HURON – Aberdeen Central not only racked up wins during the Huron Invitational track and field meet on Friday, the Golden Eagles did so in impressive fashion.
Central girls’ coach Jim Appl noted that many of his athletes are well ahead of last year’s marks at this time of the season.
“We had just a great day today,” Appl said.
The Golden Eagles claimed the top three spots in the 100-meter hurdles won by Mya Arampatzis, and had four of the top six positions in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles, won by Espynn Kuhfeld. Kyson Fayant also won the 300 hurdles on the boys’ side and was third in the 110s.
“The hurdlers, boys and girls, they coach each other. … They do all their form work together. They check each other and make sure it’s right,” Appl said. “Not being able to get outside, they’ve just a done a really good of staying focused and doing that.”
The Central girls also had a big day in field events. Taryn Hermansen not only won the shot put, she threw 45-feet, 6 1/4 inches, not far off from her personal record and school record.
“She wasn’t throwing those last year until May,” Appl said.
Paige Ewalt finished second in the discus with a mark much farther than this time a year ago, according to Appl.
Regan Lust tied for third place in the high jump, despite pulling double duty.
“She ran in a 4X2 while she was going to jump 5-foot,” Appl said. “She had to go do that and then come back to that and still cleared it.”
Appl also pointed out the busy schedule of Lucy Fritz, who placed in the high jump, long jump and ran on relays.
“She’s going everywhere,” Appl said.
Allison Brenner finished fourth in the 1,600-meter run and has made big strides from a year ago, Appl said.
“Last year she wouldn’t put herself in a position to stay with the lead group. … Now she’s able to stay with that top group and hang in there as long as she can,” Appl said.
Overall, Appl was pleased with his team’s progress and also its focus as Central hosts prom this evening.
“Usually on prom weekend it’s hard for kids to stay focused,” Appl said. “I was so proud of how our kids handled that.”
The Central boys also made their presence felt during the meet.
Carter Lust won the 200-meter dash and was second in the 100. He also ran on the second-place 400-meter relay team.
“I thought those top four guys that were in the 100 led by Carter Lust, and Karson Borge had a really good day,” said Central boys’ coach Greg Murley.
Tate DeVries won the 3,200-meter run and was third in the 1,600.
“Tate had a really nice time in the two-mile,” Murley said, noting he broke his PR by 15 seconds.
Brenner Waldrop finished third in the shot put. Evan Sichmeller was runner-up in the pole vault, clearing 13 feet and “had a really nice look at 13-6,” Murley said. “He had a really solid performance there.”
Central also won the 3,200-meter relay, but Murley said there is still room for improvement.
“We won it, but we need to run a little faster in that. … It’s good,” Murley said, “and we’ll continue to work to get better at it.”
Northwestern athletes won a pair of events on the day. Ty Boekelheide won the triple jump with a leap of 44-feet, 5 1/4 inches, while Ella Boekelheide won the 800-meter run.
Central will have some junior varsity athletes compete at a meet in Pierre on Monday, and gear up for next Saturday’s Corn Palace Relays in Mitchell.
Murley is pleased with his squad’s start to the season.
“I think we had a pretty good overall day,” Murley said. “I was really happy with our effort and our attitude, and I thought we got out and competed.”
To see complete meet results, click on the following link:
