WATERTOWN, S.D. — Several local track and field standouts have earned spots on the South Dakota Cross Country Track and Field Coaches Association All-State Track and Field Teams.
To determine the elite roster, officials combined the final results from all three state meets to identify the top eight performances in each event, regardless of school classification. The honorary teams recognize excellence across Class B, Class A, and Class AA.
The Watertown girls’ team was heavily represented. Anna Hirtz and Alayna Smith were both selected to the 100-meter dash team. Hirtz also secured a spot in the 200-meter dash.
Watertown found further success in the relay events. The unit of Carighan Klatt, Hirtz, Ashlynn Andrews, and Smith was named to the 400-meter relay team, while Klatt, Hirtz, Brooke Grajczyk, and Smith earned honors in the 800-meter relay.
In field events, Watertown’s Malia Kranz was selected for both the discus and shot put, while Elly Dingsor made the all-state list in the pole vault.
On the boys’ side, Watertown’s Dane Stark had a dominant showing, earning selections in three distance events: the 800-meter run, 1,600-meter run, and 3,200-meter run. Teammates Merrick Engles and Charlie Whitting also received honors, making the team in the high jump and pole vault, respectively.
Several other area athletes also earned all-state recognition. In the girls’ shot put, Kiana Schmidt of Deubrook Area and Eliza Larson of Clark/Willow Lake were selected.
Deuel’s Oliver Fieber secured individual spots in both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. Fieber also joined Axel Gallardo, Gavin Kloos, and Brock Johnson to represent Deuel on the boys’ 800-meter relay team.
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