Sioux Falls teams seek to overcome West River roadblock
For over 20 years, Class AA girls track and field has predominantly been a West River game with Rapid City Stevens and Central winning 21 of the last 23 state titles.
Therefore, it shouldn't come as a surprise to see the duo in the mix for yet another run along with defending champion Aberdeen Central, Pierre and Brandon Valley.
Stevens graduated its solid group of sprinters and hurdlers, but the Raiders boast a strong core of distance runners led by senior Tamara Gorman, who won the 3,200-meter and finished runner-up in the 1,600. Stevens also returns three of four legs from its first-place 1,600 sprint medley relay team.
"We will have a very competitive team," said Raiders coach Paul Hendry. "We have some quality athletes in many events, but lack some depth. We have some big holes to fill from last year's graduation, but we do have some promising younger kids out this year."
Rapid City Central also returns a good host of distance runners as well as high jump champion Colette Christiansen, while Pierre sophomore Cortney Dowling is back after winning the 100 and 200, finishing runner-up in the 400 and anchoring the Governors' first-place 1,600 relay team.
Aberdeen will cover a wide array of events again with senior Alexis Clark, a top contender in the pole vault (won last year), high jump (runner-up) and long jump (fourth), and senior Bridget White, one of the better hurdlers in the state. The Golden Eagles were hit with injuries in the fall and winter, but expect to be ready come state meet.
"Our goal is to look forward and focus on us rather than what everyone else is doing," said Eagles coach Jim Appl. "If we keep improving and can get healthy, then we will give ourselves an opportunity to improve in May."
Brandon Valley is loaded with young, quality athletes, while Brookings senior Alexis Gannon will look to defend her long jump and triple jump titles.
Here's a closer look at the Sioux Falls schools:
Roosevelt
Senior Val Moos and junior Brooke DeVos should have the Rough Riders in position for big points. Moos is the defending 300 hurdles champ while DeVos finished fourth in the 400 and 800 last season. The duo kicked off the season with wins at the Dan Lennon Invite, including a run on the first-place 1,600 relay team.
Freshman Peyton Stolle and senior Kiana Hein will also be on that relay team, though the Riders will be battling youth and a lack of depth in field events.
"We've got a lot of potential on the track to do some great things and we need to plug away in the field events to find some kids," said Coach Jason Wagoner. "Like our boys team, we will be a work in progress throughout the whole season working to find the right spots for kids."
Washington
One area the Warriors will be able to count on this season is throws as Minnesota recruit Michaela Mayer defends her shot put title and will look to improve on a fourth place finish in the discus. Sophomore Sydney Arrington finished seventh in the shot put last season.
Washington also returns all four members of their first-place 800 relay team in sophomore Mearah Miedema and seniors Peyton Vandebrake, Hannah Nieman and Ashley Tschappat. Miedema placed in the 300 hurdles and Tschappat in the 400, while freshman Kelsi Kearney took fifth in the 1,600.
"We could have our best shot at going for a state title if young girls come around," said Coach Everett Gebhart. "We have a ton of depth."
Lincoln
The Patriots expect to find strength in the sprints and middle distances. Senior Savannah Murray placed sixth in both the 300 hurdles and 200 and should run on multiple relay teams along with Michelle Haas, Tunia Lackay, Mollie Kersten, Sarah Metz and Emma Nykamp.
Sophomore Izzy VanVeldhuizen and senior Shania Meier will key the Lincoln throwers, while sophomore Lovetee Yoway will be one of the team's top sprinters.
"Overall, we return state meet experience in most areas of our track team," said Coach Jim Jarovski. "Our girls have an outstanding attitude and have worked hard in the offseason and so far this spring."
O'Gorman
Four returning placewinners highlight the Knights, including freshman Callie DeWitt, who placed fifth in the 100 and 200 last year.
O'Gorman, which is full of juniors and sophomores, also should be able to find points in the field events with sophomore Emma Hertz (discus runner-up), junior Jessica Mieras (third in discus) and sophomore Alyssa Weidler (eighth in long jump).
"We hope to be very strong in the throws and we also have promise in our sprints," said Coach Doug Lindner. "We have strong numbers and will be looking for kids to get better as the season moves along."
Spring previews
The Argus Leader is doing previews of spring high school sports. Here is the schedule:
Today: Girls track
Wednesday: Baseball
INSIDE
More previews: Ipswich is expected to dominate the Class B field, while Sioux Falls Christian has the experience to return to Class A glory, Page 3D
Standouts: A look at the state's top athletes and teams to watch, Page 3D
ATHLETES AND TEAMS TO WATCH
CLASS AA
Cortney Dowling, so., Pierre – Defending 100 and 200 state champion and anchored Govs' winning 1,600 relay team.
Tamara Gorman, sr., Rapid City Stevens – Defending 3,200 champion also finished runner-up in the 1,600.
Alexis Gannon, sr., Brookings – Two time triple jump and long jump champion.
Rapid City Stevens – The Raiders' bid for their first title since 2011 begins with distance runners.
Aberdeen Central – Defending state champions should be able to count on solid points in several events.
Pierre – Sprints alone will boost the Governors' hopes of a high finish.
CLASS A
Miranda Velgersdyk, sr., SF Christian – Anchored the Chargers' winning 800 and 1,600 relays and placed in the 200 and 400 last season.
Tori Glazier, 8th, Custer – Defending 800 and 1,600 champion.
Coley Stoller, sr., Madison – Defending triple jump champ and placed third in the long jump.
SF Christian – The senior-laden group has strong sprint relay teams, hurdlers and a defending pole vault champion.
St. Thomas More – Defending state champions graduated sprint points, but return solid hurdlers and middle distance runners.
Madison – The Bulldogs have good depth to counter a pair of significant injuries.
CLASS B
Macy Heinz, fr., Ipswich – Defending 400, 800 and 1,600 champ and ran on winning 3,200 relay team.
Sierra Stotz, sr., Eureka/Bowdle – Defending 100 and 200 champion.
Brittany Olson, jr., Parker – Ran on winning 800 and 1,600 relay teams and placed in the 200 and 400.
Ipswich– Two-time defending champs return almost everybody and boast the best distance runners in the state.
Parker – The Pheasants expect to be near the top with sprints and sprint relays.
Gayville/Volin – The Raiders have a solid 1-2 punch in strong distance runners.