SOUTH DAKOTA STATE MEET

Alea Hardie Handles Heavy Lifting For O'Gorman Girls; Shot-Putter Gracelyn Leiseth Launches Monster US#1 52-6.75

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

In her final state meet, O’Gorman’s Alea Hardie solidified herself as one of the all-time greatest prep distance runners in South Dakota history. At Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, Hardie broke three state meet records en route to guiding her team to a Class AA title at the South Dakota State High School Track and Field Championships.  

Hardie, who will run for the University of Nebraska this fall, pulled off the distance triple, winning the 3,200 (10:24.42), 1,600 (4:45.33) and 800 (2:09.64), all Class AA state records. She also ran on the 4x800 relay that finished in second place. 

Hardie broke the all-time South Dakota record in the 3,200 earlier this month when she ran 10:10.83 at the Rich Greeno Invitational. 

In the field, Harrisburg’s Kaitlyn Disbrow won the javelin in a state meet record throw of 124-5. The javelin became a scored event this year in South Dakota for the first time. 

In the boys AA, Harrisburg claimed the team title with 94 points. 

On the track, RC Stevens’ Simeon Birnbaum won the 3,200 (9:27.13), 1600 (4:15.85) and claimed the 800 in a Class AA state meet record time of 1:51.03. He also ran on the winning Sprint Medley that broke the meet record with 3:32.00. 

Julian Watson of Brandon Valley broke the 400 meters meet record in the prelims, running 48.06. He finished third in the 400 and 200. 

Aberdeen Central’s Sam Rohlf tied the Class AA boys long jump meet record with 23-5.25. He also won the triple jump with 46-9.75.

Class A

Hamlin’s Gracelyn Leiseth won the Class A girls shot put title with a state-record throw of 52-6.75, which was nearly a three-foot PR and is the top mark in the U.S. this year. It's also No. 20 all-time

Leiseth finished second in the discus (160-11), U.S. #10.

Kellyn Kortemeyer of Custer won a phenomenal discus competition on Friday with a toss of 165-11. Her throw shattered the all-time state record of 163 feet that has been held since 1979 by Pierre's Karen McDonald. It's US#5. 

On the track, Berkeley Engelland of Mount Veron/Plank won the 400 (56.20) and 800 (2:12.88), both Class A meet record times. 

In boys Class A action, Blake Boyster of Custer won the 100 (11.04) 200 (22.51) and 400 (49.44).  

The Sioux Falls Christian boys and girls swept the Class A state titles. The boys claimed the second straight state title, winning four of the five relays, while the SFC girls claimed their first title since 2014. 

Class B

Led by sprinter Daniela Lee, the Colman-Egan girls won the Class B state team championship with 99 points. A sophomore, Lee won the 100 (12.51), 200 (25.95) and anchored the winning 4x200 (1:48.96) and 4x100 (51.21) relays. 

Northwestern eighth grader Ella Boekelheide won the 3,200 (11:33.48) and 1,600 (5:21.41). 

In the boys race, Chester Area claimed the title with 86 points. Ryan Benson, who earned MVP honors, won the 110-meter hurdles (15.06) and 300-meter hurdles (40.21) and also won the long jump title (21-9.75). Teammate Jovi Wolf won the 400 (50.35), 200 (22.24) and ran on the winning 4x100 (43.37). He finished second in the 100 (11.05)

Team Champions

Class AA: Harrisburg boys 94 points; O’Gorman girls 119.5 points - RESULTS

Class A: Sioux Falls Christian boys 125 points; Sioux Falls girls 101.5 points - RESULTS

Class B: Chester Area boys 86 points; Colman-Egan girls 99 points - RESULTS