BROOKINGS – On a blustery South Dakota day, it was field events that carried the day for the Aberdeen Central track and field squads at the Brookings Invitational Tuesday in Brookings.
Ciara Frank went 18 feet, 2 inches in the long jump to set a new Golden Eagle school record in that event. It was one of three top-3 efforts from the Central junior, who also finished third in the 100-meter hurdles and in the high jump.
“That got us started right off the bat,” said Central girls’ coach Jim Appl. “She had a good overall day.”
Appl said it was an especially good day for the field event athletes. The Golden Eagles had at least three placers in all three throwing events, including Grace Kuch’s win in the javelin with a toss of over 97 feet.
“The field events carried us today,” Appl said. “They did a nice job competing and performing.”
Additionally, several athletes added up to a foot to their personal bests in the jumps, including Addison Everson, who surpassed 33 feet in the triple jump.
“She’s just learning the event,” Appl said. “She’s never done it before and added another two to three feet.”
Regan Lust cleared 5 feet, 2 inches to win the high jump, as well.
And while the field events provided the highlights of the day, the track events weren’t far behind despite the less-than-ideal conditions.
“The times won’t show it,” Appl said, “but we came out and competed. That’s all we can ask for.”
On the boys’ side, it was Dustin Hermansen setting a new school record in the javelin. Hermansen’s toss of 145 feet, 9 inches was good for third in that event.
The Golden Eagles also came home with a handful of individual victories on the track, including Aiden Heimann’s double wins in the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles.
Carter Dingman led a 1-2 Golden Eagle finish in the 200-meters, followed by Drew Salfrank. David Van Veen also won the 1,600-meter run.
“It was nice to be able to get outside,” said Central assistant coach Katie Anderson. “It was a bit windy, but all things considered, it was nice to compete.”
Several of Central’s victories came from individuals that competed the prior day in Mitchell.
“We had some that were two meets in a row, but we put them in some different events,” Anderson said, adding that relays were the focus of Monday’s competition, while the Brookings meet was more about individual and open events.
“The kids competed well,” she said. “We had some nice times.”
Central is scheduled to compete at the Legion Relays in Pierre Friday, weather permitting.
“We’re pretty good at adapting so far,” Anderson quipped.
To see complete meet results, click on the following link:
