Dakota Relays: 10 Must-See Events

The Howard Wood Dakota Relays, running for the 91st time, have arrived. Track fans have an exciting weekend ahead. Same can be said for the 3,000 high school and college athletes on hand.

All that action can be dizzying, so in an effort to cut through the madness, we’ve highlighted 10 high school events you can’t miss.

The Howard Wood Dakota Relays record is listed underneath each event.

BOYS

800 run (special event) | VIDEO

1:52.46, ALEX MUNTEFERING, PARKSTON (2009)

You didn’t think we’d exclude the 800 just because it’s special? This race would have enough intrigue if just the Class AA field showed up. O’Gorman’s Tiegen Lindner, Roosevelt’s Josh Goehring and Brandon Valley’s Jakob Hanna have their work cut out against Class A champ Luke Julian of St. Thomas More and a trio of talented out-of-state runners. Elk River’s Lucas Trapp would have the meet record if he replicated his best of 1:50.8.

High jump | RESULTS

7-2, SCOTT BENSON, RC STEVENS (1988)

Parker’s Zack Anderson is the premier jumper in the state. There’s no question there. But the remaining field is an awfully good one, led by Spearfish standout Jaxon Hinch. Anderson is the only to break the 7-foot mark, but Hinch and locals like Evan Hieber (Lincoln), DeJay Fykstra (SF Christian) and Jack Peery (O’Gorman) could reach new heights with the Parker phenom in person.

Triple jump | RESULTS

46-5, GAVIN CORDELL, SPEARFISH (2010)

The Dakota Relays stand out because of cross-class and regional competition, and the boys triple jump fits the bill. You’ve got Anderson from Class B Parker, a bevy of ‘AA’ talent with Luke Fritsch of O’Gorman, Aberdeen’s Cannon Hannigan, Rapid City Stevens senior Grant Youngblood and out-of-state standouts in Devon Pope of Red River, N.D., and Cade Johnson  of Redwood Valley (Minn.).

1,600 |RESULTS

4:09.74, JIM REINHART, LINCOLN (1973)

This one pits the Sioux Falls metro area’s best against a dangerous duo from North Dakota. Sam Clausnitzer of Bismarck brings in the best time (4:19.34), and there’s little that separates the next six runners: Lindner, SF Christian’s Caleb DeWeerd, Brandon Valley’s Jakob Hanna, Lincoln’s Gabe Peters and Washington’s Alec Kray.

300 hurdles | Saturday, 2:55 p.m.

37.89, JASON GREENWAY, MITCHELL (2011)

Both hurdles events should impress, but the 300 could be extra competitive. Bryce Malsam of Edmunds Central brings in the top marks at 40 seconds flat, and is followed closely by seniors Bennett Fierro (RC Stevens), Luke Fritsch (O’Gorman) and Lennox teammates Jacob Lackas and Nick Kayl. Zachary Medal (not a bad name for a track guy, eh?) brings in an excellent time (40.25) from Sisler-Manitoba.

GIRLS 

200 dash (special event)  | RECAP & VIDEO

24.27, JILL THEELER, MITCHELL (1997)

Don’t call it a cop-out — this event is going to be fantastic. History is up for grabs with a stacked field that features in-state phenom Cortney Dowling, back at full strength, and the ninth-graders who battled for her throne during an injury-plagued junior season. Sprinkle in the fastest junior in the nation in 2015, Chanhassan’s Jadeh Caldwell, and this one has the makings of a classic.

Sprint medley | RESULTS

4:02.27, SIOUX CITY EAST (2009)

Get up for this one on Saturday morning. Once thought to be a two-horse race between Lincoln and Brandon Valley, arguably the state’s two best teams. After Pierre’s Dowling turned in the top time in the 800 this week, suddenly Pierre looks like a real contender in the sprint medley. Don’t forget about St. Michael/Albertville, which comes in with a smooth 4:15.50, just a few seconds off the mark of the Lynx and Patriots.

1,600 relay | Saturday, 5:45 p.m.

3:53.50, SIOUX CITY EAST (2009)

Nothing wrong with showing up for the big horses, and in this event there are plenty. Brandon Valley is the heaviest hitter, excelling in Coach Troy Sturgeon’s favorite event. But the Patriots, Governors and Raiders have something to say, and North Dakota squads Legacy and Jamestown have posted some quality numbers.

800 relay | Saturday, 4:35 p.m.

53.98, MORGAN MILBRATH, MINOT MAGIC CITY, N.D. (2011)

Get a secret stash of kettle corn set aside for this one. Only a few seconds separate the entire field in Heat 3. Washington, Brandon, Lincoln and Harrisburg set the tone for the Metro, and Aberdeen and both Rapid City schools will be in the mix.

Triple jump | RESULTS

39-8.25, ALEXIS GANNON, BROOKINGS (2014)

While it’s unlikely that any record-setting marks go up in Friday’s contest, the relative parity in the field could make for an exciting event. Out-of-staters from Minnesota and North Dakota come in with the top marks, but Lincoln’s Ryley Heier (36-11) and Yankton’s Emma Stewart (36-8) aren’t far behind.