Aiden Heimann is always up for a challenge.

It might explain the reason why arguably the most difficult event in track and field turns out to be his favorite race.

The Aberdeen Central senior will try to defend his Class AA state championship in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles at the state meet this weekend in Sioux Falls. While the race combines a grueling combination of sprinting, hurdling and endurance, Heimann enjoys facing that challenge.

He said that not everybody can run the 300s.

“You have to have that determination and grit to get through it and stay focused all the way,” Heimann said. “It’s that part of it that I really like.”

After sprinting nearly three-quarters of the track, the last thing anyone wants to see is another hurdle right before the finish line. It’s what makes the race so physically demanding.

“That last hurdle is why, I would say, at least out of the sprints, the 300 is the hardest,” Heimann said. “You have to keep that focus to the last bit.”

That truly paved the way for Heimann’s run to the state title a year ago, when he trailed nearly the entire race before the leaders stumbled and Heimann was right on the spot to take advantage of it.

“I didn’t get the lead until I got over the last hurdle,” he said.

Speaking of challenges, there aren’t many more demanding than what Heimann achieved, winning a state title in the 300s running in lane one.

“It was something else to say the last least,” he said looking back on the series of events.

As Heimann prepares for his final prep competition, he is attempting to find ways to lower his time in the hurdles without disrupting his form.

“That’s kind of the biggest thing, I’m working on that part of it now,” Heimann said. “You get a little bit faster and all of a sudden you’re half a step too long or too short.”

Heimann is also a key member of Central’s 1,600-meter relay team which has the fastest time in Class AA heading into the state meet. He helps to set the tone on his opening leg.

He said there is a big difference between the 300 hurdles and running 400-meters during the relay.

“I start the 4×4, so my goal is just get it to the guys as far ahead as I can,” Heimann said. “The first 150 meters is just kind of sticking with everyone and then that last 350 I kind of have to take off. I have to get up ahead, whereas in the 300s, I can’t exactly change my pace like that. You kind of have to keep the same pace the whole way through.”

Heimann is one of four seniors on that relay squad along with Gabe Johnson, Carter Dingman and Drew Salfrank.

“With Carter and Drew on there, I know if I get it in good position at the start, I know that we’ll win it,” Heimann said, “because those two, if it’s close, they’re going to pull it out.”

Heimann discovered a long time ago that there is something extra special about the mile relay. He was a sophomore on the junior varsity 4×4 two years ago.

“I was anchoring it and the biggest thing I remember was coming around the curve …  and just seeing the Aberdeen Central blue the whole way, the whole curve,” he recalled. “They were just cheering us all on and it gave me goose bumps when I was running. It just pushed me.”

While Heimann was also a key member of the Central football team from his cornerback position, he said there is a much different stage when it comes to track and field. He said athletes are definitely more in the spotlight.

“The biggest thing is, instead of at a football game where it’s your team, the eyes are on you,” Heimann said. “If you mess up, it’s you and they know it, and if you win, you’re not sharing the glory with the team. You’re the one who won.”

That environment can be stressful, but also instrumental while competing.

“It’s nerve-wrecking right away, but once you get on that track and you just hear the cheers, it gives you goose bumps. It’s really hard to explain,” Heimann said. “It’s such a good feeling knowing there’s a lot of people watching you, supporting you and cheering you on while you’re doing these races.”

Heimann, whose dad Steve was the head football coach at Presentation College, plans on competing in both football and track and field at the University of Jamestown next season.

He knows that more challenges will be waiting, especially when it comes to football at the next level.

“I think for me at least, the biggest thing is going to be the size difference,” Heimann said. “I’m a pretty skinny, kind of shorter guy.”

Before Heimann gets ready for the college gridiron though, there is this issue of a state track and field meet in a few days.

Heimann knows defending his 300 hurdles title will be difficult since two other opponents have very similar times. He anticipates a close race and said that he has a gold medal already in hand from last season, so if he isn’t able to retain the title it’s not the end of the world.

“I want to win it, but if one of the other guys do, tip my hat to them, they would have earned it,” Heimann said. “I’m definiltey not going to take it easy on them. They’re going to have their work cut out.”

As for that 1,600-meter relay, Heimann understands it will be the final race of his high school career and is ready to meet that last challenge head on.

“For this year, that is my biggest goal is to win this 4×4 … especially with three other seniors on the team,” Heimann said. “We’ve all been running this for the last three years together. It’s going to be quite emotional whether we win or lose. It’s going to be fun.”