2012 Fall Sports Preview

August 2012

SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

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2012 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Spearfish

Lead-Deadwood Black Hills State University Belle Fourche

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

August 2012

Spearfish gridders seeking Dome trip

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH— Spearfish's football team hopes to pick up where it left off last season - and then some.

The Spartans forged a 7-5 record last season. They defeated Pine Ridge 45-0 for their first playoff win since 2003.

Spearfish later thumped Todd County 61-6 before falling 34-7 to West Central in the class 11A playoff semifinals.

Bruce Bresee starts his second season as Spearfish head coach after 12 years as an assistant.

He and the Spartans want to

take the next step, which is a trip to the state 11A finals at the University of South Dakota DakotaDome in Vermillion.

“The coaching staff has pointed out intensity and focus as the two most important things we need to work on if we plan on a trip to the finals,” Bresee said.

Jay Darling, Monte Meyerink, Brady Harr, Luke Johnson, Luke Gainey, and Tyler Allen are among the players Spearfish lost from last year's squad to graduation.

Many key players return for the Spartans, however. The

group features seniors Nate Rotert (running back-linebacker), Luke Marcoe (running back-defensive back), Brandon Kemp (quarterback-defensive back), Michael Deichert (running back-linebacker), Drew Dietrich (tight end-linebacker), Mason Kaitfors (wide receiverdefensive back), Luke McFarland (offensive and defensive lineman), Andy Nelson (running back-defensive back), Brendon Eymer (offensive and defensive lineman), Ryan Olson (offensive lineman-linebacker), Zack Olson (offensive and defensive lineman), and

Chandler Aspelin (offensive lineman-linebacker).

Bresee said Spearfish's experience is based in the linebacker position and offensive backfield.

Rotert earned first-team, allstate honors as a fullback last season. Marcoe received honorable mention all-state status.

Bresee looks for St. Thomas More as a Black Hills Conference favorite and said Hot Springs should be much improved. Spearfish will host St. Thomas More in the season opener Saturday, Aug. 25.

Numbers and experience are two of the reasons Bresee and

the Spartans are expecting a successful 2012. He said Spearfish should have a winning season if it stays healthy.

What about the schedule?

Bresee said Spearfish has played some of the state's toughest teams during his time here. He added the Spartans have learned they must be tough in order to win.

Bresee said good attitudes and hard work are required for the Spartans to succeed. “We lack depth in some positions, and we will need some of our younger players to step up and help fill some positions,” he said.

Spearfish opens its 2012 football season on Saturday, Aug. 25, when it hosts St. Thomas More at Lyle Hare Stadium. Team members include Ryan Walno, Zach Sundsted, Nicholas Gainey, Joe Syman, Remington Wood, Sam Hintgen, Alec Whitted, Ryder Carlson, Nate Rotert, Michael Deichert, Noah Friedel, Jade Dahl, Kobee Farrokhi, Chad Dunbar, Daulton Johnson, Spencer Moody, Mitch Bogue, Tanner Batka, Chase Harmon, Zack Wendland, Jade Heairet, Parker Sutton, Trevor Rice, Cody Engesser, Alex Jones, Connor Janovy, Luke McFarland, Jacob Raap, Chandler Aspelin, Nick Iron Rope, Brendon Eymer, Johnny Hofer, Drew Kaitfors, Tory Langer, Damian Hall, Tyrell Rosencranz, Cole Johnson, Brandon Kemp, Ryan Olson, Mason Kaitfors, Andrew Bressler, Zack Olson, Luke Marcoe, Andy Nelson, and Lucas Lantis. Eric Mendez, Chase Sewell, and Drew Dietrich are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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August 2012

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Diggers brings in new coach, new enthusiasm

BY DENNIS KNUCKLES Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — The LeadDeadwood Golddiggers will have a new football coach this season and he brings with him a new sense of excitement for the 2012 football season.

Jace Pittman replaces Tony Biesiott as the Diggers head coach.

Biesiot stepped down this spring to become the LeadDeadwood activities director.

Pittman spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Gering High School, in Nebraska.

Pittman said his decision to

coach at Lead was simple.

“I wanted to be the head football coach in the Black Hills.

The best combination in the world,” Pittman said.

Pittman said he has been busy since taking over as the Diggers football coach.

“There’s a lot more to do as compared to being an assistant coach,” said Pittman. “More organizational skills are required, but it’s going well. The kids are responding and we are where we need to be at this point in the season.

The Diggers spent the first week putting in a new offense and a new defense.

“We’ve got a brand new

offense we’re trying to get in and a new defense we are putting in, so we are just making sure we get enough of a system in for Douglas,” Pittman said.

The Diggers plan on opening up their offensive attack this season.

“We’re going to have a couple of formations that we are going to be shifting and teams are going to have to shift over with us in the fly and as far as blitz schemes, when we take wide receivers and shift them to the left side, or we take our tightends it messes up blitz package,” said Pittman. “So, there’s going to be errors on opposing teams

defenses and we are training to recognize them and take advantage.”

On defense, the Diggers plan on applying constant pressure.

“We are going to run a 4-3 defense and my philosophy is getting to the quarterback before he can throw the ball,” Pittman said.

Depth could be a problem for the Diggers as the season goes along “We’re a small team. We’ve got 30 guys out,” said Pittman The guys that are here are ready to work and work as hard as it takes to win.”

The Diggers open its season at Douglas on Friday.

“We’ve just got to make sure everybody knows the system and knows it automatically on the fly, because we are going to fly around on both offense and defense,” said Pittman. “The most important thing is every one needs to know where they are going and they don’t have to think about it for 10 seconds.”

Pittman said he has gotten some advice from his new boss (and former Diggers head football coach) Biesiot.

“He’s giving me lots of advice. He said to take it inch by inch, one day at a time and you can’t conquer the world in a day.

I keep that in my everyday I’m up here,” Pittman said.

Members of the 2012 Lead-Deadwood Golddiggers football team include Zacharia Pearson, Anthony Rogers, Wade Shoop, Colton Hanson, Kacie Herrig, Lance Palmer, Riley Pavon, Justin Ekerin, Seth Kuchembecker, Zach Ulmer, Cole Grackle, Jaisen Butler, Jesse McLain, Christian Hess, Bailey Norton, Alex Cottrill, Jett Rogers, Jarret Petsch, Trevor Fish, Jackson Percy, Morgan Rogers, Jacob McLain and Joel Fish. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

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August 2012

Jackets enter first season in the RMAC PIONEER STAFF REPORTS SPEARFISH — The Black Hills State football team kicks off the 2012 season with its first practice on Thursday, Aug. 16.

The Yellow Jackets enter their first year in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), and it is Black Hills State's final year of the transitional period to Division II. "We are very excited to be part of the RMAC, it is an exciting time, but there are definitely challenges ahead," said head coach John Reiners. "I have had experience in the RMAC, I know what it takes to play in the RMAC, and I know what it takes to be a successful school in the RMAC. We have things that

we've got to make sure we do as a program and as a team to be able to play in this league."

The Yellow Jackets have eight returning starters on offense, 10 returning starters on defense, and a total of 12 returning seniors.

Reiners talked about the importance of those veteran returners.

"We have some great senior leadership, and we have to build on those guys," Reiners said.

"They have been with the program since I've been here and have done a great job."

Reiners identified four seniors he expects to anchor the Yellow Jackets' defense; defensive tackle Sterling Boylan, defensive

back Joey Brown, and linebackers Ryan Lee and Trent Turbiville.

In 2011, Lee led the Jackets with an average of 8.4 tackles per game, and Boylan was second on the team, behind Randall Hill (5), with 4.5 sacks. Brown and Turbiville added 44 and 37 tackles, respectively.

On the offensive side of the ball, Reiners highlighted senior wide receiver Daniel Handcock.

Handcock led the team with 36 receptions and added two touchdowns last season.

"The kid is going to be a senior, unbelievable talent, and we have to find ways to get him the football," said Reiners. "We do have a competition. Wes

Kragt and Ward Anderson both had starting experience last year and they are going to be in a battle. We will see who ends up coming out on top," said Reiners.

Kragt threw for 1,214 yards on 206 attempts, with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season. Kragt had a completion rate of 45.1 percent. As a freshman, Anderson threw for 405 yards on 82 attempts, with three touchdowns and two interceptions last season. Anderson had a completion rate of 41.5 percent.

Reiners addressed the Yellow Jackets running game as a "three-headed monster" with sophomore Trent Butler and

juniors Bryar DeSanti and Drew Neilsen. Both Desanti and Neilsen ran for more than 300 yards last season.

The Yellow Jackets return four starters on the offensive line.

"We are going to depend on those guys. In this league, you are only as good as what you have up front, whether it is on offense or defense," Reiners said. "So we need to make sure that we are sound up front."

In the Preseason Coaches Poll, Black Hills State was picked to finish last in the RMAC. Reiners said "I expected to be where we are at" in the projections due to it being the Yellow Jackets' first year in the conference.

Members of the 2012 Yellow Jackets football team include Bryar DeSanti, Drew Nielsen, Hayden Handcock, Dan Long, Darick Eisenbraun, Scott Soderstrom, Daniel Hancock, Cody Smith, Austin Haynes, Wes Kragt, Jake Coleman, Joey Brown, Randall Hill, Ward Anderson, Dan Zemski, Mitch McDevitt, Matt Grave, Michael Oberle, Hayden Kessler, Luke Janssen, Chance Simonton, Braden Roes, Kendall Monasmith, Scott Boner, Jeremy Tuten, Trent Turbiville, Jayd Knodell, Trent Butler, Bradley Hunter, Devon Rounds, Michael Chouanard, Steven Soderstrom, Levi Millikin, Paul Foy, Trent Boner, Alexander Anderson, Ryan Lee, Justin Jensen, Dan Zemski, Chase Tyson, Aaron Olson, Tanner Urbaniak, Robert (BJ) Coslet, Blaze Barham, Quinn Zimmerman, Peter Fenster, Dalton Wademan, Tonn Tetrault, Cody Schulze, Cody Powers, Ryland Smith, Richard Nava, Eric Sander-Cederlof, Clayton McSpadden, Matt Maidl, Jake Gill, Ryan Best, D.J. Toczek, Andrew Blaylock, Matthew Field, Harry Ulricksen, Reed Reuman, Cole Hamlin, Oscar Bengtsson, Lucas Baker, Braden Barnes, Douglas Jordan, Boone Bowker, Thomas Walling, Thadd Stottler, Sterling Boylan, Shane Copeland, Brady Clark, Sam Prentner, Cody Cole, Jay Darling, Harrison Dollins, Damon Goldhammer, Travis Groves, Joe Jensen, Matt Johnson, Tanner Klein, Jerome Krysl, Jalen Lamb, Josh Long, Dietric McConnell, Ryan McLaughlin, Christopher Mikal, Nathan Naasz, John O'Neill, Troy Pinkerton, Daniel Thomas, Tyler Van Antwerp, Dillon Wademan, Kade Wasson, Aaron Welch, head coach Johnn Reiners, Nick Fulton (assistant coach/offensive coordinator), Tom Donney (assistant coach/defensive line), Shad Schneider (assistant coach/defensive coordinator), Tanner Tetrault (assistant coach/special teams/defensive backs), Josh Schleusner (assistant coach/running backs), Luke Donovan (assistant coach/kickers/punters), and Dick Tschetter (assistant coach/wide receivers), Photo courtesy BHSU

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August 2012

SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

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'One game at a time' for Bronc gridders

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — Football teams take the “one game at a time” approach to their season. Following that plan to the letter will be imperative for the Belle Fourche Broncs.

“Each game will be a challenge,” Broncs' head coach Adam Nowowiejski said. “We must be prepared.”

Belle Fourche opens its season Saturday, Aug. 25, when it hosts Sturgis. Lead-Deadwood, Hot Springs, St. Thomas More,

Spearfish, and Custer are among the other squads on the schedule.

“We did really well and fulfilled all of our expectations,” Nowowiejski said of the 2011 campaign. “Many people think we overachieved.”

Belle Fourche forged a 6-4 record last season. The Broncs finished first in the region, defeated Hot Springs 17-6 in their playoff opener, and dropped a 48-0 decision to Tea Area in the class 11A quarterfinals.

The Broncs lost starters Austin

Kudlock, Tate Thybo and Chris Dschaak, among others, from last season's team to graduation.

Belle Fourche's returning starters include senior Trey Horman, plus juniors Bryce Kudlock and Nathan Lange.

“Everyone else is just younger,” Nowowiejski said.

How has the early preseason gone for the Broncs?

“The attitude has been great, and that makes things a lot easier,” Nowowiejski said. “Work ethic will be another big asset for us.”

Belle Fourche's youth brings a different set of challenges.

Nowowiejski said the Broncs must work on overall football knowledge. “We are inexperienced and untested,” he added.

Spearfish and St. Thomas More should challenge for the Black Hills Conference championship, Nowowiejski said.

“We don't like to count ourselves out,” Nowowiejski said of the conference race. “We stack up fine against the other (conference) teams.”

The Broncs' regular-season schedule features four home games. Belle Fourche also hosts Hot Springs on Sept. 7, Douglas on Oct. 5, and Spearfish on Oct. 12.

Nowowiejski is starting his sixth season as Belle Fourche's head coach.

He said the Broncs have built a pretty good tradition over the last five years.

That recent past features a 3117 record, one Black Hills Conference championship, and five playoff appearances.

Belle Fourche opens its 2012 football season Saturday when they host Sturgis at Lou Graslie Field. Team members include Damian Tobar, Tucker Chytka, Joe Earl, Zach Westland, Jordan Mitchell, Kevin Gabert, Brandon Karis, Levi Grubb, Joshua Braning; Clay Schaeffer, Jacob Mauer, Cassidy Thompson, Ryder Bailey, Josh O'Byrne, Trevor Nicholas, Jordan Stamper, Bryce Kudlock, Nolan Barker, Trey Horman, Nathan Lange, Taylor Tupper, Ryan Watson, Theadore Conner, Chad Wagner, Anthony Melbye, Ryan Nelson, Daniel Pepin, Danny Eisenbraun, Kory Gabert, Jake Voorhis, Brandon Muhm, Kelly Montgomery, Brady Leverington, Jace Horman, Wyatt Pearson, Skye Martin, Devin Nason, Chet Crago, Jalen Powers, Noah Pierce, Chance Olson, Cameron Eliason, Bryson Westland, Breck Young, Devin Garza, Tevin Gomez, Christopher Brown, Tucker Jensen, Tyler Rogge, Owen Fox, Chance Wilder, head coach Adam Nowowiejski, assistant coach Tommy Coyle, assistant coach Jim Martin and assistant coach Brad Young.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

August 2012

New coach, new season for Spartan VB

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH - Spearfish's new varsity volleyball coach said Monday the Spartans are already ready for a great season.

Jayna Morrill recently began her first season in Spearfish. The Spartans selected their varsity roster on Monday; their first match is Friday at Mitchell.

“One of our strengths is senior leadership, and we're bringing in a lot of talent,” Morrill said of this season's Spartan squad.

“Those (senior) players have a lot of athletic ability and natural talent.”

Miranda Meeker, Taylor Engesser, Samantha Sleep, and Elana Stalder are four of the Spearfish seniors. Morrill said Meeker and Engesser also bring experience to the court; Sleep contributes hard work, and Stalder supplies leadership.

The Spartans lost eight seniors from last season's team due to graduation: Hayley Decker, Thea Dittman, Kaci Engesser, Lindsay Jones, Brooke Maybe, Nicole Merchant, Chelsea Rosenau, and Alyssa Wendt. Spearfish fell to St. Thomas More in the opening round of the District 16A tournament.

Morrill said Spearfish would always work on defense this fall.

“A team can never be 100 percent on defense,” she said. “We will always need to keep working.”

Team chemistry is a Spartans key. Morrill said that comes with practice, trust, and players getting to know one another.

Morrill does not anticipate any chemistry problems. “The players get along off the court and are all out for the team,” she said.

The schedule features many tough opponents, Morrill said.

She added class AA Mitchell

features great athletes and an excellent coach in Deb Thill.

How does Morrill view the Black Hills Conference race?

“St. Thomas More has been at state the last two years,” Morrill said. “Everyone will be out to get them.” She hopes Spearfish will “lurk in the weeds,” as she put it.

Morrill said the Spartans match up well against BHC foes like Belle Fourche, Custer, Douglas, Hot Springs, and LeadDeadwood. She anticipates a great match whenever Spearfish faces a BHC foe.

Having a successful season is easy for Morrill to define. “It comes down to team chemistry,” she said. “Each day will be a new learning day.”

Morrill eagerly anticipates having the varsity lineup ready and developing all of the Spartan programs from ninth grade on up.

This is Morrill's first varsity coaching job, and she has experienced a smooth beginning here.

“The seniors have made it super easy for me,” Morrill said.

“Everyone is eager to learn a new system; it makes you feel wanted.”

Spearfish's volleyball squad includes head coach Jayna Morrill, Shelby Dittman, Brianna Grout, Kaitlyn Hinch, Miranda Meeker, Madi Ulin, Samantha Sleep, Lexy Burket, Shelby Totino, Jessica Peterson, Taylor Engesser, Sydney Sleep, Erin Griffith, McKenna Larsen, and Sierra Jewett. Elana Stalder is not pictured.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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August 2012

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Diggers volleyball program on the rise

BY DENNIS KNUCKLES Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — The LeadDeadwood Golddiggers volleyball team finished 12-16 a year ago and hope to continue to improve each year under third year head coach Erica Anshutz.

“I thought last season we improved a lot. The girls’ stepped up the level of play and had some really great matches,” said Anshutz. “In the end we played Belle Fourche in the districts and we went 3-1 (games) with them and I thought we did an excellent job ending the season, not the way we should have or the way we wanted to but in a good way in giving them a fight.”

Gone from last year's team are Chelsey Cate, Martina Mack,

Kursta Rische and Jessie Rantapaa.

The Diggers return three starters and three players with varsity experience.

“Returning are Mikayla Gallagher, Nash Williams and Kaitlin Sulentic. I also have three returning varsity players Ashley Hansen, Theresa Fox and Amber Auld,” Anshutz said.

The Diggers will be younger this year, but Anshutz sees that as a strength.

“We're going to be a younger team. I only have three seniors on the varsity team,” said Anshutz. “We have a strong front row, a strong offense and we were able to incorporate a lot more advanced stuff with the girls’ because they are catching on and they are getting into more advanced ways of

play, which is really good to see.”

Team chemistry is also a strength for the Diggers this season.

“They have really great team chemistry. They're able to flow together and they have the team chemistry I haven't seen in awhile, where they can play together. They communicate and they talk and they fire each other up pretty easily,” Anshutz said.

Anshutz said the Diggers should be better offensively this season.

“Our offense is going to be strong and we are incorporating a strong defense too,” she said.

Getting into a good rhythm will be key to the Diggers turning the corner and having a successful season.

“We definitely have to work on the flow of things, always moving our feet,” said Anshutz.

“One thing we have struggled with this summer was not reacting and letting balls drop. We can't let that happen.

“Another thing we have to work on is our blocking. Our blocking is almost there. It's to the point where we are getting to the right spots, we're getting touches on balls. Now we need to set up to block for every single hit.”

Depth is another key to how good the Diggers will be this season.

“We're strong in the sense of girls' that have played before.

There are also some athletes who are young and they are excellent volleyball players and they know the game, all

together they are a deep group and they can pull together and play a solid match,” Anshutz said.

St. Thomas More and Belle Fourche have been the team to beat in the Black Hills Conference every year, but Anshutz thinks the Diggers have a chance to beat either of those teams this season.

“I honestly think its going to be a solid match against Belle Fourche and St. Thomas More,” said Anshutz. “Their biggest strength is their hitting game, and if we can capitalize on our blocking and keep working on our defense, I think we are going to give them a run for their money.

The Diggers open its 2012-13 season at home Saturday against Harding County, in Lead.

Members of the 2012 Lead-Deadwood varsity, junior varsity and freshmen team include Hanah Cerkoney, Cheyenne Nelson, Kaitlin Sulentic, Amber Auld, Ijzaya Sterna, Evelyn Groeger, Theresa Fox, Ashley Sandidge, Jade Derby, Mikayla Gallagher, Nash Williams, Ashley Hansen, Hannah Rogers, Miranda Gallagher, Whitney Reiling, Sydnee Hamann, Megan Erickson,Taylor Anderson, Melinda Grass, Jaedyn Mehlberg, head coach Erica Anshutz and assistant coaches Joe Williams, Katie Gordon.

Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

August 2012

BHSU volleyball excited about new season PIONEER STAFF REPORTS SPEARFISH — The Black Hills State women's volleyball team is preparing hard for the 2012 volleyball season..

The Yellow Jackets have 10 returners from 2011, who will be instrumental this season.

"This season we will be looking for our core returning players to step up and lead us into battle in the competitive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference," said second-year head coach Sally Nichols.

"Returners Kylee Lamb, Darbi Yost, Caitlin Templeton, Amy O'Neill and Kelsey Olson will be expected to be on top of their game, night in and night out.

We will also be looking for solid contributions from newcomers Meghan Sipe and Jessica Reble, who bring experience at the collegiate level."

Last season, Lamb had a team-high 115 blocks and was third on the team with 271 kills. Lamb received the highest postseason honor for the Yellow Jackets as she was named to the second-team AllIndependent Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA).

As a sophomore, Templeton led the team in kills (332), kills per set (3.05), and hitting percentage (.241). Templeton earned third-team All-ICAA postseason recognition. In 2011, Yost recorded 893 total assists and averaged 8.19 assists per set. Yost was one of four nominees for the ICAA Setter of the Year award.

Last season, O'Neill was second on the

Members of the BHSU 2012 volleyball team are: Sammi Ausborn, Jackie Fagnant, Alisyn Graesser, Holly Hamlin, Kyla Johnson, Jenna Jordan, Kylee Lamb, Amy O'Neill, Kelsey Olson, Jessica Reble, Meghan Sipe, Lacy Stevens, Caitlin Templeton, Danielle Torpey, Darbi Yost, Chloe Zimmer, head coach Sally Nichols and assistant coach Kristin Carmichael. Photo courtesy BHSU team with 305 kills, averaged 2.80 kills per set, and led the team in attempts with a total of 898. O'Neill also tallied 240 digs on the season for an average of 2.20 digs per set.

As a true freshman last season, Olson recorded 407 digs and averaged 3.88 digs per set. Olson also recorded 19 service aces and was an ICAA nominee for the Libero of the Year award.

Nichols believes the team's off-season

dedication and veteran experience should lead to a successful season.

"We feel confident in our off-season program, our athletes are physically ready to hit the floor running," said Nichols.

"In addition, having a year of experience implementing our offense and defense will reduce the time we have to spend on learning the basics and increase our effectiveness at executing our system.

A huge advantage is having a core of

players that will be able to show our newcomers the ropes and relay the expectations that we have for BHSU volleyball."

The Yellow Jackets also added University of Wyoming transfer Meghan Sipe and Casper College transfer Jessica Reble to the 2012 roster.

BHSU opens its 2012 season Aug. 31 against Minot State at the Northern State Invitational.

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Broncs hoping to continue its winning ways

BY DENNIS KNUCKLES Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — The Belle Fourche Broncs volleyball team had a magical season.

The Broncs won 32 games in a row before losing in the finals of the district tournament to St. Thomas More.

“Last year we had an amazing group of young ladies really worked well together, played together,” said Broncs head coach Loree Schlichtemeirer. “It was one of those things as a coach you are very fortunate if you have something like that in your coaching career.

“I knew we were going to have a nice season, but to go

undefeated in the regular season.

I guess you dream of that but to have something like that happen, it was special.”

The Broncs return several veteran players from last season.

“We have quite a few of those same girls coming back, so they know what the experience is like. They also know they are going to have to work really hard,” Schlichtemeirer said.

The hard part will be replacing two key players on the front line.

“You know, every year you lose seniors and every year your seniors have different rolls on that team,” said Schlichtemeirer.

“It’s always hard to lose senior upper classmen. They’re experi-

enced. We’ve had some younger girls’ who have been in the gym and they are going to fill in some spots for us. I’m kind of excited about that.”

The Broncs spent their first week of practice going over the basics.

“The first two days we had tryouts trying to get everybody on the correct team and everything kind of situated. We’ve only had about two days where we tried to bring down some skills,” Schlichtemeirer said.

Team chemistry will determine how well the Broncs do this season.

“I think this team has pretty good team chemistry,” said

Schlichtemeirer. “They kind of gel pretty well together and they know what is expected of them and they have been working very hard.”

The Broncs hope to get tougher mentally as the season goes along.

“We need to work on the mental part (of the game), I think that is going to be huge. So when you get to the end of the season we’re going to to have to stay really focused and no matter what happens, win or lose, keep improving each time we step in the gym,” Schlichtemeirer said.

The Broncs and Cavaliers have dominated district 16A the past few years, but

Schlichtemeirer said there are other teams that have a shot of being district champs this season.

“I think our conference has got a good group of teams and from one year to the next you never really know,” said Schlichtemeirer. “There’s going to be a group of teams (St. Thomas More, Hot Springs, Custer). It depends on how everybody gets their teams together. It will be interesting.

The Broncs openits 2012 season on Aug. 28 with a triangular against St. Thomas More and Douglas, in Belle Fourche.

Mmembers of the 2012 Belle Fourche varsity volleyball team include Maclyn Hauck, Tyler Montgomery, Shelbie Budmayr, Liz Day, Karli Jewett, Mercedes Bennett, Morgamn Kappen, Fehrin Ward, Taylor Gubbrud and Nicole Kling.

Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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August 2012

Spartan tennis team boasts bright future

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The Spearfish girls’ tennis squad apparently has a foundation that bodes well for 2012 and future years.

“I think we'll have a pretty good season,” said Spartans head coach Doug Dexheimer, who starts his 14th year this fall. He added that several returning players gained a lot of varsity and junior varsity experience in 2011.

Spearfish lost two players from last season's squad.

Megan Dunn and Kira Arlt represented the Spartans at singles flights 1 and 3, respectively. The nucleus of this fall's squad includes senior Megan Larson, sophomore Kajsa Iverson, ninthgrader Amanda Larson, and eighth-graders Emily Iverson and Karla Meza. Dexheimer said the Spartans' program would also grow over the next few years.

“They have a positive attitude,” Dexheimer said of this season's players. “They are willing to make steps to adjust to tougher opponents.”

Dexheimer said the

Spartans must work on consistency and start building for this season. “It will take a while to knock off the rust,” he added.

Spearfish's schedule features a number of matches against larger schools.

Dexheimer said the Spartans performed well against Rapid City Central last season.

The Spartans are not a member of a tennis conference. Dexheimer said St. Thomas More, Rapid City Stevens, Gillette, Wyo. and Rapid City Central - some of the larger schools on Spearfish's schedule - boast strong traditions.

Dexheimer was asked what it would take for the Spartans to experience a successful season.

“It depends on how you define success,” Dexheimer said. “If you look at it in terms of wins and losses, it takes a lot of work and a bit of luck.

“Our season is used as preparation for state. We want to have good matches during the season,” Dexheimer said.

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The Spearfish girls' tennis squad includes Bayley Spraitz, Laura Bryan, Megan Larsen, Natalie Richards, Abby Van Fleet, Amanda Larsen, Makayla Shepard, Karla Meza, Emily Iverson, Kajsa Iverson, Kalsi Heimdal, Cecily Munro,Emma Thomsen and head coach Doug Dexheimer. Hannah England and Gabby Lewis are not pictured.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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August 2012

SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 11

Spartans cross country ready to win again

BY DENNIS KNUCKLES Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The Spearfish Spartans cross country teams enjoyed great success in 2011.

The girls' team ended the year as state champions, while the boys placed second at regionals and had a good state meet.

“Last year was a great year.

Our girls won Black Hills Conference, region and state and our boys were region runner-ups and also fared well at state,” said coach LeeAnne Vette.

This year Vette, in her 13th season, will be the co-head coach along with Andy VanDeest.

“Rather than a head coach and assistant coach we decided to have two coaches. He has had some great ideas with workouts and his more recent experience as an athlete, so I decided that (two coaches) would be a good positive thing for the team, and a good experience for us as a coaching staff,” Vette said.

The Spartans look to build on last year's success.

“On the boys' side, I think we'll be quite a bit stronger this year with some young freshmen coming in and some new editions that I think are going to mesh nicely with what we already have with the boys,,” said Vette. “Plus the fact the boys realize they are a lot stronger than they thought they were, so I think mentally we're stronger than we were last year, too.”

On the girls' side, they are hoping to duplicate last year's accomplishments.

“On the girls' team last year we were strong all year long.

That's going to be our big thing this year is to repeat those things,” Vette said.

“They had the goal from the beginning that they knew winning the state title was reachable.

They worked together so strongly as a team.”

All members of the girls' team will return this season, while the

boys' team will be without George Vandine, who graduated last spring.

“That's pretty exciting that they've all been there and done that, they know what it takes and they know it's not going to be easy this year, but it's doable,” Vette said.

The team has been working out since Aug. 13 to prepare for their first meet Aug. 24 at Douglas.

But runners have been working out all summer.

“We encouraged a lot of working out over the summer,” said Vette. “It looks like some of the kids worked out, and some not so much. Now it's just meeting and getting consistent and going over the hydration, the nutrition, the progression as far as starting out wherever you are.”

“These first few weeks are meshing together as a team and starting the conditioning that gets you on the way for the season.”

Vette said she's not worried about her team resting on the laurels of last year's success.

“I think that will be a matter of looking at the competition and once we get into meets they will see what the competition is like,” Vette said.

“Nothing was a given last year (for the girls), and I think that will be pretty easy to say 'this is where we were last year' but there are a lot of teams that didn't lose any runners either,” Vette said. “They're going to be back.

Looking for some revenge, so to speak. On the boys' side I think they can use the success they had last year as a stepping stone.”

Custer and Douglas are expected to compete with Spearfish forconference honors.

“They have some strong runners on both the boys' and girls' side and they have lots of depth.

Douglas always have great runners and they always have a tradition to run strong in the Black Hills Conference,” Vette said.

Members of the Spearfish High School 2012 girls’ and boys’ cross country teams icnludeGretchen Blain, Brooke Grout, Kaycee Johnson, Jozlinn Sanders, Marissa Apland, Savannah Childers, Caitlin Gehner, Kellie Morford, Shelby Burtzlaff, Erika Gengler, Suzi Meyerink, JJ Bressler, David Dower, Justin Harris, Slayton Ludens, Bryce Thorman, Joseph Barnes, Taylor DuPont, Logan Pochop, Kevin Coffield, Henry Plummer, Trevor Rombough, Sigmond, Trevor, Tige Thorman and Gene Trimble. Not pictured is Elise Reid. Pioneer photos by Dennis Knuckles

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 12

August 2012

Digger cross country preparing for new season

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — Lead-Deadwood has small numbers, but brings a lot of experience into this upcoming cross-country season.

“We're already way ahead of where we were last year,” Lorna Squyer said. “We had a really good first week of practice.”

Squyer begins her 19th year as Golddiggers' head coach.

Squyer said the older athletes provide a strength to the team in

terms of leadership, plus a desire to improve.

Five members of the boys' team return from last season.

They are sophomore Nathan Finster, sophomore Connor Kuhl, ninth-grader Thomas Sperlin, ninth-grader Connor Shand, and seventh-grader Morgan Shirley-Fairbairn.

Finster is starting his fourth year in cross country and will serve as team captain this fall.

Squyer said Finster has the

best attendance and was the most improved.

Sophomore Laura Sartain and seventh-grader Mara Jacobs are the returning runners from the girls' 2011 team.

Squyer said the experience the runners gained last season will take away the unknown coming into this year. She was asked about the team's highlights from 2011 and said she prefers to focus on this season.

Matt Eggers graduated from the program last spring. Another

state qualifier from a season ago, Brant Blaha, moved out of the area.

“We wish we had more girls out, but they can compete on an individual basis,” Squyer said of what concerns her this season.

Squyer said the entire program shows a lot of promise for the future in terms of middle school numbers.

Squyer picked the Spearfish girls and Custer boys to reign in the Black Hills Conference.

“Both teams return everyone

from last year,” she said.

Spearfish is also the defending state A girls' team champion.

“We would like to see them improve,” Squyer said of what the Golddiggers need for a successful season.

Squyer said the talent is evident, and it is a matter of desire.

“A lot of cross country is between the ears,” she said.

The Diggers open its 2012 cross country season on Friday at the Douglas Invite, in Box Elder.

Lead-Deadwood's cross country roster for this season includes Aidan Laurenti, Maddisen Larsen, Nathan Finster, Laura Sartain, Thomas Sperlin, Thomas Enright, and Connor Kuhl.

Alex Cotrill, Connor Shand, Morgan Shirley-Fairbairn, and Mara Jacobs are not pictured.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 13

BHSU cross country to make season debut in Alaska

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Black Hills State University's final year in transition to NCAA Division II officially begins Aug. 30, courtesy of the men's and women's cross country squads.

The Yellow Jackets open their season Thursday, Aug. 30, at the ULF Invitational in Fairbanks, Alaska. Men will run an 8-kilometer course; the women's race spans 6 kilometers.

Both BHSU teams will also compete in a 4-kilometer race in Fairbanks on Sept. 1.

Head coach Scott Walkinshaw is starting his 15th season in charge of the Yellow Jackets.

Walkinshaw said BHSU enjoyed a good season in 2011, which marked the second year of the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. “It was tough because we didn't have a title meet per se at the end of the season,” he added.

Walkinshaw said the Yellow Jacket women's squad enjoys a solid one-two punch with juniors Erin Curran and Courtney Dickson. “We also have experience from the younger girls,” he added.

They include juniors Becca Ellis, Anna Yanchek and Erica Gajda, plus sophomores Courtney Gross and Taylor Condon.

The men's team boasts some depth, said Walkinshaw, who added runners will compete to make the top seven.

Senior Laine Parish and junior Mitch Kraft head the list of returning men's runners. Others include senior Brock Mickelsen, juniors Seth Ulvestad, Mark Wilcox, and Trev Fiedler, and sophomore Chase Vogel.

Walkinshaw was asked what BHSU must work on this season.

“We will keep doing what has worked in the past,” he said. “Our day-to-day training will not change.”

Yellow Jacket runners reported to campus on Aug. 20, which is one week earlier than normal.

Walkinshaw said that was done to provide more practice time for the Fairbanks meet and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference meet the third week in October.

Walkinshaw said the Roy Griak Invitational and RMAC meet would be the two most competitive on BHSU's schedule.

Comparing the Yellow Jackets to other Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference squads is difficult, according to Walkinshaw. He said the Adams State, Colorado School of Mines, and Western State men's teams routinely place in the top four at nationals. Walkinshaw added the Adams State and Western State women battle for top RMAC honors each year.

Dysan Lends His Horse is the Yellow Jackets' top incoming freshman, Walkinshaw said. Lends His Horse ended his high school career as a twotime state A cross-country champion at CheyenneEagle Butte and helped the Braves earn three team titles in four years.

Leigh Anne Bordewyk and Jed Morgan graduated from last season's squads. Lela Carpenter is currently on a Latter Day Saints church mission.

Black Hills State alumnus John Williams, along with head track coach Seth Mischke, are assisting Walkinshaw this season.

The Jackets cross country teams will be competing in its first season as a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and their final year of transitioning into NCAA Division II. Pioneer file photo

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 14

August 2012

New coach guiding Belle XC program

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — A feeling of newness permeates the Belle Fourche cross-country teams as they get ready for their season.

Phil McNally begins his first year as Broncs cross country coach.

McNally has coached youth sports in Belle Fourche for years and describes himself as a lifelong runner.

Belle Fourche's teams feature six runners as of press time. The five boys are juniors Thomas Green and Bailey Njos, sophomores Nick Biegert and Alex Kringen, and ninth-grader Cody Tupper.

Junior Paige Bush is the lone girls' runner.

“It is a small group, but it works really hard,” McNally said. “We'll maybe pick up a few more once school starts.”

McNally said this small group works quite well together. He added the runners put in many miles and support one another.

Colten Njos is the most prominent Bronc who graduated from last season's squads. He posted five consecutive top-10 finishes at the state meet.

“Cross country is really a team sport,” McNally said. “The team members can really talk about things; everyone is included.”

McNally said the Broncs must work on running many miles all year. He added an off-season training program is essential, and it takes a while for everyone to be on the same page.

For now, McNally's focus is on building a foundation. He said the schedule of one race per week produces wear and tear on young runners.

McNally and the Broncs have not really discussed the Black Hills Conference race.

He said the conversation has been more about two-a-day workouts. The idea is to take things one day, one meet, and one week at a time.

“I'm excited and looking forward to it,” McNally said of the season that started Aug. 24 at the Douglas Invitational in Box Elder.

McNally, 53, ran cross country in high school in Portland, Maine, and was part of a state championship team. He has run the Honolulu (Hawaii) Marathon and competed in

races of 10 kilometers and other lengths.

Staying healthy, listening to the body, and staying hydrated are just a few of the lessons McNally gives the Broncs based on his experiences. He stresses foot care because, as he put it, “A

small blister turns into a major event.”

McNally said Belle Fourche will experience success if the young runners get together and build their confidence. “It's important to build pride and be able to run,” he said.

Nick Biegert, Thomas Green, and Belle Fourche cross country coach Phil McNally prepare for a workout. Bailey Njos, Alex Kringen, Cody Tupper, and Paige Bush are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 15

Spartan, Broncs, Digger cheerleaders

Pictured are: Top, Spearfish Spartan cheeleaders, Coral Abrahamson, Jordan West, Madison Selk, Ariel Thompson, Brandee Robertson, Brianna Rommen, Lacey Madsen, Myranda Jeffery, Angela Ruby, Nellie Enderby, Brynn Christensen and Hannah Owens. Not Pictured is Mikayla Lemaster. Bottom left, Belle Fourche competetive cheer squad, Melanie Nelson, Alexandra Stetter, Meredith Pummel, Karissa Hewitt, Melissa Clem, Rachel Hardison, Kasandra Ager, MacKenzie Gallagher, Kaitlyn Schmidt, Kianna Saiz, Ashley Stiegelmeier; Tori Tippmann, Krista Harris, Morgan Robb, Sentel Johnson, and Stephanie Johnson. Bottom right, Lead-Deadwood cheerleaders Hailie Statler, Augustine Ward, Whitney Reiling, Brooke Knott, Cassidy Taborski and Shari Croft. Taylor Statler, Grace Jacobs, Tatum Fuerst, and Paige Barthel are not pictured. Spearfish photo courtesy Pam Waterson. Belle Fourche and Lead-Deadwood photos by Jason Gross

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Page 16

August 2012

Lady Spartans to field young soccer team

BY DENNIS KNUCKLES Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The 2012 Spearfish Spartans girls’ soccer team hopes to avoid the disappointments it experienced a year ago.

The team lost in the play-in game during the state playoffs last season.

“That was disappointing because I thought we were in good shape to make a run in the tournament, and when you lose your last game of the season it's never really a fulfilling season,” said Spartans soccer coach Charlie Lamb.

Lamb is in his eighth season

as the Spartans girls’ soccer coach.

The Spartans will lack experience to open the season.

“We lost nine seniors from last year's team and two other starters who decided to play other sports,” Lamb said. “We have two players returning who were full time starters last year. Our goaltender Kaitlin Spargur and our central defender Bethany Crosswait.

We probably have three or four other players who saw playing time last year.”

The Spartans began practice Aug. 6 and Lamb said he has been pleased with how things have gone so far.

“I've been really pleased with trying to get everybody fit with two-a-days and get everybody ready for the season, We've been working a lot on tactical play. How we want to play at each position and get girls’ used to playing in different positions,” Lamb said.

This year Spearfish do not have enough players to field a JV team and this concerns Lamb.

“It's painful for our program,” said Lamb. “A lot of our girls’ need the seasoning on a JV team.

It helps them in general soccer terms to become stronger and develop their skills they need to do.

“It also helps them understand our philosophy. What we want to do in a game and how we want to play.

“The girls’ get along really well and the girls' know they have a challenge ahead of them. I think our youth will be a strength and a weakness for us this season,” Lamb said.

Lamb said his team will start the season at the bottom of the conference and have to work their way up.

“We'll play some good soccer, but physically we've got some young girls’ and physically I don't know if we can stack up against

some of these junior and senior filled teams,” he said.

The Spartans hope to improve as the season progresses.

“The key for us is we have to get better every game,” said Lamb. “Our goal is not what we look like this week or next week. Because of our youth our goal is to get better in each game and then by the end of the season the play-in format is to beat somebody and surprise somebody to get into the tournament.”

The Spartans started the 2012 season with a 2-0 loss to Sioux Falls Lincoln before defeating Brookings 1-0, on a goal by Vickie Nachatilo.

Members of the Spearfish 2012 girls’ soccer team are: Kaitlin Spargur, Callie Sleep, Taylor Derosier, Ali Leonard, Zeni Irion, Lauren Sparrow, Abby Dufloth, Caitlin Miner, Kaysie Braun, Katie Spenser, Alexis Aspelin, Kassidy Lantis, Justice Hansen, Lanae Spargur, Bethany Crosswait, Kady Dufloth, Kara Morford, Saidee Short, Heather Bergey, Vickie Nachatilo, Emily Nachatilo and Hannah Dunn. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 17

Spartans boys' soccer team has high expectations

BY DENNIS KNUCKLES Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The 2012 Spearfish boys’ soccer team has high expectations for this season, after it was ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll.

“We have eight seniors and four juniors. Between those 12 kids we are going to surprise some people,” Spartans head coach Jim Hill said.

Hill is entering his eighth season as the Spartans head coach.

Last year the Spartans made it to the semifinals of the state playoffs before losing to eventual champion Sioux Falls Lincoln That loss still bothers coach Hill.

“We had a 2-0 lead well through the first half of the state semifinals against Sioux Falls Lincoln and if we had been mature enough to play the rest of the game the way we played the first 25 minutes I really think we

could have come out on top in that semifinals, Hill said.

“We got two up and said 'oh we can hold this lead' and Lincoln's a good team. Lincoln won the state title four of the last five years.”

The Spartans lost six players from the 2011 team. One of those was the starting goalkeeper.

“We're going to miss Kory Otterberg especially. We went from having a senior goalkeeper that started three years straight to a starting sophomore this year,” said Hill. “He has a lot of work to do. He has some talent, but he's only a sophomore. Our defense is going to have to step up and keep from having a lot of shots on goal.”

Providing leadership this year will be Blaine Bacon, Brian Couch, Sam Haivala, Erick Mendez, Matt Post, Leo

Rodriguez, Josh Turner-Burr and Steven Varns.

“All those kids will be counted on a lot to perform,” Hill said.

Foot speed will be a strength for the Spartans this season.

“We have overall good team foot speed,” said Hill. We also have good overall technical skills, how to handle the ball, is very good.”

Team defense is something Spearfish is hoping to improve on this season.

“We have to get better at defending as a team. Last year that was probably our downfall, especially in the semifinals being up 2-0. You should be able to hold onto a 2-0 lead in a soccer match, but we did not defend well as a team, down the stretch, under pressure,” Hill said.

Spearfish is ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll behind Sioux

Falls Lincoln.

“We just have to keep taking it at them,” said Hill. “We are an attack minded team and if we can keep our attack going for most of the 90 minutes we are going to be very, very tough to beat.”

Hill said this year's team ranks up there as one of the best teams he's coached at Spearfish.

“It rates right up there with several teams. Last year's team and this year's team were similar, but athletic wise this year's team is a touch better,” Hill said.

Hills said he isn't sure if if this is the team's last year in AA or if next year they will become a sanctioned sport.

“It needs to be stressed to our soccer community that to run each program is going to cost between $20,000 $22,000 per team and that all comes from donations and our indoor soccer tournaments.”

The Spartans boys’ soccer teams kicked off its 2012 season with a a 2-1 win over defending state champions Sioux Falls Lincoln, Aug. 17, in Spearfish.

"It was a great emotional win for us. It just shows we can play with anybody and we can beat anybody if we play well," Hill said.

Aug. 18, the Spartans used a goal by Blaine Bacon and a goal

by Leo Rodriguez to lead Brookings 2-1 at the half.

Rodriguez added two more goals in the second half as the Spartans cruised to the win 5-1.

"We play sporadic in the first half against Brookings, but we played much better in the second half," said Hill. "We were a little lackadaisical, a little lack of concentration on our finishing."

Spearfish hosts Sioux Falls Washington in a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday..

Pictured are Spartan varsity and junior varsity soccer team members Kevin Wagner, Blaine Bacon, Ryan Couch, Sam Haivala, Erick Mendez, Matt Post, Leo Rodriguez, Josh Turner-Burr, Steven Varns, Blake Bacon, Zach Hansen, Joseph Loux, Trey Culver, Morhan Ness, Tyler Sands, Drew Couch, Michael Lochner and Dalton Erskin. Not pictured are Lucas Hayes, Blake Johnson and Austin Nachatilo.

Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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Page 18

SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

August 2012

L-D coed soccer team keeps looking ahead

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer DEADWOOD — Lead-Deadwood looks to keep building on the foundation it has established in past years.

The Golddiggers have started their third season as a high school boys’ soccer team.

Last season's entity finished with a 3-7 record.

Jacob Ward, Osborne Snedeker, Brandon Crotteau, Jordon Barthel, Markus Gould, and Jessica Addington graduated from last season's co-ed squad.

Juniors Brett Enright (forward), Seth Kuchenbecker (defender), Jack Davis (forward-midfielder), and Broc Barthel (forward) are among the returning players for the Golddiggers.

Jeff Barthel returns for a third season as Lead-Deadwood head coach. He said enthusiasm for the game is a positive trait, along with defense and midfield play.

What does Barthel see as the challenges the Golddiggers face? “We need to keep the field spread out on offense and defense,” he said. He added this development of field and situational awareness comes with game experience.

Barthel said the 2012 schedule is as difficult as it has been the last two years. He added there are more games closer to home this season, which may result in players being fresher.

Lead-Deadwood's longest eastern trip this season is to Sioux Falls and Huron during the weekend of Sept. 21-22.

The Golddiggers will square off

against Tea in that first contest.

All other Golddigger games are at home or in the Black Hills region, with Custer being the longest trip.

“We can hold our own with anyone in the state if we play to our potential,” Barthel said.

The program has shown steady improvement over the last two years, according to Barthel. “The more you understand the game, the more it slows down in your mind,” he added.

Barthel said the Golddiggers have a real shot at success if all players

give their best effort at all times.

Lead-Deadwood shut out Chamberlain 6-0 Aug. 17 in its season opener. Jack Davis scored three goals for the Golddiggers; Brett Enright, Broc Barthel, and Seth Kuchenbecker also contributed a goal for Lead-Deadwood.

Lead-Deadwood's coed soccer team includes Zachary Sullivan, Brett Enright, Seth Kuchenbecker, Jack Davis, Thomas Enright, Corbin Grizzel, Cole Kuchenbecker, Miranda Luze, Alexis Stevens, Amber Auld, Sydney Auld, Lei'Ani Wieringa, Shyan Croft, and Stephen Mollman, head coach Jeff Barthel, assistant coach Tony Auld and assistant coach Adrian Holzer. Broc Barthel, Patrick Brick, and Courtney Gould are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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August 2012

Page 19

BF girls soccer seeks return trip to state

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — Belle Fourche is preparing for what it hopes will be another appearance in the state A girls’ soccer tournament.

The Broncs placed fifth at last season's final event. Belle Fourche fell 3-2 to Sturgis in the opener before shutting out Vermillion 5-0 and Groton 4-0.

Kaysie Linch serves as firstyear coach of a Belle Fourche team that lost only two players (Coree Kissack and Camile Kling) to graduation.

She takes over for Connor Shuck.

Senior midfielder Miranda Mikkelson is one of the returning players seeing varsity action in 2011. Others include junior midfielder and goalkeeper Tori Dungey, junior striker Madison

Huffman, junior midfielder Kassie Willard, junior sweeper Rachel Zacher, junior defender Lindsey Hunsley, and sophomore defender Bailee Ward.

“We have a lot of returning experience,” Linch said. “We also have a very strong defense and speed throughout the lineup.”

Linch said Belle Fourche must work on communication

at all times. The Broncs defeated Harrisburg 3-1 on Aug. 17.

Linch said Belle Fourche would play Sturgis, West Central, Harrisburg, and Vermillion twice this season.

Linch sees Belle Fourche stacking up well against the other teams in the bracket. “We should be really competitive,” she said.

What will it take for the

Broncs to be successful this season? “We must keep working hard and communicating,” she said. “We also need to start meshing.”

This is Linch's first-ever varsity coaching job. She said not knowing all of the players and teams would pose a challenge.

The Broncs host host West Central Aug. 25, in Belle Fourche.

The 2012 Belle Fourche girls’ soccer team includes Gracie Neiman, Taylor Watts, Hannah Rehmeier, Katie Baker, Brittany Hunsley, Jordan Aspen, Alexa Pierce, Kayla Foos, Sierra Rosales, Kassie Willard, Mikenzie Mikkelson, Janie McAmis, Bailee Ward, Miranda Mikkelson, Jessica Ryan, Marissa Dahlvang, Kenisha Melanson, Tori Dungey, Rachel Zacher, Madison Huffman, and Lindsey Hunsley. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Page 20

SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

August 2012

BF native to guide Broncs soccer team

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — A familiar face will guide the Belle Fourche boys' soccer squad through its 2012 campaign.

Anthony Carbajal is a Belle Fourche native who also coached in Memphis, Tenn. and Rapid City. This is his first season guiding the home team.

“It's absolutely exhilarating to bring back the experiences I've had,” Carbajal said.

He played the sport in elemen-

tary school while growing up in Belle Fourche.

Carbajal has watched different programs and said he could offer attributes like leadership and soccer basics.

One of the programs Carbajal observed last season was the Belle Fourche boys' squad.

“The team had a lot of heart but had a difficult time bringing it together as a team,” he said.

“They had very good conditioning.”

This season's Broncs team

boasts 10 seniors, Carbajal said.

He added the players have shown a lot of drive and dedication thus far.

“We have been pushing the players to an encouraging atmosphere of positive sportsmanship,” Carbajal said. “This is a chance for the seniors to build a legacy.”

Carbajal listed a desire to succeed as one of the team's biggest strengths. “The heart and desire they have is just tremendous,” he

said. Carbajal added if the players continue to give all-out effort, the coaches would give them the needed skills.

Belle Fourche will continue to work on core soccer fundamentals, Carbajal said.

He added the players would do this on a daily basis.

“We strive to master the fundamentals of dribbling, passing and shooting,” Carbajal said. “If you master the fundamentals, the rest will fall into place.”

Belle Fourche's opened its 2012 season with a 5-0 loss to Harrisburg on Aug. 17 and and bounced back to beat Huron 2-0 on Aug. 18.

Carbajal was asked how he sees the Broncs stacking up against other teams.

“This is a new year with new coaches; we have a clean board,” Carbajal said.

He added Belle Fourche would keep a positive outlook and focus only on the next game.

The Belle Fourche boys' soccer team includes head coach Anthony Carbajal, Alex Kiley, Nate Collins, Brennan Wolf, Nathan Schreier, James Trimble, Mitchell Reese, Ryan McNally, Tyler Rehmeier, Kyle Rehmeier, assistant coach John Rehmeier; Will Graves, Isaac Collins, Tate Olson, Todd Westland, Creedence Fonder, Austin Carbajal, Gavin Symonds, Bennett Neumeister, Lee Weaver; Alex Hendricks, Adam Trimble, Reiley Manning, Lucas Trimble, Jaron Schlechter, and Ethan Manning. Austin Westland and Andrew Crowe are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Spearfish 2012 dance team members

Members of the 2012 Spearfish High School dance team include Maddie Drumm, Daisy Retzl, Ashley Paisley, Shelby McCarty, Alex Lewis, Taylor Markley, Sawyer Dohman, Brooke Tigert, Lauren Grove, Noel Pombo, Emily Anderson, Lexy Schoenberner, Taylor Koch and Rachel Boone. The team is coached by Jessie Jeffery. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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August 2012

Lead-Deadwood 2012 dance team members

Lead-Deadwood's competitive dance squad includes Cassidy Taborski, Taylor Statler, Tatum Fuerst, Stacey Anderson, Reece Knabel, Brooke Bialas, Ashley Sales, Whitney Reiling, Melinda Grass, and Shari Croft. Grace Jacobs is not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Page 23

BHSU softball team ready for new season

BY DENNIS KNUCKLES Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Last year the Black Hills State women's softball team finished 6-31 (8-40 overall) in its first season playing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

Yellow Jackets head coach Amy Gurney said the team learned a lot from last season.

“We learned a lot. It's a totally different level than we are used to. The RMAC is an offensive minded conference,” said Gurney. “We're going to have to have more clutch hitting, more

power hitting, that kind of thing.

Gurney is confident her team can compete with the other teams in the RMAC. Her major concern is building up depth.

“We beat the top four teams in the league last year one game, but the thing is you play four games against them and we didn't have the depth they had, as far as our bench, and that's something we'll have to look at this year too,” Gurney said.

The Yellow Jackets added four freshman, infielder Katie Campo of Las Vegas, Nev., catcher/utility player Erica Everson of Rapid City, pitcher/infielder Jordan

McCarthy of Parker, Colo. and outfielder Joanna Schriver of Rapid City.

The Jackets did get some transfer players for the upcoming season in hopes of adding depth to their bench.

“We did get a few transfer kids just to get kids to play college ball and who could step in and play for us right away,” Gurney said.

Gurney said she is happy with the players she has going into the short fall schedule.

“Of the 14 kids we have on the team any of them can play at any time,” said Gurney. “That's different too because we've usually have had some raw talent

that have taken a few years to develop, but this year I feel that anybody can play at any time and this will help our bench quite a bit.”

Returning are senior pitchers Alex Huntington and Nikki Chacon.

“Pitching is going to be a strong point for us,” said Gurney. “We brought in two pretty solid pitchers (freshmen Kaitlin Farrar and Jordan McCarthy) that have competed against some good teams during their high school careers and I feel they are going to do a lot for us on the mound.”

The Jackets are also looking to improve on offense.

“We've brought in quite a bit of power and girls' that can hit opposite field and pull pretty strongly, so I feel good about our lineup and the power in the middle of our lineup this year,” Gurney said.

Gurney hopes to use the games they play this fall to develop some team chemistry.

“We're going to be a young team and we want to get everybody to gel and getting everybody to work together is going to be one of the biggest challenges,” said Gurney. “If we can get everybody to gel and work together all the way to spring, because it's a long way to spring, that'll be the key for us.”

BHSU begins its second season in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, with fall practice beginning the first week in September. Pioneer file photos

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Page 24

August 2012

Spartan golfers seek continued success

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The Spearfish boys’ golf squad looks to build on the success it enjoyed in 2011.

“We had a very successful year,” Spartans head coach Eric Ligtenberg said of a 2011 campaign that included first place in the pre-Black Hills Conference Tournament, second at the region tournament, and third in the conference tournament. “It was probably the most success-

ful boys’ season the golf program has ever had.”

Ligtenberg begins his sixth year as Spartans' head coach. He said players started to really lower their overall scores. Some of the team average scores are among the lowest Ligtenberg has seen in his time here, he said.

The Spartans lost Ben Deverman to graduation.

Ligtenberg said Deverman held the lowest individual nine-hole average on the team.

Spearfish returns three seniors

who boast a lot of tournament experience. They are Dillon Orth, Jackson Roberts, and Jordan Mullaney. Eighth-grader Matt Peterson also comes back.

The Spartans began their season Monday at the Sturgis Invitational. Orth fired an 18hole 76 to tie for third place, and the team finished fifth at 354.

“We need to work on a balance between focus and mental preparation that goes into a round,” Ligtenberg said of what Spearfish needs to work on.

“Eighteen holes is a long day.

Focus can be tough.”

The Spartans will host four events this season. They include the region tournament on Sept.

24 and the state A tournament Oct. 1 and 2.

Ligtenberg said of those home events, “We should have a bit of an advantage, but Spearfish Canyon Country Club is very challenging.” He added it is one of the area's more difficult courses.

St. Thomas More and defend-

ing champion Lead-Deadwood are Ligtenberg's co-favorites in the Black Hills Conference.

Ligtenberg said those squads have depth, and other teams in the conference may be a bit down.

What will it take for Spearfish to have a successful season?

“We want to represent our local community and course well at the big tournaments,” Ligtenberg said. He added scores in the 340 range and lower are not out of the question.

The Spearfish boys’ golf squad hosted the West River Open at Spearfish Canyon Country Club, Aug. 16.

Athletes representing the Spartans were, Vint Furnish, Jackson Roberts, Dillon Orth, Jordan Mullaney, Jaxon Hinch and Matthew Peterson.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 25

Digger golfers off to strong start

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — Austin Travis likes what he has seen from Lead-Deadwood during the first week of the boys' golf season.

The first-year Golddigger head coach said the team played very well at the Aug. 14 Hot Springs Invitational. “We had a team score of 316,” Travis said. “At state, that score should be at the top.”

Lead-Deadwood won that Hot Springs title by 22 shots over runner-up St. Thomas More. Travis said the team's highest individual 18-hole score at Hot Springs was an 84.

Garrett Mack fired a 75 for medalist honors; Brett Enright placed second at 79.

Seniors Mack and Gabe Dirksen, and junior Enright, currently hold the top three spots in Lead-Deadwood's varsity lineup. They helped the Golddiggers finish sixth at last season's state A tournament.

Lead-Deadwood lost only one golfer, Zach Fox, from last year's team to graduation.

Cameron Enright, Joey Fox, and Brett Mattson also represented the Golddiggers at the recent West River Open in Spearfish.

Fox is a ninth-grader who also played at state a season ago.

“I have high expectations for this team,” Travis said. He added Lead-Deadwood should win most matches against class A opponents. “Our crew will be tough to beat,” he said.

Travis was asked about the Black Hills Conference race. This season's conference tournament is set for Sept. 18 at Spearfish Canyon Country Club.

“I don't mean to sound boastful, but we should be right at the top,” Travis said. He added St. Thomas More is capable of playing very well.

Travis based his conference prediction on what he has seen so far, plus his belief that the Golddiggers have the conference's most well-rounded team. Fellow conference squads Custer, Hot Springs, Belle Fourche, and Spearfish also played at Hot Springs.

What must Lead-Deadwood do to have a successful season? Travis cited the need for the players to stay on course.

“The players have a good attitude, get along with each other, and have fun,” Travis said. “Having fun is the most important part of being on the course.”

Lead-Deadwood's first week of the boys’ golf season included competition at the West River Open in Spearfish on Aug. 16.

Garrett Mack, Brett Enright, Gabe Dirksen, Cameron Enright, Joey Fox and Brett Mattson represented the Golddiggers.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Page 26

August 2012

Bronc golfers to stress team approach

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — Belle Fourche's faces a season of uncertainty as they enter the 2012 season.

Tyler Burr, who tied for fifth place at last season's state A tournament, and Matt Beck both graduated. However, the cupboard is not bare for head coach Clark Gusso, who starts his 15th season as boys' coach.

Gusso said the Broncs need to rely on each other this season.

He added that in past years, the team could count on at least one score in the mid-70s.

Belle Fourche returns Luke Leverington, a two-time state qualifier. He fired an 18hole 92 to pace the Broncs at Monday's Sturgis Invitational.

Austin Westland qualified for last season's state tournament and returns to the lineup for another season. Will Graves and Alex Kiley are among the returning letter winners from 2011.

“We got three players to state,” Gusso said of the 2011 campaign. “We really think we can get four to state this year.”

Gusso said Belle Fourche boasts good numbers this season and envisions seven or eight athletes playing some varsity rounds.

“The kids are receptive and like to play,” Gusso said of the Broncs' strengths. He said they have hit the ball well in early practices.

Boulder Canyon Country Club hosted the season-opening Sturgis Invitational on Aug. 13. Belle Fourche shot a 388 and placed eighth in the team standings.

Belle Fourche needs to apply golf basics when playing on other courses, Gusso said.

He added players are so used to their home course that they can simply look at a shot and determine the distance.

“Players can't just eyeball it on another course,” Gusso said. “They must take their time and walk a bit to get the distance.”

Gusso said Lead-Deadwood and St. Thomas More performed well at Sturgis.

He added the Broncs would get to see how they matched up against Hot Springs, Custer, and Red Cloud later in the week.

What will it take for the Broncs to enjoy a successful season? Gusso aims for four or five players consistently shooting in the upper 80s or low 90s for 18 holes. He repeated the importance of the athletes playing as a team.

Belle Fourche started its boys’ golf season Aug. 13. Team members competing at the Sturgis Invitational were Austin Westland, Luke Leverington, Christian Larson; Will Graves, Austin Mette and Alex Kiley. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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August 2012

Page 27

Jacket golfers to test RMAC waters

BY JASON GROSS Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Black Hills State University boasts an experienced group of women's golfers as it gets ready for life in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference this fall.

“Things went very well,” Yellow Jackets' head coach Jaime Bentley said of last season. “We made huge strides as a team, and our averages went down.”

Brandi Holmes and Haley Davenport represent the senior class on the BHSU roster. Other key returnees are juniors McKenzie Watson and Kaydee Good, along with sophomores Amanda Johnson and Tiera Feller.

The Yellow Jackets lost Janessa Rantapaa from last season's team to graduation.

“From a golf standpoint, our strength is our short game,” said Bentley, who is starting her fourth year at BHSU. Bentley said the Yellow Jacket players have a strong sense of team and understand the common goal. “The players are out for the best for each other,” she said.

The unknown causes the greatest concern for Bentley. She said BHSU is adjusting to a new conference and added the caliber of competition would be higher than in previous years.

“When you play with better people, you get better yourself,” Bentley said. She added this year's travel schedule would be more time-intensive.

The University of Western New Mexico and the University of Colorado-Pueblo will likely compete for the RMAC championship, Bentley said.

“We can compete,” Bentley said when asked how the Yellow Jackets stack up against other RMAC teams. “We are definitely within the pack and will look to make an impact.”

Bentley seeks consistency, preparation, and good practices in having BHSU enjoy a successful season. She said those aspects would help to raise the level of competition.

The Yellow Jackets golf team hopes to make noise this season in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Pioneer file photos

Fall sports schedule Spearfish football Aug. 25 vs. St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 at Rapid City Stevens 4 p.m.

Sept. 7 vs. Rapid City Central 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 vs. Douglas 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 vs. Hot Springs 6 p.m.

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Oct. 5 vs. Huron 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Belle Fourche 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Sturgis Brown 7 p.m.

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SPORTS PREVIEW/BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 28

August 2012

Fall sports schedule SCHEDULE

Continued from Page 27

Sept. 28 vs. Hot Springs 6 p.m.

Oct. 12 vs. St. Thomas More 6 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte 6 p.m.

BHSU football Sept. 8 at Idaho St. 4 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Colorado Mines noon Sept. 22 vs. Colorado Mesa (Swarm Day) 1 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Western State 1 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Adams State 1 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Chadron State 1 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Colorado State-Pueblo 6 p.m.

Oct. 27 vs. N.M. Highlands 1 p.m.

Nov. 3 at Western N.M. 1 p.m.

Nov. 10 vs. Ft. Lewis (Family Day) 1 p.m.

Nov. 17 vs. South Dakota Mines (Senior Day/Battle for the Homestake Trophy) 1 p.m.

Belle Fourche football Aug. 25 vs. Sturgis Brown 6 p.m.

Aug. 31 Lead-Deadwood 6 p.m.

Sept. 7 vs. Hot Springs 6 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Custer Sept. 28 at Pine Ridge 6 p.m.

Oct. 5 vs. Douglas 6 p.m.

Oct. 12 vs. Spearfish 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 at St. Thomas More 6 p.m.

Spearfish volleyball Aug. 28 at Sturgis Brown 7 p.m.

Aug 30 vs. Hill City 7 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Belle Fourche 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 vs. Douglas 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Sturgis Brown 1:15 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Sturgis (Pierre T.F. Riggs) 1:15 p.m.

Sept. 18 vs. Rapid City Stevens 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Belle Fourche Tourney 9 a.m.

Sept. 27 vs. Hot Springs 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Sturgis (Huron) 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Douglas 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 vs. Custer 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 vs. Belle Fourche 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 vs. St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 vs. Sturgis Brown 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Red Cloud 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 at Lead-Deadwood 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 vs. Rapid City Central 7 p.m.

Lead-Deadwood volleyball Aug. 25 vs. Harding Co. 3 p.m.

Aug. 28 vs. Custer/Hot Springs Triangular 4 p.m.

Aug. 30 at St. Thomas More 5 p.m.

Sept. 6 vs. Hill City 4:30 Sept. 8 at Philip Tourney 9 a.m.

Sept. 11 at Edgemont 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Custer 6;30 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Hill City 4 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Belle Tourney 9 a.m.

Sept. 25 vs. Belle Fourche 7 p.m.

Sept 29 vs. Mile High Invite. 8:30 a.m.

Oct. 4 vs. St. Thomas More 6:30 p.m.

Oct 9 at Red Cloud 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Belle 7p.m.

Oct. 16 vs. Douglas 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 22 vs. Spearfish 7 p.m.

Oct 30 at District

BHSU volleyball Aug 31 Minot State 1:30 p.m.

Aug 31 at Northern State Tourney (Northern State) 5:30 p.m.

Sept 1 vs. Chadron St. 9 a.m.

Sept 1 vs. Missouri Western 3 p.m.

Sept 1 Minot State 7 p.m.

Sept 7 vs. BHSU Tournament (Briar Cliff) 1 p.m.

Sept 8 vs. BHSU Tourney (Michigan Tech) 1 p.m.

Sept 8 vs. BHSU Tourney (University of Mary) 7 p.m.

Sept 14 at Regis (Colo.) 7 p.m.

Sept 15 at Metro St. 4 p.m.

Sept 18 vs. Chadron St. 7 p.m.

Sept 21 at UC-Colorado Springs 7 p.m.

Sept 28 vs. Colorado Mines 7 p.m.

Sept 29 Colorado Christian 3 p.m.

Oct 2 at South Dakota Mines 7 p.m.

Oct 5 at Fort Lewis 7 p.m.

Oct 6 at Colorado Mesa 7 p.m.

Oct 12 at N.M. Highlands 7 p.m.

Oct 13 at Western N.M. 7 p.m.

Oct 18 vs. Adams State 7 p.m.

Oct 19 vs. Colorado State-Pueblo 7 p.m.

Oct 20 vs. Western State 3 p.m.

Oct 23 vs. South Dakota Mines 7 p.m.

Oct 26 at Colorado Christian 7 p.m.

Oct 27 at Colorado Mines 5 p.m.

Oct 30 at Chadron State 7 p.m.

Nov 2 vs. Jamestown 7 p.m.

Nov 3 vs. UC-Colorado Springs 3 p.m.

Nov 9 vs. Metro State 7 p.m.

Nov 10 vs. Regis (Colo.) 4 p.m.

Belle Fourche volleyball Aug. 28 vs. Douglas 4 p.m.

Aug. 31 at Hot Springs 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 vs. Spearfish 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Philip Tourney 9 a.m.

Sept. 13 at St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 vs. Newell 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Custer 2 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Custer (Hot Springs) TBA Sept. 22 vs. Belle Fourche Tourney 9 a.m.

Sept. 25 at Lead-Deadwood 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 vs. Red Cloud 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Spearfish 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 vs. Lead-Deadwood 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Douglas Tourney 9 a.m.

Oct. 15 at Broadus, Mont. Powder River County 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 22 at Douglas 6:15 p.m.

Oct 25 vs. Custer 7:30 p.m.

Spearfish golf Aug. 28 at Lead-Deadwood 3 p.m.

Aug. 31 at Sturgis Invite (Boulder Canyon) 9 a.m.

Sept. 4 at Sturgis 4 p.m.

Sept. 11 vs. Pre-Region (Spearfish) 9 a.m.

Sept. 14 at Mitchell Invite (Lake View) 8 a.m.

Sept. 18 at Conference TBD TBA Sept. 24 vs Region (Spearfish) TBA Oct. 1-2 vs. State (Spearfish) TBA

L-D golf Aug. 28 vs. Belle/Spearfish 3 p.m.

Aug. 31 BH Invite. at Sturgis 9 a.m.

Sept. 4 at Sturgis 4 p.m.

Sept. 7 at Custer 3 p.m.

Sept. 10 vs. RC Central 4 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Spearfish Invite. 9 a.m.

Sept. 24 at Region (Spearfish) 10 a.m.

Sept. 27 at Belle Fourche 4 p.m.

Oct. 1-2 at State (Spearfish) 9 a.m.

Belle Fourche golf Aug. 28 at Lead/Deadwood Triangular (Lead CC) 3 p.m.

Sept. 7 at Custer Triangular(Rocky Knolls CC) 3 p.m.

Sept. 10 at RC Stevens Triangular (Fountain Springs CC) 4 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Spearfish Invite 9 a.m.

Sept. 13 at St. Thomas More Invite 10 a.m.

Sept. 18 at BHC Invite (Spearfish) 10 a.m.

Sept. 20 vs. RC Central 4 p.m.

Sept. 24 at Region 4A (Spearfish) 10 a.m.

Sept. 27 vs Lead-Deadwood 4 p.m.

Oct. 1-2 at State "A" (Spearfish) TBA Spearfish cross country Aug. 30 vs. Spearfish Invite 3 p.m.

Sep. 6 at Belle Fourche Country Club 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Custer Invite TBA Sept. 15 at Huron Invite (Broadland Creek) 8 a.m.

Sept. 21 at RC Invite (Elks) 3 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Lead-Deadwood Invite (Tomahawk CC) 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at BHC (Tomahawk CC) 2 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Region (Custer) 2 p.m.

Oct. 29 at State (Huron) TBA L-D cross country Aug. 24 at Douglas Invite 10 a.m.

Aug. 30 at Spearfish Invite 3 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Belle Invite. 2 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Custer 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Hot Springs Invite. 3 p.m.

Sept. 21 at RC Invite 3 p.m.

Sept. 25 vs. L-D Invite (PreConference) 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Sturgis Invite 1:30 p.m.

Oct 4 vs. BHC 2 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Region (Custer) 2:00 Oct. 20 at State (Huron) BHSU cross country Sept. 8 vs. Black Hills State Sept. 15 at 68th Annual Aztec Invitational Sept. 22 vs. Swarm Days 5k Sept. 29 at Roy Griak Invitational Oct. 6 vs. SIFE 5k Oct. 13 vs. Yellow Jacket Invite Oct. 20 at RMAC Oct. 27 at Pronghorn Invitational Nov. 3 vs. Transitional Meet Belle Fourche cross country Aug. 24 at Douglas Invite 10 a.m.

Aug. 30 at Spearfish Invite 3 p.m.

Sept 6 vs. Belle Invite. 2 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Custer 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Hot Springs Invite. 3 p.m.

Sept. 25 at L-D Invite - Pre-Conference.

2:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Lead (Tomahawk) 2 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Region (Custer) 2:00 Oct. 20 at State (Huron) Spearfish girls soccer schedule Aug 28 vs. St Thomas More 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 vs. Watertown 1 p.m.

Sept. 8 at RC Stevens (Sioux Park) 6 p.m.

Sept. 14 at Yankton (Lewis & Clark) 8 p.m.

Sept. 15 at SF O'Gorman (O'Gorman Field) 1 p.m.

Sept. 18 at RC Central (Sioux Park) 8 p.m.

Sept. 22 vs. Pierre 3 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Brandon Valley (McHardy Park) 5 p.m.

Sept. 29 at SF Roosevelt (Yankton Trail) 1 p.m.

Spearfish boys soccer Aug. 28 vs. St Thomas More 7 p.m.

Sept. 01 vs. Watertown 3 p.m.

Sept. 08 at RC Stevens (Sioux Park Stadium) 8 p.m.

Sept. 14 at Yankton (Lewis & Clark 3) 6 p.m.

Sept. 15 at S F O'Gorman (O'Gorman Field) 3 p.m.

Sept. 18 at RC Central (Sioux Park Stadium) 6 p.m.

Sept. 22 vs. Pierre 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Brandon Valley (McHardy Park) 5 p.m.

Sept. 29 at SF Roosevelt 1 p.m.

Lead-Deadwood soccer Aug. 30 at Custer 5 p.m.

Sept.1 at Douglas (RC Sioux Park Stadium) 3 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Hill City 5 p.m.

Sept. 11 vs. Belle Fourche 6 p.m.

Sept. 13 vs. Sturgis 6 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Tea Area 6 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Huron 1 p.m.

Sept. 29 vs. Hot Springs 1 p.m.

Belle Fourche girls soccer Aug. 25 at (Harrisburg Stadium) 1 p.m.

Aug. 31 vs. West Central 8 p.m.

Sept. 7 at Huron 5 p.m.

Sept. 8 at West Central 1 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. Sturgis 1 p.m.

Sept. 22 vs. Vermillion 1 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Sturgis 6 p.m.

Belle Fourche boys soccer Aug. 25 at Tea Area 1 p.m.

Sept. 1 vs. Hot Springs 3 p.m.

Sept. 7 vs. Mitchell Christian 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 vs. Douglas 3 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Lead-Deadwood 6 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Custer 3 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Sturgis 8 p.m.

Sept. 29 vs. Hill City 1 p.m.

Spearfish tennis Aug. 23 vs. TBA 4 p.m.

Aug. 24 at RC Invitational 2 p.m.

Aug. 25 at RC Invitational 8 a.m.

Sept. 4 at Campbell Co. 4 p.m.

Sept 7-8 at Brandon Valley Invitational TBA Sept. 13 at St. Thomas More4 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Rapid City (Sioux Park) 11 a.m./1:30 p.m.

Oct. 4-6 at State (Rapid City) TBA