Adam Papin/MDN Logan Conklin, of Minot, attempts to clear 6 feet 6 inches during the Class A boys’ high jump competition at the NDHSAA State Track and Field meet on Friday. Conklin placed second in the event.

BISMARCK – Less than 24 hours after defending her title in the 3200 meters, Des Lacs-Burlington’s Brynn Hanson added the mile to her list of repeat state championships, and she will look to add to that list today when she defends her title in the 800. Hanson also qualified for the finals in the 400, a new event for her.

In the 1600, she finished with a time of 5 minutes, 18.72 seconds, beating rivals Jordyn Thorson of Southern McClean (5:19.71) and Madison Johnson of Carrington (5:20.07). Johnson was the only one in Class B who ran a faster mile this year.

The 1600 is Hanson’s sixth state track title and she’s only a freshman. Including her back-to-back state championships in cross-country, Hanson has already won eight titles in her young career, with a chance to add two more before the weekend is over.

“I like the level of competition,” said Hanson, when asked about how she is able to maintain her standard of excellence. “I know it’s nerve-racking, but I think I’ve grown to be able to have fun with it and to have fun with my teammates.”

As with the 3200 yesterday, Hanson calmly kept pace with the leaders, before overtaking them on the last lap. She explained, “I think it comes naturally for me to be able to stay with them, and being in the right mentality to know that I can do it. If I stay with them, I know I can finish it.”

If she hopes to defend her 800 title today, she admits she will need to avoid a key mistake from last year. “You only have two laps. Last year, I got boxed in, so that was not good. Hopefully, I can stay out of it this year.”

Hanson wasn’t the only local athlete to enjoy success on the day.

Rachel Nwankwo won state for Minot in the Class A girls’ triple jump, with a jump of 39-01.5, and her teammate Logan Conklin finished as state runner-up in the Class A boys’ high jump, clearing 6-4. He was narrowly beaten out by Century’s Brooks Turner, who cleared 6-6 for the title.

Rugby’s Riley Bonebrake won the Class B girls’ shot put with a 38-07 throw.

Other podium finishers on the day included DLB’s Jaylin Fulin-Russ, eighth place – Class B boys’ long jump; Rugby’s Bryceton Deplazes, seventh place – Class B boys’ pole vault; Minot’s Sophia Lade, sixth place – Class A girls’ 1600; Minot (Carson Wistisen, Josh Hegstad, Cooper Fjeld and Benjamin Harris), fifth place – Class A boys’ 4×800 relay. Des Lacs-Burlington (Kashdyn Officer, Milo Anderson, Zayden Grover and Zander Grover), sixth place – Class B boys’ 4×800 relay.

The 2023 NDHSAA State Track and Field Meet will conclude today at the MDU Community Bowl in Bismarck, with the first events starting at 9:30 a.m.