“Sertoma Track: Pierce a fast learner in javelin”

The Grand Forks Red River High School junior has found his niche. Pierce has emerged as one of the top javelin throwers in North Dakota’s Class A ranks.

The Roughriders scored 203 points to runner-up Minot’s 139.5. Grand Forks Central finished with 40 points to tie for sixth place.

In the girls division, Minot won the meet’s final event, the 4×400 relay, to edge Red River 142-140 for the title. Central was fourth with 101 points.

“I started last season doing the hurdles,” Pierce said. “I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. My older brother had thrown the javelin, so I thought I would probably try that.

“I’m maybe a little surprised by how I’m doing. But I set high goals for myself.”

His first competitive throw, halfway through the 2015 season, was 122 feet. Pierce reached 155 feet by the end of last season. Now he’s the only thrower in North Dakota’s Class A ranks to reach 180 feet this season, having thrown 181-7 last Friday.

“Most kids don’t progress like Daniel has, starting at 122 feet and reaching 180 this quickly,” veteran Grand Forks javelin coach Tim Tandeski said. “It happens. But it isn’t the norm.

“He put some time into throwing over the summer. And he’s just a real good athlete. He’s a good tennis player, too. That serving motion in tennis is similar to throwing the javelin. I think that’s helped him.”

Pierce jumped into first place on his first throw Tuesday. But he was challenged, as teammate Ty Ogren surpassed him late in the competition with a 170-2 toss. Pierce answered with his winning throw.

“You like to see that,” Tandeski said. “It was nice to see how Daniel answered. He competed really well.”

Ty Boucher led the Riders to the team win. The senior won the 1,600 and 3,200, setting a meet record in the latter. Boucher and Wahpeton’s Isaac Erickson (200 and 400 winner) were co-male athletes of the meet.

Red River also got wins from Mo Kamara (110 hurdles) and Devon Pope (triple jump).

Two Knights set records

Central set a pair of meet records in the girls division. Karly Ackley broke the 1,600 mark with a 5:03.44 time. In the pole vault, Grace Finney, the defending state champion, cleared 10 feet, 7 inches.

“They’ve already qualified for state in those events,” Knights coach Eric Polries said. “Setting a meet record, it’s a little more to get excited about. I don’t hear them talking a lot about (meet records). But I definitely think it’s incentive for them. They’re competitive kids.”

Ackley also won the 800 and was co-female athlete of the meet with West Fargo’s Akealy Moton (first in javelin and shot put).

Red River received wins from Mackenzie Severson (200), Grace Emineth (long jump), Tiahna Burian (triple jump), Hannah Arason (high jump), Shelby Frank (discus) and its 4×200 relay team.”