Timing is everything for track and field leaders

Sporting events often come down to inches, and it is safe to say that in track and field those inches mean nearly everything.

Whether trying to clear a hurdle, soar over a pole-vault bar, refine your mark in a jumping event or complete a picture-picture handoff on a relay, inches and seconds can spell the difference between success and failure.

“Timing is crucial,” said Roncalli sophomore Zach Rohlfs who is among the Class A leaders in the high jump. “You can't just go out there and compete if you have no idea what you're doing. You have to practice hard and be motivated on what you want.”

Rohlfs said the high jump is difficult, but challenging.

“You have to have a will to do it, because it's not the easiest event in track,” he said. “It's seems like a challenge trying to jump over a bar higher than you.”

Rohlfs said form is a key element in the high jump. That all starts with his approach to the bar.

“Most of the time if my footwork is all messed up, it's going to end up in a bad result,” Rohlfs said. “It takes a lot of practice. You have to make sure you have everything down to a dime.”

Timing is also crucial when executing handoffs in sprint relays. Just ask the Faulkton Trojans, who own the best times in the Class B girls' 400-meter and 800-meter relays and have the second best times in the 1,600-meter and sprint medley relays.

“The main thing is we just trust each other to get (the baton) there,” said senior Krissy Aesoph who runs on four different relays. “We all know that we're all going to run our hardest.”

Oddly enough, the Trojans have to work on their handoffs on a sidewalk because the school no longer has a track. That makes gauging the timing even more difficult.

“We just kind of know how fast people are coming in and know when to take off,” Aesoph said.

While handoffs are important, there is no substitute for talent.

“We work quite a bit on handoffs, but we're just blessed with having six outstanding sprinters this year,” said Faulkton coach Norby Reuer. “They have all come together.”

That group includes seniors Aesoph and Shannon Bowar, juniors Chanesse Schaefer and Kayleen Gupman, sophomore Kalli Hossle and eighth-grader Cortney Hardie.

“They're just natural and they love track,” Reuer said. “They work hard at it.”

The Trojans are turning that hard work into results. They not only lead the sprint relays, but they lead them by healthy margins.

“Relays are wonderful. You really work as a team,” Aesoph said. “It really says a lot about your team.”

When asked which relay was her favorite, Aesoph said the 400.

“It's the shortest one and handoffs are everything in that,” she said. “Handoffs can make you or break you. You really have to work together as a team in that one.”

In a league of her own

Rapid City Central sophomore Jasmyne King continues to dominate the competition. King now leads four individual events (no other athlete even leads three) and she is doing so in near record-breaking fashion.

Last week King clocked a :55.48 in the 400-meter dash which is the second fastest in state history. Only Jill Theeler of Mitchell ran a faster 400, turning in a :55.25 back in 1997.

King tops the Class AA girls in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the 400-meter dash and the long jump. She is the only girl this season to run the 100 in under 12 seconds, the 200 in under 25 seconds and jump farther than 18 feet in the long jump.

There are 11 athletes who lead two individual events this week, including Mikayla Barondeau of Leola-Frederick who tops the Class A 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs, and Langford's Austin Suther who is first in the Class B 100-meter dash and long jump.

Mover of the week

While there were many memorable performances turned in this past week, few athletes had a bigger week than Mitch Schwartz of Colome.

Schwartz could not be found anywhere among the leaders last week, but is now part of four individual categories in Class B.

Schwartz has the top time in the 400-meter dash (:52.30), is third in the 110-meter high hurdles and the 300-meter intermediate hurdles, and has the eighth best time in the 200-meter dash.

Inside the numbers

Rapid City Central, on the strength of King, leads a whopping seven events in the Class AA girls' division.

However, the other divisions appear to be pretty balanced.

Pierre and Watertown are tied in the Class AA boys (four events each), Sioux Falls Christian leads the Class A boys (four events), Elk Point-Jefferson tops the Class A girls (three events), Stickney heads up the Class B boys (three events) and Estelline sets the pace in the Class B girls (three events).

Sports writer Dave Vilhauer is compiling the track and field leaders this spring. They will run each Thursday leading up to the state meet May 23-24.

More Photos

American News Photo by John Davis Bringing it home: FaulktonÕs Kalli Hossle heads to the finish line during an 800-meter relay. Hossle and the Trojans have the best time (1:49.04) in Class B in the event this season. Faulkton also has the fastest 400-meter relay clocking (:51.54) in Class B as well.

American News Photo by John Davis Ready to launch: Britton-HeclaÕs Sam Nordquist can be found among the Class A shot put leaders this season. Nordquist has thrown the shot 49-10 which is fifth best in his class this spring.

American News Photo by John Davis Right on track: Aberdeen CentralÕs Courtney Neubert turned in a big week last week. The distance ace moved into second place in the Class AA 3,200-meter run with a time of 11:31.15 and is currently fourth in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 5:25.5.

American News Photo by John Davis Focused hurdler: Kristen Kramlich of Eureka-Bowdle clears the final hurdle in her 300-meter intermediate hurdles race recently. Kramlich is currently tied for the sixth best time in Class B in the event with a time of :49.32.

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