Photo courtesy of Spearfish Spartans Cross Country Facebook.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Spearfish senior Peyton VanDeest turned in one of the top performances of the Nike Heartland Preview, placing second in the girls championship 5,000-meter race.
VanDeest crossed the finish line in 17 minutes, 28.3 seconds, finishing just 1.7 seconds behind Harrisburg freshman Brianna Reilly, who won the race in 17:26.6. VanDeest’s performance also marked a season-best time.
The senior’s runner-up finish highlighted the day for the Spearfish girls against a competitive field featuring runners from across the region.
Senior Auna Taglioli was the second Spartan across the finish line, placing 46th overall with a season-best time of 20:20.0.
Eighth grader Taisley Tetrault followed with a strong performance, finishing 84th in 21:01.8 and recording a personal-best time.
Junior Sophia Hatleli finished 115th for Spearfish with a season-best 21:48.8, while sophomore Maddy Campbell placed 125th in 21:56.5, also recording a season best.
Sophomore Trinity Hourigan rounded out Spearfish’s championship race finishers, placing 173rd with a season-best time of 22:57.9.
VanDeest’s performance gave Spearfish a runner inside the top two of a deep championship field, while five of the Spartans’ six runners recorded either a personal or season-best performance.
Spearfish Girls Results
Peyton VanDeest, Sr. — 2nd, 17:28.3 (SB)
Auna Taglioli, Sr. — 46th, 20:20.0 (SB)
Taisley Tetrault, 8th — 84th, 21:01.8 (PB)
Sophia Hatleli, Jr. — 115th, 21:48.8 (SB)
Maddy Campbell, So. — 125th, 21:56.5 (SB)
Trinity Hourigan, So. — 173rd, 22:57.9 (SB)