Titans return veteran talent, set high goals for 2026 track season

The Tea Area High School track and field teams enter the 2026 season with momentum, returning a large group of experienced athletes and building on lessons learned during their first full year competing in Class AA.

The Titans opened the season March 27 at an indoor meet hosted by Mount Marty University and will compete April 6 at the South Dakota State University Indoor Meet in Brookings before traveling April 7 to Lincoln High School. Tea Area’s first home meet is scheduled for April 14.

Girls look to build on state success

Girls head coach Tori Miles enters her 18th season leading the program and said last year’s state performances showed what the Titans can accomplish in South Dakota’s largest class.

“At the state meet, our sprint medley placed second, setting the school record, our 4x400 placed second with a school record, and it was also a South Dakota all-time top 10 performance,” Miles said. “Jaycie Babb in the 800-meter and 1600-meter, Sienna Brech in the discus, and Sydney Stahlecker in the 400-meter all set school records at the meet, along with placing in the top eight.”

Miles, who also spent two years coaching at Tea Area Middle School and completed an internship with the University of South Dakota track and field team, said replacing graduated contributors will be a challenge.

“We graduated Mya Neuhardt and Sienna Brech, both of whom helped us score at the state meet last season,” Miles said. “And Reese Hammerquist was our best overall jumper, who picked up a lot of points for us at meets.”

Despite those losses, Tea Area returns several proven athletes, including senior distance standout Babb and junior sprinter Stahlecker.

“Our goal is to maintain a strong presence at the state meet,” Miles said. “With a year of AA track under our belt, our athletes were able to experience what it is like to compete in the biggest division and now know what it will take to secure the top eight spots.”

Miles said depth in middle-distance events is a major strength.

“We have a large and talented group of 400 and 800-meter athletes,” she said. “We have a very large class of ninth graders, so I am excited to see what they will bring to the team.”

The Titans’ biggest concern entering the season is field events. Still, Miles expects Tea Area to remain highly competitive.

“We have high expectations this year,” Miles said. “We return a lot of strong athletes and have added some depth with our freshman class, so we’re aiming to be very competitive in our conference and make a strong presence at state.”

Miles identified Harrisburg and Brandon Valley among the top teams in the area.

Assistant coaches Mason Scheidegger, Andrew Griffin, Peter Chapman and Zach Anderson support the girls program this season.

The girls’ roster includes (returning athletes*): Evie DeGeest, 8; Emma Hilleson*, 8; Evie Binde, 9; Taylor Boehnke*, 9; Selina Bolte, 9; Grace Chapman, 9; Gretchen Curtis, 9; Natalie Hyronimus, 9; Keisha Kago, 9; Ella Kamps, 9; Ada Klemish, 9; Eskay Kowa, 9; Kelsey Kramer, 9; Brenna Reiners, 9; NiaEmani Sabit, 9; Christina Saint Juste, 9; Emerson Smolik, 9; Georgia Thim, 9; Lola Underberg, 9; Jayna VanLaecken*, 9; Emery Voelker*; Sierra Walder, 9; Ava Walder, 9; Brookelyn Youngsgtrom, 9; Grace Bialas*, 10; Logan Castle*, 10; Carly Corner*, 10; Daphne Decker*, 10; Abby Hilleson*, 10; Jayden Leegaard*, 10; Nola Terveen*, 10; Evelyn Trottier, 10; Remington Bechard*, 11; Abby Breuer, 11; Ellianna Dengler, 11; Addison Kamps*, 11; Judit Sanllehy, 11; Sydney Stahlecker*, 11; Miah Thorstenson*, 11; Jaycie Babb*, 12; Meredith Decker*; Gracie Kramer*, 12; Gabby Overwise*, 12; Kiley Pendergast*, 12; and Brooklyn Reiners*, 12

Boys seek continued growth in AA

On the boys side, head coach Ryan Decker enters his 19th season coaching at Tea Area and his 18th working alongside Miles.

Decker said last season’s first year in Class AA provided a valuable foundation.

“Last year was our first competing at the AA level and was a great learning experience for us,” Decker said.

Among last season’s highlights were multiple state medal performances by Matthew Rogers, who now competes for Northern State University.

“Matthew Rogers medaled in the long jump, triple jump, where he set a new school record, and 110 hurdles at the state meet,” Decker said. “Our 4x100 relay set a new school record last year, with two members on that team returning this year. Samuel Bullis set a school record in the pole vault, and Arian Friedman-Boehrns set a new school record in the javelin. Dawood Toto made the 300-meter hurdle finals.”

Tea Area graduated several key state contributors, including Matthew Rogers, Tyler Rhead, Jacob Mueller, Cameron Wiens and Carson Hall.

Returning senior leaders include Juv Banza, Carter Christensen, Jack Campbell, Carter Brown, Cody Peterson, Chase DeBoer, Jacob DeYoung, Arden McGraw and Hayden Hostetler.

“Our goal is to be competitive in the ESD Conference and the state meet,” Decker said. “We feel like our sprint relays have some strong legs and can be in contention.”

He also expects distance relays and throws to be important scoring areas.

“Our distance relays should be strong, with a good group of junior and senior distance runners,” Decker said. “Our throws will be looked at to add points, as we return nearly all our top guys from last year.”

Tea Area also brings back strong underclass contributors including Beckett Martens, Quentin Maag, Hayden Bialas, Tate VanLaecken, Noah Korver, Reid Hammerquist, Cooper Thompson, Samuel Bullis, Arian Friedman-Boehrns, Bill Kerkula, Dawood Toto and Landon Bolte.

“We have a strong group of senior and junior athletes who can provide leadership and experience for the team,” Decker said. “We have a big group of athletic freshmen, who will hopefully start to give us some depth in a number of events.”

Like the girls team, the boys will rely on younger athletes stepping into larger roles.

“The question will be just where they fit in and who will step up to fill some holes from the seniors who graduated last year,” Decker said.

Decker expects strong competition throughout the Eastern South Dakota Conference.

“The ESD is a strong conference — Brandon Valley, Harrisburg and Brookings all have strong teams,” he said. “Lincoln is a strong team in the metro area and we will have to put our best foot forward to contend.”

Assistant coaches Andrew Griffin, Mason Scheidegger and Peter Chapman return, with volunteer assistants Conner Clayton and Zach Anderson also contributing.

The boys’ roster includes (returning athletes*): Eliam Bullis 9; Reece Christian 9*; Dawson Cook 9; Grant  Curtis 9; Eliseo DeVerney 9;  Lincoln Dykstra 9;  Gavin Geiken 9;  Levi Hall 9;  Bridger Herman 9;  Cael Hermanson 9; Miles Jelen 9;  Cameron Miller 9;  Jack Munson 9;  Carter Olinger 9;  Ty Olson 9; Beckham Olson-Wellnitz 9;  Jack Rentschler 9; Devyn Rhodes 9;  Colton Rimmer 9; Noah Sheppard 9; Cooper Thompson 9*; Logan Turgeon 9;  Ben Will 9;  Evan Willadsen 9;  Jameson Biggins 10*; Dawson Bunkofske 10*; Thiik Lual 10*; Quentin Maag 10*; Beckett Martens 10*; Luke Wharton 10  Beau Wranek 10*; Kadin Zolnowsky 10* ;  Hayden Bialas 11* ; Jacob Birger 11* ; Landen Bolte 11* ; Josh Bracha 11* ; Victor Bruggeman 11* ; Samuel Bullis 11* ; Kaden Christian 11* ; Tyson DeYoung 11* ; Jaxon Drury 11; Connor Fields 11* ; Arian Friedman-Boehrns 11* ; Reid Hammerquist 11*; Malachi Kaiser 11; Bill Kerkula 11*; Jonah Klemisch 11* ; Kade Korleski 11; Noah Korver 11* ; Trey Krell 11* ; Gage Little 11*; Kage Olson 11*; Santiago  Revolorio 11*; Dawood Toto 11*; Tate VanLaecken 11*; Luca Weidehaas 11;  Aiden Woods 11*;  Titus Zuraff 11*;  Juv Banza 12*; Carter Brown 12*; Jack Campbell 12*; Carter Christenson 12*; Chase DeBoer 12*; Jacob DeYoung 12*; Hayden Hostetler 12*;  Arden McGraw 12*; and  Cody  Peterson 12*