VALLEY CITY, N.D. – With the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) Championship in the books, the Valley City Hi-Liners Track & Field team is heading into the 2025 State Championships with momentum and high expectations.

At EDC, Maddie Wendel stole the spotlight, setting a new school record in the 100-meter hurdles, earning a state qualifying time, and notching a personal best. In the pole vault, Kadie Kocka continued her standout season, placing 2nd overall and scoring key points.

Morgan Larson added to the team’s success, finishing 5th in the 100 meters and 6th in the 400 meters, while Greta Goven earned 5th in the 800 meters, continuing her trend of consistent top finishes.

On the boys’ side, Derek Shape battled a competitive 200-meter field to place 9th, and in distance events, Jack Sorby, Adrian Rivera, and Elijah Drummond turned in strong performances. Owen Hunt and Scot Rohde contributed solid efforts in the field events, helping round out a balanced team performance.

State Qualifiers – 2025

The Hi-Liners will be well-represented at the NDHSAA State Track & Field Championships, which begin Thursday, May 22 at the Community Bowl in Bismarck. The team will depart at 11:00 a.m. Thursday.

State qualifiers include:

Girls

• Kadie Kocka – 100, 200, 4×100, 4×200, Pole Vault, Long Jump

• Layni Bakalar – 4×100, 4×200, Long Jump

• Morgan Larson – 100, 200, 400, 4×100, 4×200, 4×400

• Greta Goven – 800, 1600, 4×400

• Maddie Wendel – Pole Vault, 100 Hurdles

• Kinley Larson, Brynn Lueck, Chesney Thomsen, Cadence Fetsch – Various Relays

Boys

• Dylan Hunt – Discus, Shot Put

• Isaac Norby, Hunter Undem, Jayden Suhr, Jake Anderson – 4×100

• Derek Shape – 100, 200, 4×100

• Koltyn Grebel, Jack Nadeau, Owen Hunt – Various Relays and Field Events

Awards Social

Tuesday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m. in the VCHS Cafeteria
Athletes and families welcome.