Arrows Soar at Ruth Marske Invitational: Dingsor and McElroy Claim Titles
- Steve Jurrens
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Arrows track and field teams delivered a powerhouse performance this past Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Ruth Marske Invitational. Competing at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex on the SDSU campus, the Arrows faced off against a massive field of 29 teams spanning four states, coming away with two individual titles and a string of personal records.
Dingsor Vaults to the Top
The highlight of the day for the girls’ team came at the pole vault pit, where Elly Dingsor put on a masterclass. Dingsor cleared the bar at 11’ 6”, securing first place and setting a new personal record. The performance cements her status as one of the region’s top vaulters. The Arrows’ depth in the event was further proven by Hensley Hogue, who secured a third-place finish.
Distance and Field Dominance
On the track, Grace McElroy showed incredible endurance, capturing the 3,200-meter run title with a commanding time of 11:42.84. McElroy also showcased her range by placing seventh in the 1,600-meter run earlier in the day.
In the horizontal jumps, Taryn Hodorff was a standout for the Arrows. Hodorff was captured mid-flight before a massive leap into the sandpit during the triple jump, where she ultimately placed 16th with a mark of 28’ 6.5”. Meanwhile, Shauna Evenson narrowly missed a title of her own, earning a stellar second-place finish in the triple jump.
Sprinting to the Finish
In the 400-meter dash, Katelyn Schneider demonstrated the Arrows’ grit. Schneider was seen pushing through the final straightaway, crossing the finish line in a competitive field of over 60 runners. On the shorter end of the sprints, Alayna Smith took 5th in the 200m and 10th in the 100m.
Iverson Leads the Boys
A high-flying performance led the Arrow boys from Mason Iverson. Iverson cleared 6’ 4” in the high jump, a new personal best that earned him a third-place finish and ranks him as the #4 high jumper in the state. Teammate Merrik Engels followed closely, finishing eighth. The boys also saw strong results in the pole vault, with Charlie Whiting and Asher Young taking fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Team Outlook
The Watertown girls finished the meet with nine top-10 finishes, proving their depth against elite competition from Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. As the team transitions into the outdoor season, the momentum from Brookings suggests the Arrows will be a force to be reckoned with at the state level. - PHOTO credit - Avah Grismer
