2022 Spring Sports Preview

2022 Spring

SPORTS PREVIEW GIRLS' GOLF | WOMEN'S SOFTBALL | BOYS' TENNIS | TRACK & FIELD | BASEBALL | RODEO SPEARFISH SPARTANS • LEAD-DEADWOOD GOLDDIGGERS • BELLE FOURCHE BRONCS BHSU YELLOW JACKETS • STURGIS BROWN SCOOPERS • NEWELL IRRIGATORS

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE

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SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Spring 2022

Spartans track and field has large numbers

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The 2022 Spearfish High School track and field team is excited about the upcoming season.

The girls’ team made a good showing at state.

“I though the girls’ team performed really well at state. We got about all the points we could get at the state meet,” said Aaron Nida, beginning his 18th season in charge of the Spearfish track and field program. “There were a couple of things that happened that were kind of disappointing; tripping over hurdles, or some stuff like that. But, for the most part the kids ran well at the end of the season when we wanted them to. They worked hard, and I think they did a nice job for the season.”

Nida said he was happy with the boys’ results at state.

“On the boys’ side, again, we ran well

at the end when were supposed to,” said Nida. “Keenan Urdiales and Jaden Guthmiller both ran really nice times in the state track meet. They placed well, and we’ve got both of them back this year,” Nida said.

Urdiales placed second in both the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs, sixth in the 3,200-meter run, and was a member of the Spartans’ third-place 4x800-meter relay team.

Guthmiller placed fourth in the 100-meter dash, and third in the 200-meter dash.

“We didn’t leave a whole lot of points out there that we thought we could get.

So, I think we performed very with both teams, for the most part,” Nida said.

Both sides of the Spearfish team produced high numbers.

“With both sides we have over 130 athletes, 60-plus on both teams, so we’ve got good numbers. We’ve got some pret-

ty good kids that have come out,” said Nida. “I’m excited about the season, and hopefully we can put the puzzle together, and get everybody running different events to score and do well.”

The big numbers also mean more competitors for each event.

“The large number helps us depth wise; it also makes it a little bit tough to figure out where we are going to put everybody. We expect we might have to split the squad a little bit, and do some different things, but we’ll make sure we get them all competing, and it’ll be nice to be able to have to be tied in to certain groups; we’ll have some options,” Nida said.

The Spartans attempted to get all the athletes a chance to compete, but Mother Nature didn’t cooperate, causing a few meets to be canceled in 2021.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

SPEARFISH track & field April 14 at Belle Fourche Center of the Nation.... 9 a.m.

April 14 at Rapid City Track O’Rama... 9 a.m.

April 22 at Custer......................................3 p.m.

April 26 at Belle Fourche Qualifier.........noon April 26 at RC Relays................................1 p.m.

May 6-7 at Howard Wood...........................TBD May 17 Sturgis Brown Last Chance........noon

Members of the 2002 Spearfish High School girls’ track and field team are, front row from the left: Lola Ruml, Adrhianna Britton, Avery Kirk, Keelie Overvold, Isabelle May, Jozie Dana, Annika Brandenberg, Mallory Mailloux, Izabelle Brandenberg, Shea Irion, Natalie Harris, Madelynn Schlup, Natalee Bruner, Jonnie Jensen, and Sara Heine. Second row from the left: Hollie Wise, Abbi Johnson, Jade Vigil, Nyra Schultz, Gracie Skaley, KyleeJo Symonds, Halle Parks, Austynn Suda, Peyton VanDeest, Kori Keil, Sierra Sandford, Elizabeth VanOsdal, and Maria Eisenbraun. Third row from the left: Ella Torres, Ella Sprague, Elouise Adams, Genesis Raysor, Tarynn Ball, Alyssa Rafferty, Samantha Allred, Sevana Thompson, Claire Larson, Gretchen Adamski, Anna Hoffman, Madeline Cross, Alera Termis, Sophey Spraitz, and Kiana Stahlecker. Last row from the left: Justine Mitchell, Vaida Pettersen, Charlie Nickles, Madison Viergets, Hanna Bjorkman, Sofie Guthmiller, Sarah Stevens, Autumn Tabaha, Josie Tobin, Tessa Lucas, Halle Fjelland, Leonie Krautwig, and Kate Fjelland. Not pictured are: Hailey Ardis, Elinor Damberg, Bailey Dana, Madison Donovan, Taylor Gould, Ava Henderson, Chayse Keller, Stella Marcus, Rachel Marker, Claire Nida, Reese Nida, Brooke Peotter, Dillan Richards, Bailey Cook, Abby Edwards, and Sadie Ellingson. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

Play hard Give it your best shot!

Spring 2022

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SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Nida said the coaches try to make sure that all the athletes get a chance to show what they can do in track and field events.

“We make sure we get kids some

open times when we need to, and then we kind of plan out through the season that we get some kids in open and some in relays, and then the next week we do the opposite to try to make sure we get

each kid a chance to show what they can do,” Nida said. “It’s kind of a puzzle we have to put together, but that’s part of the deal with high numbers, but the nice part about track is we can find out

a way to get everybody somewhere. The first few meets of the season is trying to figure out who fits best at each position.”

Members of the 2002 Spearfish High School boys’ track and field team are, front row, from the left: Braden Lueders, Drason Craig, Parker Reede, John Jeffery, Mason Schmitz, Korbin Harris, Clay Donovan, Dago Rodriguez, Brayden Delahoyde, Quintin Hall, Casey Nauta, and Chase Dowdy. Second row from the left: Dylan Doren, Ben Baloun, Cadence Jones, Nathan Sperling, Chase McArthur, Logan Gosse, William Williams, Max Ensor, and Brody Javrin. Third row from the left: Paul Hourigan, Ashton Eixenberger, Dawson Wood, Jaden Guthmiller, AJ Covell, Brennan Aga, Preston Davis, Layton Loup, Cole Malo, and Tommy Anglin. Fourth row from the left: Layke Roberdeau, Jack Faulkner, Hunter Walters, Dylan Irion, Ashton Brun, Ben Allred, Quintin Carlson, Ayden Verhulst, AJ Kinney, Jacob Donner, and Kaleb Ranek. Back row from the left: Tashaun Bad Bear, Brandt Miles, Jacob Brewer, Joseph Moore, Evan Viergets, Isaiah Lahoe, Ian Rath, Zach Wilson, Nate Allred, Jayce Sanford, Ethan Frey. Not pictured are: Zander Brost, Max Engen, Dominic Evans, Coy Hamilton, Blake Kaiser, Peyton Millis, Sam Moore, Jadon Olsson, Yohannes Peterson, Nicholas Pierce, Will Scharf, Coy Hamilton, Will Scharf, and Keenan Urdiales. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Spring 2022

Digger track teams experience higher numbers

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — Vastly increased participant numbers extend the options for the Lead-Deadwood track teams as they seek to build on their 2021 campaign.

“Our numbers are huge this year, which is great,” Golddiggers’ head coach Will Malde said. “There are a lot of people I’m exited about.” Preliminary numbers are at 53 compared to a peak of 39 for the 2021 campaign.

Malde is beginning his eighth season as Golddiggers’ head coach.

Key returning athletes Malde cited include: seniors David Morris, Jagger Smith, Landon Williams, Jayna Prince, and Rachel Janssen; juniors Allison Mollman, James Pierce, and Clarissa Heisinger; sophomores Mya Lucero and Jocelyn Dirksen; and ninth-grader James Burke.

Most of them qualified for last season’s state A meet in various events.

Morris earned seventh place in the boys’ long jump, with Prince claiming

eighth place in the girls’ pole vault.

Malde said the strengths of this season’s team include depth, especially in the boys’ division. He added many are quite solid, and the hope is for them to keep growing. The top-end girls are very competitive, Malde said.

“We, as an entire team, can take a huge step forward from last year just in our experience and confidence,” said Malde, whose program lost only one senior, Zariah Jones, to graduation from last season. He also cited the willingness of athletes to help the team in different ways.

Malde said a big thing for some of the younger athletes is to learn to push themselves a bit more. “Getting out of their comfort zone a little bit; I think that’s where we’re going to see huge growth,” he added.

Many athletes maintained their enthusiasm last season, according to Malde. He said that contributed a lot to the success of 2021.

Lead-Deadwood plans to host the

Mountain West Invitational on Tuesday, May 3. That meet is held at the facility just above the high school.

Box Elder is slated to host the Black Hills Conference meet on May 13.

The Region 8A meet will be May 19 at Hart Ranch, which is the Rapid City Christian campus.

Sioux Falls hosts the state class A meet May 26-28.

“What makes our conference so difficult is, you have those big AA schools,” Malde said in describing his team’s schedule. Spearfish, Sturgis Brown, and Douglas compete in Class AA. Malde tabbed Spearfish and Sturgis Brown as Black Hills Conference favorites. He said St. Thomas More always excels with its numbers.

“I think we have an uphill battle because there are some really good teams,” Malde said. “But I do think we’re going to surprise some people or have the potential to do that.”

LEAD-DEADWOOD track & field April 14 at Belle Fourche Center of the Nation.... 9 a.m.

April 14 at Rapid City Track O’Rama... 9 a.m.

April 22 at Custer......................................3 p.m.

April 26 at Belle Fourche Qualifier.........noon April 26 at RC Relays................................1 p.m.

May 6-7 at Howard Wood............................TBD May 6 hosting Mile High Invite................TBD May 17 Sturgis Brown Last Chance........noon

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Lead-Deadwood girls’ track team members include, back row from the left: student manager Kari Mollman, Taylor Hansen, Jocelyn Dirksen, Erica Hansen, Jayna Prince, Rachel Janssen, Kayanah Burrows, Briar Rose, Isabel Bauernfeind, Claire Hannah, and Clarissa Heisinger.

Middle row from the left: student manager Nevaeh Foster, Jayda Hunter, Chloe Wisser, Sydnie Percy, Allison Mollman, Abigail Keehn, Winter McMahon, Hailey Buchholz, and Clairity Pray. Front row from the left: student manager Angella Engel, Joslyn Kooima, Janie Fredericksen, Jerzie Artz, Hallie Person, Allison Keehn, and Piper Rogers. Not pictured are: Mya Lucero, Delanie Berglund, Kaitlyn Martin, Khloe Richards, student manager Miranda Kearns, and head coach Will Malde.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Spring 2022

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SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Individual improvement and personal records are two benchmarks for success this season. Malde said things will most likely fall into place if athletes take care of their business.

“We’re trying to get as much in as we possibly can to give ourselves the most options to score as many points as possible,” Malde said of state class A meet goals. He added the aim is to expect state qualification and score points.

Malde credits the “top 24” state qualifying format, in part, for the high returning numbers.

“They felt like they were more successful because they had a shot at something like that,” Malde said.

“Some of them were very, very close.”

Official practice sessions began on Feb. 28. Focal points included speed building, acceleration drills, field event work, and strength workouts.

Malde said the Golddiggers displayed quite a bit of confidence in 2021, and he would like to see them build on that for this year. “They worked hard last year, and they got to see the rewards and benefits of that,” he added.

Improvement areas for Malde in 2022 include continuing to build the competitive nature. He said there is a tendency for athletes to not believe they belong.

“Not that we need to be arrogant or anything, but we need to go into these things understanding that people are looking at us, too,” Malde said. “We should go in excited to compete and expect to do well.”

Lead-Deadwood boys’ track team members include, back row the left: Noah Baker, John Campbell, Ethan Hess, Tyler Williams, Blake Burke, Walker VandeVelde, Cruz Mollman, Isaac Foster, and Greyson Baumberger. Middle row from the left: James Burke, Steven Buchholz, Cooper Quenzer, Stryder Greenfield, James Pierce, Phillip Sneesby, and David Morris. Front row from the left: Jonas Runge, Jagger Smith, Landon Williams, Jacob Smith, Hudson Knabel, and Kashton Dillman. Not pictured are: Kaden Lefler and head coach Will Malde. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Spring 2022

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Broncs welcome high numbers into track season

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — Belle Fourche brings robust numbers into a track season that started April 2 at the Douglas Early Bird Invitational in Box Elder.

“This is our largest group as far as numbers go right now,” Broncs’ head coach Bill Abell said in outlining a team strength. Preliminary roster numbers show 47 boys and 42 girls.

Abell added the early times (running events) seem better than last year at this time.

Abell is beginning his ninth season as the Broncs’ track and field coach.

He named senior Aiden Giffin, junior Sawyer Clarkson, senior Dru Keegan, and sophomore Mataya Ward as key returning athletes.

Giffin placed second in the boys’ 100-meter dash, fourth in the long jump, seventh in the 200 dash, and was part of the fifth-place 4x100 relay at last season’s state Class A meet. Clarkson’s efforts featured second in the 3,200 run and fourth in the 1,600 run; he also won

the state Class A boys’ cross country title in the fall.

“Both of them seem to be pretty dialed in and ready to roll this year,” Abell said in describing Giffin and Clarkson. “Sawyer (Clarkson) is training at a different level than most people have ever heard or seen at the high school level.”

Keegan and Ward return from the girls’ 4x100-meter relay that placed fifth at the state Class A meet last season.

Ward claimed sixth place in the girls’ triple jump.

Abell said athletes must step into their needed roles. “A lot of times, it’s getting out of our comfort zone or running an event that they really don’t want to run, but that’s where they’re strongest at,” he added.

The Broncs will host the Center of the Nation meet on April 14 and the Northern Hills Invitational on April 26.

Box Elder is slated to host the Black Hills Conference meet on May 13.

The Region 8A meet will be May 19 at Hart Ranch, which is the Rapid City

Christian campus.

Sioux Falls hosts the state Class A meet May 26-28.

“I love our schedule out here. I get a kick out of the Black Hills Conference,” Abell said. He added Belle Fourche will face Class AA teams at several weekly meets, and that makes the Broncs better across the board.

Abell tabbed Spearfish and Sturgis Brown as Black Hills Conference favorites due to larger numbers.

“We’re going to hold our own this year, I’m hoping,” Abell said in comparing the Broncs to other conference teams. He added this will be an interesting campaign.

Abell said embracing the longer sprints would signal success for this season. He added he would like to put together a competitive 4x200-meter relay.

Official practice sessions began March 1. Mechanics, speed work, and acceleration drills took center stage.

Abell said he would like to see improved preparation for this season’s

BELLE FOURCHE track & field April 14 at Belle Fourche Center of the Nation... 9 a.m.

April 14 at Rapid City Track O’Rama .. 9 a.m.

April 22 at Custer .....................................3 p.m.

April 26 at Belle Fourche Qualifier.........noon April 26 at RC Relays................................1 p.m.

May 6-7 at Howard Wood............................TBD May 17 Sturgis Brown Last Chance........noon

state meet. He added some things did not go the team’s way, and the boys’ squad missed a top-six podium spot by 0.83 point.

Logan Goeders, Bella Jensen, and Jasmyn Jensen graduated from last season’s squads.

Members of the Belle Fourche girls’ track team include, back row from the left: Ashton Hight, Annie Jensen, Jocelyn Olson, Shaine Weishaar, Jacie Baxendale, Katelyn Lee, Mataya Ward, Ayseluna Hockenbary, Ava Allen, and Allison Hayes. Third row from the left: Syd Pelster, Terlin Cazer, Baylee Clendening, Allison Jewitt, Lydia Main, Lily Nore, Sloan Young, and Olivia Nehl. Second row from the left: Tessa Stearns, Aleyah Carbajal, Joselyn Shockey, Isabelle Jackson, McKenzie Lyons, Tori Brill, Sarah Juelfs, Reese Larson, and Kailey Nowowiejski. Front row from the left: Hailey Rodriguez, Shelby Moke, Alyssa Frisbie, Hannah Kirksey, Avery Cherveny, Kaylin Garza, Dylan Stedillie, Dru Keegan, Alexa Swaney, and Anika Main. Not pictured are: Jessica Dudley, Kyra Vandenberg, Natalia Biehl, Charlie Henwood, Lily McCarty, and head coach Bill Abell. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Members of the Belle Fourche boys’ track team include, fifth row from the left: Wyatt Keegan, Charles Alberts, Jack Stearns, Aiden Giffin, Thomas McCoy, and Jet Jensen. Fourth row from the left: Austin Jewitt, Carsyn Hahne, Andrew Tonsager, Keynan Roden, Daniel Krajewski, Damien Park, Justus Funk, and Nic Lambert. Third row from the left: Cortez Rodriguez, Carter Lyons, Darian Pesicka, Jayden Sechser, Jaimen Sechser, Hayden Nickerson, Sawyer Clarkson, Jordan Sandoval, and Harley Rivera. Second row from the left: Harvey Walding, Owyn Schreder, Kord Colburn, Elijah Pomrenke, Lucas Green, Lane Longbrake, Logan Tyndall, Gabe Heck, and Rextin Audiss.

Front row from the left: Sean Wahlfeldt, Riley Dighton, Ethan Staley, Anthony Staley, Tristin Hendricks, Ethan Jensen, Kyren Nulle, Devin Burns, Nolan Wahlfeldt, and Dalton Davis. Not pictured are: Grey Carlson, Gunnar Geib, Devin Nowowiejski, Zach Tonsager, Aiden Voyles, and head coach Bill Abell. Pioneer photo

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Page 8

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Spring 2022

Sturgis Brown track team prepares for the season

By Tim Potts Black Hills Pioneer STURGIS — The Sturgis Brown High School girls’ and boys’ track and field teams started training several weeks ago with more than 100 athletes starting the season and preparing for the track and field season.

“Overall, the season looks very promising with the number of athletes we have out this year,” said Blake Proefrock, the Scoopers’ varsity coach.

“We are coming off an excellent season last year, and we hope to compete and contend the same way this season.”

Proefrock, now in his seventh year as head coach, talked about the team and several of the runners to watch this season.

“We have a great group of distance and mid-distance guys. Most of them were out for cross country and were able to get on the state podium there, so we are hoping for big things. Ray Henderson is one of those senior guys to watch along with juniors, Deron Graf and Beck Bruch, sophomore Morgan Papenfuss, and freshman Ty Petrocco.”

Henderson, a senior leader, discussed the team and his personal goals.

“I’m really excited for the team this year. The sprinters look strong this year. They have been running some hard practices,” he said. “On the distance side, we are already running faster times than we were at this time last year. We have a lot of competition among teammates which is good for improving our times.

“My personal goals include breaking two minutes in the 800–meter run,” he added. “I know the coaches are hoping to win the state medley relay another time so we can keep our winning streak going, and I am hoping to be on that team.”

The Scoopers have a large number of athletes who competed and placed at state last year and are now coming back.

Another athlete Proefrock talked about was senior Ridge Inhofer. He is an incredibly fast kid that has worked hard all offseason and is ready to compete.

Also, sophomore Aidan Hedderman

was a state placer in the hurdles last year and looks to do even bigger things this season.

On the girls’ side, athletes to watch are: senior Kaylee Whatley, junior Sawyer Dennis, Paige Willnerd (freshman), Iris Zylstra (eighth grade), Lucy Hamer (eighth grade), Novali Dinkins (sophomore), and senior Lexi Long.

Proefrock talked about the strength in the Scooper relays for this season.

“The girls and boys should have very strong relay teams this season.

“The boys’ relay teams were state medalists in four relays and state champions in the sprint medley, while the girls teams were state medalists in three relays, and we look to have very strong mile and two mile relays again,” Proefrock said.

The Scooper boys won the Black Hills Conference title in 2017 and 2019, and were second last season. The girls won in 2017, finished second in 2019 by only 1.5 points, and won it again in 2021.

The girls’ team was also able to get on the state podium in 2017, and the

STURGIS BROWN track & field April 14 at Belle Fourche Center of the Nation. 9 a.m.

April 14 at Rapid City Track O’Rama... 9 a.m.

April 22 at Custer .....................................3 p.m.

April 26 at Belle Fourche Qualifier.........noon April 26 at RC Relays ...............................1 p.m.

May 6-7 at Howard Wood...........................TBD May 17 Sturgis Brown Last Chance........noon

boys accomplished the same in 2019.

“We hope to compete for the conference titles again this year. We think we should be competitive again, and that is always the goal. We know we have a ton of competition with the schools in the conference but also the entire Black Hills region. Everyone is extremely excited for the season,” Proefrock said.

Members of the 2022 Sturgis Brown High School girls’ track team, back row from the left: Zoey Goebel, Kenna Goebel, Rachael Banks, Sage Graham, Taesha Monahan, Azlyn Peterson, Brenna Whitford, Hannah Killinger, Lexi Long, Audrey Scarborough, Rowan Swift, Lucy Hamer, Myla Ray, and Jae Seol. Kneeling from the left: Novali Dinkins, Kaylee Whatley, Sawyer Dennis, Lily Carlson, Abbey Gaeta, Mya Jordan, Paige Willnerd, Avery Marler, Kylee Phillips, Grace Kiepke, Ireland Nacey, Cami Lurz, Felicity Jones, Josie Reedy, Jesalyn Laudrille, and Sophia Gire. Sitting from the left: Ky’Asia Jones, Dezmond Rhodes, Emma Weinberger, Erin Shaw, Torre Buus, Katie Wilkins, Eva Jensen, Desirae Ownby, Keira Muchow, Iris Zylstra, and Madison Schaefer. Pioneer photo by Tim Potts

The 2022 Sturgis Brown High School boys’ track and field team is, back row from the left: Noah Schaefers, Owen Koontz, Jayden Ludwick, Jayden Spratt, Zak Juelfs, Zachary Spratt, Connor Schmidt, Tayten Smeenk, Hunter Harrison, Konner Berndt, Aidan Hedderman, Caleb Weishaar, Aaron Morovits, Connor Lurz, Xander Heller, Ray Henderson, Walker Vlietstra, Deron Graf, Jadon Blair, Reese Jacobs, Slade Keierleber, Paul Pulling, Terrence Lara, Ridge Inhofer, Joseph Conner, and Jesse Lane. Kneeling from the left: Cale Jolley, Beck Bruch, Dawson Inhofer, Byron Holt, Braden Temple, Caelden Kennedy, Hunter Barnhardt, Brooks Brandner, Taiton Ortlieb, Gavin Dunn, Nathaniel Jones, Chase Temple, Manny Jaramillo, Luke Ross, and Morgan Papenfuss. Sitting from the left: Ty Petrocco, Cash Daigle, Gunner Rohloff, Tyan Buus, Ben Storm, Austin Ateyo, Owen Udager, Gavin Sundstrom, Jaxon Cano, Carsen Wolter, Gage Studer, Chase Walker, and Dean Gebbie. Not pictured are: Carter Williams and Dalyn Dschaak. Pioneer photo by Tim Potts

Spring 2022

Page 9

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Newell track members ready for season

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer NEWELL — A Newell track program small in numbers looks to achieve big things in a season that started April 2 at the Douglas Early Bird meet.

Kyle Sanderson is beginning his ninth season as Irrigators’ head coach.

He cited senior Garrett Winkler and sophomore Rachel Erk as key returning athletes.

Winkler placed eighth in the boys’ 3,200-meter run at last season’s state Class B meet. Erk qualified for multiple state events last season, and Sanderson said both athletes enjoyed excellent cross-country campaigns last fall.

“We’re down in numbers this year from most,” Sanderson said. He added the girls’ team is a bit smaller, with the boys’ squad having only a few members.

“We’re kind of struggling with the numbers, but we do have some great youth that we’re trying to build,” Sanderson said.

Sanderson said a strength of this season’s team is an eagerness of members to work hard. “They all want to get better and put the work in,” he added.

Building up track fitness levels is something athletes need to work on, ac-

cording to Sanderson.

“A lot of these kids did do sports in the winter, so they are in good shape,” Sanderson said. “Now, it’s trying to get the muscles and everything used to track shape and their track events.”

Sanderson said fundamentals are also something to work on, especially in the field events.

“We have a pretty strong schedule,” Sanderson said. Douglas and Spearfish hosted the first couple of meets, which he said would feature a lot of top talent from the Black Hills Conference, South Dakota class AA, and Wyoming schools.

The slate also includes the Center of the National meet on April 14 and the Northern Hills Invitational on April 26.

Belle Fourche hosts both.

Lemmon will host the Little Moreau Conference meet on May 12 along with the Region 8B meet May 19. Sioux Falls hosts the state class B meet on May 26-28.

Sanderson sees Lemmon and Timber Lake as the favored boys’ and girls’ teams in the Little Moreau Conference.

He cited their depth and strengths as key factors.

“I think we stack up very well,” Sanderson said in comparing the Irrigators with the other conference

squads. “A lot of the teams here are maybe a little down in numbers, so we’re all kind of in that same boat.”

Success for Newell depends on individual results and progress throughout the season, according to Sanderson. He said success also means athletes competing with more confidence, and for a few athletes to qualify for state.

Newell began official practice sessions the week of March 14. Team members worked on strength training and form work (for hurdle events, etc.).

Sanderson said most of this season’s team members competed during the 2021 season. That was the first year of the “top 24” state qualifying format, and he added they can take that experience into this season.

“One thing they learned last year was, ‘We need to be ready to perform every meet, every event because we need to get our best marks,’” Sanderson recalled.

Sanderson said the Irrigators adjusted well to that last year, but it is more on their minds for this season.

He said he would like to see attitude and confidence while competing improve from last season to now. Sanderson explained that as athletes going beyond what they think they are capable of,

NEWELL track & field April 14 at Center of the Nation Invite.2:30 p.m.

April 23 at Dacotah Bank Invite...........11 a.m.

April 26 at Northern Hills Invite..........11 a.m.

April 30 at Harold Severson Relays......10 a.m.

May 3 at Lead-Deadwood Mile High.........TBD May 12 at Little Moreau Conference......2:30 p.m.

along with an attitude saying, “We can compete, and we can perform well.”

Lexa Burtzlaff, Ryan Hohenberger, and David Morell graduated from last season’s squads.

Newell track team members feature, back row from the left: Kaira Stomprud, BeJae Tesch, Sophia Johnston, Colton Niles, Josh Stomprud, Garrett Winkler, Orrin Bender, and Andrew Packard. Front row from the left: Eirolynn Bender, Mary Mahaffy, Sarah Kirby, Hailey McCann, Rachel Erk, Stacy Mahfaffy, and Clint Winkler. Not pictured is: Head coach Kyle Sanderson Photo courtesy of Kyle Sanderson

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Page 10

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Spring 2022

Yellow Jackets moving through outdoor season

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Black Hills State University has progressed through the first three meets of its outdoor track season.

Yellow Jacket athletes will compete at meets in California and North Dakota the weekend of April 14-16 to prepare for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships set for April 29 through May 1 in Spearfish.

Black Hills State athletes ultimately set their sights on the NCAA Division II national meet scheduled for May 26-28 in Allendale, Mich.

Yellow Jackets’ head coach Seth Mischke listed Kyla Sawvell (throwing events), Hannah Hendrick (pole vault), Breanne Fuller (sprints), Mikayla Tracy (sprints), and Ruby Lindquist (distance) as key athletes in the women’s division.

Men’s division athletes Mischke cited are Keith Osowski (distance), Sully Mack (throwing events), and Conor McGraw (multiple events).

“On the ladies’ side, we’re a little more field-event dominated in terms of where our points might come from,” said Mischke, who is in his eighth season as head coach.

“We’ve got guys that are throwing competitively relative to the conference right now,” Mischke said of the men’s team. He cited Osowski, Tim Brown, and

Matt Parker.

Mischke said it is all about being consistent at this point, even when the weather does not allow for that. He added the Yellow Jackets benefit by having an indoor facility if needed.

“The only thing we’re trying to do, when we get to the outdoor season, is trying to find competitive weather,” Mischke said. He added the schedule isn’t difficult per se, and the challenge is to get sound weather for meets.

Preseason conference polls list UCColorado Springs, Colorado Mines, and Adams State as the top three men’s teams. Black Hills State is tabbed for eighth place.

Women’s preseason polls have UCColorado Springs, Colorado Mesa, and Colorado Mines as the top three squads.

Black Hills State is tabbed for seventh place.

“It’s going to be working our way back to kind of the middle of the pack for this year with who we have,” Mischke said in assessing how the Yellow Jackets stack up in the conference race. Fourteen women’s teams and 13 men’s teams comprise the conference.

Mischke said finishing in the middle to the upper half of the conference pack would signify a win. He added another aim is for the teams to score in more events than was the case during the indoor campaign.

“We certainly have some people with national aspirations,” Mischke said.

“That’s always a fun thing to continue to chase after.”

Mischke said many ways to gauge success exist. He added many athletes are working really hard and trying to improve.

“The biggest thing is to try to make that switch to an outdoor mentality,” Mischke said. “There are going to be weather issues. The weather aspect helps to display an athlete’s mental toughness.” Desired improvements from indoor to outdoor campaigns center on athletes’ increased expectations from themselves, Mischke said.

Members of the 2022 Black Hills State University track and field teams are: Jillian Brennan, Sylvia Brown, Alexandra Cameron, Sophie Curtis, Erica Dykstra, Kitrie Frank, Makayla Friederich, Breanne Fuller, Jadyn Gackle, Abby Goeble, Hannah Hendrick, Katie Knutson, Ruby Lindquist, Taylor Lundquist, Jessica Martian, Kendra McDonald, Aryn Meiners,Gabbi Nowodworski, BreAnna Paul, Savannah Perez, Xiomara Robinson, Kyla Sawvell, Whitney Scott, Hannah Struble, Mikayla Tracy, Morgan Wald, Izak Aksamit, Frank Becker, Noah Bordewyk, Trevor Brangham, Tim Brown, Jasper Caldera, Chapman Coleman, Wyatt Dooley, Britton Elkin, Jacob Esposito,

BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY track & field April 14 at Mt. SAC Relays........................TBD April 14-16 at Long Beach Invitational...TBD April 16 at Blue Hawk Open......................TBD April 23 at Kit Meyer Open.......................TBD May 1 hosting RMAC Championships.....TBD

Lincoln Fleischman, Ryan Foy, Hayden Grosz, Mario Guerrero, Nicholas Hale, Clarence Johnson, Justin Jumetilco, Shane Karajanis, Jared Loecker, Sully Mack, Nolan Maher, Alex Marius, Ben Marowf, Conor McGraw, Shane McGraw, Landon Nicholson, Joshua Norder, Owen Oilar, Keith Osowski, Gevin Paas, Matthew Parker, Addison Red Fox, Anthony Rosenstrauch, Mason Sartain, Levi Smith, David Standish, Mustafa Taylor, Reece Ullery, and Marcos Valerio.

The Yellow Jackets are coached by Seth Mischke (head coach), Brian Medigovich (assistant coach-distance), Sandy Moran (assistant coach-throws), and Emily Olson (graduate assistant).

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SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

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Page 12

Spring 2022

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Lady Spartan golfers hope to improve in 2022

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — In 2021, the Spearfish High School girls’ golf team had a good season.

They won the Black Hills Conference title, and they shot a 36-hole 731 to finish 12th in the team standings at the state Class AA tournament.

“Last year the girls met all of my goals and exceeded all of my goals,” said Eric Ligtenberg, the Spearfish head coach. “I was looking for them to be competitive in our geographical area of the Black Hills. I think we definitely accomplished that.”

Ligtenberg said the team entered the 2021 season with a lot of uncertainties.

“I thought we were kind of untested.

We were unproven. Last year I just didn’t know what we had as a true core group of girls, and they had a very successful year, highlighted by winning the Black Hills Conference,” said Ligtenberg. “We kind of became one of those better teams in the Black Hills.

(Rapid City) Stevens was one of those teams that was the leader overall in the Black Hills region area, but I think

we are that next team behind them.”

Ligtenberg said he likes this year’s team.

“We have lots to grow and improve on, but I like how our team sets up this year, again,” he said.

Spearfish has 13 girls out this spring, but not all of them will play in varsity tournaments.

“Five of those girls went to state last year. Those five are the ones that played the most tournaments,” Ligtenberg said. “We don’t have that many developmental tournaments, those lower level JV or freshmen, or middle school tournaments. So when you get to be classified as a varsity golfer, you get a lot of golf, where those JV, inexperienced golfers do a lot of practice.”

Ligtenberg said not all the 13 girls are returning from last season.

“We have some brand new girls out this year that are new to the team. I would say until a little deeper into the season to truly evaluate their skill, they are kind of untested,” said Ligtenberg. “We have some other girls that were out last year. They are

still kind of inexperienced, raw, and learning, and they are still in that JV position.”

Ligtenberg said all five girls who went to state are back this season.

“The ability level of those five girls has a big range in those five, and then I have another two that I can see after about a week of practice that they will play quite a bit of varsity,” Ligtenberg said. “They’ll be playing here and there, for sure. The other six are still developing the game, learning their swing. For me, and not every team does this, but they do a lot of practice but not a lot of competition,” This spring, like many springs before, weather dictates how much practice teams get in.

“We have had four outdoor practices out of seven. One day it will nice and you will be outside and the next day you will be inside, and we will be doing something. Whatever that is, you have to be creative and mix it up when you are inside,” said Ligtenberg.

“You have to be ready for anything.

You have to be able to prepare them for that kinds of weather conditions, so

we go outside as much as we can.”

Ligtenberg said the inclement weather sometimes limits what golfers can do outside.

“We try and stay around the putting green and the chipping green. You’ve got to start at the holes out. We try to do those short game things. We also try and find a hillside that will cut the wind a little bit, and protect you, and you hit some balls. You do focus on putting and chipping, and more putting and chipping, but you still have to get the girls to do a full swing every once in a while,” Ligtenberg said.

SPEARFISH girls’ golf April 19 hosting Spearfish Quad............3 p.m.

April 21 at Belle Fourche Invite............10 a.m.

April 26 at Douglas Wind Invite............ 9 a.m.

April 26 at Pierre Invitational............... 9 a.m.

April 29 at Sturgis Invitational.............. 9 a.m.

May 2 at Custer Pre-BHC......................10 a..m.

May 9 at Custer BHC............................... 9 a.m.

May 17 at Sturgis West River Challenge....3:30 p.m.

May 19 at Meadowbrook West River Challenge....3:30 p.m.

May 24 at DHS Invitational.....................3 p.m.

May 26 at Douglas Invite......................... 9 a.m.

June 1 at Sturgis Class AA Invite.........10 a.m.

Spearfish girls’ golf team members include, front row from the left: Madeline Kelly, Elise Ligtenberg, Payten Reede, Kali Lantis, and Kali Lantis. Back row from the left: Olivia Torgerson, Cora Gill, Allison Kennedy, Cadence Kilmer, and Alivia Heairet. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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Page 13

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

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Page 14

Spring 2022

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Young Broncs’ team taking to course

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — The Belle Fourche girls’ golf squad will endure growing pains early this season, which began April 11 with a triangular at Belle Fourche Country Club.

Damon Lange is beginning his sec-

ond season as the Broncs’ head coach.

Four members return past experience, with the other six essentially starting out in the sport.

Sophomores Chloe Schmoker and Rose Sprigler, ninth-grader Kaydance Gallagher, and eighth-grader Reagan Hatling are the returning players.

Hatling qualified for last season’s state class A tournament.

Six other players are on the roster as of press time. They are juniors Ayden Kummer, Tia Williamson, and Izzabella Ramos; eighth-grader Denali Larson;

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

BELLE FOURCHE girls’ golf April 14 Hot Springs Quad......................3 p.m.

April 21 hosting Belle Fourche Invite ....10 a.m.

April 26 at Douglas Wind Invite . .......... 9 a.m.

April 29 at Sturgis Invitational ............. 9 a.m.

May 2 at Custer Pre-BHC ......................10 a.m.

May 5 at Hot Springs Invitational........10 a.m.

May 9 at Custer BHC............................... 9 a.m.

May 17 hosting Region 4A Invite..........10 a.m.

May 24 at Douglas Dual...........................2 p.m.

The Belle Fourche girls’ golf team includes, back row from the left: Ayden Kummer, Tia Williamson, Reagan Hatling, and Kaydance Gallagher. Front row from the left: Chloe Schmoker, Annika McNeese, and Elsie Adams. Not pictured are: Izzabella Ramos, Rose Sprigler, Denali Larson, and head coach Damon Lange. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Spring 2022

Page 15

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

and seventh-graders Annika McNeese and Elsie Adams.

“Three of my four returners have got significant varsity experience,” Lange said in describing team strengths. “They have had a chance to experience playing with other people.”

Lange said he hopes that experience translates into early improvements this season, along with big improvements around the time of the region tournament.

“Right now, we’re really working hard on our fundamentals and getting our swings back,” Lange said. He added some team members have not really played before this season.

Belle Fourche will host an invitational/pre-regional event on April 21.

Custer is scheduled to host the Black Hills Conference Tournament on May 9. Belle Fourche hosts the Region 4A Tournament set for May 17.

Sioux Falls will host the state class A tournament June 6-7 at the Bakker Crossing course.

“We’ve got some good golf teams in the conference and the region,” Lange said in describing his team’s schedule.

“It’s going to be a challenge for us to qualify a team, but that definitely is a goal.”

Nine teams comprise Region 4A: Belle Fourche, Custer, Hot Springs, Lakota Tech, Lead-Deadwood, Little Wound, Pine Ridge, Red Cloud, and St. Thomas More. The top three teams at the region tournament qualify for

state.

“I told them we need to set our standards high,” Lange said in speeches to his players. “If we make it, great. If we don’t, we’ll send who qualifies.”

Lange tabbed Hot Springs and St. Thomas More as the Black Hills Conference favorites.

He said Belle Fourche will need to find a few golfers to take the team’s fourth and fifth spots. Lange added this would initially be a bit rough, but he looks forward to watching the process.

“For a coach, at the end of the season, you want to see all of the girls that went out this year to come out for next year,” Lange said in defining success. He added making the season

enjoyable for the athletes also serves as a very high priority.

Practice sessions officially began March 28, with locations evenly split between indoors and outdoors for the first four days. Efforts have included focusing on the fundamentals and helping newer team members starting out.

Lange said a few returning team members could improve their scores this season because of their experience levels.

Desired improvements center on the area around the green, according to Lange. He said players tend to lose quite a few shots to the short game.

Belle Fourche did not graduate any seniors from last season.

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Page 16

Spring 2022

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Digger golfers boast various experience levels

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — Lead-Deadwood returns a mix of returning experience and newer players into the girls’ 2022 golf season.

Kim Hansen is beginning her second season as the Golddiggers’ head coach.

Gayle Thompson, junior Ashley Lary, sophomore Alayna Baurenfeind, and ninth-grader Delaney Mattson are the top four returners.

Other players on the roster are junior Ann-Sofie Frandsen, ninth-grader Emily Farmer, eighth-grader Janel Hess, and sixth-graders Charlie Hess and Hennessey Mattson.

Hansen said the five other players do not have a lot of experience, and the biggest team goal is for those players to get on the course and become comfortable with how things go.

Hansen said experience and confidence mark Lead-Deadwood’s strong suits for this season.

“We had a lot of girls improve exponentially last year,” Hansen said. “Now with a season under their belt, they’re

just going to have all that more confidence going into the next season. Being consistent is also going to be another (goal) for our returning players. That’s just all about them working on their game.”

Lead-Deadwood’s schedule continues with the Spearfish Invitational on April 12.

Custer will host the Black Hills Conference Tournament on May 9.

Region 4A Tournament competition is set for May 17 in Belle Fourche.

Sioux Falls hosts the state A tournament June 6-7 at the Bakker Crossing course.

Hansen said the Golddiggers’ schedule is the same as in 2021.

“We’ve got a great conference, and I think those returning players know what to expect now,” Hansen said.

She added the same players and teams would serve as Lead-Deadwood’s opponents.

Hansen said Hot Springs and Custer return quite a bit of state experience, with Spearfish having a lot of great players. She added the conference race

should be very competitive.

“It should be exciting to see who does well at the end of the season,” Hansen said.

Success for this season centers on the little things, according to Hansen.

She cited lowering scores and gaining confidence.

“These girls are really excited, and they love golf,” Hansen said. “It’s a lifelong activity, and that’s one of the benefits.”

Official practice sessions began March 28. Players worked a lot on the fundamentals, including proper position and club holding.

“That’s the really fun part of it: just to teach someone correctly the basics,” Hansen said.

Hansen said the returning players are able to set personal goals after their experience in 2021 because they now know what to expect.

Desired improvement includes better team scores, Hansen said.

Madi Rystrom and Lexie Schroeder graduated from last season’s squad.

LEAD-DEADWOOD girls’ golf April 14 at Hot Springs Quadrangular..3 p.m.

April 21 at Belle Fourche Pre-Regional.....10 a.m.

April 26 at Douglas Invitational, Box Elder... 9 a.m.

April 29 at Sturgis Invitational.............. 9 a.m.

May 2 at Custer Pre-Black Hills Invitational...10 a.m.

May 5 at Hot Springs Invitational........10 a.m.

May 9 at Custer Black Hills Conference... 9 a.m.

May 17 at Belle Fourche Region 4A.........10 a.m.

May 24 at Douglas Invitational...............3 p.m.

June 2 at Hot Springs Invitational............TBD June 6-7 at State A Tournament (Sioux Falls)..TBD

Lead-Deadwood girls’ golf team members feature, back row from the left: Janel Hess, Delaney Mattson, Ashley Lary, Ann-Sofie Frandsen, Hennessey Mattson, and student manager Emily Thomas. Front row from the left: Charlie Hess, Emily Farmer, Alayna Baurenfeind, and Gayle Thompson. Not pictured is head coach Kim Hansen. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Spring 2022

Page 17

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Young Lady Scooper golf team prepares for the season

By Tim Potts Black Hills Pioneer STURGIS – The Sturgis Brown High School girls’ golf team will be young for the 2022 high school season.

This year, the Lady Scoopers’ roster continues to get bigger.

Two seniors, three juniors, two sophomores, one freshman, two eighth– graders, and one seventh grader will battle for 10 varsity spots.

“I am excited to have 11 girls out for the season, and a number of young golfers, and that is what is needed to build a program,” said Steve Keszler, Sturgis Brown’s head coach. “It will be fun to see how much we learn and improve during the season.”

The Lady Scoopers had three athletes compete in the state tournament last season and that was the last time, due to rule changes, that a Class AA school can take a partial team.

Ashley Bear, shot a two-day 242. She carded a 119 on the final day of the state tournament.

Lilly Forbes shot a 128 on the final day of the tournament to finish with a score of 251.

Lina Williamson also represented the Scoopers and carded a 127 on the final day of the state tournament, which enabled her to finish at 272 for the two days.

“These athletes gained some good experience last year,” said Keszler.

Forbes, who is a senior, discussed her goals and what she looks forward to this season.

“My goal as a senior this year is to finish with lower scores. I think we have a great group of girls this year with lots of new faces. What I am looking forward to most this year is having lots of fun at practice and competing with other girls,” said Forbes.

Bear, who is a senior, discussed goals that she has set for herself.

“This season I’m looking forward to making memories with the team and improving together. My personal goal is to improve from last year,” said Bear.

Lilly Heisinger, a freshman golfer, said, “I feel like it is going to be a good season and with the good weather, it is looking better than last year. A goal I have for myself is to shoot under 100.”

Keszler talked about the conference favored team, and he felt that would be Spearfish. He said the Sioux Falls Schools, O’Gorman, or Watertown would be the favored team for the Class AA state title.

“The focus of the first few weeks of practice will be working on fundamentals and start to work on their swings,” added Keszler.

STURGIS BROWN girls’ golf April 12 at Spearfish Invitational.........10 a.m.

April 14 at Rapid City Elks Invite...........3 p.m.

April 19 at Spearfish Quad......................3 p.m.

April 21 at Belle Fourche Invite............10 a.m.

April 26 at Pierre Invitational............. 10 a.m.

April 29 hosting Sturgis Invitational.... 9 a.m.

May 2 at Custer Pre-BHC.......................10 a.m.

May 5 at Hot Springs Invite...................10 a.m.

May 9 at Custer BHC............................... 9 a.m.

May 13 at Mitchell Invite.......................10 a.m.

May 17 hosting West River Challenge.... 3:30 p.m.

May 19 at Meadowbrook West River Challenge....3:30 p.m.

May 24 at Douglas Invite..........................3 p.m.

May 26 at Douglas Invite......................... 9 a.m.

June 1 hosting Class AA Invite.............10 a.m.

The lady Sturgis Brown Scooper golf team for 2022, features back row from the left: Rylee Speidel, Alisha Solaas, Lilly Heisinger, Ashley Bear, Mariah Muchow, and Sam Teigen.

Front row from the left: Shayde Keffeler Kalyn Limbo, Angelina Williamson, and Lilly Forbes. Pioneer photo by Tim Potts

SPORTING OUR SCHOOL SPIRIT Good luck to all Sturgis Scooper Athletic Teams!

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Page 18

Spring 2022

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Newell preparing for golf seasons

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer NEWELL — Six boys and two girls are set to represent Newell golf teams in a season spanning two months and featuring 10 events in seven communities.

Scott Wince returns for his second season as Newell’s head coach.

The Irrigators compete in Class B, with boys’ and girls’ golf seasons taking place in the spring.

The Newell boys’ team returns senior Chase VanDerBoom, sophomore Jameson Duncan, and sophomore Charlie Clements. VanDerBoom qualified for last season’s state B tournament.

Eighth-grader Jaden Tesch, seventh-grader Bodie VanDerBoom, and sixth-grader Keion Freytag also compete on the boys’ team.

The Newell girls’ team features sophomores Megan Jackson and Kelsi Clements. They competed at state last season and helped the Irrigators tie for 10th place in the team standings.

“Having the same crew back as we did last year helps from the very beginning to understand concepts,” Wince said in outlining team strengths. “This year, we’re going to be better just because we’ve been around another year.”

Wince said fundamentals are key for any athlete in any sport, and a golfer’s mental aspect will play a significant role to this season.

“Decision-making will be key to all of our kids this season,” Wince said.

Newell’s season started April 8 in Rapid City and continues April 22 at the Philip Invitational.

Wince was asked how difficult Newell’s schedule is. “That’s going to depend on how well we golf,” he said.

He envisions the boys’ division being quite competitive, with the girls’ division being wide open.

Newell could be the Little Moreau Conference boys’ division favorite if all goes well, Wince said. He added the girls’ division race is much more difficult because of numbers, but Timber Lake or Lemmon could contend.

“Individually, we’ll be fine,” Wince said.

He added VanDerBoom, Kelsi Clements, and Jackson could finish in the top five to 10 in every event this season.

What will be required for Newell to enjoy a successful campaign?

“You’re going to have your first tournament under your belt, get those numbers, and then set some goals after that,” Wince said. “Right now, we’re not really sure where we are.”

Wince said scores change from week to week because courses are so different.

Official practice sessions began March 28, with fundamentals receiving constant emphasis.

Wince said it is difficult to accomplish a lot indoors when players are

hitting against a net and putting on carpet.

He added players are working on their shots.

Wince was asked what the team can take from last season to start setting a foundation for 2022.

He said some girls qualifying for state didn’t perform the best individually but did well enough as a team.

“They realized what it takes, and what it feels like in the process,” he added.

Wince said the younger boys’ players will need to watch their older teammates and follow that example.

Consistency stands out as the biggest improvement to make from last season to this, Wince said.

“I think things will just fall into place from there,” Wince said. “We just have to be the same all the time.”

NEWELL boys’ & girls’ golf April 22 at Philip Invitational............9:30 a.m.

April 23 at Wall Invitational...............9:30 a.m.

April 29 hosting Newell Invitational...9:30 a.m.

May 6 Lemmon Little Moreau Conference.....9:30 a.m.

May 13 at Marjean Huber Invitational......9:30 a.m.

May 16 at Black Hills Golf Classic (Hart Ranch)...9:30 a.m.

May 23 atRegion 6B Tournament (Hart Ranch)....9:30 a.m.

June 6-7 at State B Tournament.................TBD (boys at Elks Course, girls at Hart Ranch)

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Newell’s golf teams include, back row from the left: Jameson Duncan, Chase VanDerBoom, Megan Jackson, and Charlie Clements. Front row from the left: Bodie VanDerBoom, Keion Freytag, and Kelsi Clements. Not pictured are: Jaden Tesch and head coach Scott Wince.

Photo courtesy of Scott Wince

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Spring 2022

Page 19

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

BHSU golf team preparing for RMAC event

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Black Hills State University concludes its women’s golf season Monday, April 18 and Tuesday, April 19, at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Championships in Chandler, Ariz.

This will mark the Yellow Jackets’ third tournament of the season’s spring portion. Black Hills State finished 15th at the Pack Classic that CSU-Pueblo hosted on March 20. The team then placed ninth at the Hardrocker Invitational held April 4 in Rapid City.

Black Hills State head coach Craig Marsh listed junior Jocelyn Olson as a key player on the squad.

“She does a great job leading the team in aspects related to our physical fitness,” Marsh said of Olson, who is the oldest member of the six-golfer squad. “She also helps arrange practices and activities.”

Marissa Garcia represents the sophomore class on the roster. Cami Langley, Reese Robinson, Thea DuBray, and Anna Talarico are freshmen.

“They all bring talent, and they all bring positive aspects of golf to the team,” Marsh said. “I expect them to keep learning and certainly helping to contribute as we go to the RMAC tournament.”

Marsh said team strengths going into the season centered on players being able to stay with the process. He agreed this has made the season successful.

“We’ve identified our weaknesses, and we’ve worked really hard on those,”

Marsh said. “Each of our players has done a fantastic job in really sticking to the process and working hard.”

Marsh said players continue to work on their mental wellness and approaching the game with confidence and commitment. He added that centers on eliminating fear and playing aggressively.

“We’ve accomplished 75% of our goals, and as long as they continue to work hard, we’ll continue to achieve more,” Marsh said.

Bigger goals achieved include shortgame improvement, with Marsh saying total scores have fallen 20 to 40 shots per

round. He also cited players staying positive throughout a round along with personal goals for fitness and academics.

Marsh said the schedule challenged to where it was not easy for the players. He added the team set different challenges for itself every week.

Many teams will be very competitive at the RMAC tournament, according to Marsh. He said Westminster, Colorado Mesa, CSU-Pueblo, and Metro StateDenver are among the top squads.

“Right now, we’re just working to be our best,” Marsh said in assessing the Yellow Jackets at that tournament. “With

what we currently have, we’re just going to try to improve on the scores we’ve already set.”

Marsh’s team philosophy includes the sport being more competitive and less recreational. He stresses having a passion for the sport and continuing to strive.

“The most important thing is to have team buy-in and having the right players who are willing to come in, work hard, and do the things it takes to get there,” Marsh said.

BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY women’s golf April 18-19 at Chandler, Ariz. RMAC Championships..TBD

Members of the 2022 Black Hills State University women’s golf team are from the left: Thea DuBray, Cami Langley, Anna Talarico, Jocelyn Olson, Marissa Garcia, and Reese Robinson. Photo courtesy BHSU Sports Information Department.

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Page 20

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Spring 2022

Spartans tennis ready for 2022 season

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The Spearfish High School boys’ tennis team has been working hard in preparation for the 2022 high school tennis season.

“Last year ended really well,” said Cain Kolar, who is beginning his second season as the Spartans’ head coach. “It was our first year (as coach) so it was just establishing culture, and getting to know the kids in the program.”

The Spearfish boys’ tennis team placed eighth at the 2021 Class A state tournament.

“We had one guy (Brock Bacon) place fourth at state in flight five singles, so I was really proud of him and his accomplishments there. Overall, it was a good year,” Kolar said.

The Spartans will return five players

from last year’s team, but Kolar isn’t saying he has a veteran team.

“It’s tough ‘cause you gain some and lose some. We lost four varsity players.

Three of our returning players played JV last year, so this is actually their first year playing varsity. We did keep our No. 1 (Ty Sieber) from last year,” Kolar said.

Spearfish began practice March 14, and Kolar said they focused on one thing in the beginning.

“With tennis it’s just a matter of getting as many strokes in as possible.

Getting to develop consistency with their strokes. So it’s a lot of just hitting, and I like to see competitive hitting,” said Kolar. “Sometimes drills cut it.

They need to see a short ball, and a deep ball, and an angle, and a little bit of everything, so competitive hitting is really

a big part of what I’ve done.

“We fared well. We played two of the top three teams in the state in Class A last year. We had some competitive matches there, and we played against Rapid City Stevens that wasn’t as good as us, and we beat them. I saw some good tennis overall. I saw at least three matches that I was very pleased with, a couple of singles and a doubles match I was very pleased with,” Kolar said.

Kolar said the players are easy to work with.

“Our strength is, our kids are easy to work with. They work with each other really well. So, good team chemistry. I think all of our guys have a pretty solid forehand,” said Kolar.

Kolar wants to see his team rack up some quality wins.

“I’d like to see one more person place

at state, and I’d like to see a couple of quality wins,” said Kolar. “Last year, we took a win from Aberdeen Central. We took a win from Mitchell. That really doesn’t happen a lot in our program, so I’d like to see some of those happen again.”

Spearfish has started the season 1-3.

They opened with a win over Rapid City Central 9-0. Ty Sieber (Flight 1), Rudy Isburg (Flight 2), Bridger Meyer (Flight 3), Lucas Rodgers (Flight 4), Leo Isburg (Flight 5), and Shaun Cota (Flight 6) all picked up singles wins.

Bridger Meyer/Lucas Rodgers (Doubles 1), Ty Sieber/Rudy Isburg (Doubles 2), and Leo Isburg/Shaun Cota (Doubles 3) also picked up wins.

The Spartans have lost to Yankton 9-0.

They lost to Sioux Falls Christian 9-0, and they lost to Aberdeen Central 9-0.

SPEARFISH boys’ tennis April 14 at RC Christian..........................4 p.m.

April 15 at RC Central...............................4 p.n.

April 19 at RC Stevens................................TBD April 21 hosting St. Thomas More.........4 p.m.

April 26 at Pierre T.F. Riggs.....................3 p.m.

April 28 at Rapid Invite............................3 p.m.

April 29 at Rapid Invite........................... 9 a.m.

April 30 at Rapid Invite........................... 8 a.m.

Members of the 2002 Spearfish High School boys tennis team are, front row from the left: Austin O’Bryan, Micah Byrd, Dennis Crandall, Dylan Wiegert, and Ryan Cota.

Back row from the left: Head Coach Cain Kolar, Ty Sieber, Lucas Rodgers, Leo Isburg, and Shaun Cota. Not pictured are Rudy Isburg and Bridger Meyer. Pioneer photo

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Spring 2022

Page 21

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Yellow Jacket softball team moving forward

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Black Hills State University progresses toward one of its most successful women’s softball seasons in the past 10 years.

The Yellow Jackets were 8-16 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, 10-16 overall, after games of April 3 under first-year head coach Aubrey Voboril.

Black Hills State’s best single-season record during that stretch was 13-28 in 2019, with eight other seasons ending with single-season win totals.

Black Hills State University has eight home games remaining on its regular-season schedule.

The Yellow Jackets host Chadron State in doubleheaders starting at noon Thursday, April 14 and 11 a.m. Friday, April 15. Fort Lewis visits Spearfish for doubleheaders beginning at noon Saturday, April 23 and 11 a.m. Sunday, April 24.

Black Hills State swept a doubleheader April 3 at CSU-Pueblo. The Yellow Jackets won the first game 11-2 and the second contest 7-6.

“Our team is kind of full of people that can step up in big moments,” Voboril said when asked about Black Hills State’s key players. “That’s why we’re performing as well as we are at the moment.”

The roster includes 16 players as of press time: one graduate student, three seniors, five juniors, four sophomores, and three freshmen.

Outfielder Lizzy Johnson, pitcher Crystal Amaral, and infielder Hailey Franklin represent the senior class.

Pitcher Breanne Henricksen is a graduate student.

Juniors are outfielder-second baseman

Members of the 2022 Black Hills State University women’s softball team are, (not in order): Lizzy Johnson, Fallyn Marshall, Zoe Morrill, Mikayla Johnson, Breanne Henricksen, Taylor Dowden, Bell Luebken, Crystal Amaral, Autumn Porter, Hailey Franklin, Tyler Whitlock, Shelby Thurlow, Gianna Haley, Bayleigh Hubbard, Halie Litwin, and Shayla Tuschen. Photo courtesy BHSU Sports Information Mikayla Johnson, outfielder Autumn Porter, outfielder Gianna Haley, catcher Bayleigh Hubbard, and pitcher Halie Litwin.

Catcher-infielder Zoe Morrill, shortstop-third baseman Bell Luebken, outfielder Shelby Thurlow, and first baseman-pitcher Shayla Tuschen are sophomores. The freshman representation features infielder Fallyn Marshall, outfielder-infielder Taylor Dowden, and outfielder Tyler Whitlock.

Voboril said Black Hills State is playing very consistently in all areas.

“We have a lot of fight. They want to have a good year,” Voboril said in further outlining team strengths. “They want to learn, and they really do work hard to put those (practice) things in a game.”

Voboril said the players need to work on avoiding complacency. She encourages her players to have an aim when coming to practice.

“They’re really excited, because their hard work is paying off,” Voboril said.

“One of their biggest things they need to work on is to make sure they continue to grow, and we continue to make it pay off.”

Voboril said the conference schedule is tough, and the team did not have any early nonconference games. Black Hills State’s opener was a Feb. 26 doubleheader at New Mexico Highlands, who had already played eight games.

“Our girls do understand that they can play with all of these teams,” Voboril said in comparing the Yellow Jackets to other conference opponents. She added the team does not have many home games, and it is difficult to win games on so many non-Spearfish fields.

Black Hills State played 20 road games and only six home contests as of April 3.

Voboril said growth marks a successful

GOOD LUCK

ATHLETES

season for Black Hills State.

“We want to build physically, yes; we want to win softball games,” Voboril added. “But a part of winning softball games is building mentally.”

Voboril said the Yellow Jackets want to keep playing their style for the rest of this season. She added she would like to see the offense playing a bit more consistently, and the defense to remain a little more solid.

“It’s been really impressive how some people have stepped up, taken on a role, and done what they can in positions that they really haven’t played a whole lot this year,” Voboril said. She said injuries have forced defensive changes.

Voboril described the Yellow Jackets’ style as aggressive and hard-working, with the offense enjoying good power numbers.

BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY softball April 14 hosting Chadron State...noon/2 p.m.

April 15 hosting Chadron State........ 11 a.m./1 p.m.

Apr 23 hosting Fort Lewis College....noon/2 p.m.

April 24 hosting Fort Lewis College...11 a.m./1 p.m.

April 29 at at Colorado Mines......noon/2 p.m.

April 30 at Colorado Mines.......11 a.m./1 p.m.

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Page 22

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Spring 2022

Post 164 brings back veteran club

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Spearfish Post 164’s American Legion baseball team begins a new era under the direction of Parker Louks.

Louks replaces Isaac Taylor, who resigned as head coach after the 2021 season.

Post 164 finished 27-34 last season.

Louks was the Post 164 junior varsity coach last season, and prior to that he was the Spearfish Teeners head coach.

Post 164 began practice in earnest the second week in March.

“We got outside a couple of days in February, when the weather was nicer, but we started ramping up about the second week in March. We are going six days a week, weather permitting,” Louks said.

Louks said the team had a good turnout of players coming out for baseball this year.

“At our Legion level we have to think we have 24, and down at our teener level we have 16,” Louks said. “So we have 40 players overall for our program, and that’s a step up from the past few years where we’ve been down in the 30s for the whole program, and I think it’s going to keep growing.”

Post 164 has nearly its entire team re-

turning from the 2021 season.

“We have almost everybody back.

We’ve been young the past few years, and typically all our seniors can come back, except for one, so we are still young, and that I think is a benefit to us, because these kids have had to play against the 18-year-olds, and now they are playing against players their own age,” Louks said.

Louks said it will help that he has been a part of the Post 164 program since he was 13 years old.

“My brother played here, I started playing my first year in 2013, and I haven’t left,” said Louks. “I graduated in 2018, became a coach down at the teener level; I moved up last year as the JV coach, and this is my first season at the helm of the varsity team.”

Louks said there is a difference between coaching at the teener level and coaching at the varsity level.

“Down at the teener level you’re teaching a lot of basics. You’re teaching them how to play the game right. You are trying to get them to buy into our program.

At this point at the varsity level, these kids have already bought in. Now you are just teaching them the nuances of the game and improving their game very small, and I thinks it’s much easier to

coach up here, but it’s hard at the same time,” Louks said.

This is the second season Post 164 has started its season early, and Louks sees that as a big advantage.

“It’s a huge advantage to us,” Louks said. “We get six weeks under our belts before some teams start at the end of May. I think that’s a huge advantage for us because you get to see live pitching, you see balls off the bat, and we are already in games by the time these other guys are getting started.”

The early start also helps with conditioning.

“It’s huge. You get these guys they start in mid-May it takes them a couple of weeks to get up to the same thing, where we are at that level come May 1. We are already two weeks ahead of them,” Louks said.

In the first few games, Louks will be looking to see how competitive his team is.

I want to see how competitive they are.

How much energy we bring, I mean these guys have been playing together for the last three, four years,” said Louks. “It’s the same thing, just a different year. They know my expectations since I’ve been around them the last three or four years, and I’m just looking to be competitive.”

SPEARFISH Post 164 baseball April 21 hosting Fargo Post 400..............7 p,m, April 23 at Miles City Outlaws................3 p.m.

April 24 at Miles City Outlaws................1 p.m.

April 30 hosting vs. Sheridan (DH)....1/3 p.m.

May 4 at Rapid City Post 320 Stars (7 inning)...6 p.m.

May 6 at Gillette (DH)...........................5/7 p.m.

May 7 hosting Miles City Outlaws (7 inning)...3 p.m.

May 8 hosting Miles City Outlaws (7 inning)...1 p.m.

May 13 hosting Rapid City Post 320 Stars (DH)......5/7 p.m.

May 23 hosting Gillette (DH)...............5/7 p.m.

May 24 at Rapid City Post 22 Hardhats (DH)......5/7 p.m.

May 28 at Aberdeen (DH).......................2/4 pm May 29 at Aberdeen (7 inning)................. 1 pm June 2-5 Alan Tellinghuisen Tournament....TBD June 7 at Mitchell (7 inning)....................2 p.m.

June 8 at Pierre (7 inning).......................1 p.m.

June 9 at Sioux Falls East (7 inning).......noon June 10-12 at Lewis & Clark Tournament (Yankton)...TBD June 15 hosting Alliance (DH)..............3/5 pm June 16 hosting Rapid City Post 22 Hardhats (DH)...5/7 pm June 20 hosting Sturgis (7 inning).......... 7 pm June 22 hosting Casper (DH)...............11/1 pm June 27 hosting Yankton (DH)..............5/7 pm June 29 at Sioux Falls East/West (DH)....11/5 pm June at Rapid City Post 320 Tournament........TBD July 1-2 at Rapid City Post 320 Tournament.....TBD July 5 at Alliance (DH).........................3/5 p.m.

July 6 at Wheatland (DH).....................3/5 p.m.

July 11 at Sturgis (DH)...........................5/7 pm July 12 at Belle Fourche (7 inning).......... 7 pm July 13 hosting Belle Fourche (DH).....5/7 pm July 16 at Sheridan (DH)........................1/3 pm July 22-23 at Regionals..............................TBD July 27-31 at State Tournament (Rapid City)...TBD

Members of the 2022 Spearfish Post 164 baseball team are, front row from the left: Joe Ryckman, Haylon Heiting, Aiden Meverden, Owen Bruner, Travis Deuel, David Keller, and Jack Branum. Middle row from the left: Hogan Tystad, Carter Lyon, Brady Hartwig, Cody Chapman, Duncan Martin, Braden Ericks, and assistant coach Dominic Santiago. Back row, from the left: assistant coach Kevin Bloom, Aiden Haught, Kaidon Feyereisen, Connor Comer, Braedon Locati, Danner Craig, and head coach Parker Louks.

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Spring 2022

Page 23

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Diggers return a balanced team

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — Lead-Deadwood’s varsity high school baseball team will have a mixture from all grades for the 2022 high school season.

“It’s very balanced at different grade levels,” Nelson said in describing the roster.

“Returning players are all pretty young.”

The breakdown features two seniors, five juniors, four sophomores, six ninth-graders, and four eighth-graders.

Jagger Smith and David Morris represent the senior class. Juniors are Jacob Smith, Jake Siewart, Preston Lowery, Ryan Rantapaa, and Ethan Van Tassel.

Sophomores feature Channing Bloedel, Sam Kooima, Jaxson Burleson, and Connor Bender. Levi Siewart, Beau Wichterman, Ben Wichterman, Drew Janke, Ezias Nelson, and Ethan Finn are ninth-graders.

Eighth-graders on the roster are Brady Rantapaa, Logan Nelson, Landon Mattson, and Peyton Percy.

Nelson cited Beau Wichterman, Ben Wichterman, Burleson, and Finn as a good core group for the team to build on.

“We have good team chemistry,” Nelson said. “I think they’re committed to learning; they’re committed to developing as players. They understand we have to

respect each other in order to move forward.”

Basic fundamentals, along with education of the game, are what Nelson said players will need to work on. He placed emphasis on knowing situations and where the ball goes.

Nelson said the Golddiggers’ schedule is favorable as far as timing between games.

Belle Fourche and Rapid City Christian are new to the slate.

Seven home games are on LeadDeadwood’s regular-season slate. They host Rapid City Christian on April 12, Winner-Colome on April 16, Bennett County on April 20, Belle Fourche on May 4, St. Thomas More on May 5, Hot Springs on May 12, and Douglas on May 19.

The Super Regional Tournament is scheduled for May 23-24, with a rain date of May 25. Sioux Falls hosts the state B tournament May 30-31.

“I don’t know what to expect out of a lot of the teams,” Nelson said. “It all falls down to what we can do, and what we can control.”

Lead-Deadwood’s varsity grabbed a 5-0 lead over Hot Springs in its March 27 season opener in the Southern Hills, but ended up losing, 7-5. Nelson said the Golddiggers hit the ball really well but made mistakes and endured letdowns in

the later innings.

Nelson tabbed Lead-Deadwood as the Region 4B favorite. He said the Golddiggers should be pretty evenly matched with their opponents.

Pitching and hitting will separate teams, according to Nelson. “We’ve got extra time in the (batting) cage. We’ve got a pretty good core group of pitchers,” he said.

Nelson said commitment to the team and players demanding more of themselves will signal success for the Golddiggers. He added they must push themselves, especially with the fundamentals.

Official practice sessions have placed extra emphasis on the fundamentals.

Nelson said the team has tried developing pitchers from the eighth grade on up.

Lead-Deadwood finished 1-8 last season, and Nelson said the players do not enjoy losing, and he said last season was difficult.

“They have the desire to compete and win,” Nelson said of this season’s players.

“They’re willing to learn, and they’re willing to work hard.”

Desired improvements include continued development, according to Nelson. He said players understand they must change in order to succeed.

LEAD-DEADWOOD baseball April 12 hosting Rapid City Christian...5 p.m.

April 15 hosting Madison, in Sturgis.....3 p.m.

April 16 hosting Winner-Colome............5 p.m.

April 20 hosting Bennett County............3 p.m.

April 25 at St. Thomas More...................5 p.m.

April 27 at Belle Fourche.........................5 p.m.

May 1 hosting Gregory County (Rapid City) ..3 p.m.

May 4 hosting Belle Fourche ..................5 p.m.

May 5 hosting St. Thomas More ............5 p.m.

May 10 at Bennett County ......................5 p.m.

May 12 hosting Hot Springs ...................4 p.m.

May 15 at Platte-Geddes ..........................1 p.m.

May 19 hosting Douglas ..........................5 p.m.

May 23-24 at Regional tournament..........TBD

The Lead-Deadwood high school baseball team includes, back row from the left: assistant coach Dennis Smith, Conner Bender, Preston Lowery, Beau Wichterman, assistant coach Kyle Kooima, Ethan Finn, Jake Siewart, and head coach Bob Nelson.

Middle row from the left: Jaxson Burleson, Jagger Smith, Sam Kooima, Levi Siewart, and Channing Bloedel. Front row from the left: Ethan Van Tassel, Ezias Nelson, Peyton Percy, Drew Janke, and Logan Nelson. Not pictured are: Jacob Smith, Ben Wichterman, Brady Rantapaa, Ryan Rantapaa, David Morris, and Landon Mattson. Pioneer photo

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Page 24

Spring 2022

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Belle Fourche making HS baseball debut

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — Belle Fourche is fielding a high school baseball squad for the first time in 2022.

Official practice sessions began in early March, with players working out two or three times a week.

Fundamentals commanded much of that time.

Belle Fourche most looks forward to playing class B teams that they usually would not get to face, head coach Randy Doran said. He added there is a bit more excitement to visiting teams representing area schools.

Another appeal is being able to attempt qualifying for the state tournament, Doran said. Players may also earn individual awards for all-state, all-academic, and other categories.

“We said if we were going to start this, this would be the group to start it with because of all the experience they have,” Doran said.

Six seniors and five juniors will lead the team this spring.

The team consists of seniors Ryker Audiss, Dalton Davis, Alex Ferguson,

Gabe Heck, Jack Stearns, and Sean Wahlfeldt; and juniors Anthony Budmayr, Brayden Carbajal, Evan Vissia, JT Hahne, and Caden Thomsen.

Six other players are on the preliminary varsity roster. They are, Aiden Voyles and Nolan Wahlfeldt (sophomores), along with Darian Pesicka and Harvey Walding (ninth grade). Carsyn Hahne and Gavin Pearson represent the eighth-grade class.

“We’re going to rely on a lot of those guys that we relied on with our state runner-up junior Legion run last year,” Doran said. “It all starts with pitching.”

Doran listed Nolan Wahlfeldt, Davis, Sean Wahlfeldt, and Stearns as the key varsity pitchers.

Confidence stands out as Belle Fourche’s strong suit to Doran, who said that quality is critically important.

He said the success and chemistry this group has enjoyed will go a long way.

Defense is the biggest thing for the team to work on, Doran said. He cited the 13-3 loss to Redfield in the state championship game and noted Belle Fourche had six errors to zero for Redfield.

Belle Fourche will face a tough schedule.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” Doran said of the schedule. “This spring will include an earlier start with more games than was the case in 2021.”

Doran said the team would play more weeknight games during the high school season, which requires relying on players to be ready on any given night.

Gregory and Platte-Geddes represented Region 4B at last summer’s state tournament, and Doran said they are likely the favorites, with WinnerColome and St. Thomas More always having really good teams.

“I think we’re going to be able to go into every game thinking we’re going to be competitive,” Doran said.

Success for Doran centers on the team competing and picking up where it left off last summer. He added players appear to be in much better shape than at this point in 2021.

Official practice sessions began in early March, with players working our two or three times a week.

Fundamentals commanded much of that time.

BELLE FOURCHE baseball April hosting Rapid City Christian...5:30 p.m.

April 10 vs. Bennett County....................3 p.m.

April 13 at Sturgis Brown........................7 p.m.

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

April 19 at Rapid City Stevens...........7:30 p.m.

April 22 hosting Hot Springs.............5:30 p.m.

April 24 at Gregory....................................noon April 24 at Winner-Colome......................2 p.m.

April 27 hosting Lead-Deadwood............7 p.m.

April 28 hosting St. Thomas More.........7 p.m.

May 1 hosting Chamberlain....................3 p.m.

May 4 at Lead-Deadwood.........................7 p.m.

May 9 hosting Sturgis Brown..................7 p.m.

May 15 hosting at Hot Springs................4 p.m.

May 17 at Rapid City Christian..............7 p.m.

May 23-24 at Regional tournament...........TBD

Belle Fourche is fielding a high school baseball team for the first time this spring.

Members include, back row from the left: Head coach Randy Doran, Evan Vissia, Gabe Heck, Dalton Davis, Caden Thomsen, JT Hahne, Ryker Audiss, Sean Wahlfeldt, Alex Ferguson, Jack Stearns, and Brayden Carbajal. Middle row from the left: Carsyn Hahne, Harvey Walding, Trig Thomsen, Brady Meemken, Nolan Wahlfeldt, Aiden Voyles, Riley Hunt, Gavin Pearson, and Darian Pesicka. Front row from the left: Michael Martell and Raif Parmeter. Not pictured are: Anthony Budmayr, Tegan Fredricksen, Urijah Hamilton, Ian Voyles, Graham Vanderboom. Photo credit: Angela Vissia Photography

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Good luck to all area athletes!

WORKING TO KEEP YOU IN THE GAME!

Good luck area athletes!

Have a safe & fun season.

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Spring 2022

Page 25

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Sturgis Brown Scooper high school baseball team excited for the season

By Tim Potts Black Hills Pioneer STURGIS – The Sturgis Brown high school baseball team opened its season March 26, losing to the Huron Tigers 13-3, and defeating the Douglas Patriots 21-0.

Bryn Biancalana is the new head coach this season for the Sturgis Brown Scooper High School and Post 33 Legion team and talked about his baseball career.

“My baseball coaching career started in 2010 when I was the assistant coach for the Raiders in Lawrence, Kan., and then I moved on to Canada to coach for the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets, then the manager of the Edmonton Prospects, then back to the Saskatoon to be their manager there.”

Biancalana has been in the college game for some time and then started teaching a program, zone motion, and has taught the program in seven professional sports and 13 amateur sports. The program is a systematic way to slow the game down and the science behind the zone motion really works.

“It is something we will be using a lot here and will incorporate into our game, and we are excited about that,” said Biancalana. “I like our team a lot, and we have the potential to be a really good team that pitches well. We have some younger arms and we have some tall lanky guys that are projectable.”

The coach discussed areas that he will focus on this season.

“Our defense has got to get better; we have to run crisper relays. The older guys are doing a decent job of that, but we can get a lot better,” he said.

Seniors returning to the team who will take on some leadership positions include Dustin Alan, Ridge Inhofer, and Kelton Olson.

Biancalana commented on the strengths of this year’s team.

“We have a really good junior and senior class of athletes, some good athletes, with a chance to be great. With the short season and not getting in enough reps, it is tough so we will need to expedite the development faster,” he said.

Inhofer, a senior for Sturgis Brown,

recently signed to play college baseball at Mesa Community College and shared his thoughts on the upcoming season. “We have a fairly young and very talented roster this year hungry to win baseball games.

“The expectations are high this year and so are our team and individual goals.” Obviously a state tournament berth and opportunity to bring a championship to Sturgis is at the top of everyone’s list, and Inhofer said the Scoopers have all the parts and pieces to a top contender in the state for that title.

“There was a head coaching change from last year and the program was fortunate enough to land Bryn Biancalana.

All the players have bonded really well with him and his unique coaching style early. He has an endless knowledge of the game which excites everyone,” said Inhofer. “The team is really getting to work early and going hard, which is exciting to see. The word is out and we have grown a name in West River high school baseball, we’re going to keep putting in the work and watch it pay off.”

STURGIS BROWN baseball April 16 hosting Madison........10 a.m. & noon April 19 at Gillette................5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

April 22 hosting RC Central ............5 & 7 p.m.

April 26 at RC Stevens..............................6 p.m.

April 28 hosting Gillette...................5 & 7 p.m.

April 30 at Douglas............................1 & 3 p.m.

May 3 at Pierre..........................................6 p.m.

May 21 at Regionals....................................TBD

The Sturgis Brown Scooper high school baseball team for 2022 season featured back row from the left: Aidan Wood, Connor Cruickshank, Jack Knutson, Hunter Janzen, Xander Heller, Julian Hester, Gunner Sarkela, Cain Peters, Dustin Alan, and Coach Bryn Biancalana. Front from the left: Brand Matthews, Kel Sundstrom, Evan Stroud, Carson Williams, Elijah Stroud, Morgan DelaPena, Beau Peters, Yaden Miller, Jake Peters, Barret Patterson, Bricon Herren, and Jake Krog. Not pictured are: Ridge Inhofer, Dawson Inhofer, Carter Williams, Owen Cass, and Dalyn Dschaak. Pioneer photo

by Tim Potts

Good Luck Scoopers!

We’re Rooting for You!

Jerry Casteel Auctioneer/Broker/Owner 605-347-5110 Ryan Casteel Broker/Owner 605-423-6000 Call us at: 605-347-5110 or 605-347-9293 or Fax us at: 605-347-6680 E-mail us at jcasteel@rushmore.com Visit our Web page at www.casteelauction.com or www.sdauctions.com

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To all the student athletes that worked hard and played hard for the love of the game.

910 Harmon St., Sturgis 605-347-2666 northernhillseye.com

Page 26

Spring 2022

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

BHSU rodeo enters spring season

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The Black Hills State University (BHSU) rodeo team had some success in the 2021 fall rodeo season.

The BHSU women’s team finished in first place in the region, at the halfway point. “In the fall season I thought that the women’s team, collectively as a team, really did well,” said Glenn Lammers, the Yellow Jackets head coach. “They set themselves up in a good position going into the spring, just like we wanted to.”

The Yellow Jacket men’s team finished fifth in the region standings.

“For both of our teams the goal is to finish in the top two for the season. We don’t waver from that. We make adjustments of course.

“The men, we don’t have has much depth as the women’s side does. I think there were some things we definitely wanted to make improvements on in the offseason, and we did,” Lammers said.

Black Hills State opened its spring season April 1-2 at the Cyclone Stampede, in Ames, Iowa.

The men’s team came away with a second-place finish.

“Starting with the men, we were second

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as a team, and we gained like we wanted to there, so I was happy with that part of it,” said Lammers. “On the women’s side, we ran strong showings in the events. I just know we can do more, so I guess going into the second rodeo we just need to be a little more on the offense, and capitalize on those opportunities a little better, but at the same time I thought we did some things really well, but not all of it showed up on the results page. I thought that we got some pieces, things from practice that we did really well, and we just need to step

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY rodeo April 22-23 hosting Will Lantis Yellow Jacket Stampede..TBD May 6-7 at Lincoln, Neb..............................TBD

GOOD LUCK

AREA

ATHLETES!

Have a Safe & Fun Season

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Spring 2022 it up a little bit and be on the offense.”

Lammers said the women’s team has some strength in several events.

“Emilee Pauley is a tough all-around competitor, She is one that is definitely strong that way,” said Lammers. “Cashae McGee, a junior, is another one who is tough in a couple of events..”

Lammers also talked about other Lady Yellow Jacket competitors.

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER “Brooklyn Hanson, a junior, has been one that has stepped up this year and is sitting in second in the breakaway standings right now. Sydney Maher is in just one event (barrel racing), but she’s moving up. She’s very determined. She moved from fourth to third in the standings this week,” Lammers said.

Lammers also praised Riley Donnelly (breakaway, goat tying, team roping,

barrel racing), who is a sophomore, for being a good all-around competitor, and he thinks she is going to bounce back and have a good spring season.

Lammers talked about the bright spots on the men’s team.

“Riley Staton moved up a spot in the tie down roping in the short-go and placed well in the average there. Clayton Backhaus, in team roping, he moved from

Page 27 third to second, or tied for second, and he’s just been steady and he’s so consistent,” Lammers said.

Lammers said junior Austin Madison is a tough competitor, and a high–level competitor in the steer wrestling and the tie down roping competition.

Lammers said things are getting completive on the women’s side.

“We went from a 400-point lead, to now it’s neck-and-neck. Every rodeo is important; that’s what we talk about. We just want to be the best we can be, with the stock draw in some cases, and just be prepared,” said Lammers. “This is a hard– working group, but they are also a group with a good attitude, and I think those pieces are what will really be important in the long run.”

The Will Lantis Yellow Jacket Stampede will be April 22-23 at the Seven Downs Arena, in Spearfish.

Members of the 2021-22 Black Hills State University rodeo team are, (not in order): Hunter Anderson, Wacey Brown, Tatum Carey, Kassidy Caspers, Tessa Caspers, Riley Donnelly, Katelyn Eisenbeis, Sydney Fuerst, Meza Ham, Brooklyn Hanson, Sidney Hanson, Samantha Hubert, Haley Husted, Savana Johnston, Rachel Kelderman, Chanci Kraft, Sydney Maher, Cashae McGee, Madi Moody, Emilee Pauley, McKenzi Plummer, Jaycie Rau, Sydney Theobald, Tayla Thorstenson, Karli Verhulst, Jaicee Williams, Jaycee Wooters, Clayton Backhaus, Nick Bjork, Riley Hannum, Austin Madison. Brett Mattson, Gage Murray, Collin Palmer, and Riley Staton. Black Hills State rodeo is coached

by Glenn Lammers. Photo courtesy BHSU Sports Information

Page 28

Spring 2022

SPORTS PREVIEW/ BLACK HILLS PIONEER

HOME GAME

SCHEDULE MAY-AUGUST 2022 MAY 5/27, 6:35 ......BBS* 5/28, 6:35 ......BBS

5/29, 4:05 ......BBS

JUNE 6/7, 6:35 ........FRM 6/8, 6:35 ........FRM 6/9, 6:35 ........FRM 6/10, 6:35 ......NEP 6/11, 6:35 ......NEP 6/12, 4:05 ......NEP

6/21, 6:35 ......GCB 6/22, 6:35 ......GCB 6/23, 6:35 ......GCB 6/24, 6:35 ......BBS* 6/25, 6:35 ......BBS 6/26, 4:05 ......BBS

JULY 7/1, 6:35 ........GCB 7/2, 6:35 ........GCB 7/3, 4:05 ........GCB 7/4, 6:35 ........CCS* 7/5, 6:35 ........CCS 7/6, 6:35 ........CCS 7/11, 6:35 ......WNP 7/12, 6:35 ......WNP

7/19, 6:35 ......CHH 7/20, 6:35 ......CHH 7/26, 6:35 ......BBS 7/27, 6:35 ......BBS 7/28, 6:35 ......BBS 7/29, 6:35 ......BBS* 7/30, 6:35 ......BBS

INDEPENDENCE LEAGUE BBS — Badlands Big Sticks CCS — Canyon County Spuds CHH — Casper Horseheads FRM — Fremont Moo HAS — Hastings Sodbusters

GCB — Gem City Bison NEP — Nebraska Prospects NPP — North Platte Plainsmen SPS — Spearfish Sasquatch WNP — Western Nebraska Pioneers

*Fireworks Game For complete game schedule, visit spearfishsasquatch.com

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