Dakota Relays sees meet evolve over a century
The Howard Wood Dakota Relays formerly known as the Dakota Relays started in 1923, but not in its current location.
'The original track here was over by where the old Sears building used to be, on the east side of downtown Sioux Falls,' Howard Wood volunteer Steve Hauff said. 'They moved over here in 1957, still cinder, and it was early in the 70s that it became an all weather track.'
The track is not the only modifications the Dakota Relays have seen. Along with the facilities, athletes have seen upgrades to the way the event is scored, thanks to the many technological advancements over the past century.
'Back when we used to do it, we were on the picker stand,' Hauff said. 'So you're up there trying to pick first, second, third. Are my eyes as good as they used to be? No. That's why you have the electronics today.'
'We've gone from the bamboo poles to pole vault with to aluminum, to fiberglass. So the technology that, we've witnessed in our world has certainly hit the track and field, field,' Howard Wood volunteer Dave Stevens said.
The premiere event has brought athletes from nearby states together for years to compete against one another and the meet success has relied heavily on the help of their volunteers.
'We see a number of records, we see a number of personal records that are set,' Stevens said. 'I have a passion for track and field and I think that all the other volunteers have a passion to come out and do the best job they can do and do it for the student athlete.'
The South Dakota State Track and Field meet will also be held at Howard Wood Field. The meet starts May 29th.
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