Mount Vernon/Plankinton's Berkeley Engelland earns All-American status from SD coaches association
Jul. 8—SIOUX FALLS — Mount Vernon/Plankinton standout Berkeley Engelland was honored as a South Dakota Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association All-American selection on Friday, July 8.
Engelland, who completed her sophomore season in 2022, finished the season with the state's best time in the 400-meter dash, a personal record time of 56.20 seconds in the Class A state meet on May 28, winning the race by more than two seconds. She also won the girls 800-meter dash in 2:12.88, winning that event by six seconds. She was also second in the 100-meter dash (12.56 seconds) and 200-meter dash (25.59 seconds), both with personal-best times.
The effort was key to helping Mount Vernon/Plankinton to a fourth-place finish as a team in Class A, where she was the Class A track MVP for the meet. Engelland also finished second at the Dakota Relays in the girls special 800-meter dash in a personal-best time of 2:11.75.
Along with championships in the 400 and 800-meter runs in 2021, plus 2021 relay titles in the 4x400 and 4x800 with her MVP teammates, Engelland has won six state championships in her career.
With the SDCCTFCA selections, the athletes are recognized as All-Americans by the National High School Coaches Association. Engelland is joined by Hamlin thrower Gracelyn Leiseth as girls All-Americans. Boys selections included Rapid City Stevens distance runner Simeon Birnbaum and Aberdeen Central sprinter and jumper Sam Rohlfs. Boys honorable mention picks included Brandon Valley's Julian Watson and Spearfish's Jaden Guthmiller. Sioux Falls Christian coach Luke Vander Leest was named NHSCA Circle of Champions Coach of the Year for South Dakota.
