From three state cross country championships to nine gold medals at the state track and field meet, Alea Hardie of O’Gorman caps off her high school career as one of the top long-distance runners in state history.
Coming into 2022, Hardie had six gold medals. She then won the 3200m run and 800m run on Friday, and the 1600m run on Saturday. All three of those being state meet records, and gold medals, as well. Gold medals are awarded to the top performer in an event for all classes.
“It’s hard to describe, I just know I’m grateful, anything can happen,” Hardie explained. “I could be injured, we had covid take it away that one year. So just to have it all come together like this, almost ideal weather, and having my family in the crowd, I couldn’t be happier.”
As a freshman, Hardie won the 800m and 1600m run, along with a victory in the 4X400m relay. She won the 800m and 1600m run again as a junior, along with the 4X800m relay. The state track and field meet was canceled her sophomore year because of the pandemic. Megan Trotter of Rapid City Central holds the all-time girls track record for gold medals in a career with eleven.
Hardie also saw success in cross country winning the ‘AA’ girls meet as a sophomore, junior, and senior.
“In the past, I’ve always been big in cross country, but track was more of my favorite. I thought after that two-mile that I was a little more distance specialized, but I had one last push in the 800. That’s probably my favorite moment so far, because to come away with a five second [personal record], I’ve been waiting for that for a long time, since freshman year,” Hardie exclaimed. “So to end in the short distances strong, and the long distances, it’s the cherry on top.”
On Saturday, as Hardie rounded the final turn to make the final push in the 1600m run, she did her best to soak in the moment during her competitive finish.
“It’s amazing, just to hear the crowd pull me along. That was huge for me,” Hardie stated. “I just knew I had to take it all in, this is my very last chance. I’ve never really ran with a smile like that.”
High school athletics are an important part of what South Dakota is. For Hardie, she understands and appreciates the support that she’s gotten from Sioux Falls and O’Gorman over the past few years.
“That’s so special to me. Our community, all the parents are so supportive. There’s no other school I’d rather be at,” said Hardie.
Next season, she’ll attend the University of Nebraska to continue her long distance running in cross country and track as a Cornhusker.
“It’ll just be fun to see what I can do. Running with people who are faster than me will be a transition,” Hardie explained. “We’ll see how they can push me to get that competitive edge again at the college level, so I’m excited.”
O'Gorman also claimed the 'AA' girls state track and field team championship at the 2022 state meet. It's a perfect ending for one of South Dakota's best high school athlete's.