OF THE WEEK
THE COLLEGIAN REPORT
This week, we let you know who won the Students’ Association election, and look at two big events that happened on campus over the weekend.
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LEFT: Students play ultimate frisbee outside on the Binnewies Green on Friday, March 28, 2025. RIGHT: Students walk past Yeager Hall on campus during a snow storm on April 1, 2025. The temperature rose to as much as 78 degrees on Friday before turning back to snow on Tuesday, accumulating just under an inch.
South Dakota State wrapped up its first weekend of outdoor track and field competition with a trio of meets on Saturday afternoon.
A federal judge decided last week that South Dakota’s lawsuit against the NCAA regarding their $2.8 billion settlement with the Power Four conferences will stay in state court.
Updates include a counseling rebrand, a wellbeing podcast, and more
JORDAN ROEMELING Co-News Editor
Various speakers addressed the Students’ Association, which approved club constitutions, commemorations, ordinances and an amendment.
Open Forum
Shari Landmark, the chief wellness officer, and Mariah Weber, the director of recreation and fitness from the Miller Wellness Center, talked to the senate about how General Activity Fund (GAF) dollars are spent for the building and the Rabbit Ride program.
22,000,” Weber said. “So, we’re definitely right on track to probably be at that 22,000 this year.”
The wellness center launched a “State of Wellbeing” podcast in February 2024, with anxiety being the most popular topic out of 38 others.
Landmark explained how GAF supports $4.04 spent for the building’s health clinic and counseling center, how $4.20 goes to group fitness, operation, intramural/esports and sport clubs and how $6.59 is for two building bonds from 2006 and 2008.
Group fitness has been up this year, with “record-high participation.”
“We had a little over 10,000 registrations in fall of ‘24, and this is an increase of 39%,” said Weber.
The Wellness Center has used Telemed counseling, which will be called “Better Mynd,” next year and will offer 30-minute counseling sessions for students.
It was also reported from Landmark that the last year’s implementation of “Walk-in-Wednesdays” at the Student Health Clinic, where students can drop by the clinic to be seen by a nurse practitioner from 8-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. are up 8.2%.
Weber, who has overseen the Rabbit Ride operation for about 15 years, gives free transportation to anyone impaired, or anyone who wants a safe ride home.
For just this year, the service has provided over 18,000 rides and on average receives 650 riders every weekend, according to Weber.
“Typical year, I want to say, can range anywhere from 14,000 all the way up to
They also have a “CashCourse” program about financial literacy for students, which falls under their Financial Wellbeing of their “University Wellbeing Dimensions of Wellness.”
An upgrade will be coming to the CashCourse this June that will include financial information for students at the university.
“It’s some really great information [on there],” Landmark said. “Whether it’s you’re going to live off-campus maybe next year–what does rent look like? What about when I graduate? What is a 401k?”
These platforms are free for students to use and are located on the Miller Wellness Center website, Landmark said.
One change coming to the gym is implementing “sensory-friendly hours” from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., during which no music will be playing inside the wellness center.
“We have the music off for people that want a little quiet time,” Landmark said.
Landmark said that they will be restocking Jack’s Cupboard with Aunt Flo products for this next year as well, which will be located in the restrooms in the main hallway of the building.
There is also talk of revamping the idea of a tobacco-free campus by tackling vaping, and the possible change of academic assignment due dates/times to earlier.
Then, Brianna Doran, a Brookings city council member returned to SA to give updates on questions they had at a previous meeting she didn’t have answers for.
The city will be doing a “Spring Bulky Item-Pickup” April 9 through April 13, where people can place trash items
on their curbs. People can receive free dumping through city residence of the landfill.
As for parks and recreation, they will be renovating a skate park, and programs like pickleball, basketball and volleyball will be expanded as well.
Last, Doran said that there will be an update about the downtown businesses affected by the fire that was at Brost’s Fashions, last December, which will be discussed at the next Brookings City Council meeting.
A few new clubs were approved by the senate as well.
One of them was the SD Association for the Education of Young Children Club, which is aimed to promote the Early Childhood Education (ECE) major and the importance of it and working with children.
“I just want to commend all of you for starting this,” said Senator Blake Gibney. “I think this is a really good way to keep your major thriving.”
Another was the approval of the SDSU Concrete Industry Management Club.
What makes this club different, though, is that it officially recognizes the use of concrete specifically in our everyday lives, and spreads awareness of the concrete industry.
steamers and receive back massages.
Gibney on the Academic Affairs Committee said changes will be made to majors and minors as well as who can complete assessments of courses.
Unfinished Business
Two commemorations were approved at the meeting, including a commemoration to recognize John Mahlan, human resource assistant for the SDSU Army ROTC Military Science Program, who served 31 years in the South Dakota Army National Guard and a decade at the university. (Commemoration 24-10-C).
“Mr. Mahlan is a rock of the SDSU program for over a decade now and a direct impact on the commission for officers, myself included,” Gibney said.
The other was to recognize April 2025 as Autism Awareness Month (Commemoration 24-11-C).
An ordinance that was established to have the senate revisit and establish the Ex-Officio position of the Honors College for the 2025-26 term.
• The Concrete Industry Management Club
• Collegiate Music Teachers Association
The final club was the Collegiate Music Teachers Association to share the importance of music through teaching others.
One amendment was also approved that reconstructed the Diversity Chair to Diversity Liaison position on the senate that made alterations such as having a minimum of seven office hours a week. (Amendment 24-3-A).
• SD Association for the Education of Young Children Club
What makes the club different is that it has students of different majors, with 14 people interested in joining.
University Program Council (UPC) said that they will have a Spa Night event on April 3, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Jacks’ Place in the Student Union, where attendees can make sugar scrubs, shower
New Business Amendment 244-A will be revised and voted on at the next SA meeting regarding the duties for finance chair on the senate.
Senator At-Large Emma Peterson announced that 43 cups have been used from the Aunt Flo program, with the products located at Jacks’ Cupboard.
Adjournment
The senate went into executive session and excused anyone other than senators.
DANIELLE NOWELL
Assistant News Editor
Construction began 100 years ago on the horse barn at the Horse Unit in 1925. The building was completed between January and March of 1926.
The Equine Teaching Faculty Manager, Jennifer Forney-Eide, recorded many historical elements about the horse barn on The Animal Science Equine page on SDSU’s website.
Eide says that the barn was built to house draft horses that were needed to do farm work on the college’s first experiment station.
Clydesdales, Belgians, and Percherons are all breeds of draft horses that once called the horse barn home. Eide said the horses were bred and raised there.
Back then, horses were needed to pull the plows and the planters in the fields for the experiment station. Tractors did not enter the farming scene until the 1940’s, According to Eide.
The experiment station was, “… established to provide the people of South Dakota the opportunity to learn and develop new agriculture methods and animal husbandry practices,” Eide said.
However, Eide has not been able to find any historical information about where the experiment station was located, so it is currently unknown where the draft horses would have specifically worked.
“We have no documentation of where the horses were kept pre-1925,” Eide said. It is known for sure that horses have been here when South Dakota State College was new.
The draft horses found themselves involved at the first Little International Stock and Grain Show held in 1921 –before the barn was even built!
“Somewhere in this general area between the cow calf and here is where all of the animal units were,” Eide said. The horses would have likely been housed somewhere in that area.
“We found a number of draft horse work shoes with cogs on them in a cow calf building which was destroyed in the derecho,” Eide said. Which is potentially where the draft horses lived before the barn was built. There are many unknowns because records are sparse.
The barn has a Gambrel shaped roof and is made of brick and mortar. “The barn stands virtually the same as when it was first built in 1925,” Eide said.
The only changes to have been made are that:
o Stall fronts were added on the double boxes to accommodate light horses.
o One of the old harness rooms was converted into a new extra-large box stall.
o Sometime between 1988 and 1989, the white paint previously found on the trim and dormers, were painted to the dark brown color that it is today.
o The building’s interior was once all gray in color, but later was painted to be bright white and dark brown
o A derecho storm came through in May of 2022, but the only damage done to the horse barn was to the old chimney. “It was blown clean off.” Eide said.
While draft horses were the first to call the horse unit barn home, the increased use of tractors eliminated the campus’ need for draft horses to complete agricultural work. This made room for more breeds of horses to be housed at the barn.
Morgan horses were introduced to the horse unit in 1946. In 1948, the horse unit also saw the addition of American Saddlebreds. Dr. Jim Kaiser brought these two breeds to university. By 1949, the draft horse days at SDSU had come to a close.
The first Quarter Horse filly to come to SDSU was named Gold Duster, and was purchased by Dr. Paul “Buck” Kohler from the Denver National Western Stock Show in 1952.
Only nine years later, by 1961, the horse barn was home exclusively to purebred American Quarter Horses.
It wasn’t until 1986 when Dr. Larry Insely brought Belgian draft horses back to the horse unit by working with McCrossan Boys Ranch near Sioux Falls to, teaching draft horse driving, as a way to preserve the history and use of the barn.
Thanks to the equine minor that was established in 2005, the barn sees even more traffic and is used daily in the teaching curriculum, hosting labs, riding classes, training of the replacement stock raised at the unit, hosting community events and summer programs.
“The horse unit is great for the Horse Club to use to get outside, work with horses, and connect with other members of the Horse Club who have similar interests and passions as they do,” said Horse Club President Mackenzie Steinbrecher.
If students are interested in taking classes and possibly pursuing the Equine Studies minor, here is a list of classes recommended by Dr. Carmen Paulson with no/minimal prerequisites that would be a good place to start:
o AS104 - Introduction to Horse Management
o AS105 - Horsemanship
o AS213 - Equine Health & Diseases
o AS376 - Performance Horse Management
Equine Instructor Dr. Carmen Paulson says she absolutely loves the authenticity and craftsmanship of this barn.
“It gives off a cool ‘old-barn’ feel,” Paulson said, “I often think about all the stories these walls could tell.”
Things are changing quickly, but one thing has stayed the passage of time. The horse barn is still standing tall on the northwest corner of campus, making a true testament to craftsmanship, care and necessity.
“It has always been a pleasure to step through those doors, the sweet smells of hay and horses greeting me. It is an impressive site when that barn is full of horses, it is the greatest classroom anyone could ask for,” Eide said, “It has been an honor to care for this facility keeping the traditions alive and providing educational opportunities for all.”
RACHEL RICHTER Reporter
On the fourth floor of Wagner Hall lies a hidden gem on the South Dakota State University campus — the Wagner Cafe.
Wagner Cafe is a restaurant run by the quality food production and services students, a four-credit class with prerequisites. The cafe is open on Tuesday from 12 to 12:45 p.m. during spring semester, and has been operational since April 27, 2004, coming up on 21 years this month. The cafe is in Wagner Hall, Room 429. The course is taught by associate professor Kunsoon Park in the school of health and consumer science. Park hopes to see more students take the class in the future with a goal of having the cafe open all academic year rather than just the spring semester.
The cafe offers guests a home-cooked meal and a fine dining experience without leaving campus for $12 in Hobo Dough, cash or check. The cafe also offers a to-go option for students like Claire Wagner who are passing through on their way to class.
“I liked the to-go option and how quickly the food came,” Wagner said. “It was really good food, and it was a quick and easy process to get it. My favorite part was that the food tasted home cooked.”
For the students who run the cafe, it offers a hands-on experience to learn about all the various parts that go into operating and running a restaurant. There are five students in charge each week that rotate in groups to get experience in all aspects of the cafe.
“For guests, this is a fine-dining experience, so when they come in, we have the table setting (and) everything so guests can have the feel of the fine dining experience,” Park said.
Professor Park believes having the experience the Wagner Cafe offers is very important and valuable for their future.
Food is involved in many different hospitality jobs such as hotels or event centers, so gaining the knowledge of food service now will help them tremendously in the future.
The meal prepared each week is chosen by the group in charge. The group must do all the grocery shopping for the meal themselves with a limit of 40% of the cost of each meal which is about $4.80 of the $12 meal.
“It is pretty much strictly student run,” said quality food production and services student Maicy Lourens. “We do all the cooking, all the prepping, all the cleaning. We serve everyone. For my student meal we had a girl that couldn’t make it so he (Professor Park) stepped in and did the cash register, but for the most part we will have students doing that, serving, cooking. It’s kind of all up to the students to get most of it done. He and our teacher’s assistants are just there for questions.”
The Wagner Cafe’s grand reopening this semester was Feb. 11. The cafe closed in the first semester due to lack of students and a prerequisite course that many students needed to take. The course includes both nutrition and hospitality students so that they can learn from each other and form new connections.
The cafe runs and operates like a normal restaurant so all students must have a ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification by the National Restaurant Association. The cafe must also pass a health inspection and its food service license needs to be renewed every year to serve guests.
The money made by the cafe goes back into a fund for supplies such as plates, table clothes, food and much more. The students of the class prep-cook Monday, on Tuesday they finish cooking from 10 a.m. to noon and serve guests from noon to 12:45. Clean up is from 1 to 2 p.m.
• Chickpea Salad
• Turkey Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
• Garlic Roasted Potatoes
• Mini Fruit Pizza
APRIL 15 MENU
• Roasted Beet, Feta and Walnut Salad with Orange Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
• Creamy Parmesan Alfredo with Garlic Chicken
• Herb Roasted Broccoli
• Apple Crisp
PEYTEN WIESE Reporter
State University Theatre and Dance will be performing a bluegrass musical, “Bright Star.” from April 3 through 5 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 at 2:00 p.m.
The musical was written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. It was inspired by the true story that they heard about a baby being thrown off a train in a suitcase and surviving.
Brooklyn Mauch, who plays Alice, said her favorite moment of the show is the first few verses she sings in the opening song.
“I get to have a moment with the whole cast where we just look at each other and sing, and it’s the best feeling in the world,” Mauch said. “I feel like they’ve got my back and I got theirs.”
When talking about how she and her character are alike and different, she said Alice has a wonderful sense of sarcasm that she wishes she had.
“I’d say Alice and I are alike in our optimism and humor,” Mauch said. “I have no idea how she does it, but she always holds out hope that things will turn out okay, which is a quality I get from my mother.”
She enjoys blocking rehearsals where she gets to collaborate with her castmates and build her character.
Since Bright Star isn’t a well-known musical, Mauch is excited to surprise the audience with a story and songs they have probably never heard before.
Mauch said, “I really hope our audience is inspired by this lesson and that they know despite how dark things may be right now, the sun will shine again.”
Jacob Stevens, who plays Jimmy Ray, also said he wants the audience to be inspired by the hopeful message of the story.
“I am excited for the audience to experience the highs and lows of the story and the overall theme of redemption throughout the musical,” Stevens said.
Like Mauch, Stevens wants the audience to remember how “the sun is gonna shine again,” which is a lyric from the opening song of Act II, “Sun’s Gonna Shine.” Stevens said there are many similarities between him and his character.
“I feel that my character and I both share the same drive and passion for what they love,” Stevens said. “For him, it’s Alice and their love story, and for me, it’s creating and performing theatre and music.”
Steven’s favorite song to sing from the show is “Heartbreaker.”
He said, “It’s so raw with emotion and really shows Jimmy Ray’s true love in the face of tragedy.”
Carl Steinlicht, the stage manager, said he can’t wait for the audience to see Stevens perform “Heartbreaker.”
The play “Bright Star,” is a musical
Jimmy Ray. They will be performing the play from April 3 to the 5 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 at 2 p.m. at the
He said it’s absolutely gut-wrenching and an amazing performance. Steinlicht also said he loves how hopeful the title song, “Bright Star” is.
“There is a reason it’s the namesake song of the show, and the cast is doing an amazing job telling the story while they’re singing it,” Steinlicht said.
He wants the audience to walk away from “Bright Star” feeling hopeful for the future.
“Sometimes life just finds the perfect way to work out and you just have to trust it,” Steinlicht added.
Students can purchase tickets at the Box Office starting an hour and a half before the performance or online at sdstate.evenue.net.
Last Friday and Saturday, one of SDSU’s biggest traditions took place - the Little International Competition.
Little “I” provides students from various majors, locations, and backgrounds the opportunity to gather together to celebrate their passion for agriculture, and to compete against one another in agricultural events. A few of many highlights include:
• Wyatt Glessing won High Point Freshman.
• High Point Upperclassman was Mitchell VanderWal.
• Brayden Lindeman won High Point Alumni.
• The High Point Club was Sigma Alpha.
• Mitchell VanderWal also won the round robin, and Dellana Muck got second.
CAMDEN OSBORN Reporter
It could be said that the University Program Council (UPC) at South Dakota State University is an organization in charge of the fun at SDSU.
The University Program Council is a student-led programming organization made up of 10 students who work to provide free or low-cost educational, diverse, entertaining and engaging events aimed at the general student body. The council has organized countless events over its history at SDSU, and so far this semester, they’ve put on six.
“We put on 12 to 15 events per semester, ranging from trivia or bingo to music festivals and movies in the pool,” Emma Brookman, the president of UPC, said.
Brookman said that these events are a great way to get out, meet people who have similar interests, take a break from studying, try something new and have fun. And she’s not the only one who thinks these events are fun.
Joey Hiedeman, an SDSU senior who has been attending their events for years, said the events “...make it really easy to connect and have fun with new people while bringing some friends along as well.”
Brookman explained UPC’s planning process, which puts events in motion the semester prior to the event date. It works to fully plan all aspects of an event and allows UPC time to involve other student organizations. This method of planning also allows the organization to quickly add an event to a semester if another student organization comes to them with an event that they want to put on.
So far this semester, UPC has put on events like the Research Mini Series, Tag. Aim. Fire!, Dive In Movie, Couples’ Game and Generational Trivia. They have more planned.
These events can be expensive to run, but UPC does have a budget. According to Students’ Association President Trinity Peterson, UPC doesn’t fundraise but instead receives money from the General Activity Fee that all students taking credits at SDSU must pay. This fee is decided on by SA’s Finance Committee and is then sent to be approved by President Barry Dunn. This year, UPC receives $2.40 out of the $50.85 that each student pays per credit.
Peterson said she strongly believes in UPC and thinks
Spa Night: April 3
Easter Egg Hunt: April 14
Trashy Fashion and Clothing Swap: April 24
May Day Music Festival: May 3
the organization is an important and beneficial part of campus life here at SDSU.
“The UPC provides the majority of free events for students, and while some universities have full-time staff dedicated to planning events, SDSU has the dedicated students of the UPC,” Peterson said. “Overall, working with the UPC has been great.”
For students who want to help with this initiative by joining UPC, UPC is hiring and you can join a team under one of the coordinators in special events, social awareness, marketing, films & forums, arts, recreation & travel and showcase. You can also apply to be a coordinator, which is a paid position. The best way to go about doing this is to reach out to Brookman or one of the coordinators that corresponds to the team you want to join.
Students struggle with burnout, stress and the weight of expectations
KEEGAN FLANIGAN Reporter
As the tail end of winter drags on and the sky stays gray, more and more students find themselves in a slump, burnt out, exhausted and struggling to finish strong.
“It’s something we see and hear about a lot in our office,” said Katie Hillerud, a staff member with SDSU’s mental health services. “A lot of students come in burnt out, missing assignments and reporting changes in their sleep and diet.”
Hillerud and fellow staff member Julia Walker say they see a mix of diagnosable mental health conditions, as well as everyday transitional life challenges.
“Adulting is hard for everyone,” Walker said. “We hear a lot about roommate issues, housing struggles, homesickness, even into the spring.”
For some students, returning home for summer can bring up anxiety or conflict, and grades from a tough fall semester can fuel a spring burnout.
“It’s a cycle that builds,” Hillerud said. One helpful mindset shift that Hillerud and Walker suggest is focusing on the present.
“Depression often stems from being stuck in the past, while anxiety comes from worrying about the future,” Hiller-
South Dakota State posts a dimensions of wellness graphic on its website and further explains how it defines wellbeing and how it allows people to achieve their full potential.
ud said. “Finals and graduation are big milestones, but instead of fearing them, look at them as opportunities. Take things day-by-day and try to be the best version of yourself in the moment.”
Their advice? “Try doing monthly snapshots, break up your goals into smaller, manageable pieces,” Walker said. “Don’t live a life of ‘I wish I would have. Finish strong instead of fizzling out.”
The first step to getting help is simple. Mental health screenings are available at the Miller Wellness Center Monday through Friday from 12:30-3 p.m.
“Just let the front desk know you’d like to talk to a counselor,” Walker said. “It’s a 30-minute screening and you’ll leave with a plan, whether it’s individual counseling, group therapy or a referral to other campus resources.”
That support network spans across campus, from the Wintrode Student Success Center and Jacks Study Hub to the Office of Career Development and Financial Aid. Even medication support
is available through campus providers. And the best part? It’s free and there’s no waitlist, according to Hillerud.
As the stress builds, students are reminded to take care of themselves mentally and physically.
“Ask yourself, ‘What’s the next right thing for me?’
Sometimes just getting started is the hardest part,” Walker said. “Rest is productive. If we keep pushing on empty, we only go backward.”
Walker and Hillerud also encourage students to sprinkle in activities that bring joy and stimulate the brain. For relatable stories, students can check out The State of Well-Being podcast, which features real experiences from SDSU students.
Environmental: Connect with your physical surroundings.
Emotional: Understand your own feelings and become comfortable with your emotions.
Financial: Develop positive financial behaviors.
Digital: Create sustainable habits for technology.
Social: Maintain healthy relationships.
Physical: Make informed and responsible decisions about your health.
Mindful: Your life is meaningful and has purpose.
Occupational: Find meaningful and rewarding work
To see more visit: https://www. sdstate.edu/university-wellbeing/ healthy-university-beyond
Jackrabbit men’s basketball lead assistant Bryan Petersen will take over the head coaching position, Athletic Director Justin Sell announced Saturday.
Petersen, who has been on the men’s basketball staff for six years, will be the program’s 23rd head coach, taking over for Eric Henderson, who left to take the head coaching job at Drake.
“I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to have the opportunity to lead the Jackrabbit men’s basketball program,” Petersen said in a release. “The vision and core values of SDSU align perfectly for both myself and my family.”
Before coming to SDSU, Petersen was the men’s basketball head coach at Kirkwood Community College leading the program to the 2016 and 2019 NJCAA Division II Championships and recording a 157-38 overall record. Petersen was selected as regional and national coach of the year in both seasons.
“Bryan has stood out to me since he joined our athletic department,” Sell said in a release. “The relationships he has built with the student-athletes he works with is evident.”
Prior to his head coaching stint, he spent a season as an assistant at Kirkwood, following three years as a graduate assistant at Iowa State under Greg McDermott (2009-10) and Fred Hoiberg (2010-12). He also played two years in the Cyclones program, starting 64 consecutive games for ISU and scoring 97 career 3-pointers after spending his first two at Kirkwood.
A press conference to introduce Petersen will be held on Friday, April 4, at 10 a.m.
— BRAYDEN BYERS, Editor-in-Chief
The Minnesota Twins will host “SDSU Night” on July 26 at Target Field.
The Saturday night game will feature the Twins taking on the Washington Nationals with the first pitch being thrown at 6:10 p.m.
The ticket package will include a themed SDSU Twins jersey as well as a ticket for the ball game with a distinguished alumni throwing out the first pitch. A portion of each ticket sold will go towards the SDSU Alumni Association. Jersey sizes are available from small to XXL.
— STAFF REPORTS
Three more hit the portal
More SDSU basketball players have hit the portal this season. Last Friday, Haleigh Timmer went to X, formerly Twitter, with her intention to pursue a new path.
“It is with both sadness and excitement that I am announcing I have entered the transfer portal with one year of eligibility left,” Timmer said on social media. “My goals on and off the court must be considered for a decision like this.”
Timmer and the Jackrabbits found success multiple times throughout the year as they beat two Top-25
ranked teams, accumulated a 30-4 record and advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA national tournament. The Rapid City, South Dakota native averaged 12.8 points, four rebounds and 1.3 assists this season. Timmer saw action in all 34 games and averaged 29.6 minutes per game while shooting 48.4% from the field.
SDSU’s men’s team saw two hit the portal after the departure of head coach Eric Henderson to Drake. Owen Larson and Stoney Hadnot entered the transfer portal earlier this week as Larson has a no-contact clause.
Larson played a pivotal role for the Jackrabbits this season, averaging 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists. The true freshman shot 40.2% from the field and 39% from deep.
Hadnot appeared in all 32 of SDSU’s games and played 17.5 minutes per battle while averaging 6.3 points and 4.1 boards. The Texas native has three more years of eligibility remaining.
After one season with South Dakota State, Oscar Cluff has committed to Purdue for his final season of collegiate basketball. William Whorton who also entered the transfer portal and joined the Jags of IU Indy.
— MARSHALL MINIHAN, Sports Editor
JOHN AKRE Sports Reporter
The Jacks will once again have their hands full in what has been a rough start to Summit League play. The Jacks take on ORU in a three-game series starting tomorrow at 6 p.m., followed by two-afternoon games on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
“The schedule isn’t going to let up for us, we just have to persevere,” SDSU head coach Rob Bishop said. “Hopefully, we can get a little bit of momentum and just play our best baseball as the conference season unfolds.”
Despite being picked to win the Summit League in the preseason conference coaches poll, the Golden Eagles have had a lackluster start.
ORU currently sits third in the conference at 4-4, but all four losses have come against the two teams currently above them in the standings (NDSU and St. Thomas).
The Golden Eagles currently have the best pitching staff in the conference, tallying an ERA of just 4.8 as a team. ORU has the top two pitchers in ERA this season in Easton Teel and Nathan Love. Teel has an ERA of just 2.43 in nearly 30 innings this season, while Love bolsters a 3.34 ERA in 35 innings.
The weakest aspect of the Golden Eagles has been their hitting, but Wailele Kane-Yates has been the most consistent batter in their lineup with a .318 batting average with five home runs and 22 RBIs this season.
Will Edmunson and Cooper Combs are also threats at the plate, with both batting an even .300, combining for seven homers and South Dakota State slipped to the bottom seed in the Summit League after a winless series in Fargo.
With a postponed game three against North Dakota State, the Jacks will try to bounce back this weekend with a three-game stint against Oral Roberts in Oklahoma. The games can be streamed
on the Summit League Network.
Game 1 (NDSU 5, SDSU 2)
The Bison’s timely hitting powered NDSU to an opening series victory over the Jacks Friday.
Each of the first five batters in the Bison’s lineup cracked hits, including a twohit game from left fielder Colten Becker.
Nolan Johnson took the win on the mound for NDSU, tossing 6.2 innings, allowing just one run on seven hits and three walks, striking out four.
“We played well,” Bishop said. “But both games were really determined by who got a big hit at the right moment.”
South Dakota State’s Carter Sintek batted 3-4 in the loss, while Jess Bellows and Luke Luskey each tallied two hits in a game SDSU left 11 runners on base.
Caleb Duerr took the loss for the Jacks, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in three innings on the mound.
Game 2 (NDSU 3, SDSU 2)
NDSU’s Colten Becker roped an RBI single to walk-off the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader over the Jacks.
Becker batted 3-5 with two RBIs for the Bison in game two, while Jake Schaffner also batted 3-5, scoring all three runs for NDSU. Skyler Reidinger took the win in one inning of relief for the Bison.
SDSU’s Dylan Driessen took the loss in the game, allowing an unearned run on two hits and three strikeouts in 1.2 innings pitched.
The 2024 Summit League Softball Player of the Year lets her skills do the talking.
“She is the best that I have ever seen,” Kristina McSweeney said. “Off ensively she is gap to gap with power. At second base there are not many things that go past her. She is just a fierce competitor in every way shape and form.”
Jarecki was not only the Summit League Player of the Year, but also a NFCA All-Midwest Region First Team Selection, a Summit League All-tournament team selection, a two-time All-Summit league First Team (2024 & 2023) and a three-time Summit League Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence award winner.
But Jarecki doesn’t let her long list of accomplishments distract her from the main goal of getting better and winning games.
“I felt like there was still a lot of weaknesses that I had, defensively and offensively that I really wanted to take into and try to better my overall talent,” Jarecki said. “Yes, I felt like I was consistent last year, but I wanted to be more constant and more well-rounded.”
With SDSU boasting an 18-17 record, she doesn’t see the games as wins and loses. She sees them as opportunities for her and the team to get better.
Jarecki has always had a positive outlook on the outcomes from the field. The Nebraska native doesn’t let the wins or losses affect her abilities and continues to be herself on the diamond.
The Jackrabbits are making the most of the games remaining and continue to grow as a team.
“We are just trying to find little things that we can grow and improve in each game to prepare us for Summit League,” Jarecki said. “The Summit League this year is [a] level playing field, and we might have some really good games, we might have really bad games but really the end goal is to win the Summit League championship.”
The Summit League championship has eluded SDSU in the past and with ten seniors that graduated last year, Jarecki has had to step up and be a main leader on this team.
“Mia is a lead by example [person], and she is going to do everything that you ask. She is going to do it well. She’s going to get here before everybody, she is going to be the last one to leave, she is going to [do] everything extra,” McSweeney said. “These last couple of weeks, I’ve seen her kind of transition into being vocal and telling people what to do for us to get better, so I’ve seen a lot of growth in the last couple of months.”
The Jackrabbits are 3-0 through conference play this season, which means the season is inching closer to the
This season, Jarecki is averaging .306 at the plate, the sixth best
end, and for Jarecki that means the end of her collegiate career.
SDSU’s catcher Brooke Dumont has been Jarecki’s best friend since fourth grade. They have been playing softball together for a long time and have been important factors in each other’s lives.
“I don’t necessarily like to be told that I’m wrong, but when it’s her telling me I’m wrong, usually I know she is right,” Dumont said. “She’s pushed me a lot on the field to give everything I got when we don’t have a lot of time left together.”
Jarecki cares about others and pushes herself, which makes others want to be better and give their all.
Looking back at her time at SDSU she has seen her confidence grow as a player and wishes she lived in the moment a little more.
“I feel like the four years here have gone by so fast and I know every senior says that, but it’s crazy that it’s been 4 years since my freshman year,” Jarecki said.
She has many memories, but her favorites were winning the Summit League tournament and upsetting No. 15 Arkansas 7-3 in 2024.
“Beating ranked opponents is just saying and proving that we are just as good as them,” Jarecki said.
The Jackrabbits take on USD on Saturday at home for their home opener. First pitch at the Jackrabbit Softball Stadium is set for noon.
Position: Infielder
Height: 5-8
Class: Senior
High School: Papillion LaVista H.S. Hometown: Papillion, Neb.
Major: Exercise Science/Pre-Nursing
Batting: .306
Hits: 33
Homeruns: 4
Runs: 29
Putouts: 66
JORDAN RADDATZ Sports Reporter
SDSU opened Summit League play with a sweep over Kansas City last Friday and Saturday.
Game One (SDSU 15, KC 0)
A shutout of the Roos set the tone for the three-game series. Abby Gentry opened the scoring in the top of the first with an RBI single. An Alli Boyle RBI and Emma Vike’s two RBI double quickly made it a 4-0 game. SDSU added four more runs in the fourth inning, then capped it off with an eight-run effort in the sixth, ending the game on the run-ahead rule.
Game Two (SDSU 2, KC 1)
The Roos kept SDSU in check in the second game. An RBI walk by Katie Noble put Kansas City ahead in the third inning, but SDSU responded the next inning to tie the game despite a double play, forcing the game into extra innings. Another RBI by Boyle allowed Brooke Dumont to score in the eighth inning, giving the Jacks a 2-1 victory.
Three pitchers for SDSU split duties, with Amanda Vacanti getting the start. Tayler Becker struck out three batters in the closing innings.
Game Three (SDSU 5, KC 0)
SDSU kept the Roos off the board to close out the series on Saturday. Dumont hit an RBI single in the third inning, followed by four more runs in the seventh. Boyle hit an RBI single and scored two more runs off a Roos error, while Vike had another RBI with Boyle scoring. Head coach Kristina McSweeney spoke about the team’s performance this week. “When we’re able to do the things that we’ve worked on, so runner at third, find a way to put the ball to the other side of the field. Bases loaded, single to the right side, you know, those are the things that are going to help us out in the long run. We’ve got to be able to do those things to
stay in this.”
Two SDSU pitchers had complete games in the series with Akayla Barnard doing so in the first game on Saturday, and Sylvia Shromoff in the Saturday evening game.
The sweep leap-frogs the Jacks to first place in the Summit League, improving to 18-17 overall.
SDSU is back on the mound this weekend with a three-game series against South Dakota in Brookings. USD is tied for fourth place in the Summit League with Omaha and holds a 20-14 overall record.
Tatum Villotta stands out as one of the USD’s top batters. The senior infielder has started in all games this season, leading the team in runs scored, hits and slugging percentage. With a .409 batting average so far this season, Villotta leads the team starters. McKenna Young holds the Summit League’s third-best ERA at 1.93, allowing only 22 earned runs in 15 starts. Young is also one of two pitchers in the conference to strike out more than 100 batters.
A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday with first pitches at noon and 2 p.m. Sunday’s game is slated for an 11 a.m. first pitch. The games will be streamed on the Summit League Network through Midco Sports Plus.
Apr. 5-6: vs USD
Apr. 12-13: @ St. Thomas
Apr. 18-19: vs NDSU
Apr. 21: @ Iowa State
Apr. 26-27: vs Omaha
May. 2-3: UND
May. 7-10: Summit League Tournament
