Local Teams Begin Outdoor Season in Gettysburg

Sully Buttes, Stanley County, Gettysburg, and Hoven athletes compete in first meet of the year

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:08pm

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A fragmented, multi-angled painting in bold, primary colors depicting the motion and action of a high school track and field competition, with figures and shapes overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract visual representation.A cubist interpretation of the energy and dynamism of a high school track and field meet, with athletes' movements deconstructed into a vibrant geometric composition.Hoven Today

The Gettysburg Battlers hosted 22 teams on Friday for the opening of the outdoor track and field season. Several local schools, including Sully Buttes, Stanley County, Highmore-Harrold, and Hoven, competed in the meet, with athletes from these schools earning multiple top-10 finishes across various events.

Why it matters

This annual Gettysburg Battler Invite marks the start of the outdoor track and field season for many high school athletes in the region. The results from this meet provide an early glimpse into the talent and potential of local teams and individuals as they begin their quests for conference, regional, and state titles.

The details

Sully Buttes had 9 top-10 finishes, led by Hudson Barber's second-place finish in the triple jump. Stanley County's Paxton Deal won the long jump, and the Buffaloes had 16 top-10 finishes overall. Gettysburg picked up two wins, with Emma Schlachter winning the 800m and the 4x400m relay team also taking first. Hoven's Dannika Kaup won the 100m hurdles and had several other top-3 finishes. Highmore-Harrold saw Brooks McPeak, Autumn Fallis, and Destin McCauley each earn second-place results.

  • The Gettysburg Battler Invite was held on Friday, April 12, 2026.
  • Many of the teams that competed in Gettysburg will be in Pierre on Monday, April 15, 2026, for the Bob Judson Invite starting at 12:00 PM.

The players

Sully Buttes Chargers

A high school track and field team that competed in the Gettysburg Battler Invite, earning 9 top-10 finishes.

Stanley County Buffaloes

A high school track and field team that competed in the Gettysburg Battler Invite, earning 16 top-10 finishes, including a win by Paxton Deal in the long jump.

Gettysburg Battlers

The host high school track and field team that competed in its own Gettysburg Battler Invite, earning two event wins.

Hoven Greyhounds

A high school track and field team that competed in the Gettysburg Battler Invite, with Dannika Kaup winning the 100m hurdles.

Highmore-Harrold Pirates

A high school track and field team that competed in the Gettysburg Battler Invite, with Brooks McPeak, Autumn Fallis, and Destin McCauley each earning second-place finishes.

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What’s next

Many of the teams that competed in Gettysburg will be in Pierre on Monday, April 15, 2026, for the Bob Judson Invite starting at 12:00 PM.

The takeaway

The Gettysburg Battler Invite provided an exciting start to the outdoor track and field season for several local high school teams, showcasing the talent and potential of athletes across a variety of events. The results from this meet will set the stage for the upcoming competitions, including the Bob Judson Invite in Pierre next week.