Bulldogs to Run in State Track Meet This Weekend

The Bulldogs’ track and field team punched 29 tickets — 16 boys and 13 girls — to the 2021 State Class A Track and Field Meet. The event takes place in Spearfish on Friday and Saturday, May 28-29.

Qualifying for the state meet this year was different. An athlete or relay had to be in the top 24 in an event to be eligible. In the past, there were qualifying time standards, and placing in the top two at the region meet also secured a berth.

Despite this change, Milbank will be well represented. “Both teams have a great chance to earn some hardware and bring home a top-six team finish,” says the Bulldogs’ head coach, Eric Townsend.

All five of the boys’ relay teams will compete. This includes the 400-meter, 800-meter, 1600-meter, 3200-meter, and medley relays. James Batchelor, Payton Brown, Eli Johnson, Isaac Johnson, Michael Karges, Kaden Krause, andGrant Van Peursem will run solely in relays.

Athletes who will run in relays and also qualified for individual events include: Nick Batchelor (800-meter, 1600-meter, 3200-meter); Sawyer Gauer (200-meter); Dustin Gertsema (200-meter); Jayden Johnson (pole vault); Max Lightfield (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles); Jack Sandvig (pole vault); Bennett Schwenn (100-meter, 200-meter, long jump, triple jump); Ryker Trevett (shot put), and Karson Weber (pole vault).

All five of the Milbank girls’ relay teams also qualified for the state meet. They include: the 400-meter, 800-meter, 1600-meter, 3200-meter, and medley relays. Tyra Berry, Ellie Neugebauer, Maurina Street, Madi Thue, and Emily Van Hoorn will run only in relays. Athletes who will run in relays and also compete in an individual event  include: Ashlynn Batchelor (1600-meter, 3200-meter); Jacy Dexter (pole vault); Laney Forrette (100-meter); Maggie Kruger (pole vault); Rachel Schulte (high jump); Greta Snaza (pole vault); Amaya Street (800-meter); and Siera Wenzl (100-meter).
Friday’s events begin at 3 p.m.  Saturday’s events start at 9 a.m.

Photo – State qualifiers: Back row – (l. to r.) Eli Johnson, Payton Brown, Sawyer Gauer, Ryker Trevett, Grant Van Peursem, Bennett Schwenn, and Michael Karges. Third row – Jayden Johnson, Max Lightfield, Karson Weber, Isaac Johnson, Kaden Krause, James Batchelor, Dustin Gertsema, and Nick Batchelor. Second row – Maggie Kruger, Laney Forrette, Rachel Schulte, Emily Van Hoorn, Greta Snaza, Madi Thue, and Amaya Street. Front row – Maurina Street, Ellie Neugebauer, Tyra Berry, Ashlynn Batchelor, Jacy Dexter, and Siera Wenzl. Not pictured, Jack Sandvig.