M-W-L's Peyton Frolek wins Class B girls 1,600 meters state championship

BISMARCK-There was nothing holding Milnor-Wyndmere-Lidgerwood sophomore Peyton Frolek back on Friday.

Less than a week after being disqualified from all four of her events at the Southeast Regional for running over the maximum 5,600 meters in one day, Frolek won the North Dakota Class B girls 1,600 meters for her first career track and field state championship.

All Frolek had to worry about Friday was the 1,600 meters and the prelims of the 400 meters. The standout distance runner said last Saturday's disqualification was on her mid entering the state meet.

"It made me a little more nervous because everyone knew about it," said Frolek, who finished the 1,600 with a time of 5 minutes, 8.40 seconds-a season best time. "It helped motivate me, and I'm happy with the away the race ended."

Frolek made her move late in the race and emerged as the clear frontrunner in the final 300 meters.

"I wanted to try and stick with them, and whatever I had left I would kick in at the end," said Frolek, who completes in the 3,200, 800 and 400 meters today.

Oak Grove's Dixon repeats in girls pole vault

Fargo Oak Grove junior missed out on clearing 11 feet in the girls pole vault, but she was able to clear 10-6 to successfully defend her state title won a year ago.

"It feels good to be on top again this year," Dixon said. "I wish I could have gone higher, but I got first and was making good attempts, so I have to be happy with that."

Dixon entered the competition clearing 9-0 on her first attempt, and from there she kept her composure.

This spring has been a successful one for Dixon, who has set personal best vaults and improved on her school record in the event.

"I was pretty consistent this year," Dixon said. "This year I could just relax and vault."

Ellendale's Hinton wins boys long jump title

The pressure was on for Ellendale senior Kellemon Hinton on Friday in the boys long jump. He was down to his last jump of the finals needing to best Carrington's Riley Miller. His jump measured 22-8½-his best of the season-and was good enough to secure him his second straight long jump title.

"I had to give it everything I had and I was definitely praying on the runway," said Hinton, who is jumping at North Dakota State next year. "This is the first meet where I have hit 22 feet and above this season so I was really excited."

Hinton will attempt to win his third straight triple jump title today.

Sprints

Harvey-Wells County sophomore Payton Granger suffered a severe upper-leg injury during the prelims of the boys 400-meter relay and had to be taken by ambulance out of the MDU Resources Community Bowl. Granger's condition or the full extent of his injury was not known late Friday. ... Carrington senior Bailey Retzlaff won the girls discus with a throw of 134-3. ... Carrington leads the girls team race with 28.5 points. ... New Town leads the boys team competition with 41 points. ... Hillsboro-Central valley's 3,200-meter relay of Anna Lemm, Bailey Baesler, Gracie Wright and Annika Rotvold won a state title with a time of 9:51.67. ... Hillsboro-Central Valley senior Kylie Pastian won the girls long jump with a leap of 17-10¼. ... "I got it on my very last jump of the day," Pastian said. "I took all the pressure off myself. I already had a place secured on the podium. I just went for it and it turned out for the best."