2014 Fall Sports Preview

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Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Spartans football team has solid numbers

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Numbers and optimism are on the rise as Spearfish prepares for a 2014 football season that begins Saturday, Aug. 30, against St. Thomas More at Lyle Hare Stadium.

“We’re doing really well, and I’m pleased with the numbers,” Spearfish second-year head coach Chad McCarty said of early fall workouts. Forty-two players are on the varsity as of press time.

Players have worked on learning offensive and defensive responsibilities in the early going.

What do the Spartans want to accomplish this fall?

“We just want to get better and try to improve each day,” McCarty said. He added that did not happen last season, when the Spartans finished 0-8.

McCarty said Spearfish learned a lot last season but was unable to enter the win column.

He said players had a good off-season, excelled in other sports, and had a very positive BHSU team camp.

Andrew Bressler, Chad Dunbar, Luke Wietgrefe, and Cole Johnson were among the key players who graduated from last season’s team.

McCarty said Bressler was a genuine game-changer.

“We look to have a lot more of a team,” McCarty said in looking ahead to 2014.

Senior quarterback-linebacker Drew Kaitfors, senior wide receiver-linebacker Connor Janovy, senior lineman Remington Wood, junior quarterback-defensive back Dylan Reiners, junior lineman Jeremiah Harmon, junior running back-linebacker Sean Warnock, and junior running back-line-

backer Zeph Irion are some of the Spartans’ key returning players, according to McCarty.

Fourteen other seniors are on the roster. They are Tyrell Rosencranz (running back-linebacker), Damian Hall (running back-linebacker), Oscar Franck (kicker), Kyle Potratz (wide receiver-defensive back), Jade Heairet (wide receiver-defensive back), Mitch Bogue (running back-defensive lineman), Lucas Lantis (lineman), Tanner Batka (lineman), Parker Sutton (lineman), Alec Whitted (lineman), Will Storhaug (lineman), Cole Heser (wide receiver-defensive back), Chase Sewell (wide receiver-defensive back), and Kobee Farrokhi (tight end-linebacker).

“We’re not as big as we were last year, but we have more speed and experience,” McCarty said.

McCarty said Spearfish must work on focus this season, as the

team is still a bit young. The roster also includes six other juniors and 15 other sophomores.

“We’re still trying to find our identity and did not really find it last year,” he said.

McCarty said Spearfish’s schedule is challenging starting with the season opener against St. Thomas More. The Spartans then play at Belle Fourche on Sept. 5 before hosting Brookings (Sept. 12) and Mitchell (Sept. 19).

“Belle Fourche will be a great challenge,” McCarty said.

“They are our second-biggest rivals.”

Douglas and St. Thomas More earn McCarty’s nod as the Black Hills Conference favorites. He said Douglas will be senior-dominated and boasts a good offensive line.

Sturgis holds status as the Spartans’ biggest rival. “We match up well with them,” McCarty said.

“It will be challenging for us, but it will be a fun game.” Lyle Hare Stadium will host that contest on Oct. 10.

Rapid City Stevens, Hot Springs, and Douglas are also on Spearfish’s slate.

“We can definitely go about .500 if we play well,” McCarty said.

He said Spearfish would succeed if the players have fun and give full effort.

It is that “don’t give up” attitude which McCarty said Spearfish may continue to build on for this year. “The guys fought all the time, from the first whistle to the last,” he said.

Working together is one of the biggest improvements McCarty said Spearfish must make.

“I’m excited for this year,” McCarty said. “We’re headed in the right direction and have a good group of hard-working young men.”

Members of the 2014 Spearfish Spartans football team are (not in order) Dylan Reiners, Sean Warnock, Zeph Irion, Tyrell Rosencranz, Damian Hall, Cole Richards, Drew Kaitfors, Devan Fox, Corey Hoffman, Montiko Torres, Kyle Potratz, Oscar Franck, Jackson Bogue, Jaxon Rosencranz, Connor Janovy, Boyce Harr, Jade Heairet, Michael Chaffin, Mitchel Bogue, Kellen Runyan, Lucas Lantis, Tanner Batka, Donovan Balsley, Remington Wood, Nathan Tysdal, Josiah Sirofchuck, Skyler Beringer, Parker Sutton, Matthew Woodard, Alec Whitted, Beau Nelson, Jeremiah Harmon, Will Storhaug, Brendan Rotert, Austin Amick, Carson Sleep, Cole Heser, Seth Rice, Chase Sewell, Joey West, Reece Walno, and Kobee Farrokhi. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

Fall 2014

Page 3

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Diggers football team looking for success up front

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer

LEAD — Success for a football team starts on the offensive line. This unit is viewed as a strong suit of a LeadDeadwood varsity football team that starts its season Friday, Aug. 29, at home against Pine Ridge.

Second-year head coach Ryan Gatch offered that assessment. The line features three linemen who started last season: senior Cole Gackle, junior Wade Shoop, and junior AJ Lawver.

Gatch said senior tight end-running back-linebacker Joel Fish and junior running back-linebacker Ryan Hubbard are other key returnees on the offensive side of the ball.

“Our linebacker core is fairly strong,” Gatch said. Members include junior Colt Nelson, junior Chris Thomas (a transfer from Dallas, Texas), junior Reilly Andersen, and Hubbard.

Lead-Deadwood finished 2-6 last season and did not qualify for the playoffs. Morgan Rogers, Trevor Fish, and Jack Davis graduated from that squad.

“Our work ethic and attitude are strengths. The kids are doing an outstanding

job,” Gatch said. He added the players are practicing two and three hours, twice per day.

Wide receiver-defensive lineman Riley Roberts and lineman Riley Pavon are the other seniors on the roster.

Six other juniors are on the varsity. They are Bailey Norton (quarterback-wide receiver-defensive back), Colton Radensleben (wide receiver-defensive back), Jordan Wetz (running back-linebacker), Zach Pearson (lineman), Colton Hanson (lineman), and Alex Cottrill (wide receiver-running back-defensive back).

Running back-defensive lineman-linebacker Tanner Hanson is one of seven sophomores on the varsity roster. The others are Kristian Hanna (wide receiver-quarterback-defensive back), Chris Engel (running back-linebacker), Caleb Percy (running back-linebacker-defensive back), Nikolas Scott (wide receiver-defensive back), Colt Bradley (lineman), and Devon Schumacher (lineman).

The varsity roster also includes six ninth-graders. They are Zach Murray (quarterback-wide receiver-defensive back), Alex Kruske (running back-defensive back), Brigham Williams (lineman), Wyatt Hess (lineman), Gavin Haefs (lineman), and

Dylin Johnson (wide receiver-defensive back-linebacker).

Gatch said the Golddiggers must continue working on their conditioning level. He added they are doing well at X’s and O’s and seem to be ahead of where they were last year.

“Our schedule is pretty tough,” Gatch said. It is similar to that of last year, and Gatch looks forward to meeting an always-tough Bennett County squad at home this year. That game is slated for Sept. 26.

Little Wound, St. Thomas More, Custer, Red Cloud, Belle Fourche, and St. Francis Indian School are also on the Golddiggers’ slate.

Gatch said St. Thomas More is the top team in the region. He added Custer should be quite solid, and Red Cloud boasts a group of excellent athletes.

How does Gatch see Lead-Deadwood stacking up against the competition? “We are in the Crazy Horse Division, and we should match up well with those teams,” he said.

What is needed for Lead-Deadwood to succeed?

“Competing in all eight regular-season games, continuing to grow the program, and playing through adversity,” Gatch said.

He added he would like to see the team play as enthusiastically in the first game as in the eighth game.

“In our last three games, we competed in all four quarters,” Gatch said of the tail end of last year. The last of those contests was a 47-0 victory over St. Francis Indian School to end the season.

Players have worked on continuity, building team morale, being responsible all the way around, and representing the community well.

Lead-Deadwood looks to build on last year’s experience. Gatch said some of this year’s sophomores and juniors gained experience last year.

“They have game repetitions, and that has helped them a lot,” Gatch said. “It has helped make the team more competitive and helped with the continuity.”

Gatch said the players are “buying into” the program more and more, plus holding each other accountable.

Many people look at St. Thomas More and other teams as regional powers. “We want to be in a position to be in the conversation,” Gatch said.

Mark Jacobs, Jake Terry, and Tom Tieszen are Lead-Deadwood’s assistant coaches.

Lead-Deadwood’s varsity football team includes (not in order) Brigham Williams, Wyatt Hess, Gavin Haefs, Dylin Johnson, Tanner Hanson, Kristian Hanna, Chris Engel, Caleb Percy, Nikolas Scott, Colt Bradley, Devon Schumacher, Bailey Norton, Colt Nelson, Colton Radensleben, Ryan Hubbard, Jordan Wetz, Reilly Andresen, AJ Lawver, Wade Shoop, Colton Hanson, Riley Roberts, Riley Pavon, Cole Gackle, Chris Thomas, and Joel Fish. Zach Murray, Alex Kruske, Zach Pearson, and Alex Cottrill are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

New coach, new season for Broncs football

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer

BELLE FOURCHE — Belle Fourche head football coach Scott Slotten and the Broncs will learn together during the upcoming season that begins Friday, Aug. 29, in Box Elder against the Douglas Patriots.

“We have a very young team with only four seniors out,” Slotten said when asked about early practices. “There has been a lot of learning as the players get to know the system.”

Slotten is beginning his first season here. He said getting into playing shape is critical because some younger athletes may have to play both ways (offense and defense).

The cornerstone of Slotten’s philosophy calls for a team to establish the run and be strong on the line. Slotten is also coaching the offensive linemen.

Juniors Chris Brown and Brady

Leverington will lead the way on the line, Slotten said. The coach added they are able to play anywhere on the field.

Three juniors will occupy the offensive backfield: quarterback Breck Young, running back Ryan Nelson, and running back Bryson Westland. Sophomore fullback Chase Irwin could also see time there, according to Slotten.

Slotten said the running backs are Belle Fourche’s strong suit.

“They have been in the weight room and have taken part in extra conditioning sessions,” he said.

“Breck worked hard in the offseason and is getting better,” Slotten said. The coach added Young’s performance last season, when he took over for injured starter Jarret Petsch, should result in increased confidence.

Westland, Brown, and Leverington would play on both sides of the ball, Slotten said.

Seniors are Wyatt Pearson (wide receiver-cornerback), Taylor

Tupper (wide receiver-defensive back), Skye Martin (wide receiver-defensive back), and Levi Jones (running back).

Wide receiver Noah Pierce, linebacker Daniel Pepin, defensive end Owen Fox, strong safety Kelly Montgomery, defensive end Rhett Fox, wide receiver Brody Stewart, and tackle Kory Gabert also represent the junior class.

Nine other sophomores are on the roster as of press time. They are Zach Lange (quarterback), Shandon Hamilton (quarterback), Jake O’Byrne (left tackle), Noah Nixon (center-right guard-defensive tackle), Louis Budmayr (tight end-defensive end), Tate Gatzke (linebacker), Bailey Lawrence (defensive end-offensive guard), Trevor Kerr (linebacker-cornerback), and Griffin Conner (linebacker).

“We need to grow up fast,” Slotten said in looking ahead.

“We have mainly sophomores and juniors, and the sophomores

need to get their feet wet and learn right away.”

Staying healthy is a concern for the Broncs, who have a total of about 45 players in grades nine through 12.

The Broncs reached the second round of the state class 11A playoffs last season. They dropped a 42-6 decision to Dell Rapids and finished with a 5-5 record.

Ramsay Norton, Chad Wagner, Zach Westland, Bryce Kudlock, Nathan Lange, and Petsch are among the key players graduating from that team.

Early fall practices last week have centered on players learning Slotten’s offensive playbook and terms. He said the defense has not changed much because Mathew Raba returns as defensive coordinator. Quarterbacks have worked on footwork so far this fall.

Offensive linemen are practicing how to block with their hands and move well.

What can the Broncs build on from last season? Slotten pointed

to the confidence Young developed in throwing for about 300 yards against Dell Rapids.

Slotten said if a player can do that against a perennial playoff power, he may do so against teams in this area.

The Broncs’ schedule includes Spearfish and Sturgis: two teams Slotten said are improving each year. He added St. Thomas More is generally a really good team.

“There’s competition each week,” Slotten said. Hot Springs, Custer, Lead-Deadwood, and Cheyenne-Eagle Butte are also on the slate.

Slotten tabbed St. Thomas More as the Black Hills Conference favorite. He said it is cluster of Belle Fourche, Sturgis, Spearfish, and Hot Springs.

“We’re more focused on Douglas now and will take one week at a time,” Slotten said.

“We want to see Belle Fourche compete in each game,” Slotten said. He reiterated that has the best chance of happening if the team stays healthy.

The Belle Fourche football team has held fall practices for more than a week in getting ready for the season. Squad members include Griffin Connor, Blake Stewart, Gavin Geib, Jake O’Byrne, Chris Brown, Tyalor Tupper, Louis Budmayr, Bryson Westland, Breck Young, Shandon Hamilton, Jace Horman, Tate Gatzke, Trevor Kerr, Blake Stewart, Jeremiah Helton, Daniel Pepin, Kelly Montgomery, Rhett Fox, Braxton Turbiville, Bailey Lawrence, Dylan Burns, Chase Irwin, Skye Martin, Noah Pierce, Ryan Nelson, Cody Kerr, Tel Montgomery, Joey Russo, Owen Fox, Noah Nixon, Zach Lange, Wyatt Pearson, T.J. Schmidt, Levi Jones, Brecken Sutherland, and Justis Quinzer. Damian Tobar and Tucker Chytka are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 5

Consistency the key for Yellow Jackets football team

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — Black Hills State University’s football team seeks greater consistency as it prepares for the 2014 season.

The Yellow Jackets finished 3-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, 3-8 overall, last season. They dropped their first seven games before defeating New Mexico Highlands 48-45.

BHSU head coach John Reiners said the Yellow Jackets would play well at times last season but did not do so the rest of the way. He is starting his third season here.

Reiners is optimistic the consistency will improve this fall. “They’re feeling comfortable with the offense and with the defensive schemes,” he said.

The Yellow Jackets return a lot of experience this season. Key players on offense include senior running back Trent Butler, senior quarterback Ward Anderson, senior offensive lineman Dalton Wademan, senior

tight end Luke Whalen, junior wide receiver Jerome Krysl, junior wide receiver Alex Anderson, and sophomore wide receiver Bradley Adamson.

Black Hills State’s defensive unit includes the following returning players: senior defensive lineman Boone Bowker, senior linebacker Trent Boner, senior linebacker Jeremy Tuten, senior linebacker Michael Oberle, senior linebacker Steven Soderstrom, senior cornerback Brian Baldwin, sophomore defensive lineman Cody Benne, sophomore safety Travis Groves, and senior safety Darick Eisenbraun.

Another key will be the Jackets defense keeping its opponents out of the end zone.

Black Hills State allowed an RMAC-high 44.3 points per game last season.

“Last year, we were one of the worst in the nation as far as yards and points,” Reiners said. “Our guys took that to heart.”

Reiners said the team regrouped during the offseason and have made huge strides

to improve things this year. He added a defensive key is to eliminate big third-down plays and get the offense back on the field.

“We have a very tough schedule; there are no easy teams in the conference,” Reiners said of the slate.

The season opens Sept. 6 at Montana State University in Bozeman, followed by a Sept. 13 home showdown against archrival South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

A Sept. 20 home game against Fort Lewis (Durango, Colo.) starts the Yellow Jackets’ conference schedule, followed by a Sept. 27 contest at Colorado School of Mines.

The Yellow Jackets are picked to finish last in the conference.

“It’s our job to fix that,” Reiners said.

“We can only do that by winning games.”

Reiners picked Colorado State-Pueblo as the RMAC favorite. He said the Yellow Jackets must play their best against Colorado State-Pueblo, Chadron State (Neb.) and other teams to have a chance.

How does Reiners think BHSU stacks up against other RMAC teams? He said they have had past chances to win and have sometimes succeeded.

“It’s ultimately defined by wins and losses,” Reiners said when asked about ultimate success. “It’s also determined on how hard our kids are going to play.” Reiners has never doubted the Yellow Jackets will give their best effort.

Black Hills State has spent this fall working to get everyone on the same page, offensively and defensively. Reiners said special teams have also been a big emphasis.

“We didn’t take a step back coming into camp,” Reiners said. He added the team has been able to accomplish a lot, and younger players are learning quickly.

Reiners returned to the consistency theme for this season.

“We’ve got to win early and can’t let those opportunities slip away,” he said. “It starts with leadership.”

Members of the 2014 Black Hills State University Yellow Jackets football team are (not in order): Steven Reed, Damon Goldhammer, Ben Sjobakken, Christian Parr, Brian Baldwin, Darick Eisenbraun, Andrew Moyte, Kade Wasson, Trent Clay, Cody Smith, Bradley Adamson, J.J. Kilgore, Gran McKerlie, Taran Whelchel, Trey Fleming, Payton Haslam, Antonio Hinojosa, Ward Anderson, Anthony Eboreime, Zach Meyer, Harrison Dollins, Christian Fuentes, Shane Brooks, Travis Tweeten, Michael Oberle, Miles Robertson, Jake Coleman, Allen Stubbs, Terrell Martin, Braden Roes, Cameron Currington, Daniel Fagbuyi, Tyler Simmons, David Riedl, Chris DuPris, Jack Mazurie, Rob Nuttall, Jeremy Tuten, Trent Butler, Garrett Boner, Phydell Paris, Kyle Croll, Caleb Guarino, Travis Groves, Raymond Thomas, Diego Carstens, Kyle Harris, Steven Soderstrom, Isaiah Jones, Josh Gurnaby, Thayer Sauter, Trent Boner, Cody Okray, Eriq Swiftwater, Drew Hebel, Jared Jackson, Justin Jensen, Trevor Naslund, Aaron Freeman, Ethan Thompson, Aaron Olson, Kolten Johnson, Lane Lawson, Jesse Marshall, Harry Ulricksen, Tate Nafziger, Quinn Zimmerman, Paul Temple, Michael Deichert, Dalton Wademan, Andrew LaGuardia, Cody Schulze, Connor Thrush, Aaron Montoya, Christopher Mikal, Richard Nava, Cody Col, Rico Stubbs, Judd Stewart, Jake Gill, Layne McGuire, Antonio Flores, Isaac Hernandez, Dawson Steeds, Andrew Blaylock, Justin Orum, Mitchel Smith, Blake Firchau, Alex Anderson, Zane Lindsey, Erick Hairston-Belcher, Tanner Weaver, Liam Heaney, Jerome Krysl, Luke Whalen, Dan Zemski, Boone Bowker, Ekenna Anya-Gafu, Tommy Walling, Thadd Stottler, Riley Couch, Cody Benne, Dylan Weasa, David Lee, and Sam Prentner. The head coach is john Reiner and assistant coaches are: Nick Fulton, Shad Schneider, Jared Petrino, Shawn Schnabel, Tom Donney, John Jacobs, Tedder Easton, Luke Donovan, John Faircloth, Mike Johns, Ben Lewien, and Brick Cegelski. Photo courtesy BHSU athletic department

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Page 6

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Fall 2014

Spearfish volleyball continues upward swing

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH - The Spearfish High School girls’ volleyball team has improved every year under the direction of head coach Jayna Morrill.

Morrill hopes that trend is a sign of good things to come.

“Last season was great,” said Morill. “We went 18-11 and was one win away from state. It was amazing. Our first year here we went 9-12 and then to go 18-11, we’re ready for what ever happens this season.”

The Lady Spartans return a veteran team for the 2014 season.

“We have a lot of starters coming back. We have Michaela Cermak on the right side, we have Ashton Burditt setting, Rickie Engesser in the back row, and we have Shelby Dittman, Jelsie Dean, Madi Ulin, and a lot of kids returning, it is great,” Morrill said.

Practices have been going well for Spearfish.

“We have been working a lot on fundamentals, like we do every year at the start of the season,” said Morrill. “We have also added more drills that are competitive

and the girls’ are competing like crazy and they are ready to go.”

Morrill said the Lady Spartans strength will be their cohesiveness.

“They’ve played with each other the last two years and we can count on each other and we have experience now. The last couple of year’s we’ve said we are a young team and now we are an experienced team,” she said.

The Lady Spartans will continue to work on fundamentals.

“We always work on fundamentals every single time,” said

Morrill. “We also want to improve on our defense. We want to be a better defensive team every single game, whether that be blocking, or back row defense.”

Spearfish again faces another tough schedule.

“Our AA district is unstoppable.

Sturgis always brings in a very tough team’ Rapid City Central has some more experienced players playing, Rapid City Stevens has some experienced players playing and Douglas always competes with us very well,” Morrill said.

The Lady Spartans will also face tough non-district opponents

in Belle Fourche and LeadDeadwood.

“Belle Fourche is always a rivalry for us that we enjoy and Lead-Deadwood is going to have a good team too. They’re having all these juniors like we do that we are going to be going headto-head with over the next couple of year’s, and that will be great,” Morill said.

Morrill said her team must focus on not overlooking opponents.

“You’ve always got to worry about teams in the Black Hills Conference and our AA district.

We always have to be ready,” she said.

Members of the 2014 Spearfish Lady Spartans volleyball team include (Not in order) Ashton Burditt, Rickie Engesser, Abby Rabenberg, Brittany Eymer, Mikayla Koistinen, Sydney Knutson, Lanae Spargur, Hally Schmidt, Shelly Dittman, Jelsie Dean, Madi Ulin, Alyssa Griffith, and Michaela Cermak. Spearfish is coached by Jayna Morrill.

Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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Fall 2014

Page 7

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

L-D volleyball ready to continue winning ways

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — In 2013 Lead-Deadwood’s girls’ volleyball team got a taste of what winning was like. They hope that momentum continues in 2014.

“Last season was the best season we’ve seen in Deadwood for quite awhile. The seniors we had last year helped create that kind of atmosphere of winning, along with coach Lieske, myself, and coach Grant,” said Williams. “What was really neat about that was I think that has transitioned into this year, so the way the girls’ felt last year and we were developing a winning, successful program, I think the girls’ are ready to continue that this year.”

The Diggers return a veteran club from their 0-0 record in 2013 “Our team is mostly juniors, but we do have three seniors we have moved up some lower class men as well,” Williams said.

Williams said the transition from assistant coach to head coach has been an easy one.

“Erica (Lieske) and I worked closely on a lot of things and it made it easy for me to transition into the head coaching position,” said Williams. “I think I’m kind of ready to lead the show as long as the girls’ are willing to follow.”

Williams said practices have been going well.

“We just got done with our two a days last week, and the girls’ have really worked

hard. It’s neat to to see the passion to win in their eyes and a passion to try their hardest, and I think that is stuff that will carry us pretty far this year,” Williams said.

Team unity is one of the Lady Diggers strengths this year.

“We have a pretty strong offense, but above that is the team unity,” said Williams.

“Every girl on our team is willing to work with each other and help each other when someone is down, or if something is going on.”

Williams said the team exhibits strong leadership skills.

“I’ve seen all of them step up into that leadership roll and carry the team, and I think that is the kind of stuff in volleyball that is most important,” Williams said.

The Diggers know playing good team defense is the key to winning.

“I think we need to work on our serve and receive for the beginning of the season,” said Williams. “We also need to work on some of our defense. I don’t think it’s a weak spot for us, but something I want to continue working on.

“Defense wins games, so I definitely want to strengthen our defense.”

Lead-Deadwood will again the Cavaliers and Broncs for the region title.

“St. Thomas More and Belle Fourche have always been a challenge for us. I think this year we are going to have some good games against them. I’m excited to play them and to match up with them and see what we can do,” Williams said.

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Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Fall 2014

New beginning for Broncs’ volleyball team

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — Belle Fourche’s volleyball squad will look quite different from the one that finished fourth at the last two state A tournaments.

Fehrin Ward, Liz Day, Taylor Gubbrud, and Karli Jewett graduated. Morgan Ham moved with her family to Lemmon.

“We had a great season and a lot of fun, which is really important,” head coach Loree Schlichtemeier said of last season.

Schlichtemeier added the team reached a lot of its goals and accomplished many things.

The Broncs won the Region 8A title and finished the season 30-5.

Senior outside hitter Nicole Kling and junior setter KeAnna Ward saw a lot of varsity playing time last season. Senior Kylie Boston and junior Tea Hill played

some varsity matches as defensive specialists. All four return this fall.

“The rest of the team will be very new,” said Schlichtemeier, who is starting her seventh season in Belle Fourche.

Three other seniors are on the varsity roster at press time. They are defensive specialist Autumn Thorstenson, outside hitter Alix Thorstenson, and middle hitter Alicia Absher.

Middle hitter Emily Vinyard also represents the junior class.

Other sophomores are defensive specialist Bricee Bisgaard, opposite side hitter Bret Woelber, and middle hitter Tiann Garman.

Ninth-grader Sierra Ward plays an outside hitter position.

Schlichtemeier said this year’s players have followed past players who have succeeded.

“They’ve been in the gym and kind of know what that’s about,” Schlichtemeier said.

Having a new team filled Schlichtemeier with some apprehension before the first fall practice, but those concerns soon disappeared.

“From the beginning to the end, they had gotten better at some things,” Schlichtemeier said.

She added that improvement continued the next days, and the players have great attitudes.

Schlichtemeier said the early practices have seen the players getting a lot of repetitions and touches on the ball.

The season starts on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Sturgis.

Schlichtemeier said that match would have a lot of firsts for many players.

Schlichtemeier said the players must concern themselves with improving each match. She added getting a lot of repetitions in practice would be important.

The Broncs’ schedule is difficult, and Schlichtemeier said that

Belle Fourche’s varsity volleyball team features (not in order) Emily Vinyard, Nicole Kling, Autumn Thorstenson, Tea Hill, KeAnna Ward, Bricee Bisgaard, Kylie Boston, Alix Thorstenson, Sierra Ward, Alicia Absher, Bret Woelber, and Tiann Garman.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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is a good thing. Belle Fourche will play three area AA schools (Sturgis, Spearfish, Douglas) twice, go up against St. Thomas More twice and Lead-Deadwood once, and compete at the Redfield Tournament. Hot Springs, Newell, Custer, Red Cloud, and Hill City are also included.

“A lot of people have some good players,” Schlichtemeier said of the Black Hills Conference race. She cited Spearfish, Douglas, Lead-Deadwood, and St. Thomas More but said everything is now up in the air.

How does Schlichtemeier see the Broncs stacking up against other conference teams? “I hope we’ll be very competitive,” she said. “We may need to build experience, and some of the girls know what it’s about.”

Schlichtemeier was asked what would make this a successful season for the Broncs.

She said winning titles or reach-

ing state is great, but other things enter the picture.

“When you put on the Belle Fourche uniform, you’re kind of putting your best face forward,” Schlichtemeier said.

She added it is important for the players to exhibit good character.

What can the Broncs take from last season to build on for this year?

Schlichtemeier said the younger players looked up to older ones who were good students and citizens. She added they try to follow that example and feed off the success they enjoyed.

Having a new team does not change the way Schlichtemeier coaches. She has the same expectations for all players, like doing things correctly and improving on the basics.

Jordan Schneider and Serena Kokesh are the Broncs’ assistant coaches.

Fall 2014

Page 9

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

BHSU volleyballers have new coach, new attitude

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer

SPEARFISH — The Black Hills State women’s volleyball team will have a new coach and a new attitude when they take the floor to open the 2014 volleyball season, in September.

Sally Nichols resigned as head coach of the Lady Jackets in April, and assistant coach Kristin Carmichael was elevated to the head coach position.

“I am super excited about being the BHSU volleyball coach,” said Carmichael. “I’ve had a lot of good experiences here, and I can’t help but be excited, and I can’t wait to help the players down the path of excellence in athletics at Black Hills State University.”

Carmichael was an outstanding middle hitter for the Lady Jackets

earning Freshman of the Year in 2006, DAC Player of the Year in 2008, DAC Most Valuable Player in 2009, three time first-team All-Region player, four time first team All-Conference player, and two-time All-American honors, and led the Lady Jackets to DAC Championships in 2008 and 2009 and to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national tournament both seasons.

She knows what it takes to be successful.

“If they work together as a team it will take care of itself, and they have been that so well in practice,” said Carmichael. “I don’t see us having any problems chemistry, so I think they will do great.”

The Lady Jackets began practicing Aug. 26, and Carmichael likes what she’s seen from her team so far.

“Practice has been phenomenal.

They’ve had a ton of energy, are super excited to be in the gym, and they work hard every minute,” she said.

Carmichael has set goals for her team to achieve this season.

“Our goal for the season is to just compete against each other and get better as a team,” said Carmichael. “We want to work on some offensive and defensive schemes, and everybody just get on the same page.”

The middle hitters will be a big strength for the Lady Jackets this season.

“Blocking will be a strength.

We’ve been blocking really well in practice. Obviously Holly (Hamlin) and Shelby (Mayer) our two middles are crazy good, but even our freshmen are blocking our seniors, which is something

you want to see in practice.

“Our defense will be very strong and our setter is extremely talented and she knows who to get the ball to.”

In its first full season the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Lady Jackets finished 12th in the RMAC with a 3-16 record, and they finished 8-21 overall.

“We’ve been talking a lot about that as a team, and one of the main goals is to just finish,” said Carmichael. “Last year we were in the 20’s with a lot of those teams and we just need to finish those five points and get the win.”

Seniors Meghan Sipe and Holly Hamlin have set goals for the upcoming season.

“I’m really looking forward to us stepping up in the RMAC and

making a name for ourselves. We can be up there with the best of them and its time for us to show it,” said Sipe.

“We want to make it to the RMAC Tournament and be in the top three in the RMAC which people might think is a little high, but that’s a goal we’d like to get close too,” said Hamlin.

Black Hills State opens its 2014 season Sept. 5 and 6, at the Jackets’ Volleyball Classic in Billings, Mont., and Sept. 12 and 13 at the Maverick Invitational in Mankato, Minn.

“These tournaments are vital.

It sets the tone for the whole year and we want to come out strong,” said Carmichael. “We get to see a couple of the RMAC schools in those tournaments. We play one then we get to watch the other, and it kind of lets you know what those teams have.”

Chloe Zimmer, Sydney Ederhoff, Lacy Stevens, Brynn Eckhardt, Sierra Stugelmeyer, Fehrin Ward, Holly Hamlin, Kenzie Kazmer, Meghan Sipe, Shelby Mayer, Shayla Wickett, Sammi Ausborn, and Danielle Torpey. The Lady Jackets are coached by Kristin Carmichael and assistant coach Jamie Schroeder. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Spartan boys’ golf team starts season

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — A very young Spearfish boys’ golf squad started official practices at Spearfish Canyon Country Club on on Aug. 11.

“We have really good numbers,” said Spearfish head coach Eric Ligtenberg, who put the number at 20. “I think we’ve been pretty successful, especially the beginning golfers.”

Ligtenberg and the Spartans have emphasized the distance from 100 yards on in for the first two days. He said the players treated each hole like it was a par 3 and worked on their short games.

“Short-game improvement is always a challenge,” Ligtenberg said. “With that, everything else will fall into line.

“We have already seen improvement in this area.”

Will Storhaug represents the senior class.

Matt Burditt is a junior, and Ligtenberg said other juniors are just starting out in the sport.

Sophomores include Walker Sundsted and Matt Peterson. Dawson Sundsted, Kyler Clark, and Parker Louks are ninth-graders. Drew Gusso will enter the eighth grade when classes begin in August.

Tyler McBurnett and Kevin Kolb are other eighth-graders who are on the team for this season.

Ligtenberg said 10 of the 20 team members would likely play a lot of varsity golf this season.

“We’re going to have a lot of young players and hope to build for the future,” Ligtenberg said. He added it requires a lot of experience to have success.

The eighth- and ninth-graders boast talent, according to Ligtenberg. He agreed this season is a case of setting a foundation for the future.

The Spearfish boys’ golf team includes (not in order) Matt Peterson, Walker Sundsted, Matt Burditt, Kyler Clark, Dawson Sundsted, Drew Gusso, Tyler McBurnett, and Kevin Kolb.

Will Storhaug and Parker Louks are not pictured.

Pioneer photo

by Jason Gross

Ligtenberg said tournament golf requires a different mindset from playing informal rounds with friends and others. He added walking is required during tournaments, while many players use carts in other situations.

“We’ll have plenty of good competition, as other teams have experience,” Ligtenberg said of the Spartans’ schedule. “There are lots of tough courses in the area.”

The golf season also requires athletes to miss classroom time, and that also adds to the difficulty, Ligtenberg said.

Ligtenberg tabbed St. Thomas More as the Black Hills Conference favorite. He said the Cavaliers lost Jeron Laurenti to graduation but return a solid group.

“We can be very competitive against other young teams,” Ligtenberg said.

Ligtenberg hopes the team will significantly improve from now to the end of the season. Watertown hosts the state AA tournament Oct. 6 and 7. Spearfish played

its first tournament Aug. 18 at the Sturgis Invitational and finished fifth in the seven-team field.

Spearfish played its first tournament of the season on Aug. 18 in Sturgis, and shot an 18-hole 369 to finish fifth in the team race.

“I was pretty pleased with things, considering only two golfers had significant varsity experience,” Spearfish head coach Eric Ligtenberg said.

Dawson Sundsted contributed a 91 for Spearfish; his respective nine-hole scores were 44 and 47. Teammate Matt Peterson used a 47 and 48 to finish at 95. “Dawson had a good round but was disappointed with how it finished,” said Ligtenberg, adding that Sundsted struggled on a couple of holes.

Spearfish also received a 97 from Matt Burditt (nine-hole scores of 45 and 52), 99 from Kevin Kolb (52 and 47), and 106 from Tyler McBurnett (51 and 55).

Spearfish’s Matt Peterson trokes a putt during a tournament Aug. 18, in Sturgis. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Page 11

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Experience returns for Digger golf team

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — The Lead-Deadwood boys’ golf team will rely on a core group of four athletes this season.

Cameron Enright and Joey Fox represent the junior class; Brett Mattson and Carston Mertens are sophomores.

All four qualified for last season’s state tournament and helped the Golddiggers finish 12th as a team.

Seventh-grader Kayden Varland will also play varsity for Lead-Deadwood, which lost state qualifier Brett Enright to graduation.

Head coach Austin Travis points to the returning experience as the Diggersa team strength.

“The two juniors and two sophomores have been on the varsity the last two years,” said Travis, who is starting his third season

here. “They know what it takes and are very familiar with the area courses.”

Travis said the Golddiggers have traditionally played well at Hot Springs’ Southern Hills Golf Course. That is the host of the Region 4A tournament Sept. 29, and the state A tournament Oct. 6 and 7.

What will the Golddiggers need to work on for this season?

Travis said Mertens is in his second year of competitive golf, with Varland starting his first year. The head coach said gaining experience in competitive tournament settings is important.

“We also want the players to have fun, put in their best effort, and not get complacent,” Travis said.

Lead-Deadwood’s schedule is the same as it always has been. Travis said favorites in the Black Hills Conference or region tournaments depend on who returns.

“St. Thomas More should be reloading,”

Joey Fox, left, and Brett Mattson started their varsity boys’ golf season at the Sturgis Invitational, held Aug. 18. Cameron Enright, Carston Mertens, and Kayden Varland are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Travis said. “Custer has been young but is turning into an older team; I think we’ll be competitive.”

Rapid City Central and Rapid City Stevens are traditionally strong based on their enrollment, Travis said.

Success for the 2014 season depends on consistency and improvement, according to Travis. “It would be good to regain the conference title,” he said.

Travis said the four returning varsity players may use last season to build on for this year.

“At the end, we felt we were not as competitive as we could have been,” he said.

Staying motivated, keeping aggressive, and having fun should help with improving things this year, he added.

Early practices have found Golddigger players working to figure where they are from an individual standpoint, Travis said.

One player is working on accuracy with

distance clubs (woods and long irons); another is striving to keep things moving forward.

“For the younger guys, it’s making solid contact with the ball,” Travis said. He added everyone is working to shake off the proverbial rust.

“The school has built up a reputation,” Travis said. “If we finish at or near the top, we’ll be pleased.”

Lead-Deadwood opened the season Aug. 18 in Sturgis with only two players Golddiggers head coach Austin Travis said his team’s participation was low because some players did not turn in the required paperwork.

Brett Mattson carded a 78 for LeadDeadwood. He fired a 38 on the front nine and followed that with a 40.

Joey Fox followed with an 86. His respective nine-hole scores were 43 and 43.

Lead-Deadwood’s Brett Madson chips onto the green during a golf tournament during the 2013 golf season.

Pioneer file photo

Page 12

Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Bronc golfers rebuilding for the future

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — Belle Fourche golf coach Clark Gusso describes the 2014 boys’ golf season as a rebuilding year for the Broncs.

Six returning letter winners are helping to lead the Broncs. They started their season at Sturgis on Aug. 18, played in Hot Springs on Aug. 19, and competed at the Aug. 21 West River Invitational in Rapid City.

Senior Clay Schaeffer lettered last season and has one year of competitive golf experience. Juniors Andrew Ringling and Ayden Drabek are others who earned letters last year.

Austin Mette, Kyle Malcom, and Riley Meyer represent the sophomore class. All three lettered last season, with Mette doing so for the second time.

Mette was one of two Belle Fourche

golfers to qualify for last season’s golf tournament. The other, Luke Leverington, graduated; two others missed qualifying by three or fewer shots.

Eighth-grader David Blair rounds out the roster that Gusso outlined.

This season marks Gusso’s 16th of coaching the Belle Fourche boys’ golf team.

Gusso said despite the number of letter winners, the team does not have a lot of tournament experience.

“We have a lot of big questions,” Gusso said. “How much did they play in the summer, and how did it improve their game?

We’ll see how their course management skills are.”

Gusso was asked about the strong points of the Broncs’ squad.

“Some have been with me for two or three years,” Gusso said. “They know me and my expectations.”

Gusso said the more experienced athletes

work hard, and it remains to be seen about the younger golfers.

Players must work on making smart shots instead of trying for spectacular ones, according to Gusso. He added it is important to get over jitters, which is something that comes with experience.

“I don’t know how you replicate it, except to talk and talk,” Gusso said of simulating a tournament atmosphere during practice. Studying putts and doing the other little things are part of it.

Golf is unique in that a team cannot call a time out or insert a substitute, Gusso said.

The Broncs’ schedule is similar to that of past years. Gusso said a better picture of Black Hills Conference or Region 4A favorites should emerge after the season’s first week.

Sturgis and Spearfish are the conference’s largest schools. Gusso said one of them should be strong, along with St. Thomas More.

Lead-Deadwood, Custer, and Hot Springs are some of the other conference members.

Gusso said the Broncs should be competitive with those teams, adding anything can happen.

Rapid City will host the conference tournament on Sept. 22. The Region 4A tournament is Sept. 29 in Hot Springs.

Gusso outlined two means of measuring success for Belle Fourche.

Individual success depends improving ball striking and scores as the season progresses. The ultimate goal is to qualify a team for state, Gusso said.

Early practices have centered on the basics.

They include ball hitting, the club-distance relationship, chipping, putting, and rules.

Gusso tries to give everyone a chance to play as much competitive golf and gain as much varsity experience as possible. He hopes this season will pay off in the next year or two.

The Belle Fourche varsity boys’ golf team includes (not in order) Clay Schaeffer, Austin Mette, Dillon Giacometto, Andrew Ringling, Ayden Drabek, David Blair, and Riley Meyer. Kyle Malcolm is not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Fall 2014

Page 13

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

BHSU golfers excited about 2014-15 season

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer Black Hills State University golf coach Jamie Bentley said last season was a good one considering the age of her team.

“I think last season went pretty well,” said Bentley. “We had a pretty young team so we got a lot of girls some experience that hadn’t been in those situations before.”

The Lady Jackets return three veterans from the 2013 team.

“We have Amanda Johnson, who will be a senior. She finished 13th in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference last year.

Then we have two juniors, Paige Erickson and Katie Stevens and sophomore Ashlyn Pearson. We also have junior Kelsey Williams who transferred from Chadron State, and freshmen Madison Hand of Philip and Kennede Mathis of Winner. ” The Lady Jackets began practice on Aug. 28.

“The first few days of practice we did some qualifying, since our first tournament comes up Sept.

7-9 at the Wolfpack Invitational, in Pueblo, Colo.,” said Bentley.

After that we’ll focus on and work on our short game and make sure everyone is on the same page.

“It helps that they’ve been

playing this summer, so it’s not as much scrambling to get practices as it is in the spring. We want to make sure everyone is comfortable where their game is at.”

Experience will be a big plus for Black Hills State this season.

“We have some experience coming back, which we didn’t have before. Last year Amanda (Johnson) was really the only one with a lot experience in tournament play. Paige (Erickson), Ashlyn (Pearson) and Katie (Stevens) have a lot of experience under their belts, and they are just understanding the process,” Bentley said.

Bentley said she expects anoth-

er tough season competing against the RMAC opponents.

“The RMAC is a good golf conference and there are a lot of good teams in it,” said Bentley. “I think we still have a lot of work to do, but I believe when can compete at that level.”

Bentley said she would use the first tournament to evaluate her team.

“The first tournament is a good way to judge. You obviously want to see the girls’ compete at a high level, especially with newer players. You want to see how they handle tournament play. Some of them may not be used to it, and need to get a couple of tourna-

ments under their belt,” Bentley said.

Bentley sees her team finishing in the middle of the conference standings “I’m guessing we will finish somewhere in the middle of the pack. Like I said the RMAC is a very good conference and I think there are a couple of teams, Colorado State-Pueblo and Western New Mexico, that will kind of blow everybody else out of the water, and then there are a few that are kind of in the middle,” said Bentley. “I think if we play well and continue to work hard and we’ll be right there in the middle of the pack.”

Black Hills State will open its 2014 golf season Sept. 7-9 at the Wolfpack Invitational, in Pueblo, Colo.

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SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Fall 2014

Spearfish cross country ready to make its mark

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The Spearfish High School girls’ and boys’ cross country teams had an interesting season in 2013.

“We had a lot of different group dynamics, especially on the boys’ side. We had a lot of seniors who hadn’t run before, so throughout the season there were very different dynamics,” said LeighAnne Vette, Spartans co-head coach of the cross country team.

She shares the head coaching duties with Andy VanDeest. Vette said both teams had their ups and downs last season.

“The boys ran very, very well. We were pleased with what they did,” said Vette. “On the girls’ side we had that same mixture,” said Vette. “We’d lost a few girls from the year before on our state A championship team They ran well throughout the season, but kind of struggled at the state meet. We never did figure out whether it was illness, because we had a little bit of illness going on at that time, or a few minor little injuries and the state meet did not go quite as well for the girls as we were hoping.”

The boys’ cross country team has eight returning runners, and the girls’ team has seven returning runners.

“We really seem to have a group that is focused. Our kids that are returning are taking charge and have shown some great leadership skills. We have a nice group of freshmen who seem to be really wanting to work hard and fitting in,” Vette said.

Vette said the Black Hills Conference meet is the one the team has its eyes set on.

“I think our goal is going to be the conference meet.

I think at both on the boys’ and girls’ side we have a chance of winning that conference meet, so that will be our goal and hopefully we will springboard from that and hopefully do well at the state meet,” Vette said.

This will be Spearfish’s second season back in the AA ranks. And the Spartans will be facing schools that have more athletes to choose from than Spearfish does.

“It definitely is a challenge,” said Vette. “Again, I think we have a group of kids who are up for that challenge. We may not be up at the top of the rank when we get to the state meet, but I think we can be in the mix.”

Vette said the key to Spearfish’s success this season will depend on how the athletes make adjustments as the season goes along.

“We have a group of kids, especially the experienced ones, who have the ability to show some great potential by the end of the season, but it really is learning about competing at that varsity level. The nutrition, the sleep, and to make sure you do the workouts as designated,” Vette said.

The Spearfish cross country team opens its season Aug. 29, at Douglas.

Members of the 2013 Spearfish cross country team are (not in order): Gretchen Blain, Shelby Dittman, Kaylee DuPont, Katharine Hall, Lauren Hight, Marissa Hight, Faith Hovdenes, Peyton Linafelter, Annabelle Schulz, Tessa Sleep, Manon Van Huffelen, Hannah Young, Joseph Barnes, Logan Broeder, Jackson Dana, Taylor DuPont, Max Ellingsen, Steven Glasford, Justin Harris, Ryan Harris, Stran Holben, Matt Hovdenes, Gus Kruskamp, Brendan Lahr, Matt Parker, Zach Thoreson, Bryce Thorman, and Carter Thorman. Not pictured are Brooke Grout, Shalaya Sandness, Anna Pochop, and Noah Pochop. Pioneer photos by Dennis Knuckles

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Fall 2014

Page 15

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Digger XC runners readying for season

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer LEAD — Three of Lead-Deadwood’s top five runners from 2013 return to pace the Lead-Deadwood Golddiggers through a season that begins Friday, Aug. 29, at the Douglas Invitational.

Senior Nathan Finster earned 14th place in the boys’ division at last season’s state A meet. Junior Maddisen Larsen and ninth-grader Mara Jacobs reached the girls’ state A meet.

Two other girls are on the roster as of press time. They are senior Courtney Gould and sixth-grader Madelaine Rogers.

The listing does not include Mattie

Shirley-Fairbairn or her brother Morgan Fairbairn, who moved to North Dakota.

Lorna Squyer is starting her 21st season as the Golddiggers’ head coach.

Squyer was asked how she thought last season went for the runners. “Good, because of how well the five did,” she said.

Shirley-Fairbairn earned runner-up honors at the state A meet.

Lead-Deadwood currently does not have enough athletes for a boys’ or girls’ team. Consequently, Squyer speaks in terms of individual goals instead of team objectives.

“All three have really good goals,” Squyer said of Finster, Larsen, and Jacobs.

She agreed one of those is to record better times and higher places at this season’s

meets, compared to those meets last year.

Practices started about a week ago.

Squyer said she is trying to see where the athletes are, in terms of speed and endurance.

Lead-Deadwood’s schedule is the same as in past years. The Golddiggers will run at meets in Spearfish, Belle Fourche, Custer, Hot Springs, and Rapid City before their home meet Sept. 30 at the Tomahawk course.

The Sturgis Invitational comes next, followed by the Black Hills Conference meet Oct. 9 in Spearfish. Lead-Deadwood hosts the Region 5A meet Oct. 17 at the Tomahawk course; the state A meet is Oct. 25 in Huron.

Squyer said the Black Hills Conference

race should be wide open this year. She added Sturgis and the Custer girls’ team should be very good.

How does Squyer see Lead-Deadwood stacking up against the other conference runners?

“Nathan and Maddie will do very well, probably in the top six,” Squyer said. “Mara is a very good runner and a good student to coach.”

Squyer said the returning Golddigger runners may build on the success they earned last season.

As far as improvements throughout the season, Squyer repeated a theme she had for the 2013 campaign. “Only one runner can win a race, but everyone can get better,” she said.

Top photo: Nathan Finster returns for the Golddiggers’ cross country squad this season. Photo at right: The Lead-Deadwood cross country team includes Mara Jacobs, Courtney Gould, Madelaine Rogers, and Nathan Finster.

Maddisen Larsen is not pictured. Pioneer photos by Jason Gross

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Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Bronc cross country team will be young

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — Youth is the byword of the Belle Fourche cross country program as it gets ready for the 2014 season.

Sophomore Corey Hockenbary is the oldest of five runners currently in the program. The rest of the boys’ team includes eighth-graders Colin Hockenbary and Blake McNaught.

Two ninth-graders comprise the girls’ team: Sierra Lawrence and Hannah Juelfs.

“Sierra had a personal best time at state last year (49th-place time of 16 minutes, 54.58 seconds for 4,000 meters), and that gave her a lot of confidence,” Broncs’ head coach Phil McNally said. He said Juelfs ran a lot in the off-season.

McNally said Corey Hockenbary and Colin Hockenbary enjoyed a lot of success during last spring’s track season. “They work hard, and we have high expectations for them this season,” said McNally, who is starting his third season here.

“The real hope is that we may be able to field six or so boys,” McNally said. “That will give us a core group.”

McNally said the Broncs endured a lot of injuries last season. He attributed that, in part, to athletes not running enough miles during the summer.

“Cross country is a short season, and you must come into it in shape,” McNally said. Belle Fourche did not lose any runners to graduation from last year’s squad.

McNally talked about what the Broncs need to work on this season.

“For some, it’s learning how to run a cross country race,” McNally said. He explained a runner must sprint for the first 600 meters and hold a steady pace the rest of the way.

In assessing the schedule, McNally said Custer and Hot Springs often boast great runners. He said Belle Fourche looks to have a steady season.

How about the Black Hills Conference?

“You can’t go against Custer and Hot Springs. They have good kids and programs,” McNally said. He added cross country is partly a numbers game, and Spearfish enjoys large numbers.

The Belle Fourche cross country program includes Sierra Lawrence, Hannah Juelfs, Corey Hockenbary, and Blake McNaught. Colin Hockenbary is not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross Success for Belle Fourche means athletes running their hardest and turning in their best possible times, McNally said. He also wants athletes to pursue fitness and health, and come away from the season feeling that running is special.

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Bronc athletes have used long runs in early fall practices to build a base. McNally said they would start on sprint work this week.

Belle Fourche can build on Lawrence’s success last season, according to McNally.

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Fall 2014

Page 17

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

BHSU cross country facing rebuilding year

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The Black Hills State University women’s and men’s cross country team faces a rebuilding year after the women finished 13th and the men finished 8th in the Rocky Mountain Athletic conference during the 2014 season.

Scott Walkinshaw returns for his 17th season as the Yellow Jackets cross country coach, and he knows competing in the RMAC isn’t easy.

“The RMAC is such a competitive conference,” said Walkinshaw. Our top four runners (on the mens’ side) competed really well and we were just short of a top fifth guy.”

Walkinshaw said the RMAC had five teams in the top 24, on the men’s side, at Nationals in 2013.

“The conference teams finished 1st, 4th, 5th, 13th, and 24th,” Walkinshaw said.

“There were 13 All-Americans on the men’s side, and we had one of those AllAmericans in Mitch Kraft.”

Walkinshaw added Kraft was the first AllAmerican for Black Hills State University in Division II. Walkinshaw said on the women’s side, the RMAC had four of the top 20 teams at Nationals, and there were eight AllAmericans.

Gone from last year’s team on the men’s side are Mark Wilcox from Yankton, Seth Olvestad from Sheridan, Wyo., Mitch Kraft from Wessington Springs, Evan Strand from Gillette, Wyo., and Justin Bergeson from Hartford.

Gone from last year’s women’s cross country team is Erica Gajda from Cheyenne, Wyo. Walkinshaw said the Yellow Jackets would be young this season on the men’s side.

“We are going to have quite a few new faces,” said Walkinshaw. “We are going to have 10 true freshman and three redshirt freshmen on the men’s team. We’ve had some big freshman classes in the past, but this is the biggest freshman class we’ve ever had.”

The Jackets will also have junior Alec Baldwin, who transferred to BHSU from Iowa State. Walkinshaw said Baldwin would be a strong edition the men’s cross country team.

On the women’s side, Walkinshaw is looking for the team to improve from last year’s 13th place finish in the conference.

“We have three seniors, Courtney Chase, Becca Ellis, and Anna Yanchek. They are going to form the nucleus of our team. We hope to be better than we were last year,” Walkinshaw said.

Walkinshaw said the Yellow Jackets’ goals for the 2014 season are the same as they are every year.

“We just try to be the best team we can be. There are so many things you can’t control with the other teams,” said Walkinshaw.

“We have goals. We have some things we’d like to do. It would be really nice to finish in the top half of the conference.”

The Yellow Jackets go through a lot of training to help prevent injuries from occurring during the cross country season.

“We do a lot of core exercises, mobility exercises, mobility drills, and then we stress proper nutrition, proper warm-up, proper cool down, strength training, flexibility, and ice whirlpool,” Walkinshaw said.

Walkinshaw said the tendency of a runner is to run harder and faster and overdo it a little bit.

“We try to as much stuff to prevent injuries as we can, but they have to know their body well, and know when enough is enough,” Walkinshaw said.

This season Black Hills State has added the Eric Anderson Memorial, in Spokane, Wash., to its schedule.

“I like going to places outside the conference because we get to see different competition, as opposed to just running in this area,” said Walkinshaw. “We were out there last year when Mitch (Kraft) ran Nationals. I like the course, I like community and I think this will be a really good meet to run in.”

Black Hills State opens its 2014 cross country season Sept. 5 at the South Dakota Mines Invitational, in Rapid City.

The Black Hills State women’s and men’s cross country team compete at a meet during the 2013 season.

Pioneer file photo

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Page 18

Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Spartan girls soccer start first sanctioned season

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The Spearfish varsity girls’ soccer team began its first sanctioned season on Tuesday, Aug. 19, when it hosted Sturgis at the Black Hills Power Sports Complex.

Sanctioning means the South Dakota High School Activities Association helps set the schedules.

The sport goes through the school just like traditional sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling.

“I personally love our schedule,” said Spearfish head coach Connor Shuck, who is starting his second season here. “Overall, it will be great for us.”

Shuck said the Spartans would have a lot of home games this season. The Sturgis game was the first of those four contests.

Others are Aug. 26 against St. Thomas More, Sept. 5 against Huron, and Sept. 23 against Belle Fourche.

Most of the other trips are to nearby Belle Fourche, Sturgis, or Rapid City. Those teams are some of Spearfish’s traditional rivals.

Spearfish’s 19-player roster includes only two seniors: goalkeeper Alexis Aspelin and defender Caroline Bauer. Forward Caitlyn Miner, midfielder Kara Morford, forward Kady Dufloth, defender-midfielder Emily Nachatilo, defender Saidee Short, and defender Lauren Sparrow represent the junior class.

Midfielders Zoe Sailor and Ashley Odenbach are the Spearfish sophomores.

Midfielder Maddie Gould, midfielder Sela Fitzgerald, defender Amanda Dean, forward Daesha Erskin, midfielder Riley Ullrich, goalkeeper Mckenzie Jones, and forward

Olivia Ellerton entered the ninth grade when the school year started.

Two eighth-graders round out the roster.

They are defender Madiera Lister and midfielder Madelynn Geppert.

Shuck said Morford and Gould are two of the team’s key returning athletes.

“Kara works very hard, and she spent a lot of time in the weight room this off-season,” Shuck said. “Maddie is one of our youngest players, but she has a lot of talent.”

Katrina Chord is Shuck’s assistant coach this season.

Shuck listed the Spartans’ heart and youth as strengths; the team has only one senior.

Shuck said since Spearfish does not have a junior varsity team, several players can come off the bench.

The numbers situation mirrors the

school’s enrollment trends, according to Shuck.

“We did well as a team, but it was a big rebuilding year,” Shuck said of 2013.

Taylor Derosier was one of 10 seniors Spearfish lost from last season’s team due to graduation.

Workouts started on Aug. 7. Morning workouts have concentrated on conditioning, with team bonding and ball skills being emphasized during the afternoon practices.

What will it take for the Spartans to have a successful season?

“We must work together,” Shuck said.

“The team bonding has been great.”

Spearfish learned last season it can compete with anyone on its schedule, Shuck said. He added the team must work on keeping its composure, as it fell behind early and lost games a season ago

The Spearfish girls’ soccer squad includes (not in order) head coach Connor Shuck, assistant coach Katrina Chord, Ashley Odenbach, Alexis Aspelin, Amanda Dean, Caitlyn Miner, Kara Morford, Kady Dufloth, Daesha Erskin, Riley Ullerich, Maddie Gould, Madiera Lister, Sela Fitzgerald, Madelynn Geppert, Zoe Sailor, Emily Nachatilo, Saidee Short, Carolina Bauer, and Lauren Sparrow. Mckenzie Jones and Olivia Ellerton are not pictured. Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Page 19

Spartans soccer team returns veteran club

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer SPEARFISH — The Spearfish boys’ soccer team started its life as a South Dakota High School Activities Association-sanctioned team Aug. 19 by defeating Sturgis 9-0 in Spearfish.

The Spartans return a lot of experience from a squad that finished eighth at last season’s state AA tournament and finished with two wins, nine losses, and one tie.

Zach Hansen, Blake Bacon, Lucas Hayes, and Joseph Loux graduated from that team.

“We’re probably going to be as quick as anyone,” Spearfish head coach Jim Hill said of this season’s team.

He added they also have a passion for the sport.

The six seniors on the roster return from last year. They are midfielder Blake Johnson, forward Morgan Ness, defender Rance Sivertsen, goalkeeper Tyler Sands, forward Michael Lochner, and defender Trey Culver.

Midfielder Isai Rodriguez is one of four juniors on the varsity roster. The others are defender Seth Fitzgerald, forward Devon Torgerson, and midfielder Nate Terveen.

Forward Lucas Hogrefe, forward-midfielder-defender Edgar Meza, defender Christian Kranich, forward-midfielder-defender Cesar Mendez, defender Jacob Burr, defender Chanley Decook,

The Spearfish varsity boys’ soccer team includes (not in order) Tyler Sands, Michael Lochner, Rance Sivertsen, Lucas Hogrefe, Nate Terveen, Christian Kranich, Edgar Meza, Chanley Decook, Randy Zacarias, Seth Fitzgerald, Mason Krier, Caleb Ardis, Cesar Mendez, Trey Culver, Isai Rodriguez, Morgan Ness, Blake Johnson, and Devon Torgerson. Jacob Burr and Nate Baker are not pictured.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

Good Luck Diggers on a Winning Season!

midfielder Nate Baker, and midfielder Randy Zacarias represent the sophomore class.

Two ninth-graders round out the roster: defender Mason Krier and forward Caleb Ardis.

Hill is starting his 11th season as the Spartans’ head coach. He said the team must work on conditioning. “We’re OK now, but I would like to see us be better,” he added.

Sanctioning means the South Dakota High School Activities Association helps set the schedule. Soccer now goes through the school in the manner of traditional sports like basketball, football, volleyball, and wrestling.

Hill said the impact of sanctioning has yet to be seen.

“We play 13 games,” Hill said of a schedule that includes St. Thomas More, Hot Springs, Huron, Mitchell, Belle Fourche, Rapid City Central, Sturgis, and Rapid City Stevens. “If we don’t win 11 or 12, I’ll be really surprised.”

The power point system should be interesting, according to Hill. He said class AA teams like Spearfish get two points deducted for each game played against a Class A opponent. St. Thomas More, Hot Springs, and Belle Fourche compete in Class A. Hill said finishing fourth or higher in Class AA power-point totals would make for a successful season. Spearfish hosts a first-

round playoff game if it achieves that.

Spearfish has worked on keeping its offensive and defensive shape in the early fall practices.

“We’ve also been working on the speed of play,” Hill said. “That means how fast you can make decisions, and make the right decisions.”

Team cohesion is something Spearfish is working on from last year. “We all win and lose as a team, together, with no finger pointing,” Hill said.

Hill added the squad may improve on keeping its collective head up during times of adversity.

Teresa Krier, Sarah Leiby, and Tate Underhill are the Spartans’ assistant coaches.

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SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Fall 2014

Lady Broncs soccer team looks to take next step

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer

BELLE FOURCHE — Following two consecutive runner-up finishes at the state A girls’ soccer tournament, Belle Fourche has only one ultimate aim.

“Our main goal is to make it back to the title game,” Broncs’ head coach Kaysie (Tope) Linch said. “We have to go out, do the little things right, play and work hard, and give it our all.”

Belle Fourche fell 2-1 to West Central in last season’s state A title game on a late goal. That put the finishing touches on a 5-2 record.

“We had a very successful season but ended up unlucky last year,” said Linch, who is in her third season as head coach here.

She added she was quite proud of

Belle Fourche’s varsity girls’ soccer team features (not in order) head coach Kaysie Linch, Kayla Foos, Brittany Hunsley, Bailee Ward, Sierra Rosales, Marissa Dahlvang, assistant coach Kyle Parks, Janie McAmis, Molly Ryan, Mari Hubanks, Gracie Neiman, Jessica Ryan, Jordan Aspen, Hannah Rehmeier, Alexa Pierce, Jade Kellem, Kortni Grubb, and Raymie Keegan.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

the squad.

Maddie Huffman, Lindsey Hunsley, and Kassie Willard graduated from last season’s team.

However, a lot of experience returns.

“All of the girls on the varsity last year are back,” Linch said.

“We have six seniors.”

Midfielder Bailee Ward and defender Jordan Aspen are two of those seniors. The others are defender Alexa Pierce, defender Mary Hubanks, forward Janie McAmis, and forward Kayla Foos. Hubanks comes to Belle Fourche from a school in Wisconsin.

Four juniors also return for this season. They are forward Jessica Ryan, defender Gracie Neiman, midfielder Marissa Dahlvang, and forward Brittany Hunsley.

Sophomore Sierra Rosales (midfielder), sophomore Hannah

Rehmeier (goalkeeper), and ninth-grader Raymie Keegan (midfielder) also played on the varsity last season.

Three other defenders are on the varsity roster. They are ninth-grader Jade Kellem, ninth-grader Kortni Grubb, and eighth-grader Molly Ryan.

How is the team mood during fall practices? “Coming off second place at state, they’re just really determined,” Linch said.

She added work ethic, ball possession, defensive line, and goalkeeper experience will serve the Broncs well this season.

Belle Fourche is known for its fitness level, Linch said, and she would like to see that improve a bit.

Linch said the Broncs must work on transitioning from of-

fense to defense this season. She would also like to see the team take more shots on goal and move into the offensive attack right away.

“It’s pretty difficult, but we’ll fit well into it,” Linch said of the schedule. Class A Belle Fourche’s first season as a South Dakota High School Activities Association-sanctioned team includes games against class AA schools Sturgis, Spearfish, Rapid City Stevens, and Rapid City Central.

Sanctioning means the sport goes through the school just like traditional sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling.

Linch said she doesn’t know how Belle Fourche stacks up against the other teams. She added, however, the Broncs can be competitive.

“In our bracket, Belle Fourche should have a good chance,” Linch said. “The big challenge will come from St. Thomas More.” Class A features eight teams, with Belle Fourche and St. Thomas More the only ones in West River.

Belle Fourche has worked on fitness — one of its main goals — during fall practices. Workouts have also centered on playing positions correctly and trying to keep ball possession.

“The experience is there, but we need to be better and play our positions,” Linch said.

“We also need team communication and to win more 50-50 balls.”

Linch said the things Belle Fourche has been working on this fall are the things needing the most improvement from last season.

Fall 2014

Page 21

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Young Broncs begin soccer season

By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer BELLE FOURCHE — Belle Fourche’s varsity boys’ soccer team is considerably younger than the 2013 squad that finished second at the state A tournament.

“We had a senior-dominated group, and they were very smart guys,” Belle Fourche head coach Anthony Carbajal said in recalling last year. The Broncs dropped a 3-1 decision to Huron in the title game.

He added the Broncs were happy with second place at state, and the team exceeded his expectations. Belle Fourche finished with seven wins, three losses, and one tie.

Seven seniors graduated from

last season’s team. They were James Trimble, Brennan Wolf, Gavin Symonds, Austin Carbajal, Broc Barthel, Herman Hvidsten, and Kassidy Thompson.

For this year, three seniors are among the returning players.

They are midfielder Isaac Collins, goalkeeper Kyle Rehmeier, and forward Alex Kiley.

Returning juniors include striker-midfielder Adam Trimble, defender Cody McConville, and center-defender Tevin Gomez.

Striker-forward Lucas Trimble, midfielder-defender Alex Hendricks, and defender Michael Ryan are sophomores.

Ninth-grader Ryan Muhm will play up front in center forward and left forward positions.

The rest of the varsity roster features junior midfielder Brandon

Muhm, sophomore midfielder Dylan Hoard, ninth-grade defender Cameron Hendricks, and eighth-grade defender John Maher. John Rehmeier serves as the assistant coach.

“We’ve got a pretty good group,” said Carbajal, who is starting his third season as head coach. “Many of the younger players have a lot of talent.”

Carbajal said the Broncs’ players are able to move the ball well.

He added they have played a lot together, with passing and communication also being strong.

What will the Broncs need to work on?

“We’re focusing on conditioning,” Carbajal said. He said the younger players are getting used to ball touches and conditioning.

Belle Fourche is in its first year

of soccer being a sanctioned sport.

Carbajal said the sanctioning is long overdue. He added it might provide more chances for student-athletes to compete in sanctioned sports.

“We hope it will encourage more to come out,” Carbajal said.

Belle Fourche opened against top-ranked Groton Area on Aug. 22. The schedule will definitely test the Broncs.

“It’s going to be difficult, no doubt,” Carbajal said of the schedule. That includes Rapid City Stevens and Rapid City Central, who the Broncs have never played before.

St. Thomas More, Spearfish, and Hot Springs are also on the slate. Carbajal said the Broncs will succeed if they capitalize on their strong points.

“We will face challenges but must keep a positive attitude and come together as a team,” Carbajal added.

Belle Fourche started fall practices the week of Aug. 11. The team started working on the basics and setting a foundation.

As far as building on a runner-up state finish in 2013, Carbajal said anything is possible with hard work.

What does Carbajal see as the biggest improvements Belle Fourche must make from last season to this one?

“Increasing ball control and being able to pass well,” Carbajal said.

He stressed the importance of strong first touches and using the field to the Broncs’ advantage.

Belle Fourche’s varsity boys’ soccer team features (not in order) head coach Anthony Carbajal, assistant coach John Rehmeier, Cody McConville, Tevin Gomez, Brandon Muhm, Cameron Hendricks, Alex Hendricks, Michael Ryan, Lucas Trimble, Alex Kiley, Adam Trimble, Isaac Collins, Ryan Muhm, Kyle Rehmeier, John Maher, and Dylan Hoard.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Page 22

Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Spearfish tennis has new look for 2014

By Dennis Knuckles Black Hills Pioneer

SPEARFISH — The Spearfish High School girls’ tennis team will have a new look for the 2014 season Gone from the 2013 team are Makayla Sheppard, Amanda Larsen, Hannah England, Karla Meza, and Emily Iverson.

Spearfish tennis coach Doug Dexheimer said that last year’s team improved from the beginning, to the end of the season.

“It was a pretty good season overall,” said Dexheimer. “The

girls improved a lot and are still young for the most part. I was pretty happy with the progress last year and we will be young. Let me clarify saying our team will be young young by saying we have four seniors and seven juniors, but a lot of them are don’t have a lot of tennis experience.”

Practices for the Lady Spartans have gone well so far.

“Our practices have gone pretty good. We’ve got some new people so were introducing them to the sport of tennis and some of the fundamentals,” said Dexheimer. We are trying to get their conditioning worked up

slowing and then increase things a little bit and make sure they are stretching properly so there are no injury problems,” Deheimer said.

Dexheimer said he was pleased the enthusiasm the girls have exhibited in practice.

“They’re hustling, they are coachable, and they seem to pick up the suggestions I give them pretty well and making changes, and we are seeing some good progress as far as technique,” he said.

Consistency and condition will be big keys for Spearfish this season.

“We need to be consistent and improve our conditioning and get in shape a little bit better, because we will need that as our matches start to get stacked up,” said Dexheimer. “We also want to improve on their technique, because that is going to help them stay injury free.”

Dexheimer said it is too early to tell how his team will stack up against other teams on its schedule.

“I don’t know how we stack up against everybody else. We’ve got so many new players and I’m not sure at this point. I don’t know what the other teams have done

as far as offseason work and I don’t know if they’ve lost people too. We’re just going to keep focusing on our team and try to improve through out the season,” Dexheimer said.

The Spartans first matches of the season Aug. 22 and 23 in Rapid City.

Before thegoing to rapid City, Dexheimer said the strategy for those matches were simple.

“We want to get the butterflies out,” said Dexheimer. “It will be the first match for some people and I’m going to talk to them about competing and what to focus on during match play.”

Members of the 2014 Spearfish High School tennis team are (not in order): Lexy Burket, Kajsa Iverson, Madison Kaitfors, Shelby Konstant, Shea Lahr, Gabby Lewis, Maren Long, Cecily Munro, Anne Marie Rolando, Abby Van Fleet, Breonna Beasley, Kahra Campbell, and Tatym Reman, head coach Doug Dexheimer and assistannt coach Joe Doerges. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

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Fall 2014

Page 23

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

2014 Spearfish dance team

Members of the 2014 Spearfish High School Dance team are: Front row, Ashley Patterson, Emelia Anderson, and Noel Pombo. Middle row, Madison Walker, Brooke Tigert, Lauren Grove, Taylor Koch, and Carly Cooper. Back row, Kayla Huber, Haley Jenson, Chelsey Hingten, Alexis Powell, Mollie Zvprak, and Elise Rverson, Spearfish is coached by Jessie Jeffery. Pioneer photo by Dennis Knuckles

2014 Spearfish cheerleaders

Members of the 2014 Spearfish High School cheerleading squad are: Back row, Haley Drapeaux, Alison Rivers, Madison Selk, Coach Pam Waterson, Randi Stadel, Sadie Haivala, Allison Kephart, and Robin Do. Front row, Jordan West, Addison Weglin, Brynn Christensen, Coral Abrahamson, and Karla Meza. Courtesy photo

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Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

2014 Lead-Deadwood dance team

Lead-Deadwood’s competitive dance team is getting ready for the 2014 season. Members are (not in order) Elizabeth Belmontes, Grace Jacobs, Cassidy Taborski, Lavinia Sherman, Brooke Bialas, Melinda Grass, Jaedyn Mehlberg, and advisor Stacey Ross.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

If they’re playin’...

2014 Lead-Deadwood cheerleaders

We’ll be there.

Lead-Deadwood cheerleaders are getting ready to support Golddigger teams this fall. Team members include Cassidy Taborski, Grace Jacobs, Melinda Grass, and Lavinia Sherman. Paige Barthel, Caralina LaForest, Brianna Tish, and Shari Croft are not pictured.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

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Page 25

2014 Belle Fourche cheerleaders

Belle Fourche’s competitive cheerleading team has started preparation for the 2014 season. Sixteen squad members are also football cheerleaders.

Team members are (not in order) Justice Showman, Alexis Carlson, Allisa Hayduk, Mercedes Harrison, Alyx Mitchell, McKayla Foust, Sentel Johnson, Kasey Buresh, Destanie Miranda, Allie Reid, Katerina Marlow, Hannah Jones, Kiara Poitra, Moriah Gonzales, Lindsay Dommer, Kaylee Sloan, Kennedy Ager, Bailey Lang, Alexia Kerg, Ashley Jewett, Riley French, and Felicia Martinez. Denise Horman is the cheerleading advisor.

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

2014 Belle Fourche dance team

Belle Fourche’s competitive dance team features (not in order) Cassidee Meyers, Kathryn Anderson, Briana Johnson, Mariana Meza, Sarah Millar, and Tessa Kauffman.

Advisor Michelle Deyo-Amende said of the numbers, “We’re tiny but mighty.”

Pioneer photo by Jason Gross

Page 26

Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Thoughts from the sports desk The fall sports season is here, and I am try to stir up trouble, whether it be about a excited to see how things unfold for our coach, an athlete, a referee, a fan, another area teams. parent, or a school official.

Some of them will experience the thrill Let the coaches coach and the players of victory, while others must go through the play and spend your time cheering and agony of defeat. supporting your team, instead of spreading As always, I hope whether they win or rumors and propaganda. lose, the athletes hold their heads high.

Don’t be a “jump on the bandwagI hope they take the life lessons on fan” and only support they learn along the way and put your team if they are doing them to use in their everyday life. good.

I encourage them to give their all These athletes work hard and leave everything they have out at their sport and they need on the field, course, or court. your support through the good After all, giving your best in times and the bad. everything you do is a trait everyIf you say, “Oh, nobody one should follow whether you are won’t notice if I’m not there,” playing sports, or in everyday life. you are wrong.

I encourage them to be good The athletes will notice, Dennis sports. and besides if you are only Knuckles Nobody likes a sore loser or an going to sporting events to obnoxious winner. be notice. I think you need to Whether you win or lose, do so with class rethink things. The focus in sports should and dignity. After all you are representing be on athletes, not you. your school, your family, your community, Don’t be the “rain on your parade fan.” and more importantly, yourself.

The team played well, but instead of foTo sports fans I say support your team cusing on the positives, you want to focus unconditionally. on the negatives.

Don’t be a “gloomy gus fan” and always Why? look at the bad side of things.

The athletes feel bad enough without you Instead focus on the positives and offer throwing salt on the wound. encouragement to the athletes.

Don’t get me wrong, constructive critDon’t be a “meddling fan” and constantly icism is good, but when you blame a

coach or a player, even a referee for your team losing you are barking up the wrong tree.

The only thing you are going to do is bring moral down and cause dissension, and that isn’t needed or wanted in sports.

The coach and players will discuss the mistakes made during the game and make the proper adjustments so that mistake never happens again.

Instead why not focus your energy and be a “super fan.”

I’m not saying live, drink and sleep your team’s sport, but show up at games and cheer the athletes on.

After the game, maybe go up to a player or a coach and shaker their hand and tell them they did a good job.

Playing sports for youth is two fold.

Not only do they get to have fun playing a sport they love, but they get to make new friends, and learn life lessons that will last them through high school, college, and beyond.

I also encourage fans to refrain from bashing the coaches and the referees.

I have always said coaching and refereeing are two of the most thankless jobs there iare.

Coaches have enough pressure without looking over their shoulder for a meddling parent or an unhappy fan.

Give them a chance to do the job they were hired to do, without having to look over their shoulder to see who is trying to put that first dagger in their back.

I think you will find that they truly have the athletes best interest at heart and only want the athlete to grow not only as an athlete, but as a person.

Referees are only human and will occasionally make mistakes.

They don’t expect everyone to like their decisions, but the verbal abuse and the name calling they endure is way out of bounds.

And we wonder why are kids do and say some of the things they do.

Remember, attending a sporting event is a privilege, not a right.

Just because you buy a ticket, it doesn’t mean you can say or do anything you want.

I’ve seen numerous people over the years that thought they had the right to say and do whatever they wanted to do at a sporting event, only to have their bubble burst when they are escorted out of the event and told they are no longer welcome to return to future sporting events.

Sports is supposed to be about the athletes and them having fun playing the sport of their choice.

See you at the sporting events!

Area athletes in action

Black Hills State University cross country and Spearfish volleyball teams show off their talents during the 2013 season. Pioneer file photos

Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 27

Area athletes from 2013

Black Hills State and Spearfish football teams, along with Belle Fourche cross country and LeadDeadwood volleyball are all hoping to have winning seasons in 2014. Pioneer file photos

Page 28

Fall 2014

SPORTS PREVIEW / BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Fall sports 2014 schedule Spearfish football

Aug. 30 vs. St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Sept. 5 at Belle Fourche 7 p.m.

Sept 12 vs. Brookings 6 p.m.

Sept. 19 vs. Mitchell 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 at Rapid City Stevens (O’Hara Stadium) 6 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Douglas 6 p.m. (Homecoming) Oct. 10 vs. Sturgis Brown 6 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Hot Springs 6 p.m.

Spearfish volleyball

Aug. 30 vs. Mitchell 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 2 at Sturgis-Brown 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 vs. Hill City 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Belle Fourche 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 vs. Douglas 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 vs. Rapid City Stevens 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Belle Fourche Tourney 9 a.m.

Oct. 2 vs. Hot Springs 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Rapid City Central 6 p.m.

Oct. 6 at Douglas High School 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 vs. Custer 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 vs. Belle Fourche 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 vs. St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Douglas Tourney 9 a.m.

Oct. 21 vs. Sturgis Brown 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Red Cloud 7 p.m.

Oct. 27 at Lead Deadwood 7 p.m.

Oct. 28 vs. RC Central 7 p.m.

Spearfish girls’ tennis

Aug. 29 at Rapid City TBA Aug. 30 at Rapid City TBA Sept. 6 vs. RC Central 1 p.m.

Sept. 9 @ Campbell County 4 p.m.

Sept. 12 at Brandon Valley 9 a.m.

Sept. 13 at Brandon Valley 9 a.m.

Sept. 20 at Yankton (vs. Mitchell) noon Oct. 4 at RC Stevens 9 a.m.

Oct. 4 at RC Central 11 a.m.

Sept. 16 vs. L-D/Belle Fourche 9 a.m.

Sept. 19 at Mitchell 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 22 at St. Thomas More (Red Rock) 9 a.m.

Sept. 29 at West River Challenge (Boulder Canyon CC) 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 30 at West River Challenge (Meadowbrook) 3:30 p.m.

Spearfish cross country

Aug. 29 at. Douglas 9 a.m.

Sept. 4 vs. 14 teams (Evans Park) 1 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Belle Fourche 2 p.m.

Sept. 18 Custer High School 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Huron 9 a.m.

Sept. 26 at Rapid City (Elk Golf Course) 3 p.m.

Sept. 30 at Lead Country Club 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Sturgis Brown (Ft. Meade) TBA Oct. 9 vs. Black Hills Conference 2 p.m.

Oct. 16 at Rapid City (Executive Golf Course) 2:30 p.m.

Lead-Deadwood football

Aug. 29 vs. Pine Ridge 6 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Little Wound 6 p.m.

Sept. 13 vs. St. Thomas More (Prospector Bowl) 6 p.m.

Sept. 19 at Custer 6 p.m.

Sept. 26 vs. Bennett County 6 p.m.

(Homecoming) Oct. 10 at Red Cloud 6 p.m.

Oct. 17 vs. Belle Fourche 6 p.m.

Oct. 24 at St. Francis Indian 6 p.m.

Lead-Deadwood volleyball

Sept. 5 vs. Huron 4 p.m.

Sept. 6 vs. Mitchell 11 a.m.

Sept. 9 at Belle Fourche 4 p.m.

Sept. 13 at RC Central (Sioux Park) 1 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Sturgis Brown 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 at St. Thomas More (Sioux Park) 3 p.m.

Sept. 23 vs. Belle Fourche 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 at RC Stevens (Sioux Park) 5 p.m.

Aug. 29 at Custer Tourney 2 p.m.

Sept. 2 vs. Hot Springs 5 p.m.

Sept. 4 at St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 vs. Hill City 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Douglas Tourney 9 a.m.

Sept. 16 at Edgemont 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Custer 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Newell 5 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Belle Fourche Tourney 9 a.m.

Sept. 30 vs. Belle Fourche 6 p.m.

Oct. 4 vs. Mile High Invite 8:30 a.m.

Oct. 7 vs. Harding County 6 p.m.

Oct. 9 vs. St. Thomas More 6 p.m.

Oct. 14 at Red Cloud 6 p.m.

Oct. 16 at Belle Fourche 7 p.m.

Oct. 21 vs. Douglas 6 p.m.

Oct. 25 vs. Lead-Deadwood Invite 8:30 a.m.

Oct. 27 vs. Spearfish 6 p.m.

Spearfish boys’ soccer

Lead-Deadwood boys’ golf

Spearfish girls’ soccer

Sept. 2 at Hot Springs TBA Sept. 5 vs. Huron 4 p.m.

Sept. 6 vs. Mitchell 1 p.m.

Sept. 9 at Belle Fourche 6 p.m.

Sept. 13 at RC Central (Sioux Park) 1 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Sturgis Brown 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 at St. Thomas More (Sioux Park) 3 p.m.

Sept. 23 vs. Belle Fourche 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 at RC Stevens (Sioux Park) 5 p.m.

Spearfish boys’ golf

Sept. 2 vs. Belle Fourche, LeadDeadwood 3 p.m.

Sept. 5 at. Sturgis Brown 9 a.m.

Sept. 9 at Sturgis Brown 4 p.m.

Sept. 11at Douglas 10 a.m.

Sept. 2 at Spearfish 3 p.m.

Sept. 5 at Black Hills Invite (Sturgis) 9 a.m.

Sept. 9 at Sturgis Triangular 4 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Douglas Invite 10 a.m.

Sept. 12 at Custer 3 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. RC Central 4 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Spearfish Invite 9 a.m.

Sept. 22 at Black Hills Conference (Hart Ranch) 10 a.m.

Sept. 29 at Region (Hot Springs) 9 a.m.

Oct. 2 vs. Belle Fourche Invite 4 p.m.

Lead-Deadwood cross country Aug. 29 at Douglas Invite 9 a.m.

Sept. 4 at Spearfish Invite 1 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Belle Fourche Invite 2 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Custer Invite 2;30 p.m.

Sept. 26 at RC Invite 3 p.m.

Sept. 30 vs. Lead Invite 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Sturgis Invite 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Black Hills Conference (Spearfish) 3 p.m.

Oct. 17 vs. Region 3 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Chadron State Invite Sept. 23 at Chadron State Invite Sept. 28 at Colorado Mesa Sept. 29 at Colorado Mesa Sept. 30 at Colorado Mesa

BHSU football

Belle Fourche football

Sept. 6 at Montana State TBA Sept. 13 vs. SD School of Mines 1 p.m.

Sept. 20 vs. Fort Lewis 1 p.m.

(Swarm Days Sept. 27 at Colorado Mines noon Oct. 4 vs. Colorado Mesa 1 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Western State 1 p.m.

Oct. 18 vs. Adams State 1 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Chadron State noon Nov. 1 at Colorado State-Pueblo 1 p.m.

Nov. 15 at Western New Mexico noon

BHSU volleyball

Sept. 5 at Jackets’ Volleyball Classic in Billings, Mont. (Minot Sate) 9 a.m.

Sept. 5 at Jackets’ Volleyball Classic in Billings, Mont. (Mary) 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Jackets’ Volleyball Classic in Billings, Mont. (Chadron State) 2 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Jackets’ Volleyball Classic at Billings, Mont. (Montana State) 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 at Maverick Invitational in Mankato, Minn. (Wayne State) 11 a.m.

Sept. 12 at Maverick Invitational in Mankato, Minn. (Upper Iowa) 5 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Maverick Invitational in Mankato, Minn. (Minnesota State 9 a.m.

Sept. 13 at Maverick Invitational in Mankato, Minn. (Wayne State) 4 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Western State 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 at Colorado Mesa 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Fort Lewis 3 p.m.

Sept. 25 vs. N.M. Highlands 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 vs. Colorado State-Pueblo 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 vs. Adams State 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 vs. UC-Colo. Springs 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 vs. Regis 5 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Colorado Mines 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Metro State 4 p.m.

Oct. 14 vs. Chadron State 7 Oct. 18 vs. Colorado Christian 5 p.m.

Oct. 21 at Chadron State 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Colorado Christian 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 vs. Metro State 7 p.m.

Nov. 1 vs. Colorado Mines 3 p.m.

Nov. 4 vs. South Dakota Mines 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Regis 7 p.m.

Nov. 8 at UC-Colo. Springs 5 p.m.

BHSU cross country

Sept. 5 at SD Mines Invitational Sept. 27 at Eric Anderson Memorial (Spokane, Wash.)

Oct. 4 at Rocky Mountain Shoot-Out (Boulder, Colo.)

Oct. 18 vs. Yellow Jacket Invitational Oct. 25 at Gillette College Invitational Nov. 8 at RMAC Championships (Gunnison, Colo.)

BHSU women’s golf

Sept. 7 at Wolfpack Invite Sept. 8 at Wolfpack Invite Sept. 9 at Wolfpack Invite Sept. 13 at Colorado Christian Sept. 14 at Colorado Christian Sept. 15 at Colorado Christian Sept. 21 at Chadron State Invite

Aug. 29 at Douglas 7 p.m.

Sept. 5 vs. Spearfish 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 at Hot Springs 6 p.m.

Sept. 19 vs. Sturgis Brown 7 p.m.

(Homecoming) Sept. 26 at Custer 6 p.m.

Oct. 10 vs. St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Lead-Deadwood 6 p.m.

Oct. 23 vs. Cheyenne Eagle-Butte 6 p.m.

Belle Fourche volleyball

Aug. 30 at Sturgis Brown 2 p.m.

Sept. 2 vs. St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Sept. 5 at Hot Springs 1 p.m.

Sept. 8 vs. Douglas 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 11 vs. Spearfish 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 at St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 vs. Newell 5 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Custer 5 p.m.

Sept. 27 vs. Belle Fourche Tourney 9 a.m.

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

Oct. 9 vs. Red Cloud 5 p.m.

Oct. 14 at Spearfish 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 vs. Hill City 7 p.m.

Oct. 27 at Douglas 7 p.m.

Belle Fourche boys’ golf

Sept. 2 at Spearfish 3 p.m.

Sept. 9 at Sturgis 3 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Douglas 10 a.m.

Sept. 12 at Custer 3 p.m.

Sept 15 vs. Sturgis 4 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Spearfish 9 a.m.

Sept. 22 at St. Thomas More 9 a.m.

Sept. 25 vs. RC Central 4 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Region (Hot Springs) 9 a.m.

Belle Fourche cross country

Aug. 29 at Douglas Early Bird 9 a.m.

Sept. 4 at Spearfish Invitational 1 p.m.

Sept. 11 vs. Belle Fourche Invite 1 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Custer Invite 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 at Hot Springs Invite 3 p.m.

Sept. 26 at RC Invite 3 p.m.

Sept. 30 at Lead Invite 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Sturgis Invite 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Black Hills Conference (Spearfish) 2 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Region (Lead) 2 p.m.

Belle Fourche girls’ soccer

Sept. 2 at St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 vs. Spearfish 4 p.m.

Sept. 13 vs. St. Thomas More 11 a.m.

Sept. 18 vs. Sturgis Brown 4 p.m.

Sept. 20 vs. RC Stevens 5 p.m.

Sept. 23 at Spearfish 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 vs. RC Central 1 p.m.

Belle Fourche boys’ soccer

Sept. 2 at St. Thomas More 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 vs. Spearfish 6 p.m.

Sept. 13 vs. St. Thomas More 1 p.m.

Sept. 18 vs. Sturgis Brown 6 p.m.

Sept. 20 at RC Stevens 5 p.m.

Sept. 23 at Spearfish 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 vs. RC Central 1 p.m.