Day one of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays wrapped up with strong performances from area high school athletes across the track and in the field.
In the boys’ 100 meters, Rapid City Stevens’ Nolan Long led the way locally, running a 10.92 in the semifinals. Rapid City Central sprinters Fox Pendegraft and Onzei Weaver also moved through the rounds, along with Hill City’s Nick Schroeder, who later added a solid showing in the long jump.
The boys’ 3200 meters featured a tightly contested race, with several personal bests. Rapid City Central’s Eric Errea finished 11th in 9:23.94, while Spearfish freshman Rylan VanDeest ran a personal best 9:37 in his first Howard Wood appearance. Sturgis’s Quinn Brunch set a new school record in the 3200 meters with a time of 9:24.
Rapid City Stevens was dominant in the boys’ 110‑meter hurdles. Jack Day placed second in the semifinals with a 14.57, and teammates Victor Hickman and Blake Swanson also advanced. Stevens added a runner‑up finish in the boys distance medley relay, clocking 10:49.86.
Field events saw Coy Urban of Rapid City Central win the boys’ high jump after clearing six‑foot‑six. Wall’s Dawson Handcock claimed first in the long jump, and Spearfish’s Sam Marcus finished third in the javelin, throwing nearly 175 feet.
On the girls’ side, Rapid City Stevens sprinter Ava Holzwarth ran a personal best 12.23 in the 100 meters, while teammate Ella Bradeen also advanced. One of the top performances of the day came from Spearfish junior Peyton VanDeest, who won the invitational 800 meters in a personal best time of 2:09.81.
In the girls 3200 meters, Spearfish’s Kori Keil placed fifth, with Douglas senior Kira Ubence close behind. The hurdles belonged to Rapid City Stevens’ Maya Khachikian, who posted a personal best 14.48 to win her semifinal.
The Stevens girls capped off the day by winning the distance medley relay in 12:22.51. Holzwarth added a runner‑up finish in the long jump to round out a big day.
Day two gets underway today at 1:00 pm, with finals and more marquee events still to come from Sioux Falls.
