SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A Hamlin County girl is making a name for herself globally in track and field.
Gracelyn Leiseth has been throwing shot put and discus since the 7th grade.
She broke the South Dakota high school girls’ shot put record in her junior year.
“It really took off that state meet because that put me first in the nation and then my phone was like exploding,” Gracelyn Leiseth said.
Since then, she’s accepted a scholarship to the University of Florida to continue throwing. All of this led up to her competing in the U.S. Under 20 competition.
“After Nationals in Oregon, I stayed in Oregon and then I competed for this competition and it’s the same thing. It’s under 20 athletes from the U.S. and then you have to place top two in this meet,” Leiseth said.
After getting first in the national shot put and discus under 20 competition, Leiseth secured her ticket to the Worlds Under 20 competition. While throwing has opened doors for her, she had never competed on a global stage.
“I’ve never been to a different competition where you have to like see a change, a drastic change in culture,” Leiseth said.
Not only did she get a new experience, she also excelled. While she only placed 13th in shot put, her discus throw was one to remember.
“I came out better than I was supposed to, so I ended up getting fifth, so I was happy with that and I felt like I competed pretty well,” Leiseth said.
And people in South Dakota were part of her success.
“I wouldn’t be able to do this without Jesus or my family or my coaches or my friends like all my community,” Leiseth said.
Leiseth still holds the record for shot put and discus throws among South Dakota high school girls.
