Reilly, Jere Named Argus Leader Athletes of Week

Sioux Falls Washington seniors Cole Reilly and Jade Jere were selected as the Argus Leader's boys and girls Athletes of the Week by reader vote.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Track & Field

Expressive sports illustration of a cross-country runner in a team-colored singlet mid-stride along a tree-lined autumn course. — Sioux Falls Washington seniors Cole Reilly and Jade Jere were named the Argus Leader's boys and girls Athletes of the Week by reader vote. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Cole Reilly won the boys award with 46.8% of the vote and Jade Jere won the girls award with 58.0% of the vote. Reilly captured his second Class AA cross country state championship on Oct. 24, 2026, while Jere led her team in a 3-0 loss to Brandon Valley.

Why it matters

The honors reflect strong individual performances from two standout Sioux Falls Washington seniors during the fall sports season. Reader voting determined the winners, highlighting community engagement with local high school athletics.

Reilly ran the 5,000 meters in 14:53.9 at the Class AA state meet, less than 0.1 seconds off his season-best time. Jere recorded 13 kills on 42 attacks and 16 digs in the 3-0 loss to Brandon Valley.

The players

Cole Reilly

Cole Reilly is a Sioux Falls Washington High School senior distance runner who has won two Class AA cross country state championships.

Jade Jere

Jade Jere is a Sioux Falls Washington High School senior volleyball player who was her team's leading all-around performer in the fall season.

The details

Cole Reilly won the 2024 Class AA cross country state championship and repeated the title on Oct. 24, 2026. Jade Jere was the top all-around player for Sioux Falls Washington in its match against Brandon Valley on Oct. 20, 2026.

2024: Reilly won his first Class AA cross country state championship.
Oct. 19 to 24, 2026: Reader voting for the Athletes of the Week took place.
Oct. 20, 2026: Jere posted her top all-around performance in the loss to Brandon Valley.
Oct. 24, 2026: Reilly captured his second Class AA state cross country title.

Season Trajectory

Reilly's back-to-back Class AA cross country titles place him among the most decorated recent runners in the classification. Jere's selection comes during a volleyball season in which Sioux Falls Washington was competing against strong conference opponents like Brandon Valley.

Reilly's second state title and Jere's all-around production give Washington strong returning-athlete stories heading into next season. Readers following fantasy-style rankings of Argus Leader honorees can track these two as the fall season wraps up.

The takeaway

Consistent performance across seasons, as Reilly showed with two state titles, is what separates memorable high school careers. Following local athletes through the Argus Leader's weekly honors offers a clear view of that progress.