Brian's Preview of State Track Meet

Probably the funnest (most fun?) event of the high school sports season takes place this weekend in the Sioux Falls area with the State Track & Field Meet. I think what makes it so great is that it brings together probably 90% of the best athletes in the state in one location. Think about it - if you are a good enough athlete to excel in football, basketball, wrestling, or volleyball, among others, you're probably involved in track as well. Yes, in some cases, it might just be to stay active as you keep your mind on your other favorite sports, but there are so many big names from around the state in other sports during the school year, and they're just about all coming to Sioux Falls this weekend for one last hurrah to close out the school year. That's another great thing about this event - the fact that it is the "last hurrah" for the school year. That fact in itself makes this one of the biggest social events of the year. Athletes who compete against each other all season long get to know each other, and in many cases, become good friends, and the State Track Meet allows them all to see each other one last time before they meet in the playing arena in the next school year again. Or, of course, for seniors who have now likely already graduated, well, who knows what lies ahead? You may not see some of these other people for a very long time to come, and along with that, what better way to close out your high school career than with a great performance at the "last hurrah?"

I invite you all to listen for reports from the State Track Meet throughout the days on Friday & Saturday, both on KGFX and KOLY AM. With warm weather, although with some breeze, I think we're in for a very enjoyable, not to mention a very exciting, weekend. Here are some things we'll be keeping a very close eye on this weekend:

Class AA:
Governors:
After a 4-year run among the elites, with 3 championships and a 3rd place finish last year, we should probably temper our expectations a little. There are clearly other favorites for the team title this year, but expect the Govs to still be in the Top 5, which should provide some excitement. RC Stevens, SF Washington, and Watertown will be among the boys teams that should battle it out for the top spot. Individually, Pierre still has the best hurdler in the state, in Parker McKittrick, looking to pick up where Matt Tetzlaff left off. McKittrick is the only hurdler in AA to break the :15 barrier in the 110m, and he has the 2nd best qualifying time this season in the 300. Other individuals have chances to contend for championships: Danny Mayer in the Pole Vault, and maybe Kyle Anderson in Shot Put, who rose up to be a surprise champion at the ESD meet. And maybe some good things can be expected from some of the relay teams, especially the 4x200 and the Medley relays, but all in all, the Govs will be hoping to pile on points from several events, as many as possible, to let everyone know that although they are no longer the team to beat, the Governor Track program is still among the state's elite.

Lady Govs – obviously they do not have enough depth to contend – Lady Govs will be hoping to do the best they can for individual honors and relay efforts. Anna Bondy in the High Jump (if she can overcome back pain) might have a chance to place high, although a SF Lincoln jumper is a clear favorite. The 200m Dash could be fun to watch with Tory Snyder and Taylor Larson competing together, after both ran well at the ESD meet. There will be some possibilities in the relays as well, but unfortunately, we still won’t hear a lot out of the Lady Govs this weekend. However, the silver lining is that there is a lot of youth among the Lady Govs, which gives us a lot to look forward to in the coming years.

Class A:
We’ll follow Stanley County, Mobridge-Pollock, Chamberlain, Miller, Lyman, Todd Co., Winner, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, etc. – not sure how many champions we can expect from these teams, although Jesse Parmely (MILL) will look to repeat in Shot Put; Kelli Norrid (WINN) has some of the best times in the hurdle events. Dyson Lends His Horse (C-EB) will be right up there in the distance runs; and the same goes for Tyler Schaefbauer (M-P) in Long Jump. All in all, don’t expect a lot of champions, but do expect a lot of solid place finishers.

Class B:
One of the things I will look forward to the most this weekend is how well the Philip boys will fare. They have to be considered the team to beat on the boys side this year, fueled primarily on the strength of their relay teams, who have registered the top overall times in 400, 800, 1600, and Medley relays this season. If anyone battles the Scotties, it could be fun to see the team title come down to that very last event – the 1600 Relay. Cvach, Guptill, O’Connell and crew will be fun to watch. Jeff O’Connell could grab some big extra points in the Long Jump and Triple Jump, and others will provide individual contributions, too.

It should be nice to hear from Sully Buttes on the track again. Expect high place finishes from Herman Kleinsasser in the sprints, Brandon Sieck in the middle to longer distances; and a couple of relay teams have potential as well.

Gettysburg will put some good relays together, and maybe Sunshine Bible, who has contended the last couple of years. Ethan McClain will contend in distance runs, and Brad Bridgman has the best qualifying High Jump in Class B this season. Eric Chilson of Highmore-Harrold will provide some excitement in the Hurdles as well.

For the girls, right away, in the Pole Vault, Gettysburg could have another champion, if Jessika Wager can pick up where Calley Worth left off last year – Wager has vaulted 9 inches higher than anyone else in Class B this year, and she could also be among the top finishers in the 400m Dash. Tia Carlson (Kadoka) has best overall 800 time this year. Plenty of other place finishers to expect from around the area. Also, from the teams up north, expect some big things from Eureka/Bowdle, who will have good distance runners and relays teams throughout. Jeffrey Mettler and Hilary Krein have posted top overall times in the distances to provide a potential sweep in the longer runs. (I can't hardly run a quarter mile, and here these kids run 2 miles like it's nobody's business!) E/B also has the longest qualifying girls Triple Jump this season, from Megan Sandmeier, so we'll see if that holds true this weekend as well.

So many schools, so many people to see and stories to catch up on....so many possibilities, but only ONE last chance to do something great this season. That's what we'll be covering for you this weekend from the State Track & Field Meet, so we hope you can join us. Congratulations to all athletes, and all graduated seniors! We're all proud of you. Have a great holiday weekend!