Bridgewater, S.D. – There's something special about the final lap of a senior season, and for Bridgewater-Emery's Holden Wollmann, that final lap is shaping up to be a memorable one.
Just a year ago, Wollmann was making his breakthrough on the state stage. Now, with less than a month left in his high school career, the defending Class B 800-meter champion is setting his sights even higher—a mid-distance double that could cement his legacy.
"This is a big accomplishment for me since this is all classes and some out-of-state kids, not just Class B," Wollmann said after a standout performance at the Dakota Relays. "It's just overall a great feeling."
At last weekend's Dakota Relays at Howard Wood Field, Wollmann blazed to a 50.30-second finish in the 400-meter dash, matching his personal best from earlier this season. That time not only earned him sixth place in a field that included athletes from all classes and out-of-state competitors, but it also stands as the fastest in Class B this spring by nearly seven-tenths of a second. Statewide, it ranks ninth overall.
But Wollmann isn't just a one-event star. The defending Class B 800-meter champion is also in the mix for a repeat title, with a season-best 2:01.33—good for second in Class B. His ultimate goal? To pull off the mid-distance double at the state championships, which return to Howard Wood Field from May 28-30.
"It boosts my confidence and shows that I can compete with anyone," Wollmann added. "It's nice running this track, too, since this is where we run for state. I feel like this meet can really help shoot me forward and help me see how to improve my times."
His sights are set on breaking the 50-second barrier in the 400 meters and hitting 1:57 in the 800 meters—marks that would put him in elite company. Last year, he won the Class B 800-meter title by a razor-thin 0.16 seconds, finishing in 1:58.84, which remains his personal best and his first-ever individual podium finish at a state meet.
"I think that race showed what I can do, and it would be nice to get back up there again," Wollmann reflected.
Beyond the track, Wollmann is also a standout in the field events, ranking in the top-10 individually in the Class B high jump and long jump. He's committed to continuing his athletic career at Southwest Minnesota State University, where he'll compete in both track and field and football.
For now, though, all eyes are on that final lap—and the chance to write a finishing chapter that's even bigger than the breakthrough that started it all.