SPORTS 2024 FALL
Offseason improvement sets Kernels football up for success
Mitchell aims for postseason return after consecutive 2-7 seasons
BY LANDON DIERKS Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL
— As the 2024 season looms, the Mitchell High School football program is anxious to prove itself.
According to MHS head football coach Pat Larson, the Kernels begin the new campaign several strides ahead of where they started in 2023. Last season ended with a 2-7 record as MHS missed out on the Class AA playoffs for the second straight season.
However, with a refreshed offseason schedule, heightened energy and increased participation added to that improvement, Larson and company are optimistic that Mitchell can re-establish the program’s standard of being a Class 11AA postseason contender.
“The energy has just been so high and so good this summer,” Larson said. “It just gives me so much hope to see how this translates from June and July into September and October.”
Paramount to the Kernels’ success in 2024 will be stability at the quarterback position.
Throughout the 2023 season, the Kernels featured a two-QB rotation. Half of that duo returns in senior TJ Jellis, a confident downfield passer who primarily handled the quarterbacking duties in pass-heavy situations a year ago. His skill set was on full display in the 2023 season
finale when he completed 20 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns.
According to head coach Pat Larson, Jellis’ experience makes him the frontrunner for the starting spot, but there are other contenders for the position. Larson identified junior Jaxson Hartman and Jellis as the top two, with sophomores Lincoln Bottum and Dayton Adams also in the mix. Hartman, who is more of a dual threat at the position, was slated to get a bulk of reps at quarterback for the junior varsity team in 2023 but broke his collarbone while on the varsity kickoff return unit in Week 2 and missed the rest of the season.
Of note, Larson said playing two quarterbacks in rotation again hasn’t been ruled out, but the decision will be made later.
“Can we play two quarterbacks? Absolutely,” Larson said. “It’s not something that we necessarily want to do. … But if that’s what we’ve got to do again this year, we’ll do that. We’re going to let it play out during fall camp.”
More broadly, the Kernels graduated 14 players from the 2023 roster, many of whom played key roles. On offense alone, Mitchell must replace nine starters, as running back Parker Denne and tackle Mason Herman are the lone returners on that side of the football.
Up front, the Kernels must replace four starters along the offensive line for the second straight season, with Herman anchoring the right side.
“It doesn’t matter how good your skill guys are if your guys up front
can’t do the job,” Larson said. “... That’s my biggest concern offensively is getting those other four guys filled.”
Junior Ayden Wood received considerable varsity playing time last season on the interior of the line and is a lead contender, while sophomore Bryer Stach has also impressed, according to Larson. Among the other early contenders are seniors Antonio Rivera, Presten Schelske and Noah Pudwill and juniors Jordan Herrlein and Mason Fosness.
Elsewhere, the door is wide open for several emerging talents to take over the so-called skill positions, and Larson is confident that the Kernels have the personnel to fill in the numerous gaps.
Denne, now a senior, amassed more than 1,000 all-purpose yards with
eight touchdowns in 2023. Fellow senior Hudson Borgan is expected to play alongside Denne in the backfield. Last season, Borgan was used sparingly on offense but was a regular contributor on defense and in the kick return game.
“We want to get in those manageable situations where the whole playbook’s open and you can spread it around,” Larson said of making sure the Kernels can get everyone involved.
“We’ve got the first week, two weeks, three weeks, we’ve got to prove that he’s not the only thing we have, and I think we’re capable of doing that.”
Junior Brayden Reindl earned a starting cornerback spot late in the season last year and figures to be a two-way starter this season. Hunter Magee, another junior, became the varsity kicker midway through last season while playing receiver and safety on the JV squad and should contribute in all three phases this season. Other potential playmakers Larson identified early on are junior Luke LeBrun and newcomer Logan Bessler, also a junior, who transferred into the program. Kendan Skinner is also in the mix for a variety of roles in all three phases. A standout multi-sport athlete on the baseball field and basketball court, Skinner, yet another junior, hadn’t played football since his seventhgrade season but has impressed since joining the program in June. No matter who sees the field for the Kernels, Larson stressed the importance of setting them up for success by staying on schedule in the down and distance.
Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell High School football include, from left: Front row: Coy Olson, Parker Denne, Hudson Borgan, Keith Buchholz, Tristen Jellis, Antonio Rivera and Brenden Wantoch; Second row: Mason Fosness, Hunter Magee, Jaxson Hartman, Quinton Wilson, Ayden Wood and Avery Kaus; Third row: Luke LeBrun, Brayden Reindl, Kaiden Allen, Henry Swenson, Noah Pudwill and Presten Schelske; Back row: Jordan Herrlein and Rocky Clark.
Kernel volleyball looks to blend returners, newcomers for successful season
MHS seeking to improve upon six-win season from 2023
BY MARCUS TRAXLER
Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL — A new season is around the corner for Mitchell High School volleyball.
And with it comes some new faces and new roles to be defined for the Kernels on their side of the net.
How it will all look in 2024 is to be determined, coach Deb Thill said, although she said she’s excited to see how her team can put it together.
“We’re athletic and I think we have more multisport athletes on our roster than I think we ever have. We’re going to have to rely on that,” Thill said.
“We’re going to have to be a good ball-control team and be good with the serve and serve-receive and I probably say that every year and this is my 34th year. But it’s always true.
We’re pretty optimistic and we hope that by the
Mitchell returns 15 letterwinners, eight starters from state runner-up squad
BY BLAKE DURHAM Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL — Following significant turnover, Mitchell girls soccer have pushed the idea of being a unified team on the field.
As the quest to return to the Class AA state championship game commences, the Kernels are looking to work as a collective unit during matches. Taking the approach of being one has its benefits, especially when trying to create net positives on the attack.
“The coaches and I have really pushed being one unified team that moves on the field,” first-year head coach Kindra Decker said. “It helps our shifting on the field, and we have worked a lot on the attack.
… It’s quick thinking and the ability to move
end of the season, it will have the look and feel of a strong team.” Thill said the team had strong attendance during its twice-a-week open gym sessions over the summer and full participation for its team camp circuit.
“We feel like we’re a little further ahead than where we were last year at this point,” she said.
Eight returning letterwinners are on the roster, while Thill named a bunch of newcomers that could factor into varsity playing time, as well. She said she expects practices to be highly competitive to decide who plays.
“We stat everything in practice, just like we do for games. Just like tennis and wrestling where you have wrestle-offs or you have matches for a spot, you can do the same thing in volleyball,” Thill said.
“Since we have to be good at serve and serve-receive,
without the ball and know where you’re supposed to be on the field.”
It’s been a learning experience for the players, from getting acclimated to each other again to learning new runs and transitioning more proficiently. The Kernels also have an experienced group with a state pedigree, as the team returned eight of their 11 starters from last year’s record-breaking season, and 15 total letterwinners. En route to finishing as the runner-up at state last season, the Kernels went a school-record 16-2, and were third in scoring average for Class AA, averaging four goals per game. Mitchell was also stout defensively, only allowing three or more goals twice. A big part of the scoring came from prolific goal scorer Mia Mullenmeister, who accounted for 43 of Mitchell’s 69 goals scored a year ago. Now graduated and playing collegiately at Utah State, a revamped Kernels team wants to showcase their competitiveness on the field.
“I think a goal we want
that’s going to be the main focus. We feel good about the process and if someone is not performing, we will have options.”
Last season, Mitchell’s volleyball season ended with a 6-17 record and was the first team left out in the 16-team postseason for Class AA, meaning a postseason presence is among the goals for the 2024 Kernels. Another step forward would be a better finish in the Eastern South Dakota Conference, with MHS winning only one ESD match in 2023.
The front row will be led by senior outside hitter Lauren Van Overschelde and junior setter/rightside hitter Addie Siemsen. Van Overschelde is the leading returner for kills from 2023 with 125, while Siemsen logged 85 kills and led the team with 43 aces last season while balancing time at setter as well, posting a team-best
445 assists.
With the multi-talented Siemsen back for the Kernels, Thill said she believes the team is capable of playing a variety of different schemes this season, including mixing the number of setters involved in the rotation depending on what is working and who the opponent is.
“We’ve played a wide variety of styles in the past and I don’t think we’re going to be afraid to do that again, just depending on how things develop,” she said.
Juniors Kambyl Wede and Audrey Miller return as front-row hitters both picked up playing time as freshmen in 2023 and that
experience is expected to be valuable this season. Wede had 46 kills in 35 sets last season, while Miller had four kills in limited action. Fellow junior Kenna Soulek returns as a setter after 111 digs, 38 assists and 15 aces. The back row will be led by senior libero Ava Brannan, with defensive specialists Emma Hegg and Jaeda Stunes filling key roles, as well. Siemsen is the returning dig leader from 2023 with 248, followed by Brannan at 177 and Soulek at 111.
Also expected to be part of the MHS rotation includes senior Alyse Myers, sophomore middle hitters Ivory Fenski and
to achieve is to prove to people that we can still win games without having Mia,” sophomore Taryn Thomas said, “and we can work together as a team and not be so dependent on one player.”
Thomas and junior Kenzi Kayl, who led the Kernels last year with 10 assists, are the two leading goal scorers returning for 2024, fronting the Kernels
attack alongside wings Makenzie Peterson and Emilie Ellis. Kassedy Knippling and Katie Stahl are back on defense, having provided key stops last season, and Tenley Peterson returns as the primary goalkeeper.
Many of the players spent the summer playing on club teams and getting reps in with others not necessarily limited to
fellow Mitchell players. For the upperclassmen who’ve stepped up into leadership roles on the team, they’ll be ready to push themselves and each other forward.
“Even when we don’t have practice, doing things like running and taking touches on the ball or even going out and shooting on weekends are beneficial,” Kayl said.
McKenzie Hetland, sophomore right-side hitter
Charleigh Collins, sophomore defensive specialist and outside hitter Cassidy Korzan, freshman setter Londyn Hajek and seventh-grade outside hitter Nia Talley. Siemsen is the team’s top returning blocker, getting a hand on 46 blocks last season. Hetland is the tallest player on the team at 6-foot-2, with Miller and Wede at 5-foot-10. Aside from Siemsen, the Kernels lost their three other top blockers from last season.
“We are going to have a little more size than last year,” Thill said. “We know athleticism is still going to be important for our team to have success.”
“We’ll encourage other people to do it too.”
The Kernels have struck a level of knowing when to keep situations light and fun for everyone involved, but also when to focus and complete the task at hand. While possession and control of the ball is what every coach wants to see, the Kernels want to sustain pressure throughout the full 80 minutes.
“We can put one whole game together,” Decker said. “Be unified, be intense as a team, and not let the intensity die when we get tired. … You should still have fun in games, but know when to buckle down and when it’s ready for game time.”
“We have to stay in the game and not give up,” Thomas added, “and just not get down on each other. We keep our heads up high and play as well as we can.” Mitchell opens the season against Harrisburg in a Class AA title game rematch at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, at Joe Quintal Field.
Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell High School volleyball include, front row from left,
Lauren Van Overschelde, Ava Brannan, Emma Hegg and Kenna Soulek. Back row: Alyse Meyers, Audrey Miller, Addie Siemsen and Kambyl Wede.
Blake Durham / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell High School girls soccer include: Front row, from left: Alexa Chapman, Arian Bird, Adia Hektmer, Kassedy Knippling, Bella Husmann and Tenley Peterson. Back row: Ashlynn Pollreisz, Jessica Gerlach, Kamryn Thelen, Taryn Thomas, Emilie Ellis, Kenzi Kayl, Katie Stahl, Rylee Jennings and Makenzie Peterson.
Kernels’ annual home meet is on Sept. 5 at the Corn Palace
BY BLAKE DURHAM Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL — The Mitchell competitive cheer and dance teams are ready for another season to commence.
The start of the year has also come with extra motivation for all the athletes.
The Kernels’ annual home meet at the Corn Palace is now the second event of the season in the first week of September, moved up from its October date from the past few seasons. The change in the schedule has made the girls on both rosters display strong efforts in practices in order to give the home fans a stellar performance.
“The girls are really pushing hard to get as good as we could possibly be that early in the season,” competitive cheer coach Alisha Lockhart said. “We really want to be at maximum difficulty so that not only are we executing well, but we are performing at our highest level.”
Each team brings back six letterwinners from last season to help provide a calming presence to squads that are otherwise full of underclassmen. The competitive cheer team has brought in others who have previous sideline cheer experience, creating a strong balance between them and the returning veterans.
The dance team is
composed of only three upperclassmen, and half the team is made up of current middle schoolers.
As some nervousness has shown up in practice amongst the girls, returning senior Addisen Vander Wilt has been one of the athletes who’s led by example.
“We have a really young team this year, so we’re seeing some nerves come from them,” competitive dance coach Cassey Ver Hey said. “Addisen has really shown what it takes to make sure they’re ready to compete and just to get those jitters out for them.”
Vander Wilt and junior Maddie Walz were circled as two of the leaders on the competitive dance
team, as the Kernels look to improve on a sixthplace finish from last year’s Eastern South Dakota Conference meet and a 12th-place result at the Class AA state dance championships.
Six-year cheer team members Jannessa Stevenson and Joslin Sommerville return for their senior seasons, alongside returnees Aesia Aldridge and Peightyn Sullivan to form a strong base.
Mitchell cheer finished sixth at the ESD meet and 12th at the Class AA state cheer championships in 2023.
Much of the early practices has been building around the technique required for each routine, as competitive cheer will put on one
comprehensive routine over the course of the season, while competitive dance will perform hiphop and pom routines out of the three categories for scoring.
Ultimately, it will come down to execution of the routines, as everyone performs at one time, and gets one opportunity for scoring. While adjustments will be made as the season progresses, both cheer and dance coaches are looking for the athletes to minimize errors in the early stages and show strong determination.
“We’re looking for a clean, safe routine,” Lockhart said. “We don’t want points taken away because we did an illegal stunt or because we
bumped into someone or we tripped over a sign. Then we’ll look to improve on that performance, jump a little higher, and be a little more on count.”
“I just want to see confidence with such a young team,” Ver Hey said. “I just want them to have the confidence that they know what they are doing (on the floor), and see us not having to change (our routines) except make it more difficult instead of making it a little simpler for them.”
Mitchell cheer and dance begins the season at the Aberdeen Central Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Kernels’ home meet takes place at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Corn Palace.
Blake Durham / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell High School competitive cheer include: From left, Brynleigh Sullivan, Peightyn Sullivan, Aesia Aldridge, Joslin Sommerville, Ella Johnston, and Celia Wright. Not pictured: Jannessa Stevenson.
Blake Durham / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell High School competitive dance include: Front row, from left: Maddie Walz, Addisen Vander Wilt, and Madi Moon. Back row: Jozel Kok, Brynleigh Sullivan, and Brooke Ver Hay.
Mitchell boys soccer setting ambitious expectations for 2024
Head coach said the Kernels should expect to make the postseason
BY NATHAN SWAFFAR Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL
— As Seth Paulson enters his second year as Mitchell High School’s boys soccer coach, he is looking for the team to take a big step forward from last season.
In his first season as the Kernels’ head coach, they finished with a 2-11-1 record with their lone wins coming against Groton and James Valley Christian. In hindsight, Paulson received the job in the summer which didn’t give him ample time to plan for summer workouts and or time to fully prepare his team for the season.
With time to plan and organize the summer schedule fully this year, he’s already noticed a difference in multiple areas, especially in attendance.
“I think the first day of practice last year we had 18 kids show up, this year
I had 30 kids show up,” Paulson said. “Last year, I kind of got the job in the middle of summer. So short term to prepare didn’t really have a lot of summer activities going on. This year, we’ve been doing two open fields a week since June 1, and that really just helped the guys get more game-like opportunities.”
He also said there’s already been major improvement throughout a lot of the returning members of the team, some have even progressed further than he would have originally thought.
“Some kids that was a first year last year came
back and are showing major improvements, doing skills and got techniques that it takes other kids three, four years to develop,” he said. “So it’s really nice to see. That means they’re putting in work in the offseason when I’m not working with them. So yeah, I think the program is moving in the right direction … I’m excited, I’m confident, not comfortable and I think that’s how the rest of the kids feel. I think that’s going to be the energy for the whole season.”
One reason to be optimistic about the season is the amount of returners the Kernels boast. They bring back 12
letterwinners from last year. Paulson pointed out multiple of those previous letterwinners as impact players.
He said two seniors in Cooper Bates and Oliver Olegario are the most experienced since both have been with the team since the seventh grade when they could start playing. Juniors Adam Kampshoff and Sam Mullenmeister both played club-level soccer over the summer and have improved in multiple areas. He’s also been impressed with the leadership from players like Mario Cordero-Diaz who was a big part of leading summer workouts. In terms of
improvement, he mentioned multiple areas where the Kernels need to be better. One of which was not falling behind in games.
“One improvement I want to make this year is have a positive goal deficit,” Paulson said. “There were six games last year where we were in the lead and we ended up losing those games. If we could have finished or figured out a way how to finish those games with a win, we would have had a positive record. We would have won eight games last season.”
He’s also not just expecting to have a good season, he wants this team to push for the
playoffs and to make a deep run at state.
“That’s one thing we’re pushing for this year, not just to make playoffs, but we want to get in that top eight,” Paulson said. “Have a home (playoff game) and hopefully make the state final because that’s the goal. We come out here, put the work in, the kids bust their butts not just to do a little bit better than last year. Everyone should come out here expecting that we’re going to make it to the state finals and win.”
The Kernels host Harrisburg on Friday, Aug. 16 in their season opener.
MHS looks to build on fifth-place state tournament finish from 2023
BY LANDON DIERKS Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL — Motivated by last season’s success, the Mitchell High School boys golf isn’t shying away from setting high expectations as the 2024 campaign tees off.
A year ago, the Kernels claimed a fifth-place finish at the Class AA state tournament, but with the bulk of the roster returning, MHS will look to build on its prior results this season.
Among the largest team goals set forth by this year’s roster, the Kernels aim to contend for a top finish at the Eastern South Dakota Conference and state tournaments. If early competition for varsity spots is any indication, MHS begins in a solid position to pursue those ambitions.
“You could tell after our first couple of qualifiers that they have a different attitude on what they want to do this year,” said head coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt. “Last year, some of these guys were just kind of getting used to playing competitive (Class) AA golf. Now they want to compete and win some tournaments, and it’s a group of hardworking kids who are going to work to get there.”
Leading the Kernels into a new season is sophomore Asher Dannenbring, who tied for fifth place individually at last year’s Class AA state tournament, the best finish among all MHS golfers.
Also among Mitchell’s returning core this fall are juniors Carter McCormick and Marshall Widstrom, who were among those who tied for 37th at state. Not far behind, fellow junior Everett Morrison joined them in the top 50 and was singled out by Kreutzfeldt as the varsity golfer who made the biggest leap in play since last fall.
At the top of the list to step into the gaps left by the graduation of Jager Juracek and all-state performer Noah Larson from last year’s crew are a new pair of seniors — Brady Reiners and Sam Titze. Though neither competed at the state tournament in 2023, both are among the Kernels returning varsity letterwinners, providing MHS with even more experience.
But the top six is far from set in stone, as Kreutzfeldt said there are several golfers pushing for their place in the Kernels’ lineup. During the first day of team qualifiers, which are used to
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell High School boys golf include, front row from left, Asher Dannenbring, Carter McCormick and Everett Morrison. Back row: Marshall Widstrom, Sam Titze and Brady Reiners. Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic
determine positioning to start the season, Kreutzfeldt said six players shot in the 70s, with two rounds coming in under par.
“It’ll be hard to make the top-six every week, trying to figure out who to play,” Kreutzfeldt said. “I think we have eight or nine legit varsity golfers that can shoot low 80s, high 70s, and then some that can shoot lower than that, so it’ll be very competitive. It’s nice to have a lot of options and give kids different shots to see how we do, so it’ll be fun, too.”
Even though the competition for varsity rounds has been fierce, which Kreutzfeldt doesn’t expect to change as the season rolls along, he was quick to note that everyone had a positive outlook with the team’s best interest in mind.
“I think this is a pretty close group. They all get along and they really root
for each other,” Kreutzfeldt said. “When the (qualifying) scores came in and everybody was so close and playing so well, they were all excited; nobody’s disappointed that somebody else played well. They just want to be a good team.”
Mitchell opens the season at the two-day LynxWarrior Invite on Aug. 19-20 in Brandon and Sioux Falls. The 2024 edition of the Marchand Cup team competition against Yankton will take place Sept. 3 at Yankton.
The Kernels host their annual invitational on Sept. 20 at Lakeview Golf Course, the final varsity competition scheduled before the ESD Conference meet on Sept. 30 at Aberdeen. The Class AA state tournament is set for Oct. 7-8 at Cattail Crossing Golf Course in Watertown.
Nathan Swaffar / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners from Mitchell boys soccer include, front row from left, Evan Mitchell, Alexier Padilla, Marek Antaya, Gavin Zilla, Cooper Bates, Mario Cordero-Diaz and Jackson Deakins. Back row: Adam Kampshoff, Sam Mullenmeister, Oliver Olegario, Carter Lee and Grayson Peterson.
Growth and new leadership keys for Kernel cross country this season
group with high potential.
BY NATHAN SWAFFAR Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL – Despite losing five seniors in large leadership roles, Mitchell High School cross country is anticipating much growth heading into the 2024 season.
Head coach Katie Buschbach said this team is filled with a solid mix of veterans and up-and-coming runners primed for a standout year. However, finding new leadership will be critical for success.
“We lost a lot of leadership and a lot of talent,” Buschbach said. “But we also have a lot of talent returning too. But I think the main thing that we really lost from last year is our leadership so that’ll be a tough role to fill.”
On the boys side, Buschbach sees a talented
The group is led by standout returner Hunter Patton. Last season, Patton not only qualified for the Class AA state meet but also snapped a 14-year all-state performer drought when he finished in 23rd place with a time of 16 minutes, 24.33 seconds. Buschbach said she expects Patton to hit a sub-16-minute race sometime this season.
Buschbach pointed out Floyd Korzan and Kane Carsten as breakout candidates and new leaders among other standouts on the boys side. She also mentioned Ethan/ Parkston transfer Ben Gerlach as a contender for a strong season. He finished 26th at the Region 3A meet last season.
Buschbach said she’s excited to watch the improvement from the boys group compared to last season and is confident they can have a big year.
“A lot of these boys that are younger and coming up there, they’re getting older and stronger,” Buschbach said. “It’s going to be really fun to see what they’re able to do this season versus last season, just by them growing and getting stronger, older, wiser and learning how to race and stuff. I really anticipate a lot of growth out of the boys group and the girls group as well. But I really think that the boys group is gonna really take off this year.”
On the girls side, Mitchell will lean heavily on Londyn Schroeder and Lucy Daley to lead the charge.
Both enter their third year as captains of the team. Schroeder was the one Kernels best performer last year and finished with a team-high state time of 20 minutes, 43.83 seconds. Buschbach said she has a strong chance to earn all-conference honors. Other notable returners include Danny Borja and Aspen Evers.
Buschbach said the beginning of the season will all be about getting comfortable. She hasn’t set any specific expectations and would rather the team just find a groove to use throughout the season.
“I just want to see the kids have fun and really remember what it is to race and get enjoyment out of it,” Buschbach said. “Running is hard enough and if they’re out there running and they’re hating it, that makes it pretty tough to even do well. So the first few meets, I just want them to go out there and have fun and really just enjoy racing and remember what it’s like to get out on the course and compete. I don’t have an expectation for time and I don’t have an expectation for place or anything. I just want to make sure that the team has fun, they gel and they all have a good time together.”
Area football preview capsules
BY MITCHELL REPUBLIC
The following information was provided by the coaches of the respective teams or compiled by the Mitchell Republic’s staff.
Avon
Coach: Justin Lukkes Conference: Great
Plains
Class: 9B Record last year: 10-2, Class 9B state champions Letterwinners returning: 14
Key players: Aziah Meyer, sr., RB/LB, 6-4, 200; Landon Mudder, sr., FB/LB, 5-7, 185; Devin Rucktaeschel, sr., OG/DT, 6-2, 245; Randall Powers, jr., OG/DT, 6-2, 285; Al’Shamon Gunter, jr., TE/LB, 6-6, 220; Lance
Odens, jr., TE/LB, 6-2, 200; Trenton Soukup, jr., RB/ LB, 6-1, 185; Jacob Ratzlaff, jr., FB/LB, 6-0, 175; Weston Bierema, fr., QB/ LB, 5-7, 165; Grayson Ratzlaff, so., RB/DB, 6-0, 190
Coach’s comments: We graduated seven seniors and will need our younger players to step up and contribute. We have some juniors that will get a chance to fill those spots. We should have a strong run game again, led by our big line up front and Aziah Meyer at running back. We have some good underclassmen that will be fun to watch them grow this season. I like our size up front and as a team and we have some great kids
returning. I also like how physical our kids play the game and continue to do so.
Bridgewater-Emery/ Ethan Coach: Jeff VanLeur Conference: Big East Class: 11B Record last year: 5-4
Key players: Braeden Nebelsick, sr., TE/DB, 6-3, 170; Holden Wollmann, jr., QB/DB, 6-0, 165; Macklen Weber, sr., RB/LB, 6-1, 190; Parker Burke, jr., WR/DB, 5-8, 135; Calvary Bickett, jr., WR/DB, 6-0, 160; Luke Storm, jr., TE/DE, 5-11, 155; Jason Zeeb, sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 205; Riley Weber, sr., OL/ DL, 6-2, 220; Landen Brummett, sr., WR/DB, 5-11, 160; Kean Stevenson, sr., FB/ LB, 6-0, 190
Bon Homme Coach: Tom Culver Conference: Missouri Valley Class: 9AA Record last year: 3-5
Letterwinners returning: 11
Top returnees: Landon Schmidt, sr., QB/S, 6-2, 190; Jackson Kaul, sr., RB/LB, 5-8, 155; Luke Guthmiller, jr., FB/LB, 5-9, 170; Isaiah Crownover, so., TE/LB, 6-0, 200; Kolton Vlcek, sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 180; Payten Nielsen, jr., OL/DL, 5-11, 200
Top newcomers: Calvin Caba, so., RB/DB, 5-11, 155; Cameron Cooper, sr., TE/DL, 5-11, 160; Major Aarstad, so., RB/ DB, 5-6, 170; Zach Humpal, jr., TE/DB, 5-9, 170;
Friday,
8,
Logan Stark, so., OL/DL, 6-6, 205; Mason Jolley, so., TE/DL, 6-2, 170; Caleb Cuka, so., OL/DL, 5-10, 210
Coach’s comments: We will have a mix of good leaders and players in the upperclassmen, along with some talented kids in the younger grades. If the young kids come along early and help out the veterans, we could have a very good season.
Burke Coach: Mike Sebern Conference: Great Plains Class: 9B Record last year: 2-7 Letterwinners returning: Seven Top returnees: Kaleb Schonebaum , sr., TE/DL, 6-0, 185; Gentry Bartling, sr., RB/LB, 6-2, 190; Quinten Bull, sr., OL/DL, 6-5, 235; John DeLong, jr., RB/ DB, 5-10, 175; Jayder Schonebaum, jr., FB/LB, 6-0, 185; Hudson Fuhrer, so., TE/LB, 5-7, 175; Eli Bartling, so., QB/DB, 6-0, 155
Top newcomers: Reece Brumbaugh, jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 230; Lyncoln Jones, so., OL/DL, 6-0, 225; Maddox Mayer, fr., TE/DL, 5-8; Jaxson Hauck-Lindholm, fr., TE/LB, 5-9, 150; Morgan Hood, fr., RB/DB, 5-10, 140
Coach’s comments: We have some talented players returning but our overall numbers are low, so we need to stay healthy and develop as the season goes along. A lot depends on how quickly our younger players can figure out their responsibilities.
Canistota Coach: Dan Whalen Conference: Cornbelt Class: 9B Record last year: 8-3
Letterwinners returning: 12
Top returnees: Brady Scott, sr., QB/S, 6-1, 200; Levi Schroeder, sr., RB/ LB, 6-1, 190; Jaden Kleinsasser, sr., OG/DE, 6-2, 230; Easton Miller, jr., RB/S, 5-10, 165; Prayden Acheson, jr., RB/LB, 6-1, 180; Adam Kleinsasser, jr., C/DT, 6-4, 350; Jake Merrill, sr., OG/DE, 6-3, 190 Top newcomers:
Kaleb Hjermstad, sr., TE/ CB, 6-3, 175; Austin Weber, sr., TE/CB, 6-1, 150; Stewart Taylor, sr., OG/DE, 6-0, 190 Coach’s comments: We have a good group of experienced players returning. We are playing several in new positions and we will need to get comfortable quickly, so we can play well as an offensive and defensive unit. We have a nice mix of experience in both the line and with our skill positions. Development in our new positions will generate our success.
Chamberlain Coach: Josh Garry Class : 11B Record last year: 4-6 in Class 11A Key players: Chase Knippling, so., WR/DB, 6-1, 162; Xavier Donovan, jr., RB/DB, 5-11, 167; Brody Neilan, so., QB/ DB, 5-7, 120; Jeric Klages, so., QB/DB, 6-2, 174; Kruse Brennan, so., RB/ LB, 5-7, 155; Eli Donovan, sr., WR/DB, 6-2, 151; Owen Engel, jr., WR/DB, 5-7, 138; Austin Rose, so., RB/LB, 5-8, 157; Tristen Johnson, jr., WR/DB, 6-0, 164; Peyton Haugen, sr., RB/DB, 6-0, 159; River Niewenhuis, sr., RB/LB, 6-1, 163; Prestyn Haugen, sr., WR/DB, 6-0, 154; Hunter Frederick, jr., FB/LB, 5-11, 182; Breckyn Harmon, sr., TE/DL, 6-3, 195; Kashten Seaboy, sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 315; Henry Swanson, jr., OL/DL, 6-3, 246; Blaze Knippling, jr., OL/DL, 6-3, 252; Cooper Gerard, jr., OL/DL, 6-4, 259; Dusty Rose, sr., TE/DB, 6-1, 191
Colome
Coach: Chase Hrabanek
Conference: Great Plains
Class : 9B
Record last year: 2-7
Key players: Shae Munroe, sr., OL/DL, 5-4, 140; Sam Brandsgaard, jr., RB/DB, 5-9, 150; Rystan DeSmet, jr., WR/ DB, 6-2, 130; Alex Larson, jr., OL/DL, 6-1, 170; Tyson Wetzel, jr., OL/ DL, 6-2, 270; Jonah Musser, sr., RB/LB, 6-2, 190
Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan’s Macklen Weber carries the football during a high school football game on
Sept.
2023 in Bridgewater.
Nathan Swaffar / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell High School cross country include: Font row, from left: Londyn Schroeder, Karsten Herges. Lucy Daley; Back row: Danny Borija, Hunter Patton, Floyd Korzan; Not pictured: Colin Pickett, Axel Reimnitz, Aspen Evers.
MHS girls tennis carries high expectations into new season
Kernels return six varsity letterwinners from 2023 state third-place squad
BY LANDON DIERKS Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL — From top to bottom, there’s no shortage of experience or confidence within the Mitchell High School varsity girls tennis program as a new season gets underway.
All six of the Kernels’ Day 1 starters own at least one varsity letter, and five competed in a state championship match at the 2023 Class AA state tennis tournament. It’s that alreadylofty foundation that MHS hopes to build upon in 2024.
“We’re very experienced, and these girls have kind of been there and done that,” said MHS head coach Pat Moller.
“We’re going to ride that experience as far as we can and see where that takes us, but I really like the way we’re playing.”
Following challenge matches during the first week of practice, the five returning singles starters from last season each shifted up one flight position. Megan Mastel slots in at Flight 1 singles for
Corsica-Stickney
Coach: Gregg Olawsky
Conference: Great Plains
Class: 9B
Record last year: 7-3
Letterwinners returning: 13
Top returnees: Tate Tolsma, sr., RB/LB, 6-1, 178; Waylon Bolle, jr., RB/ LB, 6-0, 175; Brock Hinker, sr., TE/DE, 6-2, 187; Jarrett Olawsky, sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 240; Caden Baumiller, sr., RB/DB, 6-0, 160; Driftin Mulder, sr., QB/S, 6-1, 170
Top newcomers: Quinten De Vries, so., OL/ DL, 5-10, 238; Jaxson Muck, jr., OL/DL, 5-7, 188; Brody Muck, jr., OL/DL, 5-7, 225; Cody Keizer, sr., RB/LB, 5-7, 150; Sawyer Schmidt, so., RB/LB, 5-8, 155; Connor Wright, so., RB/LB, 5-7, 132; Connor Strid, jr., OL/DL, 5-9, 226
Coach’s comments: We return some experience in our backfield and we will need to fill in some spots up front. We need to develop some depth because we don’t have much varsity experience after the starting nine. We need to stay away from injuries and get some younger players worked in. We hope to be competitive in all our games and qualify for playoffs. Freeman/Marion/ Freeman Academy Coach: Dustin
the Kernels, followed by Carsyn Weich (Flight 2), Katie Morgan (Flight 3), Elly Clement (Flight 4) and Matteah Graves (Flight 5). Mia Larson, who will play Flight 6 singles, missed last season due to injury but was a Flight 3 doubles player in 2022, giving Mitchell a lineup complete with varsity veterans. Doubles pairings are Mastel and Weich (Flight 1), Clement and Graves (Flight 2) and Morgan and Larson (Flight 3).
At the top, Mastel already has three state tournament singles titles to her credit, having won Class AA Flight 2 last season and Class A Flight 6 in 2020 and 2021. Last season, Weich and Graves each earned state runnerup singles finishes at Flights 3 and 6, respectively. In doubles, Weich and Clement claimed the Flight 2 doubles state title, while Morgan and Graves were runners-up at Flight 3.
“It’s very nice that we’re all experienced because it lets us challenge each other, and we learn new things and get
Tschetter Conference: Great Plains Class: 9AA Record last year: 7-3 Letterwinners returning: 27 Top returnees: Riley Tschetter, jr., QB/DB, 5-10, 180; Karter Weber, jr., WR/ DB, 5-9, 180; Dominic Sperling, sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 175; Sawyer Wipf, sr., OL/LB, 6-0, 190; Tate Sorensen, jr., TE/DL, 6-2, 205; Tannen Auch, so., OL/DL, 6-0, 195; Christoper Aasen, sr., WR/DL, 6-0, 170; Jackson Donlan, jr., WR/DB, 6-2, 175; Luke Peters, jr., WR/ DL, 5-10, 170; Hunter Nankivel, so., OL/DL, 6-2, 200; Taylor Goodwin, jr., OL/ DL, 5-9, 175
Top newcomers: Keaton Preheim, sr., WR/ DB, 5-8, 145; Tayden Kerrigan, fr., TE/LB, 5-10, 190; Alaric Knittel, so., TE/LB, 5-8, 150; Titus Sperling, jr., WR/DB, 5-7, 145; Austin Waldner, so., OL/DL, 6-0, 205; Easton Tschetter, fr., QB/DB, 5-8, 145; David Walter, fr., RB/DB, 6-2, 175; Quentin Andersen, fr., OL/LB, 5-8, 150; Axle Schultz, fr., RB/LB, 5-10, 150; Ricky Salis, jr., OL/ DL, 5-11, 230
Coach’s comments: Health is going to be extremely important. We didn’t play a single game last year with our starting nine on the field and most games, we were missing two starters. Besides staying healthy, continuing to improve in the trenches and play a more physical
better playing off each other,” Weich said. “It’s exciting, and I think you can see the potential. It’s really fun to look back on last season and see where we’re going to be this season.”
“We set high expectations for ourselves,” Clement added. “We know we can beat people, and we know we can compete in those state title matches. We’re very confident, and we expect to do well.”
MHS was second at the Eastern South Dakota Conference tournament and third at state a year ago and aims to be among the best in the state once again. Day-to-day consistency is an important ingredient in the Kernels’ recipe for success, with Moller placing an emphasis on competing with the right mindset in conversations with this year’s roster.
“We feel like we have a shot at winning every match that we’re on the court. That’s probably not realistic, but that’s the goal,” Moller said. “We talk about playing like champions. … If we have
brand of football will be a top priority if we want to continue to build off the success we’ve had the last two seasons.Freeman Academy/Marion
Gregory
Coach: Mike Murray Conference: Missouri Valley Class: 9AA
Record last year: 5-5
Letterwinners returning: Nine
Top returnees: Rane Kenzy, sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 265; Luke Stukel, sr., RB/LB, 5-9, 165; Colt Keiser, jr., WR/S, 6-5, 180; Landon Keiser, so., RB/LB, 6-0, 190
Top newcomers: Lincoln Juracek, jr., QB/S, 5-10, 165; Zack James, sr., DL/C, 6-0, 245; Mason Janak, jr., OL/DL, 5-10, 180; Jabin Talsma, jr., OL/ DL, 5-10, 225; Judd Hansen, jr., RB/LB, 5-5, 125
Coach’s comments: The returning starters that will have to step up and lead the team. The success of the team depends on the goals that are set by these players and the level of dedication that they demand from themselves and the team. These players are true competitors and they know what it takes to be champions. We also have a good crew of young players that are talented and hungry to get on the field on Friday nights and show off what they can do.
Hanson
Coach: Jacob Giles
that attitude and play that way, everything else kind of takes care of itself.”
Perhaps overshadowed by the level of experience is the roster’s youth. Weich and Clement are seniors and Mastel is a junior, but Morgan, Graves and Larson are all sophomores. Elliot Smith and Ava Prunty, the pair who round out MHS’ eight-person varsity roster, are both freshmen.
“I’ve had young teams like this before, but I don’t think I’ve had a young team that performed at the level that
Conference: Cornbelt Class: 9AA Record last year: 7-3
Letterwinners returning: 16
Top returnees: Weston Kayser, sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 165; Sutton Dewald, sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 165; Camden Warnke, sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 200; Stetson Riggs, jr., RB/ LB, 5-10, 190; Carter Endorf, jr., RB/DB, 5-10, 160; Radek Jarding, so., RB/LB, 5-8, 160
Top newcomers: Esten
these girls have performed,” Moller said.
“Because of that, that expectation is there, and there’s a little bit of pressure that comes along with that. But I just like the chemistry of this team, the way that they complement each other and bring out the best in each other. I’m really excited for what the future brings.”
As the season ramps up, Weich and Clement both stressed the importance of keeping a narrow focus and making sure the whole team continues to support one
Schlimgen, sr., QB/LB, 6-0, 190; Jett Jager, so., QB/DB, 6-1, 160; Jeren Zens, sr., TE/DL, 6-0, 165; Cole Dewald, jr., RB/DB, 6-0, 160; Conner Endorf, jr., OL/DL, 6-1, 200; Jason Porth, so., RB/DB, 6-0, 165; Brayden Bahmuller, jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 200; Pierce Kayser, so., TE/DL, 6-2, 170
Coach’s comments: Our team didn’t lose a lot of players in terms of numbers last year, but we
accomplish.
“I think the key is just staying focused and knowing what we want out of the season,” Weich said. “We’ve just got to keep that in the back of our heads and then go for it.”
The Eastern South Dakota Conference tournament is Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in Watertown, and the Class AA state tournament is set for Oct. 10-11 in Rapid City.
did lose a lot in terms of production. We have players that have been waiting to fill those roles, and I am excited to see them as the focus of our offense. Overall, Class 9AA is wide open, and our speed is going to give us a chance in every game. If we can match physicality with our speed, we should have a successful season.
another along the way. If they can do that, both senior leaders believe there’s not a ceiling to what the Kernels can
Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell High School girls tennis include, front row from left, Matteah Graves, Mia Larson and Katie Morgan; Back row: Megan Mastel, Elly Clement and Carsyn Weich.
Mitchell Christian cross country prepares for season as one unit
Golden Eagles return seven letterwinners, five state qualifiers
BY BLAKE DURHAM
Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL — The theme this season for Mitchell Christian cross country is “better together.”
With an experienced group returning to compete for the Golden Eagles, the goal among everyone on the team is to go into each meet as one cohesive unit, relying on each other to reach their targets for the year. Even with the individual nature of cross country, the meaning of this year’s theme is simple.
“You’re not going to win as a team all by yourself,” freshman Sawyer Holdeman said. “You can’t have that kind of power and win alone. You’re going to do it with your teammates.”
The Golden Eagles return an experienced group to the cross
Howard Coach: Pat Ruml
Conference: Cornbelt
Class: 9A
Record last year: 10-2, runner-up in Class 9AA
Letterwinners returning: 10
Key players: Luke Koepsell, sr., TE/DE, 6-4, 220; Calvin Halverson, sr., OL/LB, 5-11, 220; Austin Severson, sr., OL/DE, 6-1, 185; Tate Miller, sr., RB/ DB, 5-10, 180; Weston Remmers, sr., RB/LB, 6-0, 195; Carson Hinker, sr., QB/ DB, 6-2, 185; Lucas Feldhaus, sr., RB/DB, 6-0, 145; Garrett Feldhaus, jr., TE/ DE, 6-5, 245; Kolt Becker, so., FB/DB, 5-7, 150; Gabriel Martian, jr., OL/DL, 5-10, 210; Nolan Mentele, jr., TE/LB, 5-10, 185
Coach’s comments:
We will have to replace four starters who were allstater players in key positions. We focused on getting organized this summer in 7-on-7s and camps to fill these positions along with backups. The majority of our offensive line is back and we have good experience at running back. Our defense has five returning starters, as well. It’s a good cohesive group and very good in the weight room. Kimball/White Lake Coach: Ryan Skluzak Conference: Missouri Valley Class: 9AA Record last year: 4-6
Letterwinners returning: 18
Key players: Garret Westendorf, jr., TE/DL, 6-4, 195; Nathan Mohnen, sr., WR/DB, 6-2, 170; Johnny Lenz, jr., FB/LB, 5-9, 165; Park Sinclair, sr., QB/ DB, 6-1, 150; Dayn Goodman, jr., WR/DB, 6-0, 150; Iden Myers, sr., RB/LB,
country ranks this season, one where the boys team posted the best finish in school history with a second-place effort at the Class B state meet. Mitchell Christian also won the individual state championship with Silas Holdeman, who ran a personal-best 16 minutes, 13.7 seconds.
Looking to build on last year’s successful run, Mitchell Christian will have different voices leading the way, as Julie Holdeman and Jill Nydam return to split the head coaching duties. Both took over the position following former coach Ryan Chase’s departure to become the head coach of Dakota Wesleyan’s cross country and track and field programs on July 22.
Part of the theme this season references the atmosphere the Golden Eagles created, where the
team has built itself a strong family environment, and how everyone plays an equal role in pushing the program forward.
“We make the plans and we put them out there,” Julie Holdeman said, “but it’s up to the students to actually do them. We have a team sold (on the vision), we
5-9, 170; Lucas Lenz, sr., TE/LB, 5-11, 175; Graden Holan, sr., TE/LB, 5-11, 190; Cooper Leiferman, sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 190; Dalton Deffenbaugh, jr., OL/DL, 6-1, 265; Ashton Krumvieda, sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 200; Micheal Brennan, jr., OL/ DL, 6-2, 200; Adley Reindl, jr., OL/DL, 5-10, 230 Coach’s comments: I would say expectations are reasonably high for KWL. We lose some key players on the offensive and defensive lines from last season but return a lot of experience at the skill positions. Defensively, we bring back almost our entire linebacker and defensive back athletes. Offensively, we’ll need to find the right pieces on the line and have some time to jell but lots of experience coming back at all other positions. As always, we’ll get tested week after week with our schedule but we’re used to it and as long as we can stay healthy, it’ll just make us stronger.
Lyman
Coach: Mike Kieffer Conference: Western Great Plains
Class: 9A
Record last year: 6-3
Key players: Aksel Ehlers, sr., WR, 6-4, 175; Conway Collins, jr., QB/ WR, 6-0, 150; Brayden Oldenkamp, sr., RB/QB, 6-0, 165; Wiley Elwood, sr., OL/ DL, 5-9, 140; Ben Herman, jr., DB/WR, 5-11, 150; Jonas Zirpel, sr., WR/DB, 6-0, 144; Ayden Brakke, jr., OL, 6-1, 200
McCook Central/ Montrose
Coach: Mike Garry Conference: Big East
Class: 11B
Record last year: 1-7
Key players: Mason Sabers, sr., WR/DB, 5-11, 170; Lane Hanisch, so., RB/LB, 6-0, 160; Ben Wiebersick, so., QB/DB, 6-1, 185; Owen Schmidt, jr., RB/LB, 5-9, 170; Lane Deutsch, sr., RB/LB, 6-0, 190; Colton Stiefvater, sr., WR/DB, 6-0, 160; Elliott Bartlett, sr., LB/TE, 6-0, 165; Thomas Hughes, sr., WR/DB, 5-8, 150; Caleb Waldner, sr., TE/DL, 6-0, 180; Dawson Dorr, jr., OL/ DL, 6-5, 175; Jackson Schmidt, sr., OL/DL, 5-11, 210; Joe Grady, sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 260; Jacob Johnson, jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 250; Logan
have leaders leading the younger students, and showing them this is what you can accomplish if you put the work in.”
Many of the Golden Eagles participated in summer running programs to keep up with conditioning, while the older athletes have helped scout the field for 2024 in order to help everyone set
Raap, sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 215; Preston Bradley, sr., WR/ DB, 5-11, 155 Mount Vernon/ Plankinton Coach: Brent Olson Conference: Southeast South Dakota Class: 11B Record last year: 3-5 Letterwinners returning: 15 Top returnees: Brady Fox, sr., RB/DB, 5-10, 215; Paxton Nedved, so., RB/ DB, 5-9, 165; Isaiah Olson, sr., QB/DB, 5-10, 170; Tyce Feistner, jr., WR/LB, 5-9, 180; Kyle Sandland, jr., RB/DB, 5-8, 150; Jack Larsch, sr., OL/LB, 6-2, 185; Jonathon Jones, sr., OL/DL, 5-11, 175; Luke Baker, sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 240; Aiden Novak, sr., OL/DL, 6-5, 290 Top newcomers: Riley
a target pace for them to achieve.
In all, seven letterwinners returned to the Mitchell Christian cross country team from 2023, including five of the Golden Eagles’ six state qualifiers. The boys team retains top runner Silas Holdeman along with Luke Mentele, who placed
Mayer, jr., RB/LB, 6-0, 175; Camden Stahl, jr., OL/LB, 5-10, 190; Trayton Moore, sr., OL/DL, 6-4, 250; Hagan Tlam, sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 200; Tate Hegg, sr., OL/LB, 5-11, 160; Cole Sandland, jr., WR/CB, 5-10, 155; Payton Nedved, so., TE/LB, 6-0, 180; Tanner Baker, so., RB/LB, 5-7, 150 Coach’s comments: We need to have some young guys step up to fill starting roles. As always, limiting both turnovers and penalties will be key to our success. We have a lot of experience compared to the previous season but we will have a smaller roster, so we will need every player ready to play at the varsity level.
Parkston Coach: Matt Grave Conference: Missouri
14th at state and fifth in regions last year, and Sawyer Holdeman, who set a personal best of 18:23.1 at state. For the girls, both state qualifiers Hannah DeLine and Amy Henderson return to the Golden Eagles following strong years, with the goal of helping the girls qualify for the state meet as a team this season, with health and consistency being the focus throughout the year.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work in just making sure we can run consistently and stay injury free,” DeLine said. “We want to keep growing and keep progressing, and see how we stack up against competition and what times we can run.”
“Our focus has been building our team with a lot of quality practices,” Nydam added. “Not just quantity of miles of running, but quality running so they stay strong, healthy, and committed to success for the whole season.”
Valley Class: 9AA Record last year: 12-0, Class 9AA champions Letterwinners returning: 18 Key players: Carter Sommer, sr., QB/DB, 165; Kolter Kramer, sr., RB/ DB, 180; Elliott Leischner, sr., OL/DL, 265; Kaden Holzbauer, sr., RB/DB, 160 Top newcomers: Kash Neugebauer, sr., OL/DL, 185; Alex Schelske, sr., OL/DL, 200; Breckin Culbert, sr., OL/DL, 200; Gage Reichert, jr., RB/LB, 165; Trey Boettcher, jr., OL/ DL, 200; Gage Jodozi, so., OL/DL, 200; Mason Jervik, so., RB/DB, 150; Brycen Bruening, so., QB/DB, 150; Reco Muilenburg, so., OL/DB, 150; Gavin Weber, so., OL/DL, 200
Blake Durham / Mitchell Republic
Returning letterwinners for Mitchell Christian cross country include: From left, Silas Holdeman, Luke Mentele, Sawyer Holdeman, Addison Nydam, Sydney McNutt, Hannah DeLine, and Amy Henderson.
Coach’s comments:
This team’s key to success is being able to stay healthy throughout the season. We graduated a lot of leadership and game experience. Players may have to learn more than one position if they want to maximize their opportunity to get onto the field. Graduating a lot of game experience and leadership in multiple positions on both sides of the ball creates competition. As a team, we need to continue to grow mentally, physically, and emotionally as a group in order to stay focused on the day to day process of improving.
Platte-Geddes
Coach: Bruce Hanson Conference: Missouri Valley Class: 9A
Record last year: 9-2
Key players: Quincy Stephens, sr., WR/DB, 5-10, 150; Kenyon Kuiper, jr., RB/LB, 5-10, 165; Jye Bailey, jr., QB/S, 5-9, 155; Bane Van Zee, sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 145; Bentley Veurink, fr., WR/CB, 5-5, 100; Emmit Holzbauer, sr., TE/ LB, 6-2, 165; Riley Timmerman, sr., WR/CB, 6-1, 158; Hayden Sprik, sr., WR/DB, 5-10, 150; Gabe Fite, jr., WR/CB, 5-11, 141; Dane Jensen, jr., TE/DL, 6-0, 155; Aiden Boettcher, sr., FB/DL, 5-9, 175; Ty Rolland, so., TE/LB, 5-10, 160; Andrew Chaney, jr., WR/ CB, 5-9, 135; Lanford DeKam, jr., WR/CB, 5-10, 125; Tucker Van Zee, jr., OL/DL, 5-10, 190; Asher Kott, so., OL/LB, 5-10, 165; Coy Bultsma, sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 187; Tanner Larson, so., OL/DL, 5-8, 185 Scotland/Menno Coach: Tom Sattler Conference: Great Plains
Class: 9AA
Record last year: 1-7 in
Class 11B
Key players: Kory Keppen, sr., RB/DB, 5-11, 165; Bryce Sattler, sr., RB/DB, 6-0, 150; Josiah Jasso, jr., OL/DL, 5-5, 150; Erick Buechler, jr., TE/LB, 6-0, 155; Izayah Ulmer, jr., QB/ DB, 6-0, 160; Nathan Sayler, sr., RB/LB, 6-0, 165; Rylan Derby, jr., RB/LB, 5-11, 170; Trent Guthmiller, sr., RB/LB, 6-1, 185; Tate Spencer, sr., TE/DL, 6-5, 180; Keyen Fischer, jr., RB/DB, 6-1, 170; Brayden Kludt, jr., RB/LB, 5-9, 180; Tate Plooster, sr., OL/DL, 6-4, 270; Noah Pietz, jr., OL/DL, 5-10, 230; Carter Fischer, jr., OL/DL, 6-4, 230; Mike Nusz, sr., OL/ DL, 6-6, 350; Eli Bellow, jr., OL/DL, 6-4, 280; Hunter Yosten, jr., RB/LB, 6-2, 255; Brock Kocourek, jr., OL/ DL, 6-2, 185
TDAACDC
Coach: Mike Erlandson
Conference: Great Plains Class: 9AA Record last year: 4-4 in Class 11B
Letterwinners returning: 11
Top returnees: Hunter Loeffler, sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 164; Sabas DeHaan, sr., WR/LB, 5-11, 185; Garth Maas, sr., TE/LB, 6-0, 204; Riley Spaans, sr., TE/LB, 6-2, 190; Payton Westendorf, sr., OG/DT, 6-0, 250;
Dalton Westendorf, sr., OG/DT, 6-0, 253; Ty Archambeau, sr., C/DT, 6-3, 285
Top newcomers: Isaac Wunder, sr., QB/S, 6-2, 179; Traeson Weatherford, jr., OG/LB, 5-11, 185; AJ Johnson, sr., WR/S, 6-3, 174
Coach’s comments: We were 4-4 last year in 11B and lost only four seniors. We should be very competitive in our new 9AA class. We have a great group of seniors this year and should be looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Wagner
Coach: Hunter Hewitt Conference: Southeast South Dakota Class: 11B
Record last year: 6-3
Key players: Gabriel Houseman, sr., WR/DB, 5-9, 170; Frank Soukup, sr., WR/DB, 6-1, 160; Hunter Lhotak, sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 200; Slaten Podzimek, jr., RB/LB, 5-10, 180; Shea Kjeldgaard, jr., WR/LB, 6-3, 190; Gannon Knebel, jr., QB/LB, 6-1, 205; Kenneth Weddell, jr., WR/DB, 5-7, 140; Glen Weston, sr., WR/DB, 5-9, 150; Ky Arpan, jr., WR/DB, 5-9, 160; Octavian Kocer, jr., WR/DB, 5-7, 140; Preston McFayden, sr., TE/LB, 6-3, 210; Brayden Kreber, jr.,
OL/DL, 6-2, 185; Johnny Redlightning, jr., OL/DL, 5-8, 240; Carter Smejkal, sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 160; Parker Petry, sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 240; Kobe Drapeau, jr., OL/DL, 6-3, 290; Treyton Segura, jr., OL/DL, 5-10, 230; Jameson Flying Hawk, sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 300 Winner Coach: Trent Olson Conference: Southeast South Dakota Class: 11B Record last year: 10-1 Key players: Quincy Phillips, jr., QB/DB, 6-3, 155; Aiden Schroeder, sr., QB/DB, 5-11, 155; Austin Blare, sr., TE/DB, 6-3, 185; Andrew Henderson, sr., RB/DB, 5-10, 165; Konner Osborn, sr., RB/DB, 5-9, 155; Micah King, jr., RB/ DB, 5-11, 125; Gus Bartels, sr., FB/LB, 5-10, 180; Breven Bolander, sr., RB/ LB, 6-1, 165; Ryken Orel,
jr., FB/LB, 5-9, 160; Jordan Drummond, jr., OL/LB, 6-0, 220; Broden Duffy, sr., OL/LB, 5-8, 180; Parker Mathis, jr., OL/DT, 5-8, 220; Hunter Shippy, sr., OL/DT, 6-2, 310; Evan Bartels, sr., OL/DT, 5-10, 195; Logan Radant, sr., OL/LB, 6-0, 200; Joey Anderson, jr., OL/DE, 6-0, 240; Briar Cook, sr., OL/DT, 5-10, 270; Derek Fenenga, jr., OL/ DT, 6-2, 285; Adam Miller, sr., OL/DE, 6-5, 225; Carson Ross, sr., OL/DT, 6-2, 300; Bo Hurley, sr., OL/DT, 6-0, 193; Abe Kaiser, jr., TE/LB, 5-10, 165; Matt Brozik, sr., TE/DE, 6-3, 210; Kellen Brozik, sr., TE/ DE, 6-4, 190; Shawn Hammerbeck, sr., TE/DE, 6-7, 260; Zac Olson, jr., RB/DB, 5-8, 155; Karson Keiser, sr., RB/DB, 5-9, 155 WWSSC Coach: Michael Schmitz
Class: 11B
Record last year: 7-2
Letterwinners returning: 10
Top returnees: Holden Havlik, sr., QB/LB, 6-3, 215; Ryder Michalek, sr., WR/DB, 6-3, 195; Colby Flowers, jr., TE/LB, 6-5, 200; Tyson Eddy, sr., RB/ LB, 5-11, 185; Bryce Larson, sr., WR/DB, 6-1, 205; Caleb Kneen, sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 205; Payton Uecker, sr., RB/LB, 5-11, 215
Top newcomers: Hayes Havlik, jr., RB/DB, 5-10, 170; Rylan Grassel, sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 250; Robbie Hine, sr., OL/DL, 6-1, 235 Coach’s comments: This team is well put together. They care for each other and play well as a team. They have the potential to be a very good football team that I am lucky enough to get to coach.
Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic Scotland/Menno’s Izayah Ulmer (12) looks downfield to throw a pass during a football game on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Menno.
Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic
Kimball/White Lake’s Nathan Mohnen carries the football during a nine-man football game on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023 in Parkston.
Area volleyball preview capsules
BY MITCHELL REPUBLIC
The following information was provided by the coaches of the respective teams or compiled by the Mitchell Republic’s staff.
Andes Central/ Dakota Christian
Coach: Chris Derry Conference: Great Plains and Little Missouri Valley Region: 5B Record last year: 14-17
Letterwinners
returning: Four
Key players: Mahpiya Irving, sr., S/RS, 5-6; Josie Brouwer, sr., OH, 5-6; Cami Ronfeldt, jr., MH/ OH, 5-7; Halle Olson, jr., OH/MH, 6-1; Madeline Derry, so., S, 5-4; Syrianna Never Miss A Shot, sr., L, 5-4
Coach’s comments:
We have a great group of girls returning looking forward to a good year. We hope to improve on our season last year and capitalize on more close matches this year. We are working to be a more fluid team this year. We look forward to seeing our supporters at our games.
Avon Coach: Lindsey Fathke Conference: Great Plains and Little Missouri Valley Region: 5B Record last year: 19-11
Top returnees: Lila Vanderlei, sr., MH; Lexi Vanderlei, jr., OH; Macy Voigt, sr., S; Rilyn Thury, so., OH; Jordyn Voigt, so., DS; Kaeli Wallinga, sr., MH; Top newcomers: Kinley Doom, sr., RS; Abby Gretschmann, jr., RS; Karlie DeVries, sr., S Bridgewater-Emery Coach: Mary Ernster Conference: Cornbelt Region: 3B Record last year: 19-8
Letterwinners returning: 13
Top returnees:
Hayden Hofer, sr., S/OH, 5-4; Oakley Weber, so., S/ OH, 5-6; Maizey Strombeck, jr., L, 5-2; Macie Weber, so., OH, 5-5
Top newcomers: Jenna Zulk, sr., MH, 5-8; Summer Koch, so., MH, 6-0; Aleigha Kroger, so., DS, 5-4; Reece Bublitz, jr., RS/OH, 5-7
Coach’s comments: We graduated five seniors from last year’s team, so we are looking to replace quite a bit from last season’s rotation. We do have back four girls who will bring veteran experience to the floor and we have some talented younger players who will play with them. Overall, we expect to see a lot of growth during the season and be competitive!
Bon Homme
Coach: Paula Bures Conference: Little Missouri Valley and Southeast South Dakota Region: 5A Record last year: 17-11
Letterwinners returning: Three
Top returnees:
Kenadee Kozak, sr., OH, 5-7; Kendra Bechtold, sr., S, 5-5; Aspen Schonebaum, sr., S, 5-5
Top newcomers: Olivia Kaul, jr., MH, 5-11; Raelee Lanphear, sr., OH, 5-6; Emersyn Tucker, so., L, 5-3; Danni Kotalik, jr., MH, 5-9
Coach’s comments: This year will have a different feel, as we lost four hitters from last year. We will look to find consistency and build confidence within our inexperienced new players. We look to challenge our historically tough region by the end of the season.
Burke Coach: Billie Jo Indahl Conference: Great Plains and Southeast South Dakota Region: 5B Record last year: 34-5, Class B third place
Letterwinners returning: Eight
Top returnees: Kailee Frank, sr., OH/MH, 5-9; Paige Bull, sr., MH, 6-1;
Emmie Hausmann, jr., OH/MH, 5-10; Ava Sargent, sr., S, 5-4; Addi Hood, sr., RS/OH, 5-8; Bridget Eliason, sr., S, 5-7; Olivia Bull, sr., MH/RS, 5-10; Kyrie Matucha, jr., L, 5-1
Top newcomers: Emmy Spencer, so., S/RS, 5-7
Coach’s comments:
We have a great group of returners with valuable state tournament court experience. We ended last season third at state and it was the best finish in our school history. We hope to improve upon that this year, but will focus on one game at a time. We are a senior/ junior dominated team this year, so we will have some great leadership along the way. These athletes put a lot of time in the offseason to build upon their skills and we are really looking forward to the upcoming season.
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
Canistota
Coach: Morgan Lentz Conference: Cornbelt Region: 3B Record last year: 19-8
Key players: Ellie Becker, jr., RS/S, 5-9; Bailey Spicer, sr., S, 5-3; Josephine Eichmann, jr., S, 5-4; Jylynn Schryvers, jr., S, 5-4; Domino Hayes, sr., OH/DS, 5-8; Katelyn Kennedy, jr., MH/MH, 5-11; Ember Schenkel, jr., OH/ OH, 5-8; Jadzia Pierson, jr., RS/RS, 5-8; Emma Sandman, jr., OH/OH, 5-9; Rebecca Bond, jr., S/S, 5-5
Chamberlain Coach: Sara Garry Conference: Big Dakota / Southeast South Dakota Region: 6A Record last year: 6-25
Letterwinners returning: Six
Key players: Jovie VanDenBosch, jr., OH, 5-5; Natalie Nelson, so., MH, 5-10; Grace VanderLey, sr., DS, 5-5; Maisy Petersen, jr., MH, 5-10 Coach’s comments: We are looking forward to another year of growth for the volleyball team. As a program, we still are in the developing and learning stages, but there has been tremendous growth in the dedication and desire to become better during this off season. We have a lot of open positions and a very large number of athletes signed up. We will potentially have a lot of young athletes filling big roles, but the upperclassmen have been very inviting and great leaders so far.
Colome Coach: Taylor Hrabanek Conference: Great Plains Region: 5B Record last year: 6-26
Key players: Gracie Rohde, jr., S/DS, 5-1; Aspyn McKenzie, sr., MH/OH, 5-5; Raelynn Kingsley, sr., MH/RS, 5-11; Camryn Seegers, sr.,
OH/S, 5-6; Aleah Musser, jr., OH/RS, 5-6; Emme Nelsen, jr., OH/RS, 5-6; Keasha Kartak, jr., MH/ OH, 5-9; Westlie Cahoy, sr., DS/OH, 5-3
Corsica-Stickney Coach: Kylee Honglso Conference: Great Plains Region: 5B Record last year: 5-22
Key players: Cali Vanden Hoek, jr., L, 5-3; Cadyn Plooster, so., DS/S, 5-5; Sophie DeLange, jr., S/MH, 5-9; Braylee Bordewyk, so., S/MH, 5-8; Claire Gerlach, so., MH/ RS, 5-9; Paige Timmermans, sr., OH/RS, 5-6; Macayla Gerlach, so., RS/ OH, 5-8; Cali Howard, jr., OH, 5-6
Ethan Coach: Mary Beyer Region: 3B Record last year: 22-10
Letterwinners
returning: Four Key players: Marissa Storm, jr., 5-6, OH/DS; Rachel Klock, jr., 6-0, MH; Taziah Hawkins, jr., 5-6, OH; Anna Castillo, so., 5-6, S; Makenna Termeer, jr., 5-4; libero; Ashley Clauson, sr., 5-4, RS; Mariah Royston, sr., 5-6, RS
Coach’s comments: We will have a young team this year but one with so much potential. All the girls play like a team and we will be fun to watch!
Freeman
Coach: Sherrie Kafka Conference: Cornbelt Region: 4B Record last year: 12-16
Letterwinners returning: Eight Key players: Erica Swensen, sr., RS, 5-8; Ella Waltner, sr., OH, 5-8; Rylee Law, sr., MH, 5-10; Korie Ortman, sr., L, 5-2; Sam Fransen, jr., S, 5-4; Vaida Ammann, jr., S/RS, 5-5; Emily Mendel, sr., OH, 5-6 Coach’s comments: We are really excited about the prospects of this season. We have some experienced players that have brought some needed leadership.
Freeman Academy/ Marion Coach: Jennifer McConniel Conference: Great Plains Region: 4B Record last year: 0-25
Key players: Elizabeth Piehl, so., MH, 5-5; Harli Ross, so., S; Kallie Johnson, jr., OH/MH, 5-6; Anna Olson, jr., MH, 5-6; Joelle Hawkey, jr., MH/ RS, 5-6; Hailey Stahl, sr., OH/MH, 5-6; Macy Gortmaker, jr., DS, 5-4; Morgan Tieszen, so., MH, 5-6; Karly Luke, so., S/DS, 5-4; Avary Thomas, so., DS/ OH, 5-6; Emma McConniel, sr., L/MH, 5-6
Gregory Coach: Lauren Braun Conference: Southeast South Dakota Region: 5B Record last year: 11-18
Letterwinners returning: Nine
Top returnees: Regan Graesser, so., OH, 5-9; Asia VanDerWerff, jr., MH/RS, 5-10; Dani VanDerWerff, fr., OH, 5-10
Top newcomers: Haylie Vaughn, jr., DS/L, 5-4; Ella Sperl, jr., RS/OH, 5-9; Dani Timanus, jr., DS/S,
5-5; Aubree Miller, jr., MH/RS, 6-0
Coach’s comments: Our Spikers have a great mix of upperclassmen and younger talent. This year is opening us up to new options, as we have many girls who can play multiple positions. Keep an eye on this team, as we look to exceed expectations!
Hanson
Coach: Doni Bridge Conference: Cornbelt Region: 5A Record last year: 11-19
Letterwinners returning: 10
Top returnees: Kiana Berg, sr., RS/MH, 5-10; Jazzlyn Campbell, sr., OH/MH, 5-8; Kylie Haiar, sr., MH, 5-10; Cadence Jarding, sr., S/DS, 5-5; Jersey Kampshoff, sr., S/ DS, 5-3; Claire Bridge, jr., L/DS, 5-5
Top newcomers: Grace Arend, sr., RS/MH, 5-10; Avarie Prien, sr., RS/ MH, 5-11; Brooke Endorf, jr., DS, 5-6; Taryn Holm, jr., OH, 5-6; Alivia Bender, so., MH/OH, 5-8; Ava Doyle, so., S/OH, 5-6 Coach’s comments: We’ve done a lot of extra work this off-season with
camps and individual workouts. We are looking for this hard work to pay off with a muchimproved team this year. We return our entire roster of 10 letter winners from last year’s team that went 11-19. We are looking forward to a great season.
Howard
Coach: Madison Kontz Conference: Cornbelt Region: 3B Record last year: 6-22
Key players: Halle Schulz, jr., L/DS; Anna Becker, jr., DS/L; Natalie Martian, sr., MH/OH; Tana Hoyer, sr., MH/OH; Kayleigh Schwader, jr., MH/RS; Hannah Brown, jr., OH/RS; Adeline Halverson, jr., DS/OH; Dakota Spader, jr., OH/RS; Elizabeth Albrecht, jr., S/DS; Kenya Kizer, sr., RS/MH
Kimball/White Lake
Coach: Dayre Evans Region: 5B Record last year: 13-16 No information available.
Lyman
Coach: Sarah Montgomery Conference: Western Great Plains
Region: 5B Record last year: 14-14
No information available.
McCook Central/ Montrose
Coach: Taylor Miles Conference: Big East Region: 5A
Record last year: 5-21
Key players: Ashtyn Deknikker, jr., L; Kaydence Svenson, sr., DS; Mya Morrison, so., MH; Nora Gordon, so., MH; Makarie Wiebersick, sr., DS; Natalie Lueth, so., OH; Addison Gordon, jr., OH; Avery Alley, jr., S; Maddy Lauck, sr., S; Lauren Roling, sr., DS; Abbie Chase, sr., RS
Menno
Coach: Rachel Stokes Conference: Cornbelt Region: 4B Record last year: 10-18
Letterwinners returning: Nine
Top returnees: Joslynn Fischer, sr., S; Taylor Freier, sr., OH; Ellyana Ulmer, sr., L; Nora Robb, sr., S; Haylee Hall, sr., OH/MH; Samantha Allvin, sr., DS; Desiree Yosten, sr., DS; Lexie McNinch, jr., MH; Amanda Rames, jr., MH
Top newcomers: Madison Schaeffer, jr., OH/MH; Kylie Guthmiller, so., OH; Ervin Schrock, so., OH
Mount Vernon/ Plankinton
Coach: Darcy Deinert Conference: Southeast South Dakota Region: 5A Record last year: 19-11
Letterwinners returning: Six
Key players: Reagan Rus, sr., OH, 5-8; Madalynn Lorang, so., OH/S, 5-7; Taryn Hegg, jr., MH/ OH, 5-9; Alyssa Johnson, sr., S, 5-4; Alexis Hauge, sr., L, 5-6; Brooklyn Bosma, jr., RS/OH, 5-9; Maggie Overbay, sr., MH, 5-8
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
Ethan’s Rachel Klock (5) and Marissa Storm (3) attempt to block at Platte-Geddes attack at the net during a
VOLLEYBALL from H11
Parkston
Coach: Abbie Hobbick Conference: Southeast
South Dakota Region: 4B Record last year: 26-11
Key players: Alexis Holzbauer, so., MH/OH, 5-6; Finley Bogenreif, jr., S, 5-7; Kendall Herrmann, so., OH, 5-6; Lauren Ziebart, sr., OH, 5-6; Berkley Ziebart, so., OH, 5-6; Carlie Hobbick, so., S/RS, 5-8; Mya Wickersham, sr., RS, 5-9; Allie Hobbick, sr., L, 5-5; Addison Koehn, jr., S/ DS, 5-6; Keeara Oakley, so., MH, 5-9; Isabel Leischner, so., MH/RS, 5-9; Mya Thuringer, sr., MH/RS, 5-8
Platte-Geddes
Coach: Katie Hunhoff Conference: Southeast South Dakota / Little Missouri Valley Region: 6A Record last year: 32-8, Class A sixth place Top returnees: Kori VanderWerff, fr., 6-1, OH/ RS; Halle Sprik, sr., 5-4, DS; Addison DeVries, sr., 5-9, OH
Top newcomers: Claire Maydew, so., 5-10, RS/S; Kolbi Hoffman, fr., 5-5, S
Coach’s comments:
This will be a brand new team for P-G, as for the last five years, it was a majority of the same players. We will be a young team with lots of talent, so finding a rhythm offensively and seeing which players step up to provide offense for our team will be key and staying focused on our ball
control and the mental side of the game. We also moved into a new region with different teams, which will be exciting to see where we land come the end of season.
Sanborn Central/ Woonsocket
Coach: Rick Olsen Conference: 281 Region: 3B Record last year: 12-16 in Class A
Letterwinners returning: Eight Top returnees: Makenzie Schley, sr., S/RS, 5-8; Kali Hofer, jr., S/RS, 5-8; Kenzie Baruth, jr., OH, 5-8; Liz Boschee, jr., MH, 6-0; Kaylie Robinson, sr., OH/S, 5-9; Alexa Goertz, sr., MH, 5-9; Addison Bartholow, so., OH/S, 5-9
Top newcomers: Tatiana Roberts, sr., L, 5-3; Addy Baruth, jr., S, 5-6; Whitney Hagman, sr., S/ DS, 5-4; Cami Edwards, jr., MH/OH, 5-7
Coach’s comments: I feel that we have the potential to be a very good team that will come and compete night after night. The couple of practices that we have had so far have been very good as the girls compete and work hard to improve themselves and our team.
Scotland Coach: Alicia Gramkow Conference: Great Plains Region: 4B
Record last year: 8-18
Letterwinners returning: Five
Top returnees: Trinity
Bietz, sr., OH, 5-11; Emily Dvorak, sr., MH, 6-0; Grace Vitek, sr., OH, 5-9; Savannah Meng, jr., OH/RS, 5-7; Kailin Odens, jr., 6-0, RS
Top newcomers: Kadence Bierle, jr., 5-7, DS/OH; Macy Rokusek, jr., 5-5, DS; Jennifer Stark, jr., 5-3, DS; Braelyn Fischer, so., 5-3, S; Hope Starwalt, so., 5-6, RS/S
Coach’s comments: We will be adjusting to a new coaching staff this year and they are excited to get this new season started. Our players recently volunteered their time to teach their first youth volleyball camp in their community to help build their program, and
to get the younger students excited about the upcoming season. The seniors who are ready to lead the team this season are Trinity Bietz, Emily Dvorak, and Grace Vitek. Tripp-Delmont/ Armour
Coach: Mandi Holbeck
Conference: Great Plains and Little Missouri Valley Region: 4B Record last year: 11-16, Class B SoDak 16 qualifier Key players: Sirenity Goehring, sr., OH, 5-5; Sara Bertram, so., OH, 5-6; Katelyn Ziebart, sr., DS, 5-3; Mia Reiner, so., MH, 5-9; Emily Dewald, jr., DS, 5-3; Rowan Irwin, sr., RS,
5-5; Marissa Leonard, so., S, 5-5; Lily Blaine, jr., MH, 5-8; Belle Hotchkiss, so., MH, 5-6; Emerson Brosz, jr., DS, 5-3; Lexie Fousek, so., DS, 5-2; Peytyn Hollenbeck, so., RS, 5-5
Wagner
Coach: Stacey Knebel Conference: Little Missouri Valley / Southeast South Dakota Region: 5A Record last year: 27-8, Class A seventh place. Letterwinners returning: Seven Key players: Ashlyn Koupal, jr., OH, 6-3; Braxton Nedved, so., S, 5-6; Ravyn Medricky, so., MB, 6-2; Hannah Holzbauer, fr., OH, 5-9; Brianna Fuchs,
so., MB, 5-9; Brylie Link, jr., RS, 5-9; Libby Kotab, jr., libero, 5-3; Hayden Knudsen, so., DS, 5-5
Coach’s comments:
We graduated quite a few veteran players but this crew has had a great summer working together and learned from some great leaders. We will be young with no seniors but they are a competitive group of young ladies. We will take one match at a time and enjoy getting better throughout the season.
Wessington Springs
Coach: Tricia Messmer Conference: 281 Region: 2B Record last year: 17-14
Key players: Kerstynn Heim, jr., OH, 5-6; Logan Mohling, jr., S, 5-3; Mariah Messmer, sr., S, 5-5; Ashlyn Weber, sr., OH, 5-5; Remie Roduner, jr., DS, 5-2; Sydney Richardson, jr., RS, 5-3; Bailey Yost, sr., MH, 5-8; Taylor Braun, sr., DS, 5-5
Winner
Coach: Jaime Keiser Conference: Big Dakota / Southeast South Dakota Region: 7A Record last year: 13-18, Class A SoDak 16 qualifier
Key players:
Livvy Audiss, jr., OH, 5-8; Gracie Root, jr., S, 5-4; Keelie Kuil, sr., OH, 5-8; Adysen Pravecek, sr., DS, 5-4; Arnolla Duffy, sr., RS, 5-9; Preslie Petersek, sr., OH, 5-6; Cora Moss, sr., DS, 5-3; Brianna Gilchrist, jr., DS, 5-1; Tessa Sieh, sr., MH, 5-11; Lilly Barfuss, jr., MH, 5-9
Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic
hits
over the net during the Sanford
Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Sioux Falls.