Calob Larson, Sean Korsmo, Meghan Ford Return To Top in North Dakota; Century Sweeps Class A Team Titles

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

After a vacant year in 2020, Calob Larson re-asserted himself as one of the dominant track athletes in North Dakota state history in 2021. 

And at the state meet, Larson of Legacy HS, left a lasting impression. The North Dakota State signee won the 100 in 10.75 seconds, the 200 in 21.36 and his specialty, the 400, in 48.14. 

Larson's 47.02 clocking at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays on May 1 smashed the all-time North Dakota record. By that time, he already had the 200 record as well with 21.12.

Larson's legacy extended to a 4x100 relay at the state meet as well, with the running 42.52 in the finals. 

In spite of Larson's heroics, the Century boys maintained their hold on the state crown and won for the fourth time in the last five contested years. 

The Patriots nearly went "Double Century" on the field, with 195 points. 

Century scored in every event except the 100 and went bonkers in the field events. The team had four scorers in the top six of the high jump and discus and four in the top seven of the shot put. 

Kenneth Brako led a 1-4-6 finish in the triple jump, winning that event with 45-7. Brock Johnsen won the 110 hurdles with 14.44 and placed fourth in the 300-meter hurdles. 

Bismarck's Sean Korsmo (8:57.82) and Brady Yoder of Dickinson (8:59.56) both went under nine minutes and broke the state meet record in the 3,200 meters. Korsmo also edged out Yoder in the 1,600, with a state meet record 4:12.16 to 4:13.26. 

Ethan Moe, a sophomore from Williston, beat both Yoder and Korsmo in the 800, running 1:54.41.

The Century girls also won and scored 138 points and swept all four relays in the process. 

Erin Palmer helped lead the charge, winning the 400 meters in 56.75 and anchoring the winning 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams. Emily Goldade won the 300 hurdles in 43.52. 

Decorated distance runner Meghan Ford of Jamestown made a final statement with her third state title in the 1,600 (5:02.34), second in the 3,200 (10:46.87), and she finished  second in the 800. Bismarck's Jilee Golus won the 800 in 2:12.08 and finished second to Ford in the 1,600 and 3,200. 

Sophomore Cece Deebom of Davies won the 100 in 11.97, the 100 hurdles in 14.62, and the 200 in 24.72.  She was second in the long jump. 

Anthonett Nabwe of Jamestown won the shot put with 44-9.50 and the discus with 143-9. She was also third in the javelin. Taylor Leingang from Mandan won the javelin with 141-2. 

Ellen Donat from Davies won the long jump with 18-7.50. Laiken Sturn of West Fargo took the triple jump with 38-9.50. 

Kindred's boys won the Class B team title without any champions. The team's depth in the distance finals, hurdles and field events pulled through for the Vikings.  

Kaden Pastian from Hillsboro-Central Valley came up with a big throw of 192 feet to win the discus and also won the shot put with 60-8. 

Tommy Kern swept the 100, 200 and 400 for Grafton. 

Oakes edged Central Cass 66-64 for the girls team championship. 

Freshman Elise Wisnewski of Central Cass ran a 12.24/25.20 double to claim the 100 and 200 and she finished second to another freshman, Kelsie Belquist of New Rockford-Sheyenne, in the 400. Belquist ran time of 57.33 for the win. Belquist also won the 300-meter hurdles.

Oakes got a 1-2 finish from Sadie Hansen and Laikyn Roney in the shot put and Lanie Awender was top-three in the three sprint finals. 

Nationally ranked javelin thrower Kendra Odegard of Lisbon threw 142-2 for the win. 

Team Champions - 

Class A - Century boys 195 points, Century girls 138 points - RESULTS

Class B - Kindred boys 68 points, Oakes girls 66 points - RESULTS