SIOUX FALLS – Aberdeen Central established a new school record in the boys’ 1,600-meter relay, and several area athletes won events on the second day of the Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Saturday.

Hamlin’s Gracelyn Leiseth won the discus competition with a throw of 171-feet, 3-inches, and Wolsey-Wessington won the Class B boys’ sprint medley relay.

Central finished third in the 1,600 relay, but had the top time of any team in the state and shattered the school record by more than three seconds. Members are Aiden Heimann, Gabe Johnson, Carter Dingman and Drew Salfrank.

“We’re still getting better,” Murley said of that squad. “We’re a ways a way from peaking.”

Murley also pointed out the eighth-place finish by Brian Johnson in the discus, noting he set a personal record in the event.

Salfrank finished seventh in the 400-meter dash.

Murley said the meet featured elite competition.

“I don’t know how many records were broken this weekend at Howard Wood, but it was a significant number,” Murley said.

Murley believes that the best days are still ahead for the Golden Eagles as they head into the home stretch of the season.

“We’ve got three more weeks to do this. We’re still not where I think we can get to, but I don’t think it’s the kids’ fault we’re not where we can get to,” Murley said. “I think it’s circumstance and I think the kids have made the very best of circumstances. I think in the next couple of weeks we’re going to drop times.”

Area squads did well in relay races in the boys’ division. Faulkton was second in the the Class B 400 and 800 relays. Wolsey-Wessington added a runner-up finish in the Class B 1,600 to go with its Medley win. Mibank Area placed second in the Class A Medley, and third in the 3,200 relay. Fredrick was fourth in the 1,600 relay, Ipswich fifth in the 400 relay, and Deuel fifth in the medley.

On the girls’ side, Potter County finished third in both the Class B 1,600-meter relay and Medley. Hamlin’s Kami Wadsworth was fourth in the discus.

Central’s Taryn Nieman threw a person best in the discus, while the Eagles also had solid showings in multiple relays.

“We improved on all our relays for the weekend,” said Central girls’ coach Jim Appl.

The Eagles will now gear up for the Eastern South Dakota Conference meet Saturday in Brandon.

“We are excited for ESD this weekend as we are improving at the right time,” Appl said.

Central will head into the final stages of the season with some confidence gained from a productive weekend in Sioux Falls.

“We have some pretty good senior leadership,” Murley said. “Our seniors, I thought, as a whole performed this weekend really well. I thought our young kids just gained some really great experience.”

To see complete meet results, click on the following link:

https://results.dakotatiming.com/display.html?event_id=1215