Mobridge native Simon Fried can do just about anything when it comes to track and field.

The Mobridge-Pollock senior’s love for the sport began when his father took him to a USATF meet in Aberdeen as a child, where he immediately found his passion.

“I was like probably 10 or 11,” Fried recalled. “I did some long jumps and some sprints there, so I feel like I just started to like the sport and everything that came with it.”

Fast forward to his senior year and Fried has become a multi-talented track and field athlete for the Tigers. He has participated in a variety of events, including the 1,600-meter relay, 800-meter run, long jump, and the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. He says the 300-meter hurdles are his favorite.

“I’ve been doing it since like sixth grade, so I kind of just have a passion for it,” Fried said. “It just kind of comes natural to me.”

Last season, Fried competed in the 300 hurdles at the State Track and Field Meet in Sioux Falls where he earned a runner-up finish behind Sioux Falls Christian standout Josiah Adams, while also narrowly beating out several other top runners in Class A.

At the start of the race, Fried’s goal was to stay with Adams, but quickly found out how talented the standout runner was.

“So, at first I was just going to try to stay with Josiah, but he just got out of the blocks really fast, and I was just like I don’t know if I’m going to be able to catch him,” Fried said.

Knowing at that point it was most likely a race for second place, Fried worked to rally himself for a runner-up finish.

“I was kind of behind a little bit, and then I started kicking it in down the home stretch and then I started to pull away a little bit,” Fried said. “It was me and (Reed Rus) from MVP (Mount Vernon-Plankinton); it was a close race between me and him for second. It was crazy.”

This season, Fried’s main goal is simple: win the state championship in the 300 hurdles. He also wants to place in the long jump and possibly the 800-meter run. Fried described his progress so far this season and what he will need to do to win the state title in the 300 hurdles.

“As long as I can keep bringing my time down,” Fried said, noting he had a good day earlier this season. “I was only 0.4 slower than my PR. I wasn’t expecting to run that fast, but it kind of surprised me.”

Fried’s high school career has also included participating in football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He noted he has many memories, but two stand out in particular.

“In football, I was Northeast Conference First Team (All-Conference) this year and last year,” Fried said. “(And) last year when we won the Tiger Trophy against Groton, that was pretty cool.”

While those moments were memorable, it is track that has been his favorite sport.

“There’s just so much stuff you can do within it, like jumping, the hurdles and pole vaulting,” Fried said. “I guess it’s just my best sport, so I think that would have to be my favorite.”

While he is unsure if he will continue his track career in college, Fried does plan on attending Montana State University to pursue a degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science and work to become a physical therapist. But for now, Fried is thankful for what it has meant to be a Mobridge-Pollock Tiger.

“It means a lot. I’ve made a lot of special connections through this community we have here in Mobridge,” Fried said. “Everyone is always so supporting and always uplifting. I’ve made a lot of friends and the coaches are just always there to help. It just means a lot to be a part of this community.”