Kimball, S.D. — Lincoln Kranig is making his final high school track season one to remember. The Kimball/White Lake senior has burst onto the Class B scene this spring, establishing himself as a force in the 100 and 200-meter dashes while leading the Wildkats in individual and relay events. As the postseason heats up, Kranig is climbing the rankings and turning heads across South Dakota.

At the Meet of Legends in Burke on May 5, Kranig delivered a standout performance, sweeping the sprint races with a 100-meter win in 11.34 seconds and a 200-meter victory in 22.90 seconds. He also powered the Wildkats to a win in the 1,600-meter sprinters medley relay, anchoring the third leg in the 400 meters.

Those wins are just the latest highlights in a season full of them. In the 100-meter dash, Kranig has finished first in four of six meets. His top time came at the Wagner Invitational on April 14, where he clocked 11.04 seconds—the third-fastest in Class B as of May 8. Only Bennett County's Rush O'Neill (10.86) and Ipswich's Kyle Hettich (10.87) have run faster this season.

Kranig credits his improvement to a key area: the start. "My block starts have definitely improved the most from last year to this year," he said. "Last year, I was really bad out of the start. I have really tried to make it a priority this year to start better off the blocks because now I am starting to get out in the front a lot more."

That stronger start has made Kranig even more dangerous, especially in the 200-meter dash, where he remains undefeated this season. His best time of 22.57 seconds at the Bill Pistulka Invite in Winner on April 11 ranks third in Class B, behind Hettich (22.23) and Dell Rapids St. Mary's Logan Bauer (22.51). Kranig says his ability to attack the curve earlier has been a game-changer. "The top speed still feels about the same as last year, and the start is starting to feel really good," he said. "Last year in the 200, I usually didn't pass everyone until I got to the straightaway, but now I have been able to get near the front of the pack by the time I am getting around the curves."

Still, Kranig knows the 100-meter dash demands near-perfection. "In the 100, you need to be more perfect," he said. "And in the 200, you are able to make mistakes and still win."

For track fans and athletes looking to improve their own sprint game, Kranig's rise is a reminder that hard work on the fundamentals—like block starts and curve running—can pay off big. Whether you're chasing personal bests or just love the thrill of the dash, it's all about finding your edge.