SIOUX FALLS – A crew of Aberdeen Central track and field athletes worked its way onto the podium during the Class AA portion of the State Track and Field Meet on Friday. And in just about every case, the position was higher than what was projected entering the meet.

Tate DeVries, who came in 11th in the 3,200-meter run, finished fifth and set a new school record in the process.

“I kind of believed in myself. Coming in a little bit of a underdog, but I knew I could run fast,” DeVries said. “I just had to put together a race and I was able to do that really well today.”

The junior clocked a time of 9:16.29 to break the old record that belonged to former Central standout Josh Martin.

DeVries peaked at the right time of the season, saving his best performances for the Eastern South Dakota Conference meet, a last chance meet and then the state meet.

“At ESD was kind of that turning point,” DeVries said. “I put together two really good races and then that kind of flipped the switch, and I’ve been racing well ever since then.”

Central boys’ coach Greg Murley decided to rest DeVries on Thursday so he would have fresh legs, while some of the opposing runners competed in relay events. The strategy paid off.

“I knew I’d be a lot more fresh than a lot of these guys,” DeVries said. “Just that last mile going and hunting a couple of guys in front of me. I feel like that helped a lot.”

DeVries got out quickly at the start of the race and remained in front of the majority of runners throughout it.

“Coach Murley talked to me a little bit about that before the race,” DeVries said. “He said just make sure to stay away from the rail, because I kind of found myself there a lot this season, so he just said stay out of trouble.”

DeVries will compete in the 1,600-meter run today and will take some new-found confidence into that race following his performance in the 3,200.

“Confidence is out of the roof right now after that one,” DeVries said.

Fellow junior Brenner Waldrop also finished higher than his seed in the discus. Waldrop got off to a powerful start and finished second with a throw of 159-9.

“It was just the preparation leading up to the state. The last two meets I threw 158-2 at ESD and then 158-11 at last chance,” Waldrop said. “Just feeling good, came out and had a great first throw and then another great one in finals, and just trusted the process.”

Waldrop said putting up a good mark at the beginning was a big key.

“It takes the pressure off,” Waldrop said. “You’re in a good spot and then you can just go for another big one.”

The finish helped to ease some of the frustration he incurred on Thursday during the javelin.

“It’s been awesome. I had a rough day (Thursday), but just bounced back today,” Waldrop said. “All glory to God. I wouldn’t be here without Him. It’s just amazing.”

Waldrop, who competes in multiple events, said he likes one better than the others.

“Discus is my favorite. It’s kind of just been the journey of up and downs,” Waldrop said. “You gotta fall in love with the journey. You just gotta stay consistent, and that’s just kind of what it’s been this year for disc.”

Central’s Kyson Fayant was doing business as usual in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. He broke the state meet record in the prelims on Friday. He will attempt to break his all-time state record in the finals today.

The Golden Eagles also broke the school record in the 800-meter relay prelims.

Murley talked about the performances of his athletes on the day, starting with DeVries.

“Broke our school record,” Murley said. “Josh Martin was a pretty good runner for us. Tate came out really ready to go.”

Murley noted that Waldrop made up for a let down on the opening day.

“He had a disappointing day (Thursday) in the javelin,” Murley said, “and kind of turned it around and came back and did a really nice job of competing.”

Breckan Santjer broke through and helped to ease a couple years of frustration by taking eighth place in the pole vault.

She had finished ninth or 10th in all of her major meets for the past two seasons.

“That’s been the case for the last two years and then Howard Wood, too. That last big meet it’s come down to misses,” Santjer said. “To do that at last meet is pretty cool.”

The senior, who will compete next season at Northern State, said a big key to vaulting is building up speed.

“I’ve never been the fastest vaulter and that’s everything in pole vault,” Santjer said, “so I honestly just think be fast and do what you know to do. That’s kind of my thing.”

Santjer earning a spot on the podium after so many close calls was a highlight for Central girls’ coach Jim Appl.

“Sanjter has been so close for so many years. She’s always in the ninth-tenth place log jam. This year she got it done,” Appl said. “I’m more proud of that one than probably any of the other ones we’ll get this weekend. She’s gutted it out and hung in there, and she got it. I’m so happy for her.”

Central grabbed a couple of places in the discus where Taryn Hermansen finished third with a personal best throw to edge teammate Paige Ewalt by a mere three inches.

Ewalt said a big key for her is having teammates to compete with and also to help support her.

“My team is like my support system. They’re cheering me on in my bad days and my good days,” Ewalt said. “They’re always there for you no matter what. That plays a really big part in how well you’re going to throw.”

The junior said having friends around makes competing fun.

“The main thing you just have to enjoy it. You have to be present with it,” Ewalt said. “You start thinking too much … it doesn’t go well. I think for me, it’s a lot of be present in the moment and enjoy the company that I’m in, especially with my teammates Ashlyn (Behrends) and Taryn. They’ve always been there for me.”

The Central girls will have opportunities to score more points when the meet concludes today with athletes in the hurdles and relays.

“If we want a chance at the podium we’re going to have to move up,” Appl said, “because it’s going to be a dogfight between Pierre, Watertown and us for that last spot. We’re just going to have to make sure we hit on all cylinders.”

To see complete meet results, click on the following link:

https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/645776/results