School records, all‑time program marks and several dominant individual performances highlighted the 2026 Queen City Classic on Friday at Lyle Hare Stadium.
Rapid City Central captured the boys team title with 135.5 points, edging Rapid City Stevens (134). Sturgis Brown finished third with 66.33. On the girls side, Rapid City Stevens rolled to the championship with 165.5 points, followed by Thunder Basin (100.5) and host Spearfish (79).
Bennett County’s Rush O’Neill delivered one of the meet’s top all‑around performances, winning the high jump (6‑06) and long jump (23‑05) while placing second in the 100 meters (10.86).
Rapid City Central’s Fox Pendegraft won the 100 meters (10.81) and teamed with Henry Hill, Sean Smith and Onzei Weaver to win the 4×100 relay (42.52). Pendegraft, Smith, Weaver and Brayden Jackson also claimed the 4×200 relay title. Hill added a victory in the 300 hurdles (40.11).
Rapid City Stevens’ Nolan Long set a meet record in the 200 meters (22.24), while teammate Jack Day won the 110 hurdles (14.52). Stevens also won the sprint medley relay behind Liam LaCarruba, JonPaul Sullivan, Eric Morrow and Tate Van Beek.
Hill City’s Dax Frandsen won the 400 meters (50.38), and Tate Grabow took the 3,200 meters (9:36.86). The Rangers also won the 4×400 relay.
Philip’s Baylor Burns claimed the 1,600 meters (4:30.96), while Cheyenne‑Eagle Butte won the 4×800 relay.
In the field events, Rapid City Central’s Weiland Benbo won the discus (142‑08), St. Thomas More’s Maxon Speed captured the shot put (51‑00), and Douglas’ Brodie Slancauskas won the pole vault (12‑06). Rapid City Stevens’ Lucas Roberts took the triple jump (43‑05).
Spartans Produce Multiple All‑Time Marks
Spearfish delivered one of its strongest showings in recent years, highlighted by several major program milestones:
- Sam Marcus shattered his own school record in the javelin, winning the event with a throw of 184‑4, a mark that now ranks No. 4 all‑time in South Dakota history.
- Rylan VanDeest ran 9:51.66 in the 3,200 meters, moving to No. 7 all‑time in Spearfish history.
- Hattie Ewert climbed to No. 3 all‑time for the Spartans in the triple jump.
- Reese Nida broke her own school record in the pole vault, clearing 12‑3.
On the track, Ben Muth finished runner‑up in the 400 meters (51.86), while Kori Keil wonthe girls 800 meters (2:19.02).
Sturgis Brown Strong Across Sprints and Hurdles
Sturgis Brown placed third in the boys team standings behind several top‑tier performances:
- Jude Legner finished second in the 200 meters (22.69) and helped the Scoopers place third in the 4×100 relay.
- Jaxon Cano recorded a strong hurdles double, placing fifth in both the 110 and 300 hurdles.
- Quinn Bruch finished eighth in the 3,200 meters, and Sturgis added a fourth‑place finish in the 4×400 relay.
Belle Fourche Scores in Sprints and Distance
Belle Fourche earned several top‑10 finishes:
- Gavin Pearson placed sixth in the 400 meters (52.33).
- Lennon Clarkson finished 13th in the 3,200 meters.
- Joseph McLennan and Gabe Raba added points in the throws.
- The Broncs placed 14th in the 4×400 relay and 17th in the 4×200.
Lead‑Deadwood Shows Depth in Sprints and Jumps
Lead‑Deadwood athletes contributed several solid performances:
- Blake Janssen placed 11th in the 200 meters and tied for eighth in the high jump (5‑10).
- Peyton Percy helped the Golddiggers finish seventh in the 4×200 relay.
- Carl Williams added top‑40 finishes in both the 100 meters and discus.
Harding County Ranchers Add Strong Distance and Relay Results
Harding County athletes made their presence felt across sprints, distance, and relays, placing multiple athletes inside the top 10.
Top Rancher Finishers
- Redmond Meyer — 21st in 100m (top sprint finish)
- Casey Lindholm — 36th in 100m; 46th in 200m
- Daeson Moncur — 21st, 3200m (top distance finish)
- 4×100 Relay — 15th
- 4×200 Relay — 16th
- SMR Relay — 11th
- Levi Berndt — 37th, Shot Put; 30th, Javelin
- Ryder Hunsucker — T‑20th, High Jump
- Quade Hett — 51st, Long Jump; 35th, Triple Jump
Girls Highlights
The girls competition featured some of the deepest fields in meet history, with Rapid City Stevens leading the way across sprints, distance and field events.
Bennett County’s Peyson O’Neill opened the day with a win in the 100‑meter hurdles (14.97).
Rapid City Stevens’ Ava Holzwarth delivered one of the meet’s strongest doubles, winning the 200 meters (25.57) and the long jump (18‑11). Stevens also received a victory from Iris Birnbaum in the 1,600 meters (5:11.40).
The Raiders swept multiple relays, including the 1,600 sprint medley (Kenadee Sterkel, Sophia Guge, Kadance Holso, Brinna Sheldon) in 4:24.35, and the 4×200 relay (Maya Khachikian, Riley Willet, Taylor Steeve, Bailey Holland).
Hot Springs’ Ashlynn Elshere won the 400 meters (59.18), while Spearfish’s Kori Keil claimed the 800 meters (2:19.02).
In the field events, Custer’s Karyn Ellerton won the discus (123‑08), and Tenlee Stiefel cleared 12‑06 to win the pole vault. Rapid City Stevens swept three additional titles with Ava Fessler in the high jump (5‑02), Clare Ashley in the javelin (119‑09), and Holly Benson in the triple jump (35‑09.5)
