PIERRE, S.D. — Mitchell Kernels track and field leaned on a standout performance from Alexier Padilla while turning in a solid team showing Thursday at the Pierre Legion Relays.
Padilla delivered a dominant day on the track, winning both the 200- and 400-meter races. The senior clocked a 22.05 seconds in the 200 and 51.47 seconds in the 400. He also added a third-place finish in the 100 (10.83), a personal best.
Mitchell’s boys finished fourth in the team standings with 82 points, trailing Brandon Valley (158), Sioux Falls Washington (132) and Pierre (103).
The Kernels found additional points across multiple events. Luke LeBrun placed third in the 300 hurdles (44.24), while Hunter Patton added a fifth-place finish in the 1,600. In the field events, Bryer Stach led the way with a third-place finish in discus and fourth in shot put, with Logan Bessler close behind in both events.
Mitchell’s relay teams also contributed, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the sprint medley and a third-place showing in the 4×800 relay.
On the girls side, the Kernels placed fourth with 50.5 points. Brandon Valley claimed the team title with 193 points, followed by Pierre and Sioux Falls Washington.
Audrey Miller paced Mitchell with a trio of strong finishes, taking second in the high jump and triple jump while adding a fourth-place finish in the long jump. Taylor DeJong also recorded a pair of runner-up efforts in the discus and shot put.
On the track, Abby Hohn led the Kernels’ sprint group, placing sixth in the 100 and adding top-10 finishes in the 200 and 400. McKenna Auch added a sixth-place finish in the 100 hurdles.
Mitchell returns to action Friday at the Greenway Relays in Mount Vernon before hosting its home finale on Thursday, April 30 in a triangular with Aberdeen Central and Huron.