SIOUX FALLS – It was business as usual for Bennett Schwenn during the Class AA portion of the State Track and Field Meet at Howard Wood Field on Friday.
The Milbank Area senior won his third consecutive state championship in the triple jump, powered a relay team and also qualified for finals in the 200-meter dash.
Schwenn set the tone early in the triple jump with a big leap early and eventually jumped 45-feet 11 3/4-inches on the way to the victory. He said getting a mark early helped to take the pressure off.
“Just making sure I got a mark on the first one, to make sure I’m still confident,” Schwenn said, “don’t have worry about not getting a mark.”
While Schwenn is a big point producer in other events, there is something special about the triple jump.
“It’s my favorite one,” he said. “It’s the first one I was really good at going into high school and I just stuck with it.”
Schwenn didn’t have much time to celebrate his state title, having to quickly prepare for two more events before the end of the day. He will be competing in three events today: the long jump, 200 and 1,600-meter relay.
He said he just takes one event at a time.
“I just focus on the one I’m doing at the time,” Schwenn said.
Webster’s Drew Reetz found himself the center of attention during the pole vault competition, which took place inside of the running track.
The junior set a personal record by clearing 14 feet and securing a runner-up finish. That set off a display of emotion.
“That was a PR and that was going to secure me for second, so I was very happy,” Reetz said.
During his final attempt, the public address announcer urged the crowd to cheer on Reetz, which set off rhythmic clapping as he ran down the runway.
“It was amazing, because boys’ pole vault always runs super late,” Reetz said. “Usually there’s not a lot of people here to watch everyone, especially the kid who is about to get first. It’s crazy. I’m glad that everyone was able to see it.”
Reetz could tell what was going on around him and said that motivated him.
“I think it just fuels me,” he said. “It adds to the fun.”
Of course, what also fueled him was the passion shown by his pole vault coach Kevin Duenwald. Reetz appreciated the show of support.
“I think he was more pumped up than the entire crowds combined,” Reetz said. “It’s OK. That’s a great thing. I love him so much.”
Reetz led a strong Webster showing in the event. Teammate Jaiden McCreary was sixth, while Tayne Dunse was ninth.
Reetz now has back-to-back runner-up finishes at the state meet and would like to change that for his senior season.
“I’ve been second twice,” Reetz said, “so hopefully next year will be a different story.”
Many teams and athletes spent the day qualifying for today’s finals.
One of those was the Mobridge-Pollock 1,600-meter relay squad, which set a new school record in its prelim race in a time of 4:07.20, eight seconds faster than its previous best time.
The squad received a big second-leg effort from eighth-grader Jacy Netterville, who found a burst of speed to put the Tigers in good position.
“I just felt like getting it,” Netterville said. “You just have to go.”
She said she knew about halfway through her leg that she had another gear to shift into.
“About the 200, I felt like I had more,” Netterville said.
Athletes had to deal with something they haven’t experienced much of this spring: bright sunshine and warm conditions.
“It’s usually pretty cold and windy,” Netterville said. “I think it helped today for sure. It’s pretty hot, but I think it helped.”
To see meet results, click on the following link:
