The Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek track and field teams traveled to Murray County Central in Slayton for the Minnesota True Team meet Monday, May 8.
The LHS boys’ and girls’ teams both were crowned champions this year and qualify for the state meet Saturday, May 20, in Stillwater.
“We were very pleased with the kids’ performances last night and are excited for them to have the opportunity to compete for a state title,” LHS head coach Pete Janiszeski said.
“This is a meet that we mark on our calendars every year and work toward building the best team possible with as much depth as possible, and the kids’ hard work was on full display last night.”
In 33 of the 36 events Luverne competed in, they won 11 event titles.
The girls’ 4-by-200-meter relay was first with a time of 1:53.32. Relay team members were Sarah Stegenga, Makena Nelson, Anna Banck and Bella Oye.
The boys’ 4-by-200-meter relay was first at 1:35.60. Relay team members were Gavin DeBeer, DJ Rock, Zach Terrio and Darius Dolo.
Elizabeth Wagner won the 400-meter dash at 1:01.16, and Lucky Dara won the boys’ 400-meter dash at 52.35.
Reinha John was first with a 50.22 in the girls’ 300-meter hurdles.
Gavin DeBeer cleared 20-02.5 in the boys’ long jump, and Elizabeth Wagner cleared 5-02 in the girls’ high jump.
DJ Rock was first in the pole vault 13-00,
Jocelyn Hart won the girls’ shot put with a 39-06, and Elijah Woodley won the boys’ shot put with a 47-05.75.
Jocelyn Hart was first with a 126-00 in the discus event.
“This is absolutely tremendous and a large reason why they earned section titles,” Janiszeski said.
H-BC had a good showing at the meet.
“I was pleased with how both our guys and gals did last night,” H-BC head coach Rex Metzger said.
“We weren’t able to fill all our events, but the ones we were able to, we did well and had a lot of good performances.”
At the meet Brynn Bakken broke the H-BC school record in the triple jump by over a foot with 34-11.5. The previous record was held by Paige Leuthold at 33-10.
Bakken also reset her 200-meter school record of 26.47 from last year with a new time of 26.19 this year.
Bakken was the only first-place finisher for H-BC at the True Team meet. She took first in the girls’ 100-meter with a time of 12.71.
Women - Team Rankings
18 Events Scored
1. Luverne 640
2. Canby/Minneota 541
3. SWMCH-EHS 496
4. Redwood Valley 450
5. Pipestone Area 404
6. Murray County Central 392
7. Hills-Beaver Creek 346
8.Windom Area 306
9. Lakeview 241
10. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 198
11. Adrian/Ellsworth 159
Men - Team Rankings
21 Events Scored
1. Luverne 629
2. SWMCH-EHS 435
3. Pipestone Area 433
4. Redwood Valley 424
5. Windom Area 423
6. Canby/Minneota 409
7. Lakeview 341
8. Hills-Beaver Creek 322
9. Murray County Central 283
10. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 272
11. Adrian/Ellsworth 221
LHS Section 3A True Team finishes 1989-2023
1989-A-2nd Girls
1992-A-6th Girls
2005-A-3rd Boys
2026-A-5th Boys
2007-A-3rd Girls
2008-A-Champion Girls
2009-A-2nd Girls
2010-A-Champion Girls
2011-A-3rd Girls, 9th Boys
2012-A-5th Girls, 6th Boys
2013-A-2nd Girls, 5th Boys
2014-A-Champion Girls, 3rd Boys
2015-A-3rd Girls, 7th Boys
2016-A-3rd Girls
2017-A-2nd Girls, 5th Boys
2018-2A Girls
2019-2A-8th Girls
2021-2A-12th Girls (virtual)
2022-2A-2nd Girls, 4th Boys
2023-2A Champions Girls and Boys