Last week, one of our stories attempted to predict who would win this year’s South Dakota track and field state championships, based on the projections from points in the final track and field leaders. This story will take a look back on what was projected and what eventually became a reality.

We will take a look at what was written on this site last Friday, followed by the actual team points.

CLASS AA BOYS

What was projected: This appears to be Sioux Falls Lincoln’s to lose. The Patriots are projected to score 124 points. No other team is within 25 points. The real race looks to be for second, where Sioux Falls Roosevelt and Aberdeen Central will likely be neck-and-neck. Roosevelt is projected to score 97 points and Central 96.

What actually happened: Sioux Falls Lincoln edged Sioux Falls Roosevelt for the team title, securing the championship in the final event. The Patriots finished with 93 points, while Roosevelt had 88 1/2 points. Rapid City Stevens took third with 80 points.

CLASS AA GIRLS

What was projected: In the tighest team race in any of the divisions, this could be a photo finish. Both Brandon Valley and Sioux Falls O’Gorman are projected to score 139 points. No other team is within 45 points. If the title comes down to the final event of the meet, Brandon Valley owns the top time in the 1,600-meter relay.

What actually happened: In what was expected to be a great battle, Brandon Valley and O’Gorman ended up tying for the state championship, each finishing with 124 points. The team chase came down to the 1,600-meter relay, which was won by Yankton, with O’Gorman second and Brandon Valley third, all within less than a second of each other (in fact Yankton finished .01 second ahead of O’Gorman). Sioux Falls Lincoln was third with 117 points.

CLASS A BOYS

What was projected: Sioux Falls Christian is the team to beat here. The Chargers are lights out in the relays and are projected to score 117 points. Milbank Area appears to have the inside track on second. The Bulldogs are positioned to finish with 86 points.

What actually happened: Sioux Falls Christian rolled to the team championship. The Chargers won four of the five relays and were second in the other, and finished with 133 2/3 points. Milbank Area was runner-up with 66 points. Custer was just off the pace in third with 61 points.

CLASS A GIRLS

What was projected: This could be another team race to keep an eye on. Custer is projected to score 79 points. That appears to be enough to win the state title. However, West Central should be able to win multiple events and will be close behind, projected at 68 points.

What actually happened: West Central won five events (four by Averi Schmeichel herself) and captured the team crown with 82 points. Custer was a distant second with 66 points, while Mount Vernon-Plankinton finished third with 53 points.

CLASS B BOYS

What was projected: It appears that Viborg-Hurley has the inside track to winning this championship. The Cougars are outstanding in the relays and should win a few individual events as well on the way to scoring 77 points. Warner looks to be primed for a second-place finish, projected to score 59 team points.

What actually happened: The team title came down to the final event and Hanson ended up edging Viborg-Hurley by a single point. Hanson, trailing by nine points heading into the 1,600-meter relay, won the event and when the Cougars finished ninth, just out of placing, it gave the Beavers the championship. In a tight race for third, Chester Area scored 43 points, one point better than Langford Area and Warner.

CLASS B GIRLS

What was projected: Colman-Egan will probably take all the drama out of this team race. With the ability to score in a variety of different events, the Hawks will finish with 110 points. The next closest team is Dell Rapids St. Mary, which is projected to score 70 points.

What actually happened: Colman-Egan rolled to the team championship, racking up 116 points. No other team was closer than 50 points. Dell Rapids St. Mary was second with 66 points.