NORTH DAKOTA STATE MEET

Bismarck Rolls Up Big Distance Points En Route To Class A Sweep; Berger, McNichols Run All-Time Sprint Records

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The Bismarck boys and girls track team dominated the distance events as they ran away with Class A titles at the North Dakota State Track and Field Championships held at the MDU Resources Community Bowl, May 23-25.

The Bismarck boys amassed 170 points and were paced by brothers Owen and Parker Hintz going 1-2 in the 1,600 with another teammate third. Parker ran to a class state record in the 800, clocking 1:54.85.

Owen Hintz added a second-place finish in the 3,200 with teammate Tyler Wall finishing third. Fargo North’s Owen Sondag ran a meet record of 9:18.93. 

In the 400, Century junior Josh Berger clocked 47.08 for an all-time state best.

Also on the track, Bismarck senior Jeran McNichols won the 100 (10.66), 200 in a state record time of 21.22, and added a 300 hurdle crown in 38.03. 

On the field, Grand Forks Central senior Ethan Thomas dominated the throws, setting a Community Bowl record in the shot put with a winning throw of 63-11, US#21. He also won the Class A discus title with a throw of 191-7 and claimed the javelin title (185-7). 

The Bismarck girls tallied 100 points to hold off Davies (93 points). Bismarck’s Taya Fettig led the team as she won the 800 (2:14.14) and 1,600 (5:11.71). She was also part of the meet record 4x80 relay (9:35.83). 

West Fargo’s Michelle Gee swept the sprints, winning the 100 (12.29), 200 (24.97) and 400 (56.41). 

In the field, junior Scout Woods of Wahpeton won the shot put with a throw of 43-10.50. 

Similar to Class A, the Bowman County boys and girls team swept the state team titles in Class B. 

On the track, the Bowman County boys set a state record in the 4x800 relay clocking 7:56.82, the only team under 8 minutes. Junior Tanner Wanner, who ran anchor on the 4x800, led the team in the distance events, winning the 800 (1:53.18), 1600 (4:25.59) and 3,200 (9:29.57) as Bowman swept the top three spots in the 1,600 and the top two in the 3,200. 

In the 400, Jaran Reinhardt of Hazel claimed the 400 in a divisional state record time of 48.24. 

In the field, senior Riley Sunram of Kindred broke a Class B and Community Bowl record in the discus with a throw of 196-4. His mark is a current US#15. The University of Minnesota football commit won the shot put a day earlier on Thursday with a throw of 61-6.

The Bowman County girls scored 72 points for the team title as junior Sophia Headley won the 300 hurdles (44.78) a division state record time and was part of the 4x200 (1:44.14) and 4x400 (4:04.37) winning relays. 

In the sprints, Central Cass senior Elise Wisnewski won the 100 (12.20), 200 (24.59) and finished second in the 400 (56.93). Anya Olson of Velva-Drake/Anamoose won the 400 in 56.39. 

Junior Ryder Bickett of Carrington claimed the javelin with a personal-best throw of 189-10, while teammate Madison Johnson won the 1,600 and was second in the 3,200. 

Hatton-Northwood’s Elizabeth Pinke won the shot and discus.  

Team Champions

Class A: Bismarck boys 170 points; Bismarck girls 100 points

Class B: Bowman County boys 95 points; Bowman County girls  72 points