Girls will run 4,000 meters / 2.49 miles and the boys will run 5,000 meters/3.11 mile.
State championships are always exciting and this year’s line-up is no exception. Rapid City Central junior Tony Smoragiewicz, finished the regular season undefeated and is a clear favorite for Class ‘AA’ Boys. Should Smoragiewicz win, it will be the first State Champion for Rapid City Central since Jake Maas won in 1994 – the same year Smoragiewicz was born. Central’s only other State Champion was Robert Bush who won a state title for the then Rapid City High School in 1948.
Several young runners including Sioux Falls Roosevelt sophomore Tanner Ahrendt and Brookings freshman Addison Dehaven have presented outstanding performances this year and are looking for an opportunity to challenge Smoragiewicz. Also look for Sioux Falls Lincoln senior TJ Gleason to finish near the top of the pack. Senior Riley Coates, recovering from a pre-season injury, should also place well in his last cross country meet representing Rapid City Stevens Runnin’ Raiders.
For the girls, Sturgis senior, Madeleine Takahashi, also recovering from an earlier injury will seek to defend her 2009 State Championship. As with the boys ‘AA’ race, there are several young runners looking to finish near the top. Takashi will go head-to-head with freshman teammate Kahlie Peterson, Spearfish freshman Savannah Childers and Rapid City Stevens freshman Tamara Gorman, in her effort to earn her third State title.
There are several top contenders for the Class ‘A’ Boys title including Cheyenne Eagle Butte junior Dysan Lends His Horse, Custer sophomore Cody Herman, Belle Fourche junior Colton Njos, Milbank junior Jalen Snaza and Winner junior Donovan Brother of All.
Look for strong competitors in the other three races as well. There are many great teams across the state and anything can happen on race day, here are a few of the teams to watch:
Girls ‘A’ - Canton, Garretson, Madison and West Central
Boys ‘A’ - Redfield/ Dolan, Cheyenne Eagle Butte, Harrisburg and Flandreau
Girls ‘AA’ -Aberdeen Central, Roosevelt, Sturgis, and Yankton
Boys ‘AA’ - Brandon Valley, Brookings and Sioux Falls Roosevelt
Girls ‘B’ – Kadoka and Lemmon
Boys 'B’ - Lemmon, Parker and Wall
The meet schedule is as follows (all times are Central Time):
1:00 p.m. Class ‘B’ Girls
1:30 p.m. Class ‘A’ Girls
2:00 p.m. Class ‘B’ Boys
2:30 p.m. Class ‘A’ Boys
3:00 p.m. Class ‘AA’ Girls
3:45 p.m. Class ‘A’ and ‘B’ Awards
4:15 p.m. Class ‘AA’ Boys
4:45 p.m. Class ‘AA’ Awards
Fans at this year’s State Meet will notice a few changes from previous years. At the request of the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) for a more spectator friendly event, the course has been modified to a two looped course. In addition, the SDHSAA announced that spectators will be charged a $5 admission fee to the meet. See the posted course and parking maps for details.
The weather forecast for Saturday predicts a 50 percent chance of rain and temperatures in the mid 50s; just about as good as you can expect for late in October in central South Dakota. Spectators should bundle up and bring their rain gear.
Warm up for the 2010 State Meet, by watching Josh Heitkamp in his 2009 win in the Class ‘AA’ Boys on YouTubehttp://il.youtube.com/watch?v=TTd2rjk0Ibs
Results, photos, and videos from the 2010 South Dakota State High School Meet will be posted on MileSplit South Dakota following the races. Go South Dakota harriers!