High school track and field athletes will have a chance to compete on the state’s biggest stage when the state track and field meet takes place Thursday through Saturday at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

The best talent that South Dakota has to offer will be competing for state championships in boys and girls in Classes B, A, and AA.

In Class B, Ipswich will once again be in contention for a state title. Tigers Todd Thorson said he wants to see his teams earn spots on the podium.

“I’d like to see both teams try to be on the podium,” Thorson said. “The girls, we don’t have the numbers. We’re going to really have to do well in our field events. On the boys’ side, we want to try to have personal bests and we’ll see what happens from there. I think we have the depth if we get rolling and move up some spots where we could be right in it.”

Ipswich will have several key athletes to watch this weekend, and Thorson is excited to see them compete.

“I would have to say it starts off with our pole vaulters,” Thorson said. “We have to start right with our field events.”

The Tigers feature one of the top long jumpers in Trevor Heinz, while also seeing the return of long jumper and high jumper Colby Sylte, who was injured for much of the season. Tyler Hettich is among the top high jumpers in Class B.

Thorson is also looking forward to seeing what the Tiger relay teams can accomplish.

“Both 4×8’s, boys and girls, we’d like to get it started at the first final on the track and the medley is a final this year too, and we feel like we’ve got quality athletes, so we’re looking forward to that.”

The Class B boys’ field will feature several title contenders, including Ipswich.

“I would say Deubrook and Gregory are probably the cream of the crop,” Thorson said. “I think Viborg-Hurley, if George Johnson’s healthy and runs the way he’s capable of, I think they’re going to be in it.”

Thorson also said to keep an eye on Wolsey-Wessington as a sleeper on the boys’ side.

On the girls’ side, Thorson sees a clear-cut favorite in Colman-Egan, but believes Deubrook Area and Chester could also contend for the team title. As for the Tigers, Marley Guthmiller leads the way, competing in a trio of events, including the 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles, as well as the pole vault.

In Class A, the Milbank Area Bulldogs are looking to continue the success they had after finishing runner-up in the team standings last season on the boys’ side. Coach Eric Townsend is looking forward to seeing the collection of talent from across the state.

“The state track meet to me is one of the best state tournaments, or state atmospheres, that our state puts on with all the classes together,” Townsend said. “There’s not necessarily one event I’m looking forward to, just kind of a whole collection of stuff.”

Payton Brown will be an athlete to watch for the Bulldogs on the boys’ side. The junior will compete in the 800-meter and 3,200-meter runs, as well as a pair of relays (4×8 and Sprint Medley). He broke a 42-year-old record at the Region 1A meet last week.

Townsend also noted that the boy’s and girl’s pole vaulters will give Milbank a good chance to score points. He said the athletes are looking forward to the opportunity.

“I think they’re excited to go compete and showcase as much as we can,” Townsend said.

While Townsend expects his teams to perform well, he said there is no doubt that Sioux Falls Christian is the favorite to win the team titles on both the boys’ and girls’ sides of Class A. He also believes Custer will be a team to watch in the boys’ division.

In Class AA, Aberdeen Central will look to compete for championships in multiple events, and Golden Eagles boys’ coach Greg Murley said the goal is to place in the top six as a team.

“I think we have some really quality kids, and it would be nice to receive something as a team,” Murley said.

On the boys’ side, Central has the top time in the 1,600-meter relay. Carter Dingman and Drew Salfrank are slated to run in the 400-meter dash, while Aiden Heimann will compete in both the 110-meter high hurdles and the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. He is the defending state champion in the latter.

Brian Johnson will be in two field events, the shot put and discus, while Karson Carda will also compete in the discus. Jett Carlson and Dustin Hermansen will both compete in the javelin, while the Golden Eagles will also compete in several boys and girls relay events.

On the girls’ side, Central is emphasizing their field events as their strength. Among other performers, Ciara Frank and Grace Kuch will compete in three events apiece. Frank has the top distance in the long jump this season and will also compete in the high jump and the 200-meter dash, while Kuch will compete in the shot put, javelin, and discus.

Murley said past meets have helped this group of Golden Eagles as they prepare for the state meet.

“We have a pretty experienced crew, so we’ve been through this a couple of times, so it’s not like they don’t know what the routine is,” Murley said. “They kind of know the process, so I feel pretty good about where they’re at with that.”

Murley said there are several teams in contention for the team title, including Sioux Falls Lincoln, Yankton, Rapid City Stevens, Brandon Valley, and Harrisburg.

When asked if there is any athlete they are excited to watch at the state meet, all three coaches came up with the same response: Rapid City Stevens’ Simeon Birnbaum.

“He’s incredible to watch,” Murley said.

Townsend and Thorson reiterated Murley’s statement.

“It’s always fun to watch him. He’s the most decorated, probably the best distance runner in state history, so it’ll be fun to watch that,” Townsend said.

“He’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal,” Thorson said. “Simeon’s just such a rare athlete to have, that breaks all those records. He’s had an opportunity to go compete at a high level. I think he’s a must watch.”

When the state track and field meet kicks off, Thorson says it’s a rare opportunity to see South Dakota’s best athletes all compete at one location. “I love seeing the best athletes in the state. You’ve got the best athletes in the state of South Dakota competing at one venue,” Thorson said. “So now you see the best our state has to offer, so I really enjoy the state track meet.”