SIOUX FALLS – Sam Rohlfs is back and picking up right where he left off.
The Aberdeen Central senior returned to competition after nursing an injury most of the spring. The state-record holder in the long jump made an immediate impact Thursday by winning that Class AA event during the first day of the State Track and Field Meet at Howard Wood Field.
“I haven’t really long jumped since the first outdoor meet of the season,” Rohlfs said. “Of course, there’s always going to be that doubt and stuff out there, but I’ve been told by my coaches and my family that you have to believe in yourself.”
Rohlfs put that belief into practice and said he knew once he had a couple of practice run-throughs that he was going to be just fine.
“I wasn’t worried about the distance,” he said. “I was more worried about my leg holding up on the runway.”
While his winning distance of 23-feet 5 1/4-inches wasn’t near what his state record (24-feet 3/4-inch) was earlier this spring, it was good enough to set a state meet record.
“It’s super special. I know everyone is saying, well you’ve already got the state record all-time, this probably doesn’t mean as much, but it means just as much to me,” Rohlfs said. “Anytime I can get a record, I’m super honored to have my name on that.”
Not only that, but winning another state championship, especially coming after losing most of his senior season, was also satisfying.
“I definitely wanted to defend my title this year,” Rohlfs said. “I had to sit through conference and Howard Wood, and that was real tough for me, so I’m happy I got the opportunity to do this.”
Rohlfs also qualified for the finals in the 100-meter dash and the Golden Eagles also scored in the only other two finals events that took place on the day for AA boys. Brian Johnson finished fifth in the discus and the 3,200-meter relay squad was sixth.
“Our 4X8 ran 8:22 with four young guys, without Josh (Martin) on there, that’s a good day,” said Central coach Greg Murley. “Brian Johnson, I can’t be happier for a kid. Just wants to be a part of the team and has a positive attitude.”
Of course, Rohlfs has shown what he can do when healthy.
“Clearly Sam is a really good athlete and was able to step up today,” Murley said. “Hopefully, he gained some confidence with that leg, ran an 11.08 (in the 100 prelims) and that’s what he had run coming in.”
As a result, the Golden Eagles are right on track moving into today’s second-round action.
“Everything has gone rally, really well,” Murley said. “I’m just proud of our kids in how they competed.”
The Central girls were led by Gracie Rife. The eighth-grader ran an anchor leg on the 400-meter relay team which qualified for the finals and then moved into the 100-meter dash finals herself.
“It’s really exciting. I wasn’t even supposed to make finals where I was seeded,” Rife said. “Since I made it, I was like ‘Wow, I can’t believe that.’ “
Rife said competing against Sioux Falls Lincoln standout Lauren Merkley played a big role in how fast she was able to run.
“Running with Lauren Merkley, I think she pushes me a lot,” Rife said, adding, “I had a lot better start than I normally do.”
Rife said the key to the 400-meter relay squad comes down to one thing: handoffs.
“The handoffs have to be perfect. If they’re not, it messes up the whole thing,” she said. “Like one handoff messes up the whole thing.”
The Eagles were on the verge of placing in three other events, but ended up just one spot away from the podium.
“We knew some of these things were going to happen today,” said Central girls’ coach Jim Appl. “There’s a lot of good athletes in the state. If you’re not on your game the minute you walk in, it’s going to be a little bit of a struggle.”
Still, there were plenty of good things accomplished as well, like a PR in the 400-meter relay in a time of :50.6.
Appl expects his athletes to come out strong today and keep moving in the right direction.
“Can’t wait until (Friday). The kids have been improving all year,” Appl said. “We always say the arrow is on the way up, so we’re going to keep rolling.”
To see complete opening day results, click on the following link:
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