Vote for Argus Leader Athlete of the Week from April 27-May 2
TL;DR
Voting for the Argus Leader Athlete of the Week is open until May 8. Nominees include standout athletes from high school softball and baseball seasons, highlighted by the Howard Wood Dakota Relays.
Key points
- Voting for Athlete of the Week is open until May 8.
- Nominees include athletes from high school softball and baseball.
- Howard Wood Dakota Relays took place on May 1 and 2.
- Athletes are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
The high school softball and baseball seasons are in full swing, and the Howard Wood Dakota Relays stole the show on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2.
Here are the nominees for the Argus Leader's high school Athletes of the Week for April 27 to May 2. ArgusLeader.com readers vote to decide this week's winner. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 8.
Athletes are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Sioux Falls Christian's Natalie Smith, left, receives the baton from teammate Maxine Ordway, right, in the girls 4x800-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Pierre's Emlyn Swanson prepares to land in the pit during the long jump at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Harrisburg's Asher Hauert, right, lands after a hurdle in the boys 110-meter hurdles prelims at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
West Central's Zach Nielsen soars to clear the bar in the boys high jump at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Brandon Valley's Jalisa Parker leads the pack in the girls 4x800-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Waverly-South Shore's Marty Mickelson prepares to throw the javelin at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Maudelia Needles runs the second leg of the girls 4x200-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
From left, Kimball/White Lake's Lincoln Kranig, Rapid City Central's Fox Pendegraft, O'Gorman's Tanner Charron and Tea Area's Beckett Martens run in the 100-meter dash semifinals at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Christian's Ellie Maddox competes in the special event girls 800-meter race at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Harrisburg's Dylan Frederick watches after a throw during the boys shot put at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Pierre's Charlee Williams-Smith runs in the girls 100-meter dash prelims at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Christian's Levi Vander Leest completes his comeback as the anchor of the boys 4x800-meter relay team at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Brody Schafer gets off his block to start the boys 4x200-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Christian's Marcus Furth follows through after a throw in the boys shot put at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Jefferson's Matnel Jensen, left, receives the baton from teammate Habonimana Fidel, right, in the boys 4x200-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Roosevelt's Joseph Nyaoga finishes the boys 4x200-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Dexter Johnson pulls up after completing a prelim in the boys 110-meter hurdles at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Roosevelt's Desiree Hinsch prepares to make a throw during the girls shot put at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Waverly's (NE) Emma Steffensen, left, and Spearfish's Peyton VanDeest, right, run down the final stretch of the special event girls 800-meter race at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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SF Christian shines in 800-meter events on Dakota Relays Day 1
Sioux Falls Christian's Natalie Smith, left, receives the baton from teammate Maxine Ordway, right, in the girls 4x800-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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SF Christian shines in 800-meter events on Dakota Relays Day 1
Sioux Falls Christian's Natalie Smith, left, receives the baton from teammate Maxine Ordway, right, in the girls 4x800-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Pierre's Emlyn Swanson prepares to land in the pit during the long jump at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Results from first day of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Harrisburg's Asher Hauert, right, lands after a hurdle in the boys 110-meter hurdles prelims at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
West Central's Zach Nielsen soars to clear the bar in the boys high jump at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Brandon Valley's Jalisa Parker leads the pack in the girls 4x800-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Waverly-South Shore's Marty Mickelson prepares to throw the javelin at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Maudelia Needles runs the second leg of the girls 4x200-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
From left, Kimball/White Lake's Lincoln Kranig, Rapid City Central's Fox Pendegraft, O'Gorman's Tanner Charron and Tea Area's Beckett Martens run in the 100-meter dash semifinals at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Christian's Ellie Maddox competes in the special event girls 800-meter race at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Harrisburg's Dylan Frederick watches after a throw during the boys shot put at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Pierre's Charlee Williams-Smith runs in the girls 100-meter dash prelims at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Vote for Argus Leader Athlete of the Week from April 27-May 2
Sioux Falls Christian's Levi Vander Leest completes his comeback as the anchor of the boys 4x800-meter relay team at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Brody Schafer gets off his block to start the boys 4x200-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Christian's Marcus Furth follows through after a throw in the boys shot put at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Jefferson's Matnel Jensen, left, receives the baton from teammate Habonimana Fidel, right, in the boys 4x200-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Roosevelt's Joseph Nyaoga finishes the boys 4x200-meter relay at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Dexter Johnson pulls up after completing a prelim in the boys 110-meter hurdles at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Roosevelt's Desiree Hinsch prepares to make a throw during the girls shot put at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our best photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Waverly's (NE) Emma Steffensen, left, and Spearfish's Peyton VanDeest, right, run down the final stretch of the special event girls 800-meter race at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Boys
Zyan Conrad, Sr., Sioux Falls Lincoln
Conrad was a part of three Lincoln relay teams that finished first at the Dakota Relays, including one that broke a meet record. The senior anchored the 4x800-meter relay team that hit the new best mark in South Dakota this year, and ran third on the 4x200-meter team and 4x400-meter team that set the Dakota Relays record.
Lucas Honner, Sr., Sioux Falls Lincoln
Honner placed second in the javelin with a long throw of 199 feet, clearing second place by 14 feet, 1 inch. The throw was the best of his career and the 24th best among all javelin competitors nationwide.
Brandon Valley's Mikah Peters celebrates as he runs down the final stretch of the boys 1,600-meter sprint medley relay at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Mikah Peters, Sr., Brandon Valley
Peters capped his Dakota Relays career with a trio of victories in the 1,600-meter race, 3,200-meter race and 1,600-meter sprint medley relay. The 1,600-meter run was a personal best, and the sprint medley relay run was a season best and now the 21st-best time nationwide.
Jeffersonâs Everett Salonen (24) pitches from the mound while playing against the Harrisburg Tigers on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Dakota Access Field in Harrisburg, South Dakota.
Everett Salonen, Jr., Sioux Falls Jefferson
Salonen had a dominant complete-game shutout of Sioux Falls Washington on Thursday, April 30. He tossed all six frames, allowing two hits, hitting a batter and striking out 10. The junior hurler did it all on 72 pitches, with 51 going for strikes.
Sioux Falls Christian's Levi Vander Leest completes his comeback as the anchor of the boys 4x800-meter relay team at the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Levi Vander Leest, Jr., Sioux Falls Christian
Vander Leest anchored both the 4x800-meter relay team and 1,600-meter sprint medley relay team, with the 4x800-meter team coming in first and the sprint medley relay team finishing second by 0.11 seconds. The junior had to make comebacks in both events, nearly completing both.
Sioux Falls Lincoln teammates Evan Abild, left, and Zyan Conrad, right, are neck and neck in the boys 400-meter dash at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Tea Area's Sydney Stahlecker, left, and Pierre's Charlee Williams-Smith, right, run stride for stride in the girls 400-meter dash at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Brandon Valley's Isaac Kutey prepares to make an attempt in the boys triple jump at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Brandon Valley's Mikah Peters celebrates after winning the boys 1,600-meter race at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Christian's Ellie Maddox, left, leads Harrisburg's Brianna Reilly, right, down the final straightaway of the girls 1,600-meter race at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Everett Herrboldt, front, takes the baton from Brody Schafer, back, in the boys 1,600-meter sprint medley relay at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Washington's Griffin Miller leads the pack in his heat of the boys 1,600-meter sprint medley relay at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Custer's Tenlee Stiefel prepares to make an attempt in the girls pole vault at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
O'Gorman's Brody Tynan competes in the boys 300-meter hurdles at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Christian's Dawson Holthe lunges toward the finish line in the boys 110-meter hurdles at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Riem Riem clears a hurdle in the boys 300-meter hurdles at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Colman-Egan's Brynlee Landis sprints down the final leg of the girls 1,600-meter sprint medley relay at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls Lutheran's Owen Gilster, right, competes in the boys 400-meter dash at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Brandon Valley's Mikah Peters celebrates as he runs down the final stretch of the boys 1,600-meter sprint medley relay at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Vote for Argus Leader Athlete of the Week from April 27-May 2
Sioux Falls Lincoln teammates Evan Abild, left, and Zyan Conrad, right, are neck and neck in the boys 400-meter dash at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Vote for Argus Leader Athlete of the Week from April 27-May 2
Sioux Falls Lincoln teammates Evan Abild, left, and Zyan Conrad, right, are neck and neck in the boys 400-meter dash at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our top photos from Day 2 of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Tea Area's Sydney Stahlecker, left, and Pierre's Charlee Williams-Smith, right, run stride for stride in the girls 400-meter dash at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our top photos from Day 2 of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Brandon Valley's Isaac Kutey prepares to make an attempt in the boys triple jump at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our top photos from Day 2 of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Brandon Valley's Mikah Peters celebrates after winning the boys 1,600-meter race at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Vote for Argus Leader Athlete of the Week from April 27-May 2
Sioux Falls Christian's Ellie Maddox, left, leads Harrisburg's Brianna Reilly, right, down the final straightaway of the girls 1,600-meter race at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our top photos from Day 2 of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Everett Herrboldt, front, takes the baton from Brody Schafer, back, in the boys 1,600-meter sprint medley relay at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our top photos from Day 2 of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Washington's Griffin Miller leads the pack in his heat of the boys 1,600-meter sprint medley relay at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our top photos from Day 2 of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Custer's Tenlee Stiefel prepares to make an attempt in the girls pole vault at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our top photos from Day 2 of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
O'Gorman's Brody Tynan competes in the boys 300-meter hurdles at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our top photos from Day 2 of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Christian's Dawson Holthe lunges toward the finish line in the boys 110-meter hurdles at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Results from second day of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Riem Riem clears a hurdle in the boys 300-meter hurdles at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our top photos from Day 2 of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Colman-Egan's Brynlee Landis sprints down the final leg of the girls 1,600-meter sprint medley relay at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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See our top photos from Day 2 of the 101st Howard Wood Dakota Relays
Sioux Falls Lutheran's Owen Gilster, right, competes in the boys 400-meter dash at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Vote for Argus Leader Athlete of the Week from April 27-May 2
Brandon Valley's Mikah Peters celebrates as he runs down the final stretch of the boys 1,600-meter sprint medley relay at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Girls
Halle Braun, Sr., Sioux Falls Christian
Braun earned wins in the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles and as the anchor of the 4x400-meter relay. Her 300-meter hurdles time of 42.58 seconds beat the Dakota Relays record and put her 37th in the United States. The 4x400-meter relay team also broke the meet record.
Jeffersonâs Tya Devericks (3) steps off first base during a game against the Washington Warriors on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Tya Devericks, Jr., Sioux Falls Jefferson
Devericks had a monster week both in the circle and at the dish. She hurled 15 innings, allowing two runs on 11 hits and one walk while striking out 15 in three outings. The star junior also went 7-for-11 at the plate with two doubles, two triples, five RBIs and a run scored over the same three games.
Sioux Falls Christian's Ellie Maddox, left, leads Harrisburg's Brianna Reilly, right, down the final straightaway of the girls 1,600-meter race at the 101st Dakota Relays on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Ellie Maddox, Sr., Sioux Falls Christian
Maddox was selected to compete in the special event 800-meter race, then set the meet record in the 1,600-meter race and as a member of the 4x400-meter relay team. The Duke commit's 4:46.95 mile was the 30th fastest in the country.
Jayaunna Stroh, Sr., Brandon Valley
Stroh won the high jump by clearing the bar at 5 feet, 6 inches. The senior beat her season-best jump of 5 feet, 5 inches, and fell short on the 5-foot, 10-inch bar.
Ella Termaat, Sr., Sioux Falls Lincoln
Termaat was on four Lincoln relay teams, with the 4x200-meter and 4x400-meter teams both winning. The 4x100-meter relay team came in third, and the 1,600-meter sprint medley relay team finished fourth. Termaat anchored the 4x200 and 4x100-meter teams.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Vote for Argus Leader Athlete of the Week from April 27-May 2
Q&A
Who are the nominees for Argus Leader Athlete of the Week from April 27 to May 2?
The nominees include various high school athletes participating in softball and baseball, listed in alphabetical order by last name.
When does voting for the Argus Leader Athlete of the Week close?
Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 8.
What events highlighted the high school sports scene during this voting period?
The Howard Wood Dakota Relays, held on May 1 and 2, were a significant highlight of the high school sports season.
How can readers vote for the Argus Leader Athlete of the Week?
Readers can vote for the Athlete of the Week on ArgusLeader.com.
