By Rich Winter

605 Sports

SIOUX FALLS — The 2023 Howard Wood Dakota Relays will be remembered as the year in which 32 meet records (boys and girls) fell in a two-day track fest like fans have never seen.

A number of decades old track records fell last year but there are still several records that have stood the test of time.

The oldest record still on the books is the Sioux Falls Lincoln sprint medley team (3:27.44) from 1973. The oldest field-event record comes from 1976 when Sioux Falls Washington’s Dave Bakke long jumped 23-8.25. 

Two of the longest standing relay records, the Class B sprint medley relay and 3,200-meter relay are records small schools have stared at for decades and wondered how did the Armour Packers do what they did.

In 1978, Armour delivered a 3:32.84 to win the sprint medley relay. In 1980, the same school ran the exact same time (3:32.84). 

The Armour Packers still hold the 3,200-meter relay record (8:03.44) from 1979. 

Several boys records for fans to keep tabs on are the 110-meter hurdles and the pole vault. 

Sturgis senior Aidan Hedderman has run :14.28 this season and the meet record is :14.24 from Tea Area’s Erik Hill in 2014.

The pole vault record (16-0) was set by Fargo, North Dakota’s Brock Larson in 2011. Several athletes could challenge that mark in 2024, led by Harrisburg’s Beau Karst who has vaulted 15-9.5 this season.

Howard Wood Dakota Relays Boyess Records: 

100-meter dash: Jaden Guthmiller, Spearfish, :10:45, 2022

200-meter dash: Joseph Fahnbulleh, Hopkins, MN, :21.28, 2019

400-meter dash: Calob Larson, Legacy High School, Bismarck, ND, 2021

800-meter run: Simeon Birnbaum, Rapid City Stevens, 1:50.37, 2023

110-meter hurdles: Erik Hill, Tea Area,:14.24, 2014

300-meter hurdles: Jason Greenway, Mitchell, :37.89, 2011

1,600-meter run: Simeon Birnbaum, Rapid City Stevens, 4:04.05 2023

3,200-meter run: Joe Klecker, Hopkins, MN, 8:50.12, 2015

Long Jump: Dave Bakke, Washington High School, 23-8.25, 1976

High Jump: Scott Benson, Rapid City Stevens, 7-02, 1988

Pole Vault: Brock Larson, Fargo, ND, 16-0, 2011

Triple Jump: Dane Allen, Bismarck, ND, 48-1.75, 2018

Shot Put: Kyle McKelvey, Beresford, 69-03, 2011

Discus: Hayden Bills, Rosemont, MN, 198-11, 2023

Javelin: Sam Hankins, Manhattan, KS, 220-2, 2019

Class AA Relays: 

400-meter relay: Legacy High School, ND, :41.50, 2023

800-meter relay: Legacy High School, ND, 1:26.05, 2023

1,600-meter relay: Legacy High School, ND, 3:18.95, 2023

Sprint Medley Relay: Lincoln High School, SD, 3:27.44, 1973

3,200-meter relay: Bismarck High School, ND, 7:46.08, 2010

Class A Relays: 

400-meter relay:  St. Thomas More, SD, :42.97, 2016

800-meter relay: Sioux Falls Christian, SD, 1:28.10, 2023

1,600-meter relay: Alta High School, IA, 3:24.34, 1988

Sprint Medley Relay: Sioux Falls Christian, SD, 7:56.90, 2023

Class B Relays:

400-meter relay: Viborg-Hurley, SD, :43.25, 2021

800-meter relay: Viborg-Hurley, SD, 1:29.68, 2021

1,600-meter relay: Colman-Egan. SD, 3:29.06, 2017

Sprint Medley Relay:  Armour High School, SD, 3:32.84, 1978

Sprint Medley Relay: Armour High School, SD, 1980

3,200-meter relay: Armour High School, SD, 8:03.44, 1979

All Classes Relay:

1,600 meter relay Coed: Sioux Falls Jefferson, SD, 3:29.27, 2023

Distance Medley Relay: Sioux Falls Jefferson, 3:39.27, 2023