Boys track preview: Roosevelt, Lincoln in hunt
Although Washington graduated a decent amount from its three-time defending Class AA state champion track and field team, the title could remain in Sioux Falls with Roosevelt and Lincoln both returning top-tier talent.
The runner-up Rough Riders might not be as deep as they were a year ago, but they still return a wealth of points in the field events as well as sprints.
Meanwhile, Lincoln has predicated itself on distance running, showcased by back-to-back state cross country titles, but the Patriots also have talent in the always-competitive sprints.
Rapid City Stevens and Central also bring back individuals that will challenge for significant points, as will Brandon Valley, which returns senior standout Cam Holmes, who set the state meet record in the 400-meter dash with a run of 48.39 and finished runner-up in the 200.
"Even though we have lost some great athletes over the last two years to graduation, we will still have a very competitive team this season," said Lynx coach Troy Sturgeon. "We have a nice mix of experience and of good quality underclassmen that will help fill in those voids left by graduation."
Watertown is expected to be among the top in the ESD conference, with three of four runners back from the defending state champion 400 relay team heading the charge.
Arrows senior Colton Jordan returns to defend his state pole vault title, while Brookings senior and University of Wisconsin recruit Addison DeHaven is also back to defend his 1,600 and 3,200 state titles. DeHaven also ran on the Bobcats' state champion 3,200 and sprint medley relay teams.
Here's a closer look at the Sioux Falls schools:
Roosevelt
The Riders are likely to pick up big points in the throws with University of Washington recruit Jack Lembcke. The senior is the defending shot put champion with a throw of 63 feet, 10.5 inches and the defending discus champ with a toss of 174-02.
The Riders also bring back senior David Mulbah, who finished third in the high jump at state last year but won at the Dan Lennon to kick off the season. Mulbah will also spark the Roosevelt sprints and 400 relay team along with junior Taryn Christion.
"We are a little bit younger and will count on finding some kids to build depth with," said Coach Jason Wagoner. "We will be a work in progress all season long and will rely on few kids early in the season to score a lot of points, but we feel like the potential is there to have a very successful season."
Lincoln
Juniors Will Lauer, Nathan Schroeder and Free Bump have been key components to the Patriots' recent cross country titles and should help the group tally points in the distance races again this season. Schroeder finished fourth in both the 1,600 and 3,200 last season as Lincoln finished fifth in the team standings.
Senior Adam Belhaj returns to pace the sprints after placing in the 100, 200 and 400 last season and will be looked to in the sprint relays as well. Senior Caden Quintanilla will boost the Pats in the sprint relays and 300 hurdles.
Junior Romeo Zino placed returns after placing sixth in the triple jump last season.
"We should have some quality depth on the entire team," said Coach Jim Jarovski. "Hopefully we will have some of those athletes provide some competition and be in the mix once the conference and state meet role around. We are excited about the leadership that the older kids provide and the depth we have in the distance and middle distance events."
Washington
The Warriors will have to adjust with life after Nate Gerry, now playing football at Nebraska, and his 100 and 200 state titles.
That process will include relying on the hurdles and middle distance events for points, beginning with senior Dan Marlette. The North Dakota State football recruit finished runner-up in the 300 hurdles but will be a threat in both races as well as the long jump and triple jump.
Senior Alan Breck, fourth in 300 hurdles, will also be a factor and ran on the Warriors' state champion 800 and 1,600 relays. Senior Zach Freese placed seventh in the 110 hurdles and led off the 1,600 relay last season.
"We want to try and defend our championships," said Coach Everett Gebhart, "but will need some freshmen to step up in a hurry in order to do that."
O'Gorman
Senior Brenden Branick is the lone returning place-winner after tying for eighth in the pole vault, which helped the Knights to an 11th-place finish.
Key returning senior letterwinners include Max Boyum, Chris Sharpe, Tanner Schulte, Kinard Sproles and Brett Sundleaf, while juniors Rodrigo Balmaceda, Jacob Fleck, Kual Jiel, Ethan Knoblach and Joseph Schmidt complement a talented group of upperclassmen.
"We have a number of outstanding athletes who have been part of successful programs here at O'Gorman this year," said Coach Doug Lindner. "Our numbers are outstanding, but it will just take time to bring some of our young kids along."
Spring previews
The Argus Leader is doing previews of spring high school sports. Here is the schedule:
Today: Boys track
Saturday: Girls track
Wednesday: Baseball
INSIDE
More previews: Defending champion Custer has the inside track in Class A,
while Herreid/Selby is strong again in
Class B, Page 3D
Top talent: A look at top athletes and teams to watch, Page 3D
ATHLETES AND TEAMS TO WATCH
CLASS AA
Jack Lembcke, sr., Roosevelt – The University of Washington recruit is the defending state shot put and discus champion.
Addison Dehaven, sr., Brookings – DeHaven won the 1,600 and 3,200 last season and has the inside track on distance races again.
Cam Holmes, sr., Brandon Valley – Holmes is the defending 400 champion and finished runner-up in the 200.
Roosevelt – The Rough Riders expect to score a ton of point in the field events.
Lincoln – Led by strong distance runners, the Patriots also have speed in the sprints.
Watertown – The Arrows should be able to count on points in the sprints and sprint relays.
CLASS A
Brennan Witt, sr., Custer – Witt is the defending 800 and 1,600 state champion.
Tayler Anderson, sr., Madison – Anderson won the long jump and placed in the 100 last year.
Brett Nichols, sr., Dell Rapids – Nichols finished runner-up in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump.
Custer – The defending state champions return the bulk of their team, including strong distance runners.
Madison – The Bulldogs should be able to pick up points big points in the jumps and maybe distance races.
Dell Rapids – The Quarriers have points waiting in the jumps and sprint relays.
CLASS B
Jace Kraft, sr., Wessington Springs – Kraft will be good for solid points in the middle-to-long distances.
Dakota Thorstsenson, sr., Herreid/Selby – The senior is the defending high jump and triple jump champion.
Austin Iverson, sr., Herreid/Selby – Iverson won the 110 hurdles and took third in the 300 hurdles.
Herreid/Selby – The Wolverines return the bulk of points from their state championship team.
Parker – A senior-led group, the Pheasants have a mix is relay experience, distance runners and hurdlers.
Wessington Springs – Kraft alone will keep Wessington Springs near the top.