Babb sets new record at Augustana Twilight

After opening the season strong in Beresford, the Titans shifted their attention to one of the most anticipated meets of the year — the Augustana Twilight. This year’s event drew a record-setting field, with 1,871 high school athletes representing 92 schools across five states. The Titans rose to the challenge, delivering an impressive night that included 22 personal-best performances and eight new marks added to the program’s all-time top-ten lists.

For the Varsity girls, six Titans posting times that landed in the program’s all-time top ten. Senior Jaycie Babb (pictured at right) once again paced the team, using a strong start and an impressive finishing kick to place 15th out of more than 400 competitors. She crossed the line in a new personal best and school-record time of 18:11.53.

Freshman Jayna VanLaecken turned in a powerful middle stride to place 57th in a personal best of 19:08.75, the fourth-fastest time in school history. Sophomore Grace Bialas ran a steady race to finish 62nd with a time of 19:13.17, just shy of her PR. Sophomore Evelyn DeGeest got out quickly and secured 141st place with a season-best 20:16.42. The Titans’ depth continued to shine with sophomore Abby Hilleson, who placed 166th in a personal best of 20:39.13—the sixth-best mark in school history. Fellow sophomore Logan Castle impressed as well, clocking a personal best of 20:50.35, good for eighth on the school’s all-time list and 188th overall. Seniors Meredith Decker and Brooklyn Reiners each recorded season bests, finishing in 22:35.26 (336th) and 22:48.34 (348th), respectively. Freshman Taylor Boehnke rounded out the Titans’ effort, running a season best of 23:23.51 for 379th place. As a team, the Varsity girls placed ninth out of 44 qualifying teams, finishing fourth among Class AA schools and fifth among South Dakota schools.

For the Varsity boys, Senior Jack Campbell led the way, starting fast and maintaining a solid middle pace to earn 89th in a field of 513 with a time of 16:35.54. Junior Reid Hammerquist battled through early adversity and closed strong, placing 163rd in a personal best 17:13.77, the sixth-best time in program history. Freshmen Cooper Thompson and Reece Christian both made their mark as well—Thompson running 17:17.28 for 178th (the seventh-fastest time in school history, in only his second-ever 5K), and Christian clocking 17:20.63 for 184th, good for eighth on the all-time list. Junior Jonah Klemisch added a season best of 17:41.19 to place 223rd, while classmate Tate VanLaecken earned 250th with a personal best of 17:51.36. Junior Kaden Christian contributed a season best 17:56.78 for 265th place. Senior Jacob DeYoung overcame adversity to post a season best of 18:53.45, finishing 385th, and junior Noah Korver closed out the effort with a season best of 19:20.45 for 440th. The Varsity boys finished 27th in the team standings.

For the JV girls, freshman Gretchen Curtis led the way with a time of 17:20.39 (#10 School Rank 4K). Close behind was fellow freshman Lola Underberg, who also recorded a personal best time of 17:36.51. Freshman Grace Chapman ran personal best time of 18:33.58. Seventh graders Carly Castle and Angelina Dusa both impressed in their first-ever 4K races, Castle ran a 18:58.77 and Dusa ran a 18:58.84. Senior Gracie Kramer clocked a new personal best time of 19:33.43 with freshman Ella Kamps close behind with a time of 19:34.03—new PR. Sophomore Daphne Decker ran a time of 19:45.15 and senior Kiley Pendergast 20:02.48. Freshman Natalie Hyronimus clocked a season best 20:21.33, as seventh graders Emilia Marandici and Taytem Petrik clocked 20:40.5 and 20:43.85, respectively in their first 4K races. Senior Morgan Sehr posted a season best 22:22.23. The JV girls finished ninth out of the 38 qualifying teams. 

For the JV boys the Titans were led by eighth graders Reed Cerny and Caden Schuster. Cerny and Schuster pushed out strong and moved up throughout, both recording new personal record times, with Cerny clocking a 15:41.4 and Schuster a 16:09.73. Junior Riley Clark ran a season best 16:21.59, as did sophomore Kadin Zolnowsky who clocked a 16:49.84. Eighth grader Grant Woodis recorded a new personal best (17:02.6). Junior Jaxon Johanneson and freshman Grant Curtis clocked a 17:08.58 and a 17:10.51, respectively. Junior Malachi Kaiser clocked a new personal best time of 17:11.41. Freshman Lincoln Dykstra had a strong finish, running a personal best time of 17:29.31. Seventh grader Micah Hyronimus impressed in his first 4K race, with a time of 17:54.14. Sophomore Zaiden Johnson ran a season best 18:46.11. Eighth grader Jace Ullom ran a new personal best time of 20:43.35, as did junior Victor Bruggeman who ran a new PR—20:59.17. The JV Boys finished 31st in the team standings.

The final races of the night were the women’s and men’s college races. The men’s race featured a Titan cross country alum, Holden Jelen (Dakota State), who recorded a new personal best for four miles (21:38.7).

On Saturday, Sept. 13 the Titan cross country will compete in the Nike Meet at Yankton Trails Park. Race action begins at 9 a.m.