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State track meet presents challenges, opportunities and memories

Milbank’s James Batchelor, right, falls to the finish line to take second place ahead of Vermillion Jack Freeburg, left, at the end of the anchor leg of the 3200 meter relay Thursday at the State Track and Field Meet at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls. Photo by John Davis taken 5/26/2022
There is nothing quite like covering the State Track and Field Meet. It is the largest annual tournament in the state, featuring thousands of athletes from nearly every school imaginable. As I set out for this year’s state meet, I pick up photographer John Davis and we talk about meet strategy on our way to Sioux Falls. I feel prepared because we have gone on this journey before. What I fail to take into account, however, is because of a new three-day format that puts all three classes in one location, we will now be spread thinner than ever. In the past, there were up to five events going on simultaneously which definitely presented a challenge. What we find upon arrival is that there will now be seven events going on at the same time. The only thing that comes close in scope is a state wrestling tournament, but in that, all the action is contained in front of you. At state track, you need to be in constant motion to try to get to as many events as possible. While I f

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