Howard Wood Dakota Relays: Highlights and results from a thrilling day one
Several records were broken, challenged and a few races were decided in photo-finishes on the first day of the 99th annual Howard Wood Dakota Relays. The state's premier track and field event brought the best out of several competitors hoping to further cement their legacy.
Here are some highlights from Friday's action at Howard Wood Field.
Washington’s Nyariek Kur sets new AA high mark in the high jump
Nyariek Kur couldn’t help but flash a smile at her teammates.
The senior hasn’t been competing in the high jump for very long – she just started this year – but she’s already made her mark, setting the new high in AA with a 5’7” leap. Even more impressive, she completed the new PR on her first attempt.
“I got over and just felt all this adrenaline,” Kur said. “I heard my teammates screaming and I just smiled at them and made a little funny face.”
Kur was in a battle with Wagner's Ashlyn Koupal for the top spot. Neither of them completed the 5 '8'' jump but Kur was rewarded the first place spot for making the 5 '7'' leap on her first attempt.
Brandon Valley wins second consecutive 4x800 in a thrilling photo finish
The Lynx 4x800 team – which was comprised of two seventh graders and two upperclassmen – led for the majority of the race, but Spearfish’s anchor runner overtook Brandon Valley for the lead on the final lap, setting up an exciting ending.
At one point Ellie Anders, the Lynx’s anchor runner, wasn’t even sure if she could finish the race, much less win. Instead of thinking too much about how exhausted she was, she focused on the Spearfish runner’s head and feet, which she said helped her close the gap. The Spartans runner collapsed near the finish line, providing Anders with an opening that she took full advantage of.
Brandon Valley finished with a 9:19.38 time, just four seconds quicker than Spearfish. The win marked the Lynx’s second consecutive 4x800m race win at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays.
“It’s very exciting,” Lily Rude said of their back-to-back relay wins. “It's a good opportunity to come here and race (and) it's just really fun to come and compete against good teams.”
During the race, Anders’ teammates Sarah VandeBerg, Rude, and Emma Tidemann stood behind the finish line, vigorously willing her on.
“It’s just awesome having such supportive teammates that are always there for you,” Anders said after the race.
Washington’s Isabel Carda establishing herself as one of the state’s all-time great javelin throwers
Washington senior Isabel Carda entered Friday already one of the state’s all-time top javelin throwers. On April 9, she threw for 42.14m in the Sioux Falls Washington quad. That throw was the second-best in state history.
“I think it's pretty special,” Carda said of ranking second. “I'm proud of it because it shows how hard I worked, and I know that people behind me might come up and beat me at some point but I know that I hold it right now. And I'm trying to get first.”
Carda further cemented herself as an all-time great Friday, placing first in the javelin throw with a 41.30m hurl. Rapid City Stevens’ Brynn Nelson finished second with a 41.22m toss.
After being recognized on the winner's podium, Carda took a moment to thank Coach Stahlberg for learning about javelin throwing, just to teach her and for being there with her to put in the work.
“He's been the best coach I've ever had,” Carda said.
Other notable winners:
Harrisburg’s Beau Karst won the Boys Pole Vault with a 15-06 jump.
Sioux Falls Christian’s Ellie Maddox, Natalie Smith, Jerica Glasser, and Corinne Braun won the Girls 4x800 with a 9:36.77 time.
Sioux Falls Christian’s Halle Braun, Mya VanDonge, Katie VanderLeest, Ashlee VanDriesen won the Girls 4x200 with a 1:44.01 time.
Sioux Falls Lincoln’s Ellen Merkley, Ella Termaat, Faith Kpeayeh, and Linnea Nesheim won the Girls 4x200 with a 1:43.39 time.
West Central’s Rylee Hartung, Patrick Hammond, Elliot DeJong, and Jude Jarding won the Boys 4x200 with a 1:31.82 time.
Mount Vernon/Plankinton’s Berkeley Engelland won the Girls Special 800m, setting the Class A high mark with a 2:10.84 time.
Bismarck’s Jeran McNichols won the Boys Special 200m with a meet-record 21.24 time.
Jonathan Fernandez covers high school and college sports for the Argus Leader. Contact him atjfernandez1@argusleader.com. Follow him on Twitter at@JFERN31
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Howard Wood Dakota Relays: Highlights and results from day one
