By John Rittenhouse
Poor weather conditions at the annual Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls didn't spoil the experience for the Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth track teams.
Rain and windy weather conditions persisted both Friday and Saturday, and it led to the meet being cancelled early on Saturday afternoon.
The good news for H-BC-E was the Patriots were able to collect five places before the event ended prematurely.
"It was disappointing because we really like this meet," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "We go over there wanting to run our best times of the season, and then the weather doesn’t cooperate. Still, our kids ran great. We competed very well, and I was happy with our performances."
The boys medley relay team produced the highlight of the meet for H-BC-E Friday.
Chris Reid, Chris Fransman, Chris Willers and Brad Haak won the Class B version of the event with a time of 3:38.01. It was the first time H-BC-E athletes produced a win at the event since 1990, when the boys' 400-meter relay recorded a title.
The same group of boys experienced some success on Saturday, placing second in the 800-meter relay with a time of 1:34.88.
Erin Boeve locked up a place as an individual competitor for the Patriot girls Saturday.
Boeve ignored poor weather conditions while placing fifth in the long jump with a distance of 15-7 1/4.
H-BC-E's girls secured a pair of places in relay events Friday.
The 3,200-meter team of Shanna and Cassi Tilstra, Brittney Olson and Janelle Jenniges finished seventh with a time of 4:33.34.
The medley squad of the Tilstras, Boeve and Bev Wurpts placed eighth with a time of 4:33.34.