Area track and field athletes were able to begin their seasons on a high note at the NSU Invitational at the Barnett Center on Tuesday.

Several schools came to compete in the event, including Aberdeen Roncalli. While there were no individual champions for the Cavaliers, the boys’ 1,600-meter relay team did capture a win. Roncalli coach Brady Lesnar was glad to see his team compete hard.

“I thought we had a good meet,” Lesnar said. “We weren’t full squad, but we’ve got some guys that are just coming back from their winter sports. We had a few kids that we felt like hey, let’s get them on the track.”

Among those that competed for Roncalli were Paul Gutenkauf, who placed fourth in the 800-meter run, and James Behan, who finished fifth in the 55-meter dash. Behan also competed in one other event during the meet.

“He tried out high jump for the first time, so happy for him,” Lesnar said of Behan.

Lesnar was also glad to see Beau Price and Matthew Peterson finish second and third in the pole vault, while Peterson also finished fourth in the 400-meter dash.

Gutenkauf, Price, Linus Johnson and Ian Kramer comprised Roncalli’s winning relay squad.

While Aberdeen Central did not have many varsity athletes at the event, they did end the meet with a pair of boys’ winners in Kyson Fayant in the 55-meter hurdles and Evan Sichmeller in the pole vault.

Great Plains Lutheran had a trio of champions on the boys’ side, including Hayden Karli in the 800-meter run and Hessel Andringa in the long jump and triple jump. Lucas Johnson finished second in the 200-meter dash, while also winning the high jump with a leap of 6-feet, 5-inches.

Johnson said his goal was to beat his previous personal record from last season.

“My PR last year was like 6-2 and after I reached that I thought that I could go better,” Johnson said. “So, I took it slowly and only went up an inch at a time, and I just kept on doing a little bit more on my form each time.”

Johnson has another goal in mind in the high jump this season.

“I plan on beating the current school record, which is at 6-6, by getting at least 6-7, possibly more if I can,” Johnson said.

He added that Tuesday’s result will help his confidence heading into the season.

“It’s good because it boosted my confidence knowing that I can get at least 6-5, painting the road for the better,” Johnson said.

Herreid-Selby Area sophomore Gavin Hirsch also began the season on a high note by placing third in the 800-meter run, and also winning the 1,600-meter run. Hirsch finished with a time of 5:12.75, just over two seconds faster than Great Plains Lutheran’s Thad Kratz (5:14.79).

Hirsch described how he held on for the win.

“Right when he was by me, I just like started picking it up,” Hirsch said. “Because if somebody by me was going that fast, I wouldn’t want to stick with them, so I assumed he’s not going to want to stick with me.”

Hirsch said he has a couple of goals for himself this season.

“I want like a 4:40 for the mile this year,” Hirsch said. “For the two-mile, maybe a 10:15, (and) 800 2:05. They’re hard goals, but I think I can get them this year.”

After running the 1,600, Hirsch said he already saw some adjustments that he can make in order to improve his time.

“Could’ve done a little better, but well, you learn,” Hirsch said. “So, now I know for next time to push myself a little harder because I could’ve made my pace a little better if I wanted to. I just didn’t realize, but now I realize, that’s why I think I can get these goals.”

The Wolverines also had a winner on the girls’ side as sophomore Breanna Jochim captured the win in the 55-meter dash. Jochim won the prelim with a time of :7.61, only to improve during the finals with a time of :7.41. She talked about what it took to improve her time.

“Honestly, it was a full warm-up. I had time to do a full warm-up, and I just made sure that I pushed out of the blocks,” Jochim said. “I had competition in this, so it was a lot easier to go as fast as I can.”

Jochim says her goal this season is to not only qualify for state, but to place as well.

“I hope to get in the top eight for state,” Jochim said. “Last year I made it to I think about 16th or 18th, so definitely looking forward to get a higher place this year.”

Jochim was thankful to be able to compete at the indoor meet this year.

“It was nice because the past few years I’ve missed this meet,” Jochim said, “so it’s really nice to see what indoor meets are like and where I’m at right now.”

Great Plains Lutheran produced several winners on the girl’s side as Sophie Kannas (200), Halle Bauer (1,600), Katherine Prahl (55-meter hurdles), and Abigail Kjenstad (high jump) all captured wins. Kjenstad also finished second in the triple jump and third in the long jump.

The Groton Tigers won three events, capturing the 1,600-meter relay, as well as collecting victories in the 400-meter dash (Ashlynn Warrington) and the 800-meter run (Taryn Traphagen). Traphagen, a freshman, said it was nice to compete against her older sister, Faith, in the event.

“We know we’re kind of the same speed,” Taryn said, “so it’s nice to compete against each other and push each other.”

Traphagen, who finished with a time of 2:33.81, held off her sister by nearly two seconds (2:35.34).

“I just made a big push at the end,” Traphagen said.

Traphagen was also a member of the winning 1,600-meter relay squad that finished with a time of 4:37.98. Other team members included Faith Traphagen, Warrington and Kella Tracy.

“It was nice to compete with girls I normally compete with and know that you can stick with them,” Taryn Traphagen said. “It’s fun racing with this group of girls.”

Traphagen says her goals for the year include qualifying for state in the 800 and earning high rankings in both the 3,200-meter and medley relays. She says it felt good to get the first meet under her belt.

“I didn’t think I would do too good this first meet considering I wasn’t really in shape,” Traphagen said. “It felt nice to get two good wins.”

For complete results, click on the following link:

https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/528153/results/all