at the 2023 state meet with a clearance of (12-08), the No. 2 vault in South Dakota history. Stiefel, a junior, has already cleared 12-3 this spring as has Sioux Falls Christian freshman Rylee Punt.

Wagner’s Jhett Breen is truly a multi-sport standout

In February, Wagner’s Jhett Breen captured the 165-pound Class B wrestling title but the senior may not be done with state titles for the year. At the Wagner Invitational on April 9, Breen clocked a (:40.45) in winning the 300-meter hurdles. That is easily the fastest time in Class A this season and trails only Viborg-Hurley’s Luke Campbell (:39.88) and Sturgis’ Aidan Hedderman (:40.19) across state classifications. 

Sioux Valley’s Donovan Rose having a breakout season for the Cossacks

At the Menno Relays on Thursday, April 11, Donovan Rose, a junior, ripped off first-place finishes in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. Rose has the fourth fastest Class A 110-meter hurdle run this spring (:15.48) and the fifth fastest Class A 300-meter hurdle time (:42.54). His best time in the 100-meter dash (:11.44) is the eighth fastest time in Class A this season. 

Sioux Valley's Donovan Rose had four first-place finishes at last week's Menno Relays - Photo courtesy of Sarah Rose

Breakout Performers

• Kaleb Foltz, Tri-State: More well known for his prowess in the 800-meter run and 1,600-meter run, Foltz delivered a :49.92 in the 400-meter dash, the top time in South Dakota this spring.

• Makenzie Hetland, Mount Vernon/Plankinton: On April 9, freshman Makenzie Hetland high jumped 5-5. That is the top mark in South Dakota this spring.

• Jovi Wolf, Chester: On April 13, Wolf posted a long jump of 21-00.50, the top mark in Class B this spring. Wolf also has the fastest Class B times in the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes. 

• Isabelle Bloker, Sioux Valley: On April 11, Bloker clocked a 10:47.05 in the 3,200-meter run. That is the fastest Class A time this season and trails only O’Gorman’s Libby Castellie (10:40.52) across all classes in South Dakota.