HURON – Aberdeen Central track and field athletes were back to setting more records during the Wendelgass Relays on Thursday, the final tune-up before next week’s state meet in Sioux Falls.
Included in the highlights of the day were Kyson Fayant, who broke his own all-time state record in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles, Mya Arampatzis who broke her own school record in the 100-meter hurdles, and the girls’ 400-meter relay squad which also set a new school record
“We went after that one today,” said Central girls’ coach Jim Appl of putting an emphasis on that particular relay. “Last week was such a big week for the kids. It was emotionally draining, so this week was more like, OK we’re going to focus on a few individual things and go from there. We went after that relay and we won that one.”
The squad of Keyana Stillman, Savana Arampatzis, Josephine Cobbs, and Mya Arampatzis clocked a time of :48.94 in winning the race.
“It was just solid,” Appl said. “Four solid legs. It was just great.”
Appl believes the best is still yet to come for that quartet at the state meet.
“That’s only the second time they ran together this year, so I can’t wait until next week,” Appl said. “I think they’re going to be faster next week. I’m quite happy and pleased with that.”
Mya Arampatzis lead a strong delegation in the 100 hurdles, winning the race with teammates Catelyn Weig and Epsynn Kuhfeld finishing second and fourth, respectively.
“They ran really well there,” Appl said. “That was good to see.”
Appl said the athletes are peaking at the right time of the season.
“We’re ready for the state meet,” Appl said. “Our kids, not just our hurdlers, but all of them are ready for the state meet. We’re just improving in so many ways.”
Stillman, who normally leads off three relay races, received a chance to compete in a couple of open events, finishing second in both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash.
“Stillman hasn’t had a chance to run the 100 for a long time, because she’s always running the 4×2. … We know what she’s capable of doing,” Appl said, “and she hit a really good mark there.”
Central also received a big effort from Lucy Fritz, who went 17-5 3/4 in the long jump.
“She hasn’t long jumped in a little bit, because we wanted her to focus on the triple jump for the conference meet,” Appl said.
He noted that the senior is involved in the high jump, long jump and triple jump.
“You can’t do them every week,” Appl said. “You’ve got to rotate through those.”
Fayant was back in business in the hurdles. Just a few days after setting the all-time state record in the 300 hurdles in a time of :37.81, the senior eclipsed that standard with a clocking of :37.77 on a windy day.
“It was not ideal,” said Central boys’ coach Greg Murley of the conditions. “He’s got more in him, I think. He’s just really got a nice rhythm.”
Carter Lust also had a big day winning both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes with Fayant taking second in the 200. Lust also ran on a second-place relay team.
“Carter Lust had a really nice day,” Murley said.
Tate DeVries won the 1,600-meter run and was third in the 800-meter run.
“He’s starting to run really well, too,” Murley said. “He’s right on the cusp of placing in both the mile and the two mile. They’re ridiculously fast, but he’ going to try to do some damage in both.”
Central also received first-place finishes from Brenner Waldrop in the discus, and Taryn Hermansen in the shot put.
Murley described the day as one where “you want a kid or two more qualified, but you also want to stay healthy.”
The Golden Eagles will now gear up for next week’s state meet.
Appl said the athletes are hitting their stride at the right time.
“Let’s quit worrying about March, let’s quit worrying about April. May is when it matters. … We try to peak at this time of the year,” Appl said. “You can really see it with our times and our PRs.”
To see complete meet results, click on the following link:
