Rapid City Central’s long distance star, Tony Smoragiewicz, spent the weekend at the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle, Washington. (http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/237990-2011-Brooks-PR-Invitational/video/470122-Tony-Smoragiewicz-after-2mile-2011-Brooks-PR-Invite)

The unique event, organized by the Brooks shoe company, was an invitation-only meet of the top high school track and field athletes in the nation. The idea was to create a mid-winter weekend where young super-stars could test themselves against the top athletes in their chosen events, and their own best results.

On January 28, Smoragiewicz ran 3,200 meters on the new indoor track at Black Hills State University in a time of 9:26.44. It was his personal best. After the Spearfish meet, he set a personal goal of cutting 30 seconds off his time and running a sub-9 minute 3,200 by the end of track season. If he can pull it off, he will set a new South Dakota state record. But  cutting 30 seconds is a huge challenge.

In Sunday’s race, on the Dempsey Indoor Track at the University of Washington, Smoragiewicz knocked 13+ seconds off his BH time, and crossed the finish line at 9:13.90.

Next weekend, Tony will participate in the national junior triathlon championships in Orlando, Florida, after which, the ruthless gods of snow removal permitting, the South Dakota high school track season will begin.