She’s a five-time state track champion and one of the top all-time girls basketball scorers in state history. In the year 2021, the name Caeyln Valandra-Prue needs little introduction.
Last Saturday, the White River senior finished her high school athletic career at the ‘B’ state track meet in Rapid City. For Valandra-Prue, though, the way she went out was a bit disappointing. She suffered a hamstring strain the day prior during the finals of the 100m dash.
Ultimately, she made the decision to compete on Saturday – even if that meant she had to take things slow and finish last.
“I knew that I was going to be running, because I wanted to finish, this was my last meet and everything,” explained Valandra-Prue. “I didn't want to just sit out. So, yeah I kind of had that mentality that I was going to finish no matter what.”
Her first event on Saturday was the 400m run. Coming in behind the pack, showing visible signs of not being 100%, Valandra-Prue completed the final 100 meters of the run, by herself, to a standing ovation from the crowd. She would go on to also participate in the 800m run and the 200m dash on Saturday as well.
Standing ovation for Caelyn Valandra-Prue as she closed out the 400 meter dash. pic.twitter.com/iMakKrPc7n
— Jenna Ortiz (@jennarortiz) May 29, 2021
“I don’t really pay attention to the crowd, and so, I didn’t realize it at the time until my mom and dad told me everyone was standing and cheering, it kind of made me a bit emotional, because everything that I have accomplished throughout my high school career and being the athlete that I am, it meant a lot to see how many people had so much respect for me,” Valandra-Prue stated.
Throughout her high school track career, Valandra-Prue won five individual state championships. She won the 400m run in 2017 (state meet record) and 2018. In 2019, she won the 100m dash, 200m dash, and 800m run.
Valandra-Prue will continue her track career next year in college at the University of South Dakota.
Along with being an all-star runner in South Dakota, Valandra-Prue also had a decorated basketball career in high school.
“[Track and Basketball] are very special in their own ways,” explained Valandra-Prue. “Basketball, being with a team and accomplishing different things, I think is a lot more fun, because you’re surrounded by your teammates that you’ve been playing with all year. And track, it’s all individual because I do all open events. So everything that I accomplish, I know that I worked hard for and to get those accomplishments on my own.”
During the 2019-20 school year, Valandra-Prue suffered an ACL and MCL injury at a holiday classic event at the Corn Palace. Add in the concerns about the pandemic and there were a lot of questions surrounding her senior seasons of basketball and track.
“I was really nervous just coming off of my injuries and stuff and being so excited for basketball. I was very, very nervous for the upcoming seasons just cause I'm not really, I'm not a fall athlete. I don't do any volleyball. I don't do any [sports or activities] in the beginning of the school year. I just really focused on getting myself ready and prepared for my basketball and my track seasons,” Valandra-Prue explained. “So, coming off of my injury and not knowing if we were going to have a season at all, I was just kind of hoping that things would work out and obviously they did. And I'm just really grateful for the opportunity to be able to finish out my senior year.”
White River made headlines in March by winning the first girls state basketball title in school history.
Final moments of the 2021 ‘B’ girls state basketball championship as White River wins their first ever girls basketball title. #SDHoops21 pic.twitter.com/DCdzhuuX2m
— SDPB Sports (@SDPBSports) March 14, 2021
Valandra-Prue was one of the key players on the team as she scored 74-points in the three games of the state ‘B’ tournament.
On top of her strong state tournament performance, Valandra-Prue finished her high school hoops career with 2,536 total points. This puts her at No. 8 all-time on South Dakota’s all-time high school girls’ basketball scoring list, and just five-points behind Pine Ridge legend SuAnne Big Crow (2,541).
“I’ve got to thank my team, I can’t score those points without my team,” said Caelyn Valandra-Prue. “I’ve got to thank my dad too, he’s been a big help. He’s been in the gym with me ever since I was in second grade. I’ve been working my butt off for this my whole life and it’s finally here.”
It's the kind of career that many will dream of, but few will replicate. And for those of us who had the opportunity to watch the career of Caelyn Valandra-Prue unfold, we'll be left wondering when we'll see a career like this again.
Email: nate.wek@sdpb.org