Many Central athletes set their sights high this weekend as they participate in the 2021 State Track meet.
“It’s everything I could ever dream of,” Head Coach Patrick Moriarty replied when asked what his position as head coach is like. Coach Moriarty has taken over track and field this school year after the resignation of Dave Dolan.
With state right around the corner for Coach Moriarty’s varsity team, final times and distances are more important than ever for those competing to be on the podium come State. This year, the State Track and Field Championships will take place in Sturgis on May 28th through the 30th. The SDHSAA (South Dakota High School Activities Association) has decided the only track event to have a final in State is the 100m dash for both boys and girls. This means running a time within the top nine is more important than ever.
Central has several athletes with times and distances that put them in the top heats going into State. Senior Julian Swallow is leading the state in the boy’s long jump and triple jump with distances of 22’ 51/4 and 45’31/2. Junior Matayah Yellowmule leads the girl’s long jump with a new school record of 18’111/2. Yellowmule also leads the state in both the triple jump and high jump. Senior Peyton Bagley is right behind Yellowmule in the long jump with a distance of 18’11/2. A girl’s relay team with the 3rd best time in the state for the 4×100 and 4×200 is also planning to make a run for the podium on the 30th.
The Pine Needle 