As the track and field season gets underway, the statewide leaders are missing numerous athletes who have been on the list in past seasons. That’s because some of those individuals live in the northern part of the state and have not had an outdoor meet so far this spring.

In fact, some teams, like the Warner Monarchs, have hardly spent much time outside practicing, let alone compete in an organized meet.

“We’ve been running on the streets when we can. We’ve only been out there for about two weeks. Everything has been indoors,” said Warner coach Jeff Larson. “Last week we were running on the edge of the street by the school. This week we finally broke ground where we could run on the track. Monday was only on one side of the track and then Tuesday it finally opened up where we could run the whole thing.”

Not being able to compete outdoors has consequences. It has reduced the amount of opportunities to record qualifying marks for the upcoming Howard Wood Dakota Relays early next month in Sioux Falls and that can be tough on athletes.

“Especially my seniors, they know they’re on borrowed time at this point,” Larson said. “Howard Wood is something that they long for.”

Of course, the Monarchs also have individuals that would likely be among the leaders if given the chance, like junior Hunter Cramer.

“I think Hunter is top 10 in hurdling, if we just can get out and hurdle,” Larson said.

Therein lies the other main problem, not getting an opportunity for a normal practice. Larson said he remembers postponed meets to other seasons, but usually the Monarchs would have had numerous outdoor practices by now.

“We were practicing way too long indoors in the hallways and what not,” Larson said. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

The Monarchs were scheduled to compete outdoors several times already this season, including today at Onida, but each time meets have been canceled. The new target date is Tuesday at Miller.

Larson said the lack of meets will lead him to focus specifically on putting athletes in certain events with the goal of getting qualifying times for Howard Wood.

“Instead of running them in four events,” Larson said, “I’m going to have to select the ones that are only possibilities.”

While the season has been shortened as far as number of meets is concerned, all is far from lost. Larson pointed out that many colleges limit the amount of competitions for their athletes.

“I’ve kind of  always taken a role as most colleges do, we don’t have to run every meet for these high school kids to be successful,” Larson said.

Instead, Larson will prepare his athletes in practice so that they are ready to go when the opportunities do present themselves in the future, and remind them to stay upbeat and positive.

“That’s my preach to the kids is don’t get discouraged. Attitude and effort is everything in our business,” Larson said. “It’s done in the college level, so we can do it here. We need to make sure we’re prepared and that we seize the opportunity that we have when we have it.”

LEADING THE WAY

There is a trio of athletes who top at least three individual events this week.

Josiah Adams of Sioux Falls Christian paces the way with top times in the Class A 110-meter high hurdles, 300-meter intermediate hurdles, 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash.

Rapid City Stevens distance ace Simeon Birnbaum has the best times in the Class AA 800-meter, 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs. Chester Area’s Emery Larson leads Class B in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200.

There are 10 other athletes who lead two individual events, including Hamlin’s Gracelyn Leiseth in the Class A shot put and discus.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Sioux Falls Christian boys top the team leaders this week with a whopping nine events in Class A. Sioux Falls Christian also sets the pace in the girls’ division with five events.

Other team leaders include Rapid City Stevens in Class AA boys (four events), Brandon Valley in Class AA girls (five events), Deubrook Area in Class B boys (four events), and Colman-Egan in Class B girls (five events).