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Wide open Class B boys team race creates extra buzz about Class B boys state meet
Dell Rapids St. Mary junior Lucas Flemmer is a Class B sprinter with meet-record capable sprint times in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash.
Ryan Deal / 605 Sport
May 24, 2023
 

By 605 Sports

SIOUX FALLS — Every year at least one team kinda separates from the field but as the Class B state meet begins Thursday, more than a few teams are going to be battling for high team places. 

After a year away from the pressure of Class B contender Viborg-Hurley finds themselves in the conversation again. 

Junior hurdler Luke Campbell has the top time in the 110-meter hurdles (:14.96) and the fifth best time in the 300-meter hurdles (:41.47). Senior George Johnson has the quickest 100-meter dash (:10.84) and the fourth fastest 200-meter dash (:22.54). Both of those athletes run on the top rated 400-meter relay (:43.84) and Viborg-Hurley also has the third fastest 800-meter relay (1:32.84). Viborg-Hurley will have to maximize those scoring opportunities because there aren’t many more points after that for the taking.

Ipswich is another name that is surfacing in this balanced year with Carter Geditz having the No. 5 time in the 100-meter hurdles (:15.57). The Tigers could score in almost every relay but their best opportunity for points comes with their No. 3 ranked 3,200 meter relay and No. 3 ranked sprint medley relay. Lucas Rowland and Tyler Hettich could score in the shot put and high jump. Trevor Heinz has Class B’s second farthest long jump (22-1) and the ace in the hole could be the pole vault where the Tigers have the third, fifth and sixth best vaulters. 

Canistota is another name being bantered about with a good shape of the potential points riding on distance specialist Josiah Schroeder with big points in any event he touches. Deshon Thompson and Trace Ortman should score some points in the shot put and discus to help the Hawks cause. 

Another team in the mix is Gregory with Kade Stukel in the 100-meter dash. The 400-meter and 800-meter relay team both broke school records and are ranked third and second respectively. Gregory’s sprint medley relay is just off the school record and the second fastest medley coming into the event. 

Deubrook Area should be near the top with strong relays across the board and top-ranked relays in the 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter events. Senior Treven Grimsrud has the No. 2 400-meter dash (:49.82) and Jake Jorenby the sixth farthest triple jump. 

Wolsey-Wessington jumped into the conversation late with outstanding 1,600, 3,200 meter and sprint medley relays. Moshe Richmond has the fourth best high-jump (6-2) with freshman brother Caleb Richmond recently running a 2:02.58, the No. 2 Class B time entering the state meet. 

No matter how you slice it, teams just don’t have enough firepower to rack up 70-80 points like Chester Area (86) did in 2022. 

State meet records that are in jeopardy: 

100-meter dash and 200-meter dash: Angel Johnson’s (Viborg-Hurley) record in the 100-meter dash (:10.81) from 2021 and Brennan Schmidt’s 200-meter record (:21.99) from 2015 will both be under assault, mainly from Lucas Flemmer of Dell Rapids St. Mary.

 Can’t miss event: Sprint medley relay - It is pretty rare to see Class B medley teams dip under 3:40. In 2022 Tri-State won the event (3:45), a time that would only be seventh best coming into the meet. Wolsey-Wessington has run under 3:40 but about five other teams are capable of winning that event.

Event and Relay leaders: 

100-meter dash: George Johnson, Viborg-Hurley, :10.84

200-meter dash: Lucas Flemmer, Dell Rapids St. Mary, :22.00

400-meter dash: Lucas Flemmer, Dell Rapids St. Mary, :49.76

800-meter run: Josiah Schroeder, Canistota, 2:02.14.

1,600 meter run: Josiah Schroeder, Canistota, 4:34.74.

3,200 meter run: Josiah Schroeder, Canistota, 9:55.88.

100-meter hurdles: Luke Campbell, Viborg-Hurley, :14.96.

300-meter hurdles: Jarett Schuchard, Harding County, :41.00.

400-meter relay: Viborg-Hurley, :43.84.

800-meter relay: Faulkton Area, 1:32.54.

1,600 meter relay: Deubrook Area, 3:30.51.

3,200 meter relay: Deubrook Area, 8:24.85.

Sprint medley relay: Wolsey-Wessington, 3:39.92.

Shot put: Brenden Begeman, Herreid-Selby Area, 53-3

Discus: Dustin Wurtz, Leola, 149-5

High jump: Daniel Mitchell, Gregory, 6-6

Long jump: Rylan McDonnell, Wall, 22-9

Triple jump: Rylan McDonnell, Wall, 43-7.25

Pole vault: Owen Eitemiller, Menno, 12-6.