BISMARCK, N.D. — The Valley City Hi-Liners track and field team capped off a memorable 2025 season with multiple standout performances at the Class A State Track and Field Meet, held May 22–24 at the Community Bowl in Bismarck. Several Hi-Liner athletes earned state places, set personal records and school marks, and helped solidify the program’s reputation in its final year competing in Class A.

In field events, senior Dylan Hunt delivered one of the team’s top performances. Hunt placed fifth in the discus with a personal-best throw of 161 feet and added a 46-foot, 5-inch mark in the shot put to complete a strong state meet.

On the track, junior Derek Shape led the boys’ efforts with times of 11.38 seconds in the 100-meter dash preliminaries and 23.00 in the 200 meters. Shape also anchored the 4×100-meter relay team that included Hunter Undem, Isaac Norby, and Jake Anderson, posting a time of 45.68.

Junior Kadie Kocka led the girls’ team with state qualifications in four events. She ran 12.94 in the 100 meters, jumped 15 feet, 6.75 inches in the long jump, and cleared 10 feet in the pole vault, finishing eighth in that event.

Sophomore Morgan Larson continued her stellar season, running 12.63 in the 100 meters and 1:03.30 in the 400. Larson was also a key contributor to two state-placing relays. In the 4×100-meter relay, she teamed with Kocka, Layni Bakalar, and Chesney Thomsen to finish 10th in 50.24. Later, Larson joined Thomsen, Brynn Lueck, and Greta Goven to place seventh in the 4×400 relay with a time of 4:11.22.

Goven also posted one of the Hi-Liners’ top individual performances, finishing in 2:22.20 in the 800 meters and 5:30.12 in the 1,600. She also contributed on both the 4×200 and 4×400 relays, which both recorded season-best times.

Senior Maddie Wendel set a new personal best in the pole vault with a height of 9-09.00. She also competed in the 100-meter hurdles, finishing in 17.07. Bakalar placed 13th in the long jump with a leap of 16-2.5, and senior Jovi Borg finished ninth in the javelin with a throw of 108-09 in her state debut. The girls’ 4×200 relay team of Bakalar, Lueck, Thomsen, and Goven finished in 1:49.93.

“These athletes showed grit, teamwork and heart at every level,” said head coach Trevor Bakalar. “I’m incredibly proud of how they competed and represented Valley City.”

Hi-Liners Celebrate Season at Awards Ceremony

Prior to the state meet, the team held its end-of-season awards social on Tuesday, May 20 in the high school cafeteria, where several athletes were honored for their contributions.

Award Winners — Girls

• MVP: Morgan Larson, Greta Goven, Jovi Borg, Kadie Kocka

• Most Improved: Tessa Anderson, Chesney Thomsen, Jaisa Lassiter

• Dedicated: Morgan Larson, Greta Goven, Jovi Borg, Brooklyn Botz

• Spirit: Alyssa Wilmes, Autumn Anderson

• Hi-Liner Impact: Abby Shanenko, Tricia Pfennig, Maddie Wendel

Award Winners — Boys

• MVP: Derek Shape, Dylan Hunt, Scot Rohde

• Most Improved: Hunter Undem, Adrian Rivera

• Dedicated: Jack Sorby, Owen Hunt, Scot Rohde

• Spirit: Jake Anderson, Scot Rohde

Looking Ahead

The Hi-Liners now look toward a new chapter as they transition to Class B competition next season. With a strong core of underclassmen returning and a record-setting senior class departing, the program is poised for continued success.