Gracelyn Leiseth of Hamlin and Cooper Birnbaum of Rapid City Stevens are the South Dakota Gatorade Track & Field Athletes of the Year.
Leiseth won the girls award for the second consecutive year. She set a state record in winning the Class A shot put title at the state meet in May with 52 feet, six and three-quarter inches, which at the time was the best throw in the nation this year. Leiseth was also second in the discus.
Birnbaum recently became the 16th high school athlete to break a four-minute mile. He also holds the state records in the 800 and 3200 meters. In the Class AA state meet, he won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters.
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