SOUTH DAKOTA STATE MEET

Simeon Birnbaum Breaks Rod DeHaven's 1984 State Meet Record In 1,600m 

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Simeon Birnbaum broke every South Dakota record from 800 meters to 2 miles, so it was no surprise that the senior from Rapid City Stevens would have a big impact on his final state championship meet. 

Birnbaum wanted to put on a show for the home state crowd and wondered aloud if he'd ever have a reason to race in the state again after he leaves for the University of Oregon in the fall. 

Birnbaum delivered a signature moment in the 1,600 meters final, running to a meet record 4:02.78 to break the legendary Rod DeHaven's 39-year-old record 4:09.8. (DeHaven is the head coach at South Dakota State).

Birnbaum, who developed a twinge in his hamstring, had no trouble winning the 800 in 1:53.02 and also the 3,200 in 9:22.96.

Kael Miedema from Sioux Falls Washington threw 193-2 to win the discus and also 61-6.75 for second place in the shot put behind Jason Maciejczak of Riggs, who threw 61-11.75.

Jaden Guthmiller from Spearfish ran 10.49 in the prelim and 10.59 in the 100 meters final. 

O'Gorman won the boys title and scored 100.5 points, including a 4x400 relay win in 3:20.18. 

Sioux Falls Lincoln won the girls title with 114 points. Dymond Nave won the 100 hurdles, finished second in the 300 hurdles and was part of two winning relays (4x100 and 4x200). Ali Bainbridge won the 3,200 meters in 10:30.25. 

Gracelyn Leiseth of Hamlin, one of the nation's top throwers, won her third consecutive Class A shot put title (50-8) and also won the discus for a second time with a meet record 169-11. Earlier this season Leiseth broke the all-time South Dakota best in the discus with US#3 175-3.

Berkeley Engelland from Mt. Vernon/Plankinton tore through the Class A sprints, winning the 100 in 12.36 seconds, the 200 in 26.12 and the 400 in 56.11 (54.96 prelim) and also the 800 in 2:13.51. She finished the regular season as the state leader in the 200, 400 and 800 meters. 

Blake Boyster of Custer won the 200-400 double with times of 22.69 seconds and 48.96 seconds. He was also third in the 100 meters. 

The Sioux Falls Christian boys and girls team both rolled to decisive team victories. 

Daniela Lee of Colman-Egan turned out to be the fastest girl in the state across all classes. She ran a state-best 12.09 seconds in the Class B meet prelim and won the final in 12.16. She also won the 200 in 26.26 and anchored the winning 4x100 and 4x200 relays. 

Team Champions - 

Class AA - O'Gorman boys 100.5 points, Sioux Falls Lincoln girls 114 points - RESULTS

Class A - Sioux Falls Christian boys 153 points, Sioux Falls Christian girls 126.5 points - RESULTS

Class B - Gregory and Ipswich boys 54 points (tied), Colman-Egan girls 88 points - RESULTS