There is nothing quite like covering the State Track and Field Meet.

It is the largest annual tournament in the state, featuring thousands of athletes from nearly every school imaginable.

As I set out for this year’s state meet, I pick up photographer John Davis and we talk about meet strategy on our way to Sioux Falls. I feel prepared because we have gone on this journey before.

What I fail to take into account, however, is because of a new three-day format that puts all three classes in one location, we will now be spread thinner than ever. In the past, there were up to five events going on simultaneously which definitely presented a challenge. What we find upon arrival is that there will now be seven events going on at the same time.

The only thing that comes close in scope is a state wrestling tournament, but in that, all the action is contained in front of you. At state track, you need to be in constant motion to try to get to as many events as possible.

While I feel good that I witness as many area athletes as I can, it is nothing compared to John who somehow not only manages to shoot all our area state champions over three days, but also captures the pure raw emotions and action at just the right moment (see photo above of Milbank Area runner James Batchelor diving across the finish line).

Covering state track means long days, short nights, and few breaks to see if our coverage strategy is working.

As we go through the first day, there seems to be just as many prelims as finals. I try to find the right blend of girls and boys in all three classes to interview and work with JD to see if he has taken a photo of any of them. It doesn’t always work to perfection, but surprisingly story and photos blend together more times than not.

I love talking to athletes, getting their version of what they’ve accomplished, and finding out the story behind the story (like Landyn Henderson of Mobridge-Pollock holding off hard-charging competitors at the finish of the 1,600-meter relay in her only time as anchor runner of the team).

Of course, with so many athletes moving about in such a large area, you need to keep track of your opportunities for interviews. One slip and it becomes organized chaos (I think you can see where this is going).

On Friday afternoon, I somehow lose track of Kaleb Foltz of Tri-State after his wins the 800-meter run. I know he is wearing a yellow uniform top which I figure will help me in my search (who knew yellow is such a popular color). I soon discover it seems like there are hundreds of people wearing yellow at the meet.

As I set on my quest to find the missing athlete, JD tries to lend me a helping hand and sends me the ID number attached to Foltz’s jersey. Umm. I figure I’m going to have a tough enough time narrowing my search to Tri-State jerseys, let alone searching for a three-digit number.

I start to make my way beneath the grandstands and around the track where team camps are located. (Keep in mind that the meet is still going on and I am trying to pay attention to that as well). I make one loop, no luck. I am closing in on my second loop around the track when I receive a text from JD. He has somehow managed to locate the missing runner. I smile and shake my head. The odds of that happening are slightly better than me winning the 100-meter dash.

We somehow manage to make it through a 16-hour workday and get just enough sleep to get up and start all over again on Saturday.

I hit Howard Wood Field thinking the final day will be much easier, because all the events are finals. Everyone who wins is a state champ. While that rationale is true, what makes this round a bit tricky is trying to gauge how many individuals will be state champions.

If you wait until the meet is over to see who all wins, it’s too late because many of your interview opportunities will be gone. If you interview too many people too soon and others win titles later in the day, there is no way to possibly fit everyone into a manageable story.

We eventually get through another long day, this time in 90-degree weather, with no breaks. When the meet ends, we are hot and exhausted, yet thrilled at having the opportunity to shine the spotlight back on our area athletes. In three days, I have interviewed more than three dozen athletes and coaches, and JD has taken hundreds of photos.

We drive home, talk about the highlights of the past three days, and then do our absolute best to finish off the best coverage of the meet that we can.

As I write this column, I am reminded of something that Aberdeen Roncalli coach Mark Stone mentioned as he worked his final state meet as a head coach (he plans to assist with the program in the future). He said, “Like the past 30 years, I have a head full of memories and a heart full of gratitude for our teams this season. We are blessed.”

I know I can speak for JD when I say that we feel the same way.

Thank you, South Dakota track and field athletes for providing so many great memories and for allowing us to share your accomplishments.