Shortfalls and surprises

BISMARCK -- One year ago, the Dickinson Trinity boys track and field team ended the first day of the Class B state track and field meet with a win in the 3,200-meter relay.

The quartet of Jace Kruger, Dylan Gress, Alex Binstock and Mitchell Meyer was attempting to recreate history.

Yet, it was Kindred's 3,200 relay team that made history of its own as Brandon Quibell edged Meyer in the final 50 meters to claim the state championship on Friday at the Bismarck Community Bowl.

"Kindred got their school record, so you can't be mad about it," Meyer said. "I thought I could get (Quibell at the) end, but I just couldn't. He just had a little more than I did."

Kindred won the event the a time of 8 minutes, 26.76 seconds. Trinity came in about a second later at 8:27.75. Trinity co-head coach Craig Kovash said he was proud of the way the boys fought. The Titans' fastest time coming into the event was 8:34.44.

"Kindred came in as the No. 1 seed and I couldn't be more proud of our guys," Kovash said. "They ran a nice race and our kids did too."

As for Meyer's day, he didn't have any complaints. He helped finish runner-up in the 3,200 relay and, individually, took fifth in the 1,600 meters (4:44.87). Meyer will still be looking to score points in the 800 meters and assist the 1,600 relay team in reaching the podium.

Meyer could have the possibility of scoring points in all four events. He has the third-fastest time coming into the 800 meters (2:02.75) and, as a team, Trinity, has third-best time in the 1,600 relay (3:33.96).

"We are just going to try to improve on our placing again (in the 1,600 relay)," Meyer said. "We will see what happens. If we run our best time, we will be up there."

The number of pole vaulters Trinity brought to the state track meet was three. The number of placers the Titans finished with was three. Senior McKenzie Kostelecky and Mason Heth each nabbed third-place finishes, while Kruger ended up in fifth.

Heth said it was special that all three Trinity pole vaulters were able to stand on the podium to receive an award. The senior finished with a height of 13 feet, 3 inches.

"It's a definitely a good feeling," Heth said about all three pole vaulters placing at state. "There was definitely some stiff competition, but I think we did pretty well overall.

"I would have definitely liked to PR today, but I'm happy with it for sure."

However, for Kruger the fifth-place finish was a little unexpected.

The sophomore set a personal record by 9 inches. His previous best was 12 feet, but he surpassed that height and more. He ended his sophomore season with a personal best 12-9 to take third at the state meet.

"I honestly wasn't expecting that," Kruger said. "It feels pretty good."

Kostelecky, who has already broken the school record in the pole vault, was looking to a match a season-high height in the event. Though she finished at 10 feet, she wasn't disappointed with her performance at all.

The senior aided the 400 relay into the finals with the fifth-fastest time (52.65) in the preliminaries.

"I was really happy with what I did today," said Kostelecky, who is committed to pole vault at Dickinson State next season. "Today was a good day. Our 400 relay team ran the best time of the season."

The Trinity girls 3,200 relay team of Katelyn Grinsteinner, Morgan Kuntz, Katie Pavlicek and Kelli Pavlicek placed fourth with a time of 10:15.01.

Richardton-Taylor senior Halle Olson took seventh in the discus (116-2).

Only three feet separated Olson from a top-four finish. Nonetheless, she has pleased with how she finished at state. Her main goal coming into the season was to throw a state-qualifying distance.

"I've never reached qualifying throw before, so I really wanted to get that," Olson said. "I was nervous, but I knew that I could (place at the state meet). I knew I had it in me, I just had to put it out there."

With a majority of the field in preliminaries, the Southwest Region schools will look to tack on points when the finals beginning 9 a.m. today.

"Both girls and boys had a pretty decent day," Kovash said. "We are set up pretty well for tomorrow."