BISON 8TH GRADER LOOKING TO MAKE HIS MARK IN CLASS B DISTANCE EVENTS

2014 South Dakota State Meet Special Features are written by South Dakota MileSplit Special Guest, Rich Winter. 
You can follow Rich Winter's blog at http://panicbutton.sportsblog.com/.
Photo via Kernit Grimshaw (kernit.zenfolio.com)
 
By Rich Winter

   Seeing middle-school girls place at the South Dakota state meet is not all that uncommon.

  Seeing a 7th grade boy on that top eight podium is a whole different ball game.

  As a 7th grader last spring, Bison's Daniel Burkhalter made quite an impression.

  The young distance phenom finished third in the 3200 behind Parker's Duane Jongeling and Wessington Springs athlete Jase Kraft. 

In the 1600, Burhalter finished 8th and ran a 4:45 in the process.

  Well, the 7th grader is now an 8th grade. Although he really has no chance of besting Kraft in the 1600 or 3200, he does have a chance to place very high in both events and should be a solid contender for numerous state titles starting with the Class B cross country title in the fall of 2014. 

   Burkhalter finished third in the Class B cross-country race in 2013!

  In the 1600 meters, Burkhalter comes in with the second fastest time,having pre-qualified for that event several weeks ago. 

1600m Run - 4:44.90
1. Kraft, Jase 4:22.60 Wessington Springs        
2. Burkhalter, Daniel 4:40.70 Bison        
3. Iwerks , Tucker 4:43.10 Aberdeen Christian

   Burkhalter enters the 3200 meters with the 2nd fastest time.

3200m Run - 10:31.00
1. Kraft, Jase 9:49.70 Wessington Springs        
2. Burkhalter, Daniel 10:16.30 Bison        
3. Scholten, Jared 10:27.00 DR St. Mary        
4. Olson, Ryan 10:29.10 Parker

     With Kraft expected to have a tight battle in the 800 meters with Parker's Michael Olson, before doubling back in the 3200 meters about 45 minutes later, there is an outside chance Burkhalter might be able to steal that 3200 meters as that will be his first race of the day and Krarft's fourth.

   Keep an eye on this one!

  Ya don't see a lot of middle school boys on the high school podium, and it is extremely rare to see one contending for state titles. 

Check out the latest and greatest photos from the state track meet at kernit.zenpholio.com