SIOUX FALLS — Mount Vernon/Plankinton’s Berkeley Engelland notched another individual accomplishment on Friday.

At the 99th annual Howard Wood Dakota Relays, Engelland won the girls special 800-meter run at Howard Wood Field. For Engelland, who has won multiple high school track and field championships, it was her career special event win at the prestigious meet. 

In 2022, she finished second in the special 800-meter run and last season she placed fourth in the special 200-meter dash. 

The future University of South Dakota trackster crossed off the Howard Wood special event victory on her to-do list. She captured the girls special 800-meter run in two-minutes and :10.84 seconds. 

“I think the fact that it was the special 800 meant a lot to me, and I have always dreamed of this moment,” Engelland said. “It didn’t lower my standards any. I still have big goals. I want to break 2:10. I want to get the South Dakota record overall. But the fact it was the special 800 and I gotta do it in front of all the fans here, and them supporting me meant so much.”

Engelland set the pace in the field, which included mid-distance standouts across multiple classes and states. She bolted out to the lead in the eight-person field and held off a late charge from Brandon Valley’s Mia Wentzy (2:11.49). 

“It’s not necessarily the time I wanted to run,” Engelland said. “I wanted to break 2:10 tonight. But I gave it my all and I know that. So I am just going to accept that.”

Engelland and the runners also contended with blustery conditions. The unpredictable South Dakota weather included windy conditions during the special event, which concluded about 6:30 p.m. CT.

“It was worse than I thought,” Engelland said. “Almost all day there wasn’t really any wind and we got here of course and we are all freezing. It’s pretty windy, but we live in South Dakota. You have to deal with it.”

Engelland led from start to finish, but was pushed by Wentzy down the final 100 meters. Engelland could feel Wentzy closing in and used the Howard Wood video board to gauge her lead.  

“I used that screen quite a bit up there, and I could tell by the fans,” Engelland said. “You can always tell by their emotions and the way they scream that somebody is next to you. I think we gave it our all and that’s what is most important. Whether those girls were right beside me or not, I was going to finish the race the way I did. I was tired and was pushing through the pain.”

Engelland’s time is currently the best in South Dakota and the 58th best 800-meter time in the nation.