HARRISBURG – Aberdeen Central track and field squads both recorded top five finishes during the Eastern South Dakota Conference track and field meet on Saturday. The Golden Eagles were fourth in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
“I was absolutely so proud of this crew,” said Central girls’ coach Jim Appl. “We scored 18 more points than we were expected to score when you ran it out.”
That included a big effort from the 1,600-meter relay team, which finished sixth, and allowed the Golden Eagles to finish ahead of Watertown in the team standings.
“We had kids step up all day long. It was awesome,” Appl said. “I’m just so proud of the kids and what they accomplished.”
The Central girls won three open events along with one relay to fuel their efforts on the day.
“We won four of out 20 events, which is awesome,” Appl said. “That’s really good for us.”
Taryn Hermansen won the shot put and then came up big with a fourth place finish in the discus, which she wasn’t projected to place in. Appl noted her throws kept improving from 103 feet, to 105 to eventually 113.
“Today’s about the points,” Appl said. “She went and got us 15 points today. I’m very pleased with that.”
Jaidyn Forsyth won the pole vault by clearing 12 feet with teammate Breckan Santjer taking fourth, despite missing a full week of practice because she was at a national science fair.
Mya Arampatzis won the 100-meter hurdles, and also ran legs on two relay teams, including the winning 400-meter relay squad. Teammate Espynn Kuhfeld finished fourth in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles and sixth in the 100 hurdles.
“The real warrior today, not even close, Gracie Rife,” Appl said, noting that Rife battled the flu to place in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, and anchor the 400-meter relay.
“She continues to turn it on,” Appl said. “She gets a third in the 100, fourth in the 200, anchors our 4X1. …She guts it out.”
Other members of the 4X1 included Keyana Stillman and Lucy Fritz. Appl noted that Fritz also grabbed places in both the high jump and long jump.
“We had kids just score nickel and dime points everywhere,” Appl said. “We were sitting anywhere from fourth to sixth (in team points). We were a lot closer to sixth than fourth. We got the job done. I’m just so proud of our kids.”
Appl credited his coaching staff for having the athletes ready to go for the conference meet.
“Great job to our coaches today, too. Our coaches really coached the kids up today,” Appl said. “That’s part of the reason why were so successful.”
Central concludes the regular season with a meet in Huron on Thursday. Appl said the Golden Eagles are headed in the right direction.
“We have a lot of kids who are closing gaps and improving. …. We were dialed in,” Appl said, “and focused really well today.”
The Central boys also came up big, winning one event and finishing runner-up in three others.
“It was pretty good day,” said Central boys’ coach Greg Murley. “Obviously, when you’re in a big meet you always think there’s a point or two you left out there. Today is probably no different, but overall we ran well.”
The Golden Eagles grabbed three places in the 300 hurdles led by Kyson Fayant who won the event. Jack Podoll was fifth and Colby Dauwen finished sixth.
“Led by the 300-meter hurdlers, they scored us some points,” Murley said, “and put us in a position to do some things.”
Central also had some big efforts from its sprinters.
“I thought out 4X2 team ran really well,” Murley said.
Murley pointed out the performance of one sprinter in particular.
“Carter Lust obviously had a good day in the 1, the 2, the 4×1, the 4X2,” Murley said. “That’s a big day for a sophomore.”
Joran Foss placed near the top in both throws, taking second in the shot put and fourth in the discus.
“Joran kind of came through at the end and had big finals,” Murley said. “In both events he improved in finals, moving up places and really had a good day for us.”
Carson Urlacher was third in the 3,200-meter run, and Gabe Sumner placed in the pole vault.
Murley also noted the spark provided by a key senior.
“Brendan Phillips kind of started our day out getting second in the high jump,” Murley said, “and then he gets sixth in the 400, and then he was on the 4X4 team that ran really well (finishing second).”
Put it all together and Central scored more points than it was projected to heading into the meet.
“Our kids competed well,” Murley said. “We have a relatively young squad. … We’re excited about where we’re at.”
The Golden Eagles will now turn their attention from scoring points to qualifying as many athletes as possible for the upcoming state meet. The last remaining chance is Thursday at a meet in Huron.
“We have some kids that are right on the bubble … that we want to try getting a few more kids to the state meet,” Murley said. “Maybe get in a little faster heat at the state meet, keep working our handoffs, and working some stuff.”
To see complete ESD results, click on the following link:
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