Spring Sports Preview 2017

THE DAILY REPUBLIC

2017 Spring

SPORTS

PREVIEW

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

2

APRIL 2017

VETERAN KERNELS HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS

Mitchell seeks return state baseball trip in 2017 prep season

By Eric Mayer The Daily Republic With plenty of experience on the roster, the Mitchell High School baseball team has it eyes on playing at a high level.

After missing out on a state tournament berth last year, the Kernels are hoping to put together a similar season to 2015, when the team reached the state championship game.

Heading into the season, MHS head coach Luke Norden said all the returning experience has benefitted the team early this spring.

“The nice thing is, we have all our guys back that we had last summer,” said Norden, who noted some of his team’s six seniors have played at the varsity level for

four years. “I feel really confident in all facets of our game because we have a lot of experience.”

Last year, Mitchell had a winning record of 17-10, but fell 2-1 to Sioux Falls O’Gorman in the first round of the region tournament in Yankton. Norden said Mitchell’s region foes Yankton and O’Gorman lost a lot of players, but added Sioux Falls Roosevelt will be tough once again.

The Kernels have 13 games scheduled for April and six games scheduled for May before the region tournament, which is May 20. The top seed in the region will host the one-day tournament to decide the

MHS BASEBALL: Page 5

Eric Mayer/Republic

Pictured are the returning letterwinners for the Mitchell High School baseball team. In back from left, Baley Miller, Jared Miller, Carter Max, Max Schoenfelder, Bryce Geraets, Ryland DeVries, Spencer Neugebauer and Briggs Havlik. Front row: Logan Sparks, Jackson Sadler, Koby Larson, Calvin Hegg, Drew Kitchens, Sam Michels, Jed Schmidt and Elijah Pommer.

Kernels prep for big year on track MHS has 72 athletes out for track and field

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100, 200 and 400-meter runs. Last year was Neugebauer’s first season competing on the track and field team.

“Spencer is a big name people will notice and he’ll be one of the faster kids in the 100 and 200,” Shepardson said. “I’m excited to see what he can do. He got some good experience under his belt last year and he understands what he has to do to take that next step.”

Neugebauer will be a key member on the team’s sprint relays that could make some noise this season for the Kernels.

Shepardson said Neugebauer along with Reed

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Eric Mayer/Republic

Returning letterwinners for the Mitchell High School girls track and field are front row, from left, Carly Haring, Bridget Thill, Maggie Sebert, Kyla Crago, Josie Dierks, Bailey Roden and Courtney Sprinkel. Second row: Evelyn Prewett, Maria Krall, Sage Jorgensen, Mary Krause, Mandy Schmidt and Brooke Flemmer. Back row: Cassie Hohrman, TyAnn Hart, Tristen Hildebrandt, Annika Vermeulen and Jazmyn Brinkman-Wall.

By Eric Mayer The Daily Republic The Mitchell High School track and field team had plenty of practice leading into its first competitive meet.

MHS head coach Joe Shepardson said the team completed its four weeks of practice before its first meet, and despite inconsistent weather, he said the team is in good shape for the start of the season.

“The kids have been working their tails off and I think they are ready for a track meet,” said Shepardson, who is in his second year as the team’s head coach. “Kids know what we expect from them. I think we are ahead of where we were at this time last year.”

Mitchell has 37 boys out — nine who competed at the state meet last year along with 20 letterwinners. On the girls side, the Kernels have 35 girls on roster — 10 who competed at the state meet and 21 letterwinners.

Headlining the MHS boys team will be senior Spencer Neugebauer, who is in the top-5 on the school record list for the

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

APRIL 2017

3

Kernel tennis reloads for new season Three-time ESD champions return six letterwinners

Matt Gade/Republic

Mitchell’s Jacob Dahme competes in No. 2 singles action during a 2016 match against Brookings at Hitchcock Park. improving.

“I can’t say enough about the man that this kid has become and the way that he’s embraced tennis,” Moller said.

“He’s been everything you can ask for in a leader and a captain. He comes out on the court and he’s like another coach out here. … He’s just soaked in every bit of knowledge that every coach that’s worked with him has given and now he’s just paying it back.”

Moller put Dahme on the list of elite tennis players in the state of South Dakota, which is high praise for a player who is eager to point out

his teammates’ role in his success.

“You try to build that chemistry with your teammates and as the whole team gets better, I definitely get better, as well,” Dahme said. “I’ve worked a lot in the offseason with our top players and they’ve improved a lot, as well.”

Dahme was 22-6 last year playing mostly at No. 2 singles, joining Carter Cavanaugh (23-3) and Jared Suelflow (234) as returners with more than 20 wins a year ago.

The rest of the returning lineup is juniors.

TENNIS: Page 4

Marcus Traxler/Republic

Returning letterwinners for the Mitchell High School boys tennis team include, from left, Jacob Dahme, Baley Miller, Adam Loes, Jared Suelflow, Garret Johnson and Carter Cavanaugh.

Ryan Deal/Republic

Returning letterwinners for the Mitchell girls golf team include, front row from left to right: Ashley Zimmer, Kailee Henglefelt, Masy Mock and Katelyn Uithoven. Back row: Delilah Brinker, Shannen Koch, Kaylie Zens and MaKayla Grissom.

MITCHELL GIRLS GOLF TEAM STRIVING FOR IMPROVEMENT

By Ryan Deal The Daily Republic For the Mitchell High School girls golf team, the only place to go is up.

The Kernels finished 16th at last year’s Class AA state tournament and coach Keri Munsen said the main goal is to improve on that placing this year.

“Last year was kind of a learning year for all these girls because they were not used to any of the courses,” Munsen said. “Now that they kind of know and got a feel for it, I think that it will be less intimidating for them and a little more enjoyable since they have seen a lot of the courses now. I am just hoping for better results than they had last year.”

The Kernels are still a young squad and they have no seniors. Munsen expects to see continued growth with the team throughout the season.

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“The girls really are playing well already and it’s only the beginning of the season,” Munsen said. “Sure we have things to work on, but that’s the game of golf. There’s always something you want to improve.”

Ashley Zimmer is the team’s top returning state finisher from last season. She placed 65th.

Zimmer, Kaylie Zens, Masy Mock and Delilah Brinker are in the mix for top spots this season.

“Those girls have been shooting where I want them to kind of stay in the range of, so I am really looking for them to really just keep that consistency going throughout the season and we will be in good shape,” Munsen said.

The other top returners from last season include Kailee Henglefelt, MaKayla Grissom, Katelyn Uithoven and

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Shannen Koch. Munsen said every player on the team is capable of shooting in the 40’s on nine holes, but is just a matter of piecing everything together on the course.

“They just need to believe in themselves and to shake off the nerves when it comes to tournament time, when it really counts,” Munsen said.

“That’s the hard part for them. It’s a work in progress.”

Munsen said Yankton and Pierre will be the top two teams in the Eastern South Dakota Conference. She feels the Kernels have the chance to be in the mix with the rest of the teams.

“If we can improve ourselves from last year and not have everybody in the 90’s and 100’s, we will be there in it with the ESD and the rest of the field out there,” Munsen said.

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By Marcus Traxler The Daily Republic The Mitchell High School boys tennis team has been consistently strong in the last five years.

Don’t expect that to change in 2017.

The Kernels, back after an Eastern South Dakota Conference championship and a third-place finish at the state meet, return six letterwinners off their 2016 team to carry into a new season.

Mitchell returns five players from last season that were regular starters for the Kernels, after singles No. 1 Alex Hegg and No. 3 Gray Determan graduated. Jacob Dahme, a senior this season, moves up to No. 1 from No. 2 at singles and will continue at the No. 1 partnership in doubles, which he previously shared with Hegg.

Mitchell coach Pat Moller sang the praises of Dahme, a player whom he said has invested countless hours into

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

APRIL 2017

WITH YOUTH, GOLDEN EAGLES TRACK LOOKS TO EXCEL

MCS heads to varsity season with four high school age students

Marcus Traxler/Republic

Returning letterwinners for Mitchell Christian track and field include Moriah Plastow, Zach Bosworth and Adaya Plastow. that has just four high schoolage athletes on the roster, Asbenson said her team will be walking a delicate line with the majority of its roster in seventh and eighth grade.

“I feel bad taking my young kids sometimes to varsity meets, because it’s tough when you’re going against bigger and stronger athletes,” she said. “But

they hold their own. It’s not about medals all the time.”

The Golden Eagles expect to be led by the team’s lone senior, Zach Bosworth on the boys side and eighth-grader Adaya Plastow in girls competition. Bosworth, who just recently joined the team, was fourth in the boys long jump at the DWU Open. Plastow qualified for

From Page 3

Cavanaugh will move up from No. 4 singles to No. 2 and into the top doubles pair with Dahme. Suelflow (No. 3), Adam Loes (No. 4) and Baley Miller (No. 5) all return with starting experience to the singles lineup, as well. Freshman Kade Clark, who started playing tennis two years ago, won challenge matches to earn the No. 6 singles role, Moller said.

In doubles, Suelflow and Loes will team up at No. 2 doubles and Miller and Alex Bergeson will play together at the No. 3 pair.

Mitchell also expects to have a physically imposing team on the courts, as well. Almost every player in the starting lineup is at least 6-feet tall, with Bergeson and Miller creating an especially intimidating pair, Moller said.

“You’ve got a basketball player and a hockey player out there,” he said.

“They’re going to be playing against some young kids and that’s going to be pretty intimidating to play against.”

Dahme said the team’s strength will be in the doubles play.

“I think we’ve got a really good team coming back. Especially in doubles, where the experience is key to winning those matches. I definitely think there isn’t a single team in the state that we can’t compete with in doubles.”

The Kernels were the cream of the crop in the Eastern South Dakota Conference a year ago, scoring nearly twice as many points as second-place Brookings at the 2016 conference meet.

Mitchell expects to stay at the top this season, leading the pack in contending for a fourth straight ESD title. On the statewide scene, three-time defending state champions Sioux Falls Lincoln is once again expected to be tough to beat.

“We gotta climb the Lincoln mountain,” Moller said. “They’ve won it the last two or three years or decades, it seems like forever. They didn’t lose anyone off of last year’s team.

It’s fun to be an underdog and other than (Lincoln), I don’t think there’s anyone in the state that can look by us.”

the state meet a year ago in the 1,600-meter run and ran the indoor race at the Open, finishing in third place. Asbenson said eighth-graders Max Reynen and Noah Swenson are also athletes to watch and can have success this season.

“There’s a lot of kids that, as they get stronger, they’re only going to improve,” Asbenson said. “We had kids set personal records in the opening meet of the year over last year and without hardly any practice. They can only go up from here.”

Asbenson said the key will be to improve on an individual level, while considering the team goals. For the first time in years, Mitchell Christian plans to have relay teams, Asbenson said.

“This is the first year we’ve done relays and had enough kids in the same age group to have a relay team,” Asbenson said. “We will do some junior high meets to get some of those younger kids up to speed and against kids their own age. And we’ll have kids that will compete varsity and will be able to hold their own.”

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Neilan, Sean Riley, Hartman Katz, Peyton Price and Zach Uttecht are also expected to produce at the plate.

The Tigers also brought in a handful of junior college transfers, including Branden Oropeza. He’s expected to be contributor in the infield. Colome graduate and infielder Reed Harter joined the team at semester break, after transferring from the University of Sioux Falls.

The duo are a number of newcomers expected to help the Tigers this season.

“We are really excited about the contributions and roles that some of those guys are going to play for us right off the bat,” Greicar said.

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who is entering his third season as a head coach.

“We have had some great leadership amongst them and the new guys that have came in have really blended well and fit into the culture of the way we are trying to do things here.”

Senior Patrick Whetham will anchor the pitching staff, after being an honorable mention all-conference selection last year.

The right-hander went 3-4 last season, with a 4.71 ERA in 57 1/3 innings pitched. For his career, he is 11-10 with a 4.10 ERA with 95 strikeouts.

Dillon Campbell and Nathen Smith will also appear in the starting rotation, while William Lutjen and Steven Somerville will be called upon to man the bullpen.

“We are excited to get started pitching and seeing where we are at with things,” Greicar said.

“We are feeling pretty good about our pitching staff.”

Greicar also feels good about the bats. Senior Tyler Waddle hit .330 in 91 at-bats last season and was an honorable mention all-conference performer last year. Jared

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By Ryan Deal The Daily Republic Starting and reserve roles are up for grabs for the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team in 2017.

The Tigers graduated 14 seniors from last season’s 25-27 campaign.

The group helped the program win 100 games during their four years.

Now the seniors are gone, leaving a void at a number of spots, with the current players competing for those jobs.

“We’ve been able to graduate a large number of seniors these last couple of years,” DWU coach John Greicar said.

“So their roles have been different than they will be this year. Obviously, this year they are really stepping into kind of more starting roles.”

This year’s Tigers still led by another healthy number of seniors (12) and a host of newcomers that are expected to contribute.

“We have a nice group of four-year guys that are in their senior year that have been around for a long time, have worked hard and I am excited for them,” said Greicar,

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By Marcus Traxler The Daily Republic The Mitchell Christian track and field teams are back in 2017, bringing mostly youth once more to the spring season.

The Golden Eagles opened the season with the DWU High School Open on March 28, an indoor meet that allowed the team to get its competitive juices going, Mitchell Christian coach Jodi Asbenson said.

“We had a hard two and a half weeks of practice and we had spring break in there, too,” said Asbenson, who is in her second year coaching the track team.

“I am super pleased with the way they ran and they way they jumped. It’s been so cold outside, so it’s been hard to get your marks. Considering all of that, I’m very pleased.”

But with a 22-person team

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DWU SOFTBALL LOOKS TO BUILD OFF LAST SEASON’S SUCCESS Kieff feels the young Tigers can build off of last year’s success this season. They have just two seniors — Lorissa Loeppky and Elise Sutherland — and plenty of returning underclassmen with innings under their belts.

“It is still a young team, but a lot more experienced than they were last year,” Kieff said. “So I am expecting that we will definitely improve over last year.”

Loeppky posted a 5-4 record with a 3.08 ERA in 66 innings last season.

She hit .282 in 39 at-bats.

“She has been a workhorse for us over the past three years and I think she is going to do very well,” Kieff said. “She has been working really hard with her pitching and I am thinking she is going to have a good year.”

Loeppky, sophomore Sierra Hagge and

freshman Andrea Konz, a Mitchell grad, will be in the starting rotation.

Hagge (2.49 ERA in 149 innings) was an all-conference pitcher last season. Kieff has also been impressed with Konz so far in team workouts.

“We are excited about our pitching staff,” Kieff said. “We have got three really good pitchers that we would feel comfortable with starting any game, anytime, anywhere.”

Kieff feels the Tigers have the bats to complement their pitching.

Sutherland hit .261 in 27 games last season. DWU also welcomes back Paige Kinley (.343), Katelyne Dougherty (.303) and Karly Severance (.302).

“We have got a lot of people who can hit the ball a long ways and that’s exciting,” Kieff said. “I think our lineups are going to be tough to deal with.”

Matt Gade/Republic

Dakota Wesleyan’s Elise Sutherland records the out at first as Andriana Sprakel backs her up on the play in the fifth inning during the second game of a 2016 doubleheader against Briar Cliff University at Dr. McWhirter Field in Mitchell.

MHS BASEBALL From Page 2

Matt Gade/Republic

Mitchell Kernels’ Elijah Pommer (5) fields a grounder to short during a 2016 game against Sioux Falls Roosevelt at Cadwell Park in Mitchell.

state berth.

Norden said the team is building toward the end of the season, rather than hoping for a hot start.

“We haven’t seen a lot of live pitching and not seeing any off-speed is something that’s going to take a while,” he said. “Seeing that stuff and being able to pick up on it is going to be key. You want to get guys as many at-bats as possible.”

On the field, Mitchell’s top returners are Spencer Neugebauer, Jed Schmidt, Car-

son Max, Bryce Geraets, Sam Michels, Drew Kitchens and Elijah Pommer. Neugebauer, Schmidt, Geraets and Max each had more than 20 RBIs, while Neugebauer and Schmidt scored 39 and 35 runs, respectively, last year. The duo also combined for 41 stolen bases.

As a team, Mitchell hit .307 and Norden said the team’s speed will power the offense.

“We have a lot of speed coming back and that was very, very helpful for us last year,” Norden said. “We are going to rely on those guys to move around and we’ll bunt here and there. We’ll have some guys that will steal a lot of bases.”

On the mound, Norden said

he has six pitchers that were relied upon during last year’s Legion season and added that depth will benefit the team.

In 27 spring games last year, Mitchell had a team ERA of 2.97 and recorded 116 strikeouts.

Schmidt led the team with 37 innings pitched and 37 strikeouts, while Briggs Havlik tossed 31 2/3 innings and picked up 15 strikeouts.

“Going into this weekend, we want to get some guys on the mound and get some pitches logged,” said Norden, adding none of his pitchers will toss more than three innings for the first few weeks. “It’ll be touch and go for the first couple of weeks with our arms.”

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By Ryan Deal The Daily Republic For the Dakota Wesleyan University softball team, expectations are high after exceeding them last season.

The Tigers are coming off a program-record 33 wins during the 2016 campaign, in which they entered the year near the bottom of the Great Plains Athletic Conference preseason poll, but broke eight-program records and finished third in the league.

After the record-setting season, DWU coach Ed Kieff expects more of the season this year.

“We made a statement last year with our pitching and we have got that same chance this year,” said Kieff, who enters his sixth season as head coach. “Certainly we have the ability to finish in the top one or two (in the conference).”

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

6

APRIL 2017

Area boys track and field previews

Bon Homme

Coach: Byron Pudwill Conference: LVMC and SESD Top returnees: Kade Hellman 12; Chase Kortan 12; Nathan Schenkel 12; Anton Hejna 11; Nate Klinnert 11; Zach Cuka 10; Riley Hellman 9; Wesley Brandt 9; Levi Cahoy 9; Kaden Kozak 9; Nate Scieszinski 9.

Top newcomers: Colin Adams 11; Tanner Carda 10; David Hassing 11; Noah Heesch 8; Sky-

Burke/ South Central

Coach: Erik Person Year coaching: 11 Conference: SCC and Great Plains Letterwinners returning: 9

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Coach: Pat Jolley Key athletes: Mandre Adams, 12; Kasey Buse, 12; Scott Jolley, 11; Dominic Krinke, 10; Maison Kunkle, 9; Caleb Nugteren, 10; Trey Ortman, 9; Tristan Pierce, 10; Parker Schulte, 10, Austin Thu, 10; Jared Tieszen, 10; Tate Tieszen, 8; Trevor Tigert, 10; Xavier Ward, 12; Andrew Weber, 11.

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Coach: Renee Long Letterwinners returning: 11 Top returnees: Max Donovan, Jett Evans, Nash Hutmacher, Lucas Lopez, Will Mahnke, Rich Marone, Jacob Mutziger, Carson Pow-

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BOYS TRACK: Page 7

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Coach: Charles Hosford Year coaching: 3 Conference: South Central Conference Letterwinners returning: 12 Top returnees: Matt Campbell 12; Kelly O’Br yan 12; Holden Thieman 12; Andrew Laprath 11; Jackson Kinzer 10.

Top newcomers: Adam Cole 10; Layton Thieman 10; Calvin Ringing Shield 10; Beau Bertram 10; Chase Dufek 10.

C oach: Rory Hermsen Key athletes: James Baer, 10; Dalton Bodewitz, 11; Jett Dubbs, 11; Skylar Godwin, 10; Charles Harberts, 11; Austin Hofer, 11; Jalen Kaufman, 12; Shay Saarie, 10; Braxton Schmidt, 10.

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Canistota

Coach: Scott Muckey Year coaching: 35 Conference: CBH and Great Plains Letterwinners returning: 16 Top returnees: Landon Bruinsma 12; Cole Gerlach 12; Hunter Johnson 12; Clayton Menning 12; Josh Moser 12; Cole Van Gorp 12; Christian DeLange 12; Colin Lagge 12; Kyle Menning 12; Landon DeBoer 11; Jacob Joachim 11; Cordel Menning 11; Bryce Plamp 11; Evan Burns 10; Caysen Eide 10; Brady Tolsma 10.

Top ne wc ome r s: Brayden Denning 9, Isaac Hinker 9, Cooper DeLange 9; Trevor burke 8; Adam Joachim 8; Jaylen Kemp 8; Corbin Van Zee 8; Brendan Wentland 8; Taven Burke, 7; Cole Feenstra 7; Taylor Feenstra 7; Riley Gerlach 7; Colin Pennings 7; Jacob Woerner 7.

Coach’s comments: We have some talented track and field athletes with a good work ethic along with good team depth. We just need to work, develop and find what we do well. Our goal is to qualify what we can for state and continue to improve performances throughout the year.

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Coach: Brad Poppe Key athletes: Brady Cameron, 11; Jacob Cihak, 11; Jason DeJong, 10; Kory DeJong, 9; Levi DeJong, 11; Caleb Driesen, 9; Wyatt Duncan, 11; Weston Frank, 11; Nick Jager, 10; Max Mach, 10; Riley Namminga, 12; Derek Pelton, 11; Gabe Pohl, 9; Tate Wynia, 11.

Coach: Jeff Van Leur Year coaching: 37 Conference: Cornbelt Letterwinners returning: 9 Top returnees: Jacob Eddy 12; Cole Gassman 11; Connor Tuschen 11; Zack Leitheiser 11; Dustin Weber 11; Devin Eddy; 10; Jamin Arend 10; Sawyer Schultz 10; Duot Van Sickle 11.

Top newcomers: Gavin Herrick, 9; Chase Arend 9; Jonah Hofer 9; Grant Jatczak 9; Nick Schallenkamp 9.

Coach’s comments: We need a few athletes to step up and fill some holes in our relays. I think by the Regions we should be a competitive team in many area.

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ers, Riggs Priebe, Tiegan Pr iebe, M ark Schwenk Top ne wcomers: Lorenzo Garelli, Drayton Priebe, Cameron Caldwell.

Coach’s comments: Cubs track program will boast strong hurdlers.

Senior Tiegan Priebe should contend for a state title in the 300 hurdles with some competition from brother Riggs Priebe. Max Donovan will add high hurdles to his successes in the 300 lows.

Rich Marone and Carson Powers and Jett Evans will do well in open events and relays.

Nash Hutmacher will be tough in the throwing events.

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Coaches: Cliff Johnson and Jessica Brouwer Key athletes: Ethan Black Cloud, 11; Nolan Black Cloud, 7; Jasiah Caple, 11; Jacey Garcia, 11; Shawn Goehring, 11; Leo Hopkins, 12; Cliffey Johnson, 10; Michael Maas, 12; Tyler Swanson, 9; Daaron Tronvold, 10.; Pearce Vander Pol, 10.

Top returnees: Kray Person, 11; Jaden Frank 9; Vladik Johnson 12; Tyrone Mizner 10; Tyson Mayer 9; Finn Hanson 9; Washake Vaughn 9; Thomas Heth 10.

Coach’s comments: This is a young boys team with one senior and one junior. Kray Person will continue to be among the top distance runners of any class in South Dakota.

We look to Senior Vladik Johnson to lead with experience and score some points at the state meet. Our 4x800 medley should be solid.

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Andes Central/ Dakota Christian

lor Knakmuhs 9; Austin Kotalik 12; Chase O’Grady 12; Bryce Scieszinski, 11 Coach’s comments: We hope to compete a a high level at every track meet we go to. Our goal every year is to win track meets, especially the LMVC and SESD conference track meets.I like this group of guys a lot. I am looking forward to the 2017 track season. No matter what happens, we’re going to create some great memories.

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By The Daily Republic Information is provided by team coaches or compiled by The Daily Republic’s sports staff.

P.O. Box 333 White Lake, SD Stickney, SD 57375 1-800-567-6542 605-732-4265 605-249-2150

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

APRIL 2017

BOYS TRACK

Kimball/White Lake

Murray 10, Caleb Stukel 10.

Top ne wcomers: Tommy Determan 9; Evan Juracek 9; Quinton McMillen 10; Grant Thomas, 9; Jackson Eklund 9; Luke Murray 9; Parker Harding 9; Bryan Eagle Star 9.

Coach’s comments: I feel our boys team will have quite a bit of versatility in both the running and field events, which should make us competitive at meets.

We have high expectations for this group of boys.

Coach: Drew Gillogly Year coaching: 3 Conference: CBH and SCC Letterwinners returning: 10 Top returnees: Garrett Wessel 12; Austin Moore 12; Isaac Rue 12; Jackson Nockels 11; Devin Dethlefsen 12.

Top newcomers: Kezery LeBeau 11; Drakkar O’Neal 10; Alex Ballery 10; Bennett Namanny 8; Levi Nightingale 7.

Coach’s comments: We’re a good mix of older kids and younger kids with some returning experience. We’re looking to compete and have a good year.

Hanson

Lyman

From Page 6

Coach: Tyler Payer Year coaching: 1 Conference: Cornbelt Letterwinners returning: 7 Top returnees: Matt Kayser 11; Jaimes Nelson 12; Erik Craig 12; Donnie Weber 11; Will Kayser 10; Payden Haiar 10; Caleb Hernes 10; Craig Lasley 10.

Top newcomers: Blake Ferry 11; Drew Ferry 10; Reggie Slaba 9; Simon Weber 9; Peyton Schroeder 9.

Coach’s comments: We have a few athletic upperclassmen that will lead our young group. Our newcomers will mesh well with our returners and with this group we should be competitive in many areas.

Howard

Coach: Brett Bosn Key athlete: Keaton Hoyer, 12.

Coach: Joel Milton Key athletes: Jadeon Biggers, 10; Jacob Hofer, 10; Justice Jessop, 9; Brad Lebeda, 9; Tyler Lebada, 12; Noah McNaughton, 10; Corwin Mohr-Eymer, 9; Sage Mowery, 11.

McCook Central/ Montrose

Coach: Jeff Heisinger Year coaching: 5 Conference: Big East Letterwinners returning: 4 Top returnees: Caleb Krouse 12; Trevor Wilkinson 12; Spencer Smith 11; Blake Pulse 10.

Top newcomers: Koltan Lindstrom 9; Bryce Smart 11; Paul Lauck 11; Josh Hanson 12; Jared Ries 11; Blake Gessner 9; Tucker Seamer 9; Jake Cheeseman 9; Collin Kolbeck 9.

Coach’s comments: We bring back a solid group of athletes that made up most of our relays from a year ago. We have a nice

mix of veteran leadership with young talented athletes.

Menno

Coach: Ken Bruckner Year coaching: 40, 25 at Menno Conference: Cornbelt Letterwinners returning: 11 Top returnees: Trey Bohlmann 10; Logan Klaudt, 10; Dylan Lamme 10; Kyle Munkvold, 10; Joe Grassmid 9; Avery Handel 9; Grant Handel 9; Dawson Ulmer 9; Levi Bender 8; Brady Fergen 8; Weston Fraiser 8.

Top newcomers: Jordan Mehlhaf 12; Aiden Friesen 9; Caden Fischer 8; Logan Schmidt 8; Treyton Sayler 7; Tyler Massey 7.

Coach’s comments: We have a very young and inexperienced team that wants to get better and work hard every day. These kids are fun to coach as they are in track because they want to be here and they want to work hard to get better. This is a team that is a coach’s dream to work with. We have good leaders and hope to improve as the season goes on.

Mount Vernon/ Plankinton

Coach: Kyle Bruinsma Key athletes: Logan Bush 10; Brady Anderson 9; Joseph Antaya 10; Thomas Baker 9; Seth Bultsma 9; Dylan Fink 9; Kyle Glanzer 11; Jesse Hastings 9; Matt Higgason 12; Caleb Lee 10; Layne Lewis 11; Jordan Massie 9; Gavin Prieb 9; Austin Reimnitz 11; Dane Rihanek 11; Devin Rihanek 12; Tanner Risseeuw 12; Hayden

7

Schmidt 12; Tony Stoltz 12; Weston Tobin 10; Taylen Trisco 12; Marcus Urban 12; Eli VanHorn 12; Shane Williams 11.

several individuals State this year.

to

Scotland

Coach: Matt Maxon Key athletes: Matthew Brink, 9; Blake Bultsma, 11; Beau Dean, 10; Eli DeNeui, 9; Aaron Gerlach, 9; Malachi Girton, 12; Peyton Nelson, 11; Bryan Pope, 12; Jarod Severson, 12; Kade Starr, 9; Riley Stegmeier, 11; Hayden Stluka, 10; Caden Tegethoff, 9.

Coach: Gary Pepper Key athletes: James Baker, 11; Nic Baker, 10; Luca D’Amato, 12; Micah DeBoer, 9; Mason Dennis, 9; Chandler Diede, 12; Dallas Fuerst, 10; Dane James, 10; Michael Lange, 11; Chase Mogck, 12; Ty Mogck, 9; Derek Pedersen, 11; Lucas Pedersen, 10; Anthony Radcliffe, 12; Tanner Skorepa, 12; Carson Sundleaf, 9; Garret Vitek, 11; Braden Wolfe, 11.

Sanborn Central/ Woonsocket

Tripp-Delmont/ Armour

Platte-Geddes

Coach: Corey Flatten Year coaching: 2 Conference: CBH and 281 Letterwinners returning: 11 Top returnees: Logun Feistner 12; Wyatt Feistner 12; Trey Weber 11; Jared Goldammer 11; Spens Schlicht 10; Alex Wormstadt 10; Koby Larson 11; Weston Baysinger 11; Austin Schmit 10; Sawyer Senska 10; Eric Ruml 10; Wesley Linke 9; Carter Linke 9; Aiden Wormstadt 9.

Coach’s comments: The Blackhawk boys have good numbers out for the year and return five athletes with state meet experience that also helped the team finish runner-up in regions last year. We have good depth with a mix of veterans and some newcomers hoping to compete for relay positions. If we can get some of our new throwers and keep developing, we should be a solid track team. We hope to send some relays and

Coach: Ron Weber Year coaching: 10 Conference: LMVC and GPC Letterwinners returning: 10 Top returnees: Daniel Fouss 11; Cade Gemar 10; Jacob Kriz 10; Conner Van Der Werff 10, Cooper Strand 12; Micah Lau 9; James Love 10.

Top newcomers: Alex Veik 11; Jason Schnabel 11; Tristin Bialas.

Coach’s comments: We are low in numbers.

Hopefully we can qualify some for the state track meet.

Wagner

Coach: Joe Kafka Year coaching: 3 Conference: SESD and LMVC Letterwinners returning: 9 Top returnees: Brycen Zephier 12; Zyan Zephier 12; Keegan Alderink 11; Julien Weddell 10; Emilio Cournoyer 10; Lance Soukup 9; KJ St. Pierre 9; Simon Freier 8; Malcolm Janis 8; Bradyn Lhotak 8; Jaden Peters 8.

Top newcomers: Matthew Bryant 12; Tysin Arpan 10; Stephon St. Pierre 10; Sagon Ulrich 10; Grant Namminga 9; Lukas Otte 9; Tony Bruguier 9; Steven Zephier 9; Preston Nedved 9.

Coach’s comments: Our increase in athletes will provide greater depth this season and we should be more competitive in relays. We have very good young talent and look forward to improvements throughout the season.

Wessington Springs

Coach: Becky BellKrueger Key athletes: Flo Gennevee, 10; Nathan Huisman, 12; Isaac Kolousek, 10; Jordan Linn, 12; Seth Tebay, 9; Landon Wolter, 9.

Winner

Coach: Larry Aaker Year coaching: 3 Conference: Big Dakota and SESD Letter winners returning: 15 Top returnees: Cameron Kuil 12; Kayleb Brozik 12; Riley Calhoun 11; Drew DeMers 12; Tre’zen Doren 12; Luke Engel 12; Brady Fritz 8; Phillip Jorgensen 9; John Kludt 12; Izak Moleterno 12; Isaac Naasz 12; AJ Roubideaux 10; Jayden Schroeder 12; Colton Schroeder 10; Casey Strickland, 10.

Top newcomers: Joren Brunn 9; Krockett Krolikowski 12; Kade Watson 7; Atlas Willuweit 12 Coach’s comments: We return ever yone that qualified for state last year. If we can stay healthy, we should be able to compete for conference and region titles.

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

8

APRIL 2017

Area girls track and field previews

From Page 2

Overweg, Courtney Miller and Barry Browning will compete together in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. The team has the school record for top

4x200 time and will look to improve their times throughout the season.

“Reed Overweg spent most of his winter in the weight room preparing for track,” Shepardson said. “By the end of the year, hopefully we can be pretty scary at state and ESD in the relays with

those four guys.”

In distance running, Jacob Jarding, who has the school record in 1,600meter run, and Jarod Uher will pace the Kernels.

In field events, Shepardson said Overweg will be one the team’s strongest jumpers along with Miles Rolle, while Sutton

Eric Mayer/Republic

Returning letterwinners for the Mitchell High School boys track and field are front row, from left, Jared Street, Miguel Reyes, Payton Olson, Barry Browning, Miles Rolle, Logan Retveld and Jarod Uher. Second row: Matt Johnson, Jacob Jarding, Tate Larson, Carson Max, Sutton Carpenter, Sam Jones, Mason Bruns and Jared Mauer. Back row: Reed Overweg, Spencer Neugebauer, Cade Carpenter, Kiel Nelson, Courtney Miller and Russell Duley.

Canistota

Coach: Pat Jolley Key athletes: Skylar Bultje, 9; Harley Cormany, 9; Jordan Engbrecht, 10; Kassidy Engbrecht, 12; Abby Heiberger, 10; Noelle Hofer, 10; Tanner Hofer, 10; Kenzie Kirby, 10; Sammy Korkow, 12; Kalli Ortman, 12; Hannah Parry, 9; Christina Tieszen, 10; Jenni Tieszen, 11; Bree Weidenbach, 11.

Carpenter and Kiel Nelson will push each other in the pole vault.

“Sutton Carpenter should be one of the better pole vaulters in the state,” Shepardson said.

“He’s been working hard and knows what he needs to do.”

On the girls side, sophomore Carly Haring, who won the state high school title as an eighth-grader with a leap of 5 feet, 3.25 inches in 2015, looks ready for a big season after recovering from an injury more most of the 2016 season.

“She wasn’t 100 percent all year,” Shepardson said about Haring’s freshman season. “This year, she is 100 percent and ready to go. She’s been working hard and she’s one of those kids that the sky’s the limit. No one is going to outwork her and I’m happy she’s going to be back. She’ll establish herself as one of the state’s top high jumpers.”

Shepardson said Kyla Crago and Bailey Roden will be leaders on some

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GIRLS TRACK: Page 9

Mitchell's Reed Overweg competes in the first day of the 2016 Class AA state track meet in Sioux Falls. of the MHS relay teams along with Cassie Hohrman.

Senior Mary Krause, who has the school record in the 3,200 and is second in the 1,600, will lead the distance runners along with Mandy Schmidt.

Both Josie Dierks and Maria Krall return after qualifying for state last year in the triple jump

and each have top-10 school record marks in the event.

On the statewide Class AA scene, Shepardson said Sioux Falls Lincoln — which won both the boys and girls team titles last year — will be strong again as well as the Watertown boys team and the Brandon Valley girls.

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Coach: Letha Van Vuuren Year coaching: 2 Conference: CBH and Great Plains Letterwinners returning: 17 Top returnees: Abby Dethlefsen 10; Haley Johnson 10; Heather Johnson, 10; Courtney Menning 10; Alissa Kuyper, 10; Ashlin DeBoer, 9; Jenna Bamberg 9; Jordyn Gerlach 9; Sierra Heidinger 9; Alexis Tilton 9; Carly Lagge 9; Lauren Bruinsma 8; Kaitlin DeBoer 8,; Morgan DeLange 8; Kayla Fischer 8; Camden Plooster 8; Dayna Koch 8; Kayla Wisdom 8; Paige Wright 8.

Top newcomers: Kayanna Clark 7; Morgan Coites 7; Marisa DeLange 7; Erynn Gerlach, 7; Rachel Gerlach 7; Cora Heidinger 7; Katelyn Lau 7; Kylie Olson 7; Casey Tolsma 7.

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Coach: Charles Hosford Years coaching: 3 Top returnees: Saydee Heath, 8; Abby Kortan 8; Hayley Krumpus 9; Matrix Noteboom 10; Grace Campbell 10; Kaydee Heath, 10; Jaclyn Laprath 10; Callie Heath, 12

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Coach: Renee Long Letterwinners returning: 7 Top returnees: Harley Brown, Ella Byers, Mady Handel, Avany Long, Jessie Ristau, Makenzie Sorensen, Hadley Tichy.

Top newcomers: Ciara Hough, Abby Hutmacher, Isabella Shepard, Gracie Kiner, Emma Powers, Kathrinn Hopkins, Coach’s comments: Look for sophomore Ella Byers to continue her stellar track career by contending for a state championship in both the mile and 2 mile events. In addition she and Makenzie Sorensen are the returning core of a state-placing medley relay squad.

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MHS TRACK

Bon Homme

Chamberlain

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Coach: Tina Cameron Conference: LMVC and Great Plains Top returnees: Hanna Powers, 12; Hannah Reeves, 12; Ashley Cap, 12; Courtney Buchholz 12; Cheylee Nagel, 11; Kacie Mudder, 11; Livi Jurrens, 11; Hannah VanGerpen, 11; Lauren Sees, 10.

Top newcomers: Madisyn Cameron, 9; Ila Blaha, 9; MacKenzie Jagger, 9.

Coach: Byron Pudwill Conference: LMVC and SESD Top returnees: Sierra Mesman, 12; Paige Eddy, 11; Rachel Sestak, 11; Abby Crites, 9; Ciera Himes, 9; Johanna Jelsma, 9; Katelyn Sternhagen, 9; Allison Van Winkle, 9; Jenae Alberts, 8; McKenzie Carson, 8; Camille Sykora, 7; Top newcomers: Lauren Bastemeyer, 9; Brecken Bullard, 11; Jeni Schmidt, 12; Kaitlyn Willis, 9.

Coach’s comments: We hope to compete at a high level at every track meet we go to. Our goal each and every year is to win track meets, especial-

Coach: Jeff VanLeur Year coaching: 37 Conference: Cornbelt Letterwinners returning: 10 Top returnees: Brittany Heezen 12; Miah Schallenkamp, 12; Becca Letcher, 12; Jessica Jaeger, 11; Joslyn Schrank, 10; Abigal Arend, 10; Kristine Kotas, 10; Katelyn Kotas, 10; Jada Wethor, 10; Lindsey Weeldreyer, 9.

Top newcomers: Autumn Hilton 12; Kennedee Weber, 9; Cylie Kressman, 9; Katrina Weber, 9; Sophia Potter, 9; Bailey Haiar, 9.

Coach’s comments: We return a good nucleus of letterwinners that will be good leaders for us. Our newcomers will need to step up and fill in some gaps for us.

Coach: Ron Determan Year coaching: 38 Conference: SCC, Great Plains Letterwinners returning: 4 Top returnees: Lahna Matucha, 10; Lacey Person, 9; Teah Serr, 11; Shawntel Sharpfish, 11; Samantha Bull 9.

Top newcomers: Sally Kahim, 8; Ramee Hanson, 8; Sierra Swan, 10; Breken Bartling, 10.

Coach’s comments: We are young, no seniors and a little thin at the distance races which will affect how many relays we attempt.

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Avon

Bridgewater-Emery

Burke/South Central

001303431r1

Coaches: Cliff Johnson and Jessica Brouwer Key athletes: Beulah Black Cloud, 11; Sada DeLange, 11; Brianna Deurmier, 10; Taylor Gray, 11; Hannah Hansum, 9; Kristin Maas, 10; Anna Medicine Horn, 9; Sidney Muckey, 10; Isabel Pheiffer, 9; Karleah Pheiffer, 10; Ahna Vander Pol, 12.

ly the LMVC and SESD conference track meets. I like thes group of girls a lot; I am looking forward to the 2017 track season.

No matter what happens, we’re going to create some great memories.

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Andes Central/ Dakota Christian

Coach’s comments: This will be a fun and exciting season. We have many talented athletes back, as well as Cheylee Nagel (tore ACL and was out last season). She will fill a big spot in our program as well as Lauren Sees and Kacie Mudder.

We also have a few new faces I am excited to work with.

001303974r1

By The Daily Republic Information is provided by team coaches or compiled by The Daily Republic’s sports staff.

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

GIRLS TRACK

a nice group of younger girls that are ready to step up and be very competitive.

From Page 8

Coach’s comments: We again have a young team and look to improve upon a good season last year. We do return some girls with state track meet experience and hope to continue to build upon the success from last year; Numbers will be a strength for us.

We should be competitive for team points at some of the track meets. All the girls have their individual goals. As a team, we want to win some track meets and we want as many as possible to be able to compete at the state meet.

Freeman

Coach: Rory Hermsen Key athletes: Mara Andersen 9; Kaylee Auch 10; Genevieve Baer 9; Ashaunte Carr 12; Hannah Eberts 10; Emmarie Edwards 9; Josie Fuhrmann 10; Kahli Gall 9; Natalie Goosen 12; Caitlyn Gronewold 10; Madison Himes 10; Faith Hofer 10; Kailey Jacobsen 10; Sydney Jensen 9; Journey Mehlhaf 10; Tayaih Miller 10; Dayna Roth 10; Taya Roth 12; Isabel Sayler 9; Sarah Wipf 10

Freeman Academy/ Marion

Coaches: Suzanne Koerner and Jerry Kippes Key athletes: Tory Arbach, 12; Annie Carlson, 11; Kaitlyn Epp, 10; Ashley Fink, 11; Chelsey Heeg, 12; Emily Heeg, 10; Kelly Liu, 10; Haley Lund, 12; Amy Ptak, 11; Michele Schoenwald, 11; Tiana Schroeder, 12; Jessica Sun, 10; KateLyn Tievert, 10; Andrea Wollman, 10.

Gregory

Coach: Tyler Payer Year coaching: 1 Conference: Cornbelt Letterwinners returning: 12 Top returnees: Taya Waldera, 12; Ashley Mo, 12; Heather Kayser, 11; Brooke Weber, 11; Brooke Slaba, 11; Tessa Zens 11; Ellie Tuschen 10; Morgan Huber, 9; Abby Hanson 12; Jacy Waldera, 10; Isabelle Riggs, 10; Amber Thelen, 11; Brianna Weber, 10; Maddi Mayer 10.

Top newcomers: Elizabeth Arend 9; Hanna Robinson 9; Jada Tuttle 9; Patsy Hernandez; Tyra Zens 9.

Coach’s comments: We return our core athletes and are looking to have a good showing in the region and state. We add some young athletic kids to our experiences upperclasswomen.

Howard

Coach: Keith Moe Key athletes: Hilary Albrecht, 9; Martina Albrecht, 12; Presley Claussen, 9; Cali Eliason, Casi Eliason, 9; Mary Emand, 9; Madison Kizer, 9; Ellen Lewis, 12; Citori Rentz, 11; Bailey Rudebusch, 12.

Kimball/White Lake

Coach: Tia DeGeest Year coaching: 3 Conference: CBH and SCC Top returnees: Nikki Reuland 12; Sage Pulse 11; Carly Beckmann 11; Darby Deffenbaugh 10; Bailey Bosworth 10; Ellie Overweg 9; Catie Natvig 9; Randa VandenHoek 9; Kennedy Leiferman 8; Carlie Natvig 8; Sidney McCord 8.

Top newcomers: Alison Sinclair 8; Fayleen Overweg 7; Emily Konechne 7; Coach’s comments: We are a young team with only one senior. We return a lot of experience and are hoping to build on our success from last year of taking a relay and seven individual events to state.

Lyman

Coach: Joel Milton Key athletes: Maria Authier, 10; Trinity Defender, 9; Grace eriksen, 12; Kara Fischer, 9; Kayt Garnos, 9; Izebellea Garreaux, 9; Sara Her-

McCook Central/ Montrose

Coach: Jack Rasmussen Returning letterwinners: 10 Key athletes: Morgan Edwards, 11; Natalie Gottlob, 11; Phoebe Kaffar, 11; Morgan Koepsell, 11; Leslie Kolbeck, 11; Briana Krempges, 11; Harley Miles, 11; Hayley Miles, 11; Hope Bartmann, 10; Jocelyn Krouse, 10; Summer Schoon, 10; Emily Bies, 9; Maleah Gordon, 9; Sarah Krempges, 9; Kayla McAreavey, 9; Kaylee McIlravy, 9; Jacy Pulse, 9; Abigail VanRuler, 9; Ann Marie Whaler, 9; Madison Willems, 8.

Menno

Coach: Ken Bruckner Year coaching: 40, 25 in Menno Conference: Cornbelt Letterwinners returning: 12 Top returnees: Marissa Buechler 12; Alicia Grassmid, 12; Paige Heckenlaible, 11; Ashton Vaith, 11; Hailey Handel 10; Jayden Oplinger, 10; Eisley Sayler, 10, Trinity Kocourek, 9; Morgan Edelman, 8; Carly Herrboldt 8; Jesse Munkvold, 8; Adrian Nusz, 8 Top newcomers: Paige Dyk, 8; Hannah Fischer 8; Raygen Diede, 7; Paityn Huber, 7 Coach’s comments: We have some quality performers returning from last year. This is a very hard working group. We don’t have a lot of depth but we are hoping to be able to get some state qualifiers by the end of the season. We hope to be competitive come regions.

We lack the depth to win meets, but if we stay healthy we feel we can be competitive. We have some great kids to work with.

11; Grace Bultsma, 11; Kylee Guindon, 11; Savannah Risseeuw, 10; Lorna Gregerson, 10; Rebecca Gerlach 9; Katlyn Briggs, 9; Anna Baker 9; Dacey Rihanek 9; Hallie Schmidt 8.

Top newcomers: Hilda Arias, 9; Lily Mikkonen 8; Haley Pickart 8; Maria Baker 7; Tessa Pickart 7; Shyla Tobin 7; Morgan Boys 7; Christa Glanzer 7.

Coach’s comments: We will have a great mixture of veterans and young talented girls. It will take a few meets to find who we are but we should be competitive at the conference, Region and State meets. Our strength will come from our veterans leading our young girls.

Platte-Geddes

Coach: Matt Maxon Key athletes: Katie Berens, 12; Emily Chaney, 11; Mirandy Chaney, 9; Mae Duba, 12; Kaetlyn Engebretson, 10; Sarah Erickson, 11; Gracie Espicha, 9; Dominique Girton, 10; Hallie Hallock, 12; Ally Holter, 10; Candice Knutson, 11; Lacey McClough, 11; Sawyer Naasz, 10; Alayah Nachtigal, 9; Isabel Nachtigal, 12; MaKenzie Oberbroekling, 11; Alexis Peterson, 12; Kaitie Slaba, 10; Katie Spawn, 12; Raegan Stegmeier, 9; Averi Tegethoff, 11; Abby

Sanborn Central/ Woonsocket

Coach: Corey Flatten Year coaching: 2 Conference: CBH and 281 Letterwinners returning: 12 Top returnees: Myah Selland, 12; Kyla Morgan 12; Maddie Vermeulen 12; Megan Power, 10; Abby Vermeulen 10; Sarah Morgan 11; Erica Howard 10; Sarah Baysinger 10; Catherine Bechen 11; Tesa Jensen 10; Chloe Ruml 9; Kaylee White 9; Taylor Lindsey 9; Caycee Guinn 8; Ellie VonEye 8.

Coach’s comments: The Blackhawk girls added some depth this year with a couple upperclassmen returning to the team after injuries or not participating in the past.

We have a good mix of veteran speedsters and younger distance runners that should help fill out relays to give us a chance at getting to State. Also the throwers have gained strength in the off season that should help complete a solid team.

Scotland

Coach: Gary Pepper Key athletes: Taylor Bietz, 11; Nicole Flynn,

9; Kchandra Furney, 12; Taylor Gall, 11; Kaiti Kannegieter, 9; Tristony McDaugale, 9; Kelsi Nooney, 10; Gabi Pryzbyla, 12; Ashton Simantel, 9; Issabella Vitek, 9.

Tripp-Delmont/ Armour

Coach: Ron Weber Year coaching: 10 Conference: LMVC, GPC Letterwinners returning: 15 Top returnees: Brooklyn Brouwer, 11; Erica Koster 11; Matilynn Reiner 10; Alyssa Whitney 10; Amy Brenner 10; Kianna Payer 9; Ally Bertram 8; Hannah Whitney.

Top newcomers: Haley Dufek, 11; Paige Neugebauer 11; Taylor Van Pelt 10; Baylee Gerber 10; Marie Zolnowsky 10; Karli Marts 9; Hope Neugebauer 9; Emma Bertram 9; Ashlee Gerber 8; Baily Spaans 8; Faith Werkmeister 8; Jordan Ziebart 7.

Coach’s comments: We have a good combination of numbers and experience this year. We should be competitive in most meets.

Wagner

Coach: Joe Kafka Year coaching: 3 Conference: SESD and LMVC

GIRLS TRACK: Page 10

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Coach: Lawron Bohr Year coaching: 10 Conference: SESD and CBH Letterwinners returning: 14 Top returnees: Cynthia Antaya, 12; Sam Wesseling, 12; Stephanie Faulhaber 12; Savannah Schmidt, 12; Camie Walz,

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Coach: Kurt Stukel Year coaching: 9 Conference: SCC and SESD Letterwinners returning: 9 Top returnees: Megan Warnke, 10; Maddie Eklund, 12; Lauren Svatos, 12; Hann ah Juracek, 12; Bailey Beck, 11.

Top newcomers: Emma Thomas, 7; Jaslee Kerner, 9; Sydney Svatos 9; Brilee Perk, 9; Salma Serr 9; Dailey Remme 9; JayCee Bartling 9.

Coach’s comments: The girls have a couple seasoned veterans leading the team but we have

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

10

GIRLS TRACK From Page 9

Letterwinners returning: 9 Top returnees: Jensen Holzbauer 12; Abby Freier 11; Taylor Eitemiller 11; Josi Bouza 11; Hailey Zephier 11; Janae Patter-

son 11; Maggie Barnett 10; Britney Krcil 10; Faith Tyler 10; Joanna Soukup 10; Kirstyn Roth 10; Maesa Dvorak 9.

Top newcomers: Kristan Soukup 12; Payton Mora 9; Alex Zephier 9; Danielle Twiss 98; Kaylie Kocer 9; Roese Eitemiller 9; Abby Brunsing 8; Keanna Ligtenberg, 8;

Alcista Dion 7.

Coach’s comments: Our increase in athletes will provide greater depth this season. The girls have a good attitude and are willing to be flexible to do what they can for the best of the team.

Wessington Springs Coach:

Becky

Bell-

APRIL 2017

Krueger Key athletes: Maria Alonso, 10; Makayla Dornbusch, 9; Karsyn Krause, 11; Shannon Linn, 10; Maddie Neely, 10; Sierra Swenson, 11; Chasity Vissia, 10.

Winner

Coach: Larry Aaker Year coaching: 3

Conference: Big Dakota and SESD Letterwinners returning: 14 Top returnees: Chloe Bartels 12; Jaynee Gregg 9; Morgan Hammerbeck, 9; Gabriel Kocer, 10; Kyran Meek, 12; Aryn Meiners, 8; Alexis Richey, 10; Sarge Schuyler 9; Sam Schuyler 12; Charlotte Shopene

9; Madison Thieman 10; Tedra Vrbka 10; Katherine Jankauskas 8; Meagan Blare, 8.

Top newcomers: Elisabeth Duffy 11; Sidda Schuyler 7.

Coach’s comments: We hope to stay healthy and complete for the region title.

Prep girls golf previews

By The Daily Republic Information is provided by team coaches or compiled by The Daily Republic’s sports staff.

Andes Central/ Dakota Christian

Coach: Tom Cooney Years as head coach: 17 Top returnees: Emily Iverson, 10.

Coach’s comments: “We are anxious to get the season started. I am excited to see how our young golfers perform this season.”

Avon

Coach: Jay Weber Key contributors: Karli Johnson, 11; Sammi Schryvers, 12.

Bon Homme

Coach: Drew Lawrence Years as head coach: 2 Top returnees: MaKayla Kelley, 8; Maloree Lamphear, 11.

Top newcomers: McKeely Merkwan, 12.

Coach’s comments: “Makayla Kelley should compete for region champion.”

Bridgewater-Emery

Coach: Scott Schultz Years as head coach: 20 Conference: Cornbelt Returning letterwinners: 5 Top returnees: Darby Hurd, 10; Dani Vinz, 12; Sydney Hoffman, 10; Vanessa Hofer, 10; Cate Meyer, 10.

Top newcomers: Shaylee Longe, 8.

Coach’s comments: “The girls return 3 players off last year’s 8th place team. To return to the state meet again as a

team, we will need to find additional help to solidify our top 4 positions.”

Burke/South Central

Coach: Billie Jo Indahl Years as head coach: 10 Top returnees: Taylee Indahl, 9; Tressa Bull, 11; Haley Benter, 9; Emily Stukel, 10.

Top newcomers: Brecken Bartling, 10.

Coach’s comments: “The girls ended on another great season coming back home with the state B runner-up title for the third year in a row. They won all of their meets last season except the state title. We return all of our members this season except one. We still have a fairly young team returning with one junior, one sophomore and two freshman. We have very high expectations for our girls team this year as they are eager to capture a state title after earning runner-up over the last three seasons. They have put in a lot of time in the offseason to improve upon their game. They will continue that work ethic on and off the course.”

Canistota

Coach: Mike Sattler Key golfers: Payton Ortman, 9.

Chamberlain

Coach: Todd Palmer and Libby Renbarger Years as head coach: 6 and 1 Conference: Big Dakota Returning letterwinners: 2

Top returnees: Taysa Hutmacher, 10; Avery Larson, 8; Chyna Story, 8.

Top newcomers: Erika Larsen, 7.

Coach’s comments: “Young and inexperienced for the most part; Work on fundamentals and eliminating the large numbers on the card; Get better each day.”

Corsica-Stickney

Coach: Rocky Nelson Years as head coach: 4 Key golfers: Raven Barse, 8

Freeman

Coach: Kristina Sage Years as head coach: 1 Conference: Cornbelt Top newcomers: Madison Hofer, 8; Madeline Hofer, 8; Lily Wipf, 7.

Coach’s comments: “We have no high school participants at this time.

There is good interest in the middle school classes.

The kids are excited for the season.”

Gregory

Coach: Brian Allmendinger, head coach.

Years as head coach: 2 Top newcomers: Lindsey Wenger, 11; Emma Schweigert, 11; Brooklyn VanDerWerff, 9.

Coach’s comments: “Wenger enjoyed a strong JV season last year and will be counted on to make a successful transition to varsity. Emma Schweigert is coming back to golf after participating in track the past few seasons.”

Howard

Coach: Alan Wiese, head coach, Lisa Wiese, assistant coach.

Years as coach: 16 and 8 Top returnees: Jordan Glanzer, 11; Maddie Palmquist, 11; Cassidy Gosmire, 11; Top newcomers: Katelyn Feldhaus, 8; Kenedy Koepsell, 8; Mia Glanzer, 7.

Coach’s comments: “The girls, coming off two conference championships, a Region 2B championship and a sixth place finish at the 2016 State Golf Meet, will definitely be led by the trio of talented juniors, Jordan Glanzer, Maddie Palmquist, and Cassidy Gosmire, who have been great golf friends since their days of summer junior golf at Howard. These three had looked forward to playing together on a strong girls’ golf team for several years and now they are having lots of fun doing just that. Most importantly they have developed unbelievable team chemistry, evidenced by the fact that they are happiest when their teammates play well.”

Mattheis, 11; Jayden Bormann, 11; Dani Norden, 10; Ellie Weidenbach, 9; Keelie Konfest; Hanna Jackson, 9; April Will, 11.

Top newcomers: Kyla Konfest, 11.

Coach’s comments: “We have three returning players from last year’s state champion team that bring a lot of experience.

We will look to grow as players and we have some good youth returning as well.”

Platte-Geddes

Coach: Frank Cutler, head; Brooke Bonte, assistant Years as coach: 5 and 4 Top returnees: Macey Koopal, 12; Julia Cornell, 11; Carly Sprik, 11; Mariah Van Zee, 9; Abby Spawn, 10.

Top newcomers: McKayla Major, 10.

Coach’s comments: “We hope that our girls build on having four girls play in the state golf meet last spring.”

Scotland

Coach: Greg Gemar Years as head coach: 3 Key golfers: Rylee Conrad, 7; Addison Haase, 7; Kristin Hlavac, 11.

Wagner

Parkston

Coach: Tyler Hockett Years as head coach: 5 Top returnees: Tylee Neugebauer, 10; Jadee

Coach: Riley Kirwan Years as head coach: 1 Letterwinners returning 2:

Key golfers: Emilea Cimpl, 9; Caitlyn Stimpson, 9.

Coach’s comments: “Both Caitlyn Stimpson and Emilea Cimpl made it to state in seventh and eighth grades, so I am hoping that both of them will take the next step for placing at most tournaments and start competing with the best girls in our region.”

Winner Area

Coach: Kristin Livermont Years as head coach: 2 Conference: Big Dakota Letterwinners returning: 6 Top returnees: Elizabeth Jankauskas, 12; Ronae Klein, 11; Samantha Mars, 11; Lauren Norris, 11; Addy Root, 9; Cheyenne Dougherty, 9.

Top newcomers: Kara Ewing, 9, Kiersten Durrin, 9; Brennan Bachmann, 8.

Coach’s comments: “We were slightly disappointed with our inconsistent performance and ninth place finish as a team at the 2016 state tournament. Expectations this season are to to continue to improve consistency in performance in regular season tournaments and to improve our individual and team performance at state in 2017.

We are hoping to break the top-five as a team.”

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

APRIL 2017

11

Area boys golf previews

By The Daily Republic Information is provided by team coaches or compiled by The Daily Republic’s sports staff.

Andes Central/ Dakota Christian

Coach: Tom Cooney Years as head coach: 17 Top returnees: Micah Mitchell, 10; Jacob Maynard, 10.

Coach’s comments: “We are anxious to get the season started. I am excited to see how our young golfers perform this season.”

Avon

Coach: Jay Weber Key contributors: Slater Brodeen, 12; Tyler Kopp, 10; Landon Pudwell, 9; Jim Schuurmans, 11.

Bon Homme

Coach: Drew Lawrence Years as head coach: 2 Top returnees: Alec Johnson, 12; Cole Uecker, 12; Carter Libis, 9.

Top newcomers: Beau Rothschadl, 10.

Coach’s comments: “Our boys team should compete for the region title. Alec Johnson should

compete for individual Region and State champion.”

Coach’s comments: “We return all of our team members this season with some younger members filling in spots.

They will continue to improve throughout each meet and hopefully earn a spot to the state tournament at the end of the season.”

Bridgewater-Emery

Coach: Scott Schultz Years as head coach: 20 Conference: Cornbelt Returning letterwinners: 4 Top returnees: Peyton Bailey, 12; Colton Sommer, 11; Lucas Berg, 10.

Top newcomers: Riley Schwans, 12; Truitt Roberts, 12; Kinzer Glanzer, 10; Matt Randall, 11; Sam Arend, 12.

Coach’s comments: “Boys are excited to get started we return our entire team from last year. We struggled last year as a team with our short game and have put in extra time over the summer to improve that area.”

Canistota

Coach: Mike Sattler Key golfers: Jason Heiman, 9; Logan Heinzman, 8; Joey Nugteren, 11; Carson Roshone, 11; Tristan Tieszen, 9.

Corsica-Stickney

Coach: Rocky Nelson Years as head coach: 3 Top returnees: Kyle Menning, 12; Hunter Johnson, 12; Gavin Zomer, 11; Dalton Feenstra, 11; Reed Baan Hofman, 12; Cole Van Gorp, 12; Cordel Menning, 11; Landon DeBoer, 11.

Top newcomers: Clayton Menning, 12; Jaden Barse, 10; Lane Koch, 11.

Coach’s comments: “The returning letterwinners and experienced golfers will be a definite

Burke/ South Central

Coach: Billie Jo Indahl Years as head coach: 10 Top returnees: Darrin Witt, 10; Brock Karbo, 10; Cade Bailey, 11.

Top newcomers: Elijah Everett, 9.

placed last season at the State Meet in Rapid City.

Beck will miss part of the season with a knee injury, but should be able to return by late April.”

asset, which will increase the team expectations in 2017.”

Freeman

Coach: Kristina Sage Years as head coach: 1 Conference: Cornbelt Returning letterwinners: 4 Top returnees: Levi Waldhauser, 12; Josh Wynia, 12; Bailey Sage, 9; Brayden Edwards, 9; Tryg Aanenson, 9.

Top newcomers: Eric Fuhrmann, 11; Hunter Balvin, 9.

Coach’s comments: “We have two strong returners in Levi Waldhauser and Bailey Sage; they both gained valuable state tournament experience last year on a tough hart Ranch Course. I expect us to have a solid team. The kids are excited for the season.”

Howard

Coach: Alan Wiese, head coach, Lisa Wiese, assistant coach.

Years as coach: 16 and 8 Top returnees: Noah Hodges, 11; Kalub Carmichael, 11; Ethan Cross, 10, Noah Anderson, 10.

Top newcomers: Dillon Koepsell, 12; E.J. Leetch, 10; Braydon Shumaker, 10; Jonathon Umstead, 10.

Coach’s comments: “The boys will definitely be led by talented veteran junior Noah Hodges (27th at state in 2016), who has three years of post-season experience under his belt and was only two strokes out of the top 25 last season.

Noah has the length, short game, and course knowledge to be a contender at every meet he plays in this season. Sophomore Ethan Cross (T108th) got his

Gregory

Coach: Brian Allmendinger, head coach.

Years as head coach: 2 Top returnees: Jon Bakke, 11; JJ Beck, 10; Hunter Mills, 12.

Coach’s comments: “Both Bakke and Beck

first taste of varsity golf last season and worked hard to improve all year, making it to the state tournament. He has all the shots and just needs to put together all parts of his game, especially on and around the greens.”

Platte-Geddes

Coach: Frank Cutler, head; Brooke Bonte, assistant Years as coach: 5 and 4 Top returnees: Riley Hoffman, 12; Kade Johnson, 12; Payton Foxley, 11; Stewart Van Zee, 10.

Top newcomers: Hayden Koopal, 9; Brody Boltjes, 8.

Coach’s comments: “Our boys varsity team should be competitive this season.”

Scotland

Coach: Greg Gemar Years as head coach: 3 Top returnees: J.R. Wagner, 12; Cheylub Hall, 10 Top newcomers: Luca D’Amato, 12; Triston Friedrich, 10; Grayden Furney, 11; Conner Odens, 7; Derek Praveck, 9.

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

12

APRIL 2017

Area prep baseball previews

By The Daily Republic Information is provided by team coaches or compiled by The Daily Republic’s sports staff.

Bon Homme/ Scotland

Class/region: Class B Region 1 West Top returnees: Chase Kortan, Sr.; Cole Uecker, Sr.; Bryce Scieszinski, Jr.; Tanner VanDriel, Jr.; Christian Uecker, So.; Josh Schmidt, So.

Chamberlain/ Kimball/Lyman

Head Coach: Adam Schroeder — 2nd Year Class/region: Class B Region 4 East Key players: Caden Lenz, Remington Rossow, Ruger Forester, Cole Hickey, Wyatt Talbot, Jerod Waterbury, Caden Medicine Eagle, Conner Graves, Sage Fletcher, Tyler Sorenson, Jarod Houska, Jazz Dominguez

Central Dakota

(Schools: Wessington Springs, Woonsocket, Miller, Highmore) Head coach: Nathan Hainy — First year Class/region: Class B

Region 2 West Key players: Trevor Brueggeman, Sr.; Trevor Ryan, Sr.; Logan Wurtz, Sr.; Wyatt Feistner, Sr.; Shay Swenson, Sr.; John Witte, Jr.; Coy Fastnacht, Jr.; Clayton Dornbusch, Jr.; Caleb DeBoer, Jr.; Gunnar Brandenburg, Jr.; Devon Weber, Jr.; Garrett Knox, So.; Trever Schmidt, So.; Noah Hainy, So. Coach’s comments: We are a new co-op, so we are still getting used to being on the same team.

We have a good nucleus of players that play hard for seven innings. As long as we throw strikes, we will be competitive.

Hanson/ Bridgewater-Emery

(Schools: Hanson, Bridgewater-Emery, Sanborn Central) Head Coach: Bryce Holter — Seventh Year Class/region: Class B Region 3 West Key players: Trent Kingsbury, Cole Gassman, Colton Plagmann, Cade Schmitt, Austin Stoltz, Carter Dye, Thomas Arend, Jonah Hofer, Trevor Olson, Sam Arend.

McCook

(Schools: McCook Central, Howard) Head Coach: Randy Sabers — 14th year Last year’s record: 6-7 Class/region: Class B Region 3 West Top returnees: Collin Cleveland, OF-P, Sr.; Kendall Gassman, IF-P, Sr.; Kohl Miller, OF-IF, Sr.; Trevor Wilkinson, OF, Sr.; Kyle Tuschen, IF, Jr. Key newcomers: Bryce Smart, IF, Jr.; Mitch Kramer, OF-P, Jr.; Kaleb Carmichael, OF, Jr. Coach’s comments: We are counting on senior leadership and we have an unusual amount of lefthanders. Defensively, we should improve throughout the season and we will need sophomores and freshmen to contribute.

We have a lot of games in a short period of time, which will test our pitching.

Parkston

Head coach: Jeff Harris — Fourth year Class/region: Class B Region 1 West Top returnees: Alex Scott, P-SS, Sr.; Jordan McKean, OF, Sr.; Dawson

Semmler, OF, Jr.; Jesse Grosdidier, C-P, Sr.; Kyler Holzbauer, SS-P, Sr.; Kellan Culbert, OF, Sr. Top newcomers: Brayden Leischner, OF, Jr.; Brady Albrecht, 1B-P, Jr.; Alec Hohn, 3B, Sr.; Nate Doering, 3B-C, Fr.; Sutton Hohn, 2B-P, Fr.; Kade Bialas, P-INF, 8th; Landon Sudbeck, P-INF, 8th.

Coach’s comments: This year, we have a solid core of juniors and seniors but only have two freshmen and sophomores combined, so we are getting younger, which is a good problem to have. We expect to go out and give each game our best effort, hoping to learn and improve from each regular season game, win or lose. We hope to put everything we have learned from the year together and peak during postseason play to make a deep run. Runs will be at a premium with the cold spring weather and wood bats. We will also be facing some quality teams with quality pitchers so our focus is taking care of the baseball and eliminating free

bases, whether that be walks, errors, or mental mistakes. We also need to be aggressive on the base paths and take the extra bag whenever they give us a window.

Platte/Geddes/ Dakota Christian/ White Lake

Head coach: Jeff Kuiper — 14th year Class/region: Class B Region 4 West Key players: Riley Hoffman, Seth Kirsch, Jarod Severson, Trevor Sprik, Payton Foxley, Dylan Mohnen, Kory Peters

Winner/Colome

Head Coach: Drew Weber — Fourth Year Last year’s record: 15-1, Class B state champions Class/region: Class B Region 4 East Top returnees: Kelly O’Bryan, Sr.; Drew DeMers, Sr.; Holden Thieman, Sr.; Ty Bolton, Jr.; Riley Calhoon, Jr.; Carter Brickman, Jr.; Nick Lantz, Jr. Top newcomers: Levi McLanahan, Jr.; Jeremiah Yeaman, Jr.; Andrew Laprath, Jr.; Dalton Baker, Jr.; Joren Bruun, Fr.; Phil-

lip Jorgensen, Fr. Coach’s comments: “We expect to have a pretty competitive team again this year as we return 7 starters and 13 letterwinners from last year’s state championship team. We are blessed with a deep pitching staff and guys that are capable of playing multiple positions, which gives us different options and some needed versatility. We feel like we have lots of speed and are capable of playing the ‘small ball’ style pretty well, with solid pitchers who throw a ton of strikes and pretty good defense at all positions. We have lacked the power hitting that comes in handy in big games and are hopeful that some of the guys have matured physically and the hard work put in during the offseason will payoff for us. Our region looks to be competitive again with Platte and St. Thomas More as two ball clubs that we’ve battled with over the past few years, along with improved and athletic teams in Gregory, Bennett County, Chamberlain and Lead-Deadwood.

COYOTES COVER NEW TERRITORY IN PREP BASEBALL

Four schools join forces for high school team

By Marcus Traxler The Daily Republic WESSINGTON SPRINGS — High school baseball has found a new home in central South Dakota.

A prep baseball co-op involving four schools has formed for the 2017 season with the Central Dakota Area Coyotes. The co-op represents Highmore, Miller, Wessington

Springs and Woonsocket, spanning about 90 miles from one end to the other.

The team is operating jointly out of Wessington Springs and Miller, separated by 52 miles.

Those two towns are the home sites for the Coyotes’ home games and where the team has been practicing.

“It’s a big area we’re covering but so far, it’s been a great fit,” said Nathan Hainy, who is coaching the team. “It’s great that we have been able to continue giving these kids an opportunity to play baseball.”

The team has 38 players for its varsity and junior varsity squads, Hainy said, with about 20 of those players from Wessington Springs.

Both Miller and Woonsocket each have a handful of players and

Highmore accounts for a few players, as well. Faulkton was also included on the initial co-op application but ended up not having any potential players decide to participate.

“We were all sort of worried about having enough players but this has given the team a bit more security,” Hainy said, of the towns joining together.

The genesis of the new team started with Wessington Springs’ teener baseball teams, which had strong numbers in the 12-and-13, and 14-and15-year-old divisions. They were coached by Hainy and the players wanted to see if they could play spring baseball in 2017.

Hainy, a longtime amateur baseball player, ran into a friend from Miller after a game last

handful of co-ops. It stretches from Deuel/Clear Lake, Oldham/ Ramona/Rutland, Redfield Area and Wolsey-Wessington, almost making Central Dakota Area a natural fit.

The team is nicknamed the Coyotes, in part due to the team’s sponsorship from the South Dakota National Guard, which has a coyote on its crest.

The team’s uniforms include a sand camo color, which is yellowish brown.

Hainy said the team includes a lot of motivated players who are eager to help the team be successful.

“It’s nice to see this passion for the game,” he said. “You don’t have to beg kids to come to practice. They will come early and stay late and happy to have a group like that.”

season, and they came together with the idea of joining forces for a spring high school team.

Because of the distance, the team had been practicing in separate units, with Highmore and Miller players meeting in Miller and Wessington Springs and Woonsocket’s players meeting in Springs. In fact, until March 25, the team had not practiced together as one team and then traveled to Chamberlain the next day for their first game.

“We had about four hours together before we played our first game,” Hainy said. “And we meshed together pretty well.

They’re a good group that roots for each other.”

The team was placed in the North Division of Region II in Class B, a division that has a

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

APRIL 2017

13

His career nearing a crossroads, Mauer’s place in Twins history seems secure

Scott Takushi/St. Paul Pioneer Press

Infielder Joe Mauer runs through drills as the Minnesota Twins practice a day before their season opener at Target Field in Minneapolis, April 2, 2017. well as their top three in hits, runs and at-bats.

With 50 more doubles he will pass Kirby Puckett atop the Twins’ list and his 17th walk will leave him trailing only Killebrew.

Sixteen years after the Twins drafted him first overall out of Cretin-Derham Hall High School, Mauer’s place in franchise history seems secure.

“It continues to escalate,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “You accumulate tenure, and those discussions start to happen more frequently. The fact he’s been in there for that many Opening Days, that’s been good. He’s been a staple piece for us for a long time. Hopefully he’s got a few more in him.”

settled into an annual pattern of solid-but-unspectacular production, especially for a power-heavy position like first base.

Despite averaging 587 plate appearances over the past three years, his counting statistics (25 total homers) remain modest as do his rate measures. A .267 hitter since the concussion, Mauer also has seen his on-base percentage drop to .353 while his slugging percentage has settled in at .380.

Adjusted for ballpark, his combined OBP/slugging mark is just 3 percent above American League average, and just 5.8 of his 50.0 career wins above replacement (WAR) have been accumulated in that span, according to Base-

Contract in Context

Levine said this winter in one of his many public forums with Twins fans.

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“The reality is it’s tough to quantify what his salary is reflective of in terms of a contribution on the field,” Levine said. “The reality is what he’s accomplished in his career has put him in a position to earn the money he’s made right now. There certainly were seasons here in the context where he was grossly underpaid. …

“I think if we look back at his career, when it’s all said and done, I think we’ll all feel very com-

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fortable with how much he earned in his career, relative to what he contributed to this franchise, both as a player and what I’m quite certain he’ll do once he’s done playing.”

Blasted regularly on social media and local airwaves for what he no longer is and perhaps never was, Mauer still offers a unique skill-set and a left-handed swing that remains a thing of beauty.

“From a baseball perspective, he’s not the MVP candidate that he once was,” Levine said.

“He’s not the everyday catcher that he once was, which created an amazing competitive advantage for this franchise, but what I see him being right now is still a competitive advantage, insomuch as his approach to hitting.

“His patience at the plate is somewhat of a lost art right now. In this era where everyone is striking out 150-plus times in the name of trying to get 30 home runs, Joe Mauer still gets on base.”

Perhaps the key is to value what Mauer can still bring to the table for as long as he’s still in a Twins uniform.

“As a fan base we certainly never talked about his contract when he was a rookie performing at extremely high levels,” Levine said. “No one commented, like, ‘Whoa, this guy’s making the major league minimum.’

Perhaps we shouldn’t be as focused on it now either at the other bookend of his career. …

“I still see him as a productive player, and I try to do that somewhat blind and agnostic to how much we’re paying him because I think that’s when you start muddying the waters a little bit. I’m expecting

Sanborn Central

This much we know: Mauer remains under contract for two more seasons at a combined $46 million.

Having made it through a career-altering concussion in August 2013 and navigated a successful position change over the past three seasons, Mauer seems to have

Scotland

ball-Reference.com.

Over the previous nine years (2005-13), while winning three American League batting titles and making all six of his allstar appearances, Mauer averaged 4.8 WAR per season. A 5-WAR season is considered all-star quality, while a 2-WAR season is merely worthy of starting status.

This, not surprisingly, often leaves Mauer at the center of a spirited debate over his worth to the Twins’ franchise at this point in his career and in Year 7 of the eight-year, $184 million contract he signed in the wake of a 28-homer, MVP season in 2009.

“Obviously I have a ton of respect for what Joe Mauer has accomplished in his career,” Twins general manager Thad

R001783824

By Mike Berardino St. Paul Pioneer Press MINNEAPOLIS — When Joe Mauer trotted out to his position shortly before first pitch on Opening Day, pounded his right fist into his first baseman’s mitt and smoothed the Target Field dirt with his right foot in those calming semicircles, he ascended yet another rung up the ladder of Twins franchise history.

With his 13th Opening Day start in a Twins uniform, Mauer joined Harmon Killebrew, the beloved hall of famer who died in 2011, atop the Minnesota franchise list.

“I’m honored to be able to do that,” Mauer said during spring training. “It’s a big day. The excitement, the nerves, the emotion. It’s a new start. It’s a clean slate, and it doesn’t matter what you did last year, good or bad. So it’s exciting to see what this year will bring.”

Health would be the first wish, especially coming off a frustrating finish to a 103-loss season in 2016. Hobbled by a strained right quadriceps over the final seven weeks, it was a daily challenge just for Mauer to make it onto the field, something that happened in just 20 starts (94 plate appearances) over the final 43 games.

Set to turn 34 on April 19, Mauer is fresh off a Grapefruit League showing in which he reached base nearly half the time, stung a number of balls with authority and avoided any sort of physical setback.

Whether he will be able to maintain those good vibes all the way through his 14th big-league season remains to be seen.

First, however, there is the matter of taking his place alongside Killebrew and leaving Rod Carew and Kent Hrbek in a tie for second.

“That’s impressive,” said Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. “You don’t play that long and put up MVP-caliber numbers for a long time, but Joe finds a way to still be productive.”

With another full season, Mauer should move into the Twins’ top four in games played, passing Tony Oliva and Carew; as

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

14

APRIL 2017

Royals return key pieces in repeat bid Off prep title in ‘16, Winner/Colome brings back 13 letterwinners

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the uniform on. I think that’s a little early (to speculate) but these days it’s probably not early in anything.”

He smiled and gave the familiar Mauer nod that punctuates most of his answers.

“I’m excited for this year,” he said, “and we’ll go from there.”

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if he wanted to play into 2019, when he would turn 36.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I always look to the next season and try not to get too far ahead of that. I still have two years to go. I enjoy playing the game. I enjoy playing here in Minnesota.

I’m always excited to put

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The question then becomes, how excited is Mauer — really — to still be playing baseball at this phase of his career and life?

“Oh, man, we talk about it all the time,” Dozier said. “Joe’s Joe. He loves the game. He’s obviously a leader in this clubhouse. He’s been around.

He’s an icon in Minnesota. People are always (quick) to forget what all he’s accomplished in his career.”

But does Mauer, seemingly without the catching-related carrot of Cooperstown, still love the game enough to keep going beyond his current deal?

“I don’t want to speak for him in that regard as far as how long he wants to play, but he enjoys playing,” Dozier said.

“When you fall out of love

gets stirred by that. … I think for anybody that’s been around for awhile there’s a little bit of an incentive there, and it gets the adrenaline going, maybe at a little higher level.”

Asked in January if he’d ever been asked to waive his full no-trade clause, Mauer said he hadn’t, adding he was still glad to have that piece of leverage.

“Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “It’s part of the business. That’s the business side of it.”

With no indication of even preliminary talks regarding a contract extension, which undoubtedly would come at a deeply discounted rate, Mauer demurred when asked if he knew

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Two-Sided Monster

well people have admired his calmness and when he’s had a little more of challenging times they wonder where the passion is. It’s just one of those two-sided monsters, but I see the same guy.”

Five seasons of 90-plus losses in the past six years, including a 2016 season that marked the franchise’s highest loss total since the 1949 Washington Senators went 50-104, have proved as trying as one might expect.

“I talked to him this spring about the idea of how we’re going to get back on track and trying to win,” Molitor said. “In Joe’s quiet way, you can see there’s a part of him that really

that can go out there and throw strikes, keep the ball in play, stuff like that.”

O’Bryan will slide over from second base to shortstop and will also be the team’s leadoff hitter. He will replace shortstop Reed Harter, who was an allstater for the Royals last season

001128576r1

him to be a productive player. We have him for two more years. We’re excited about that.”

with the game and don’t enjoy it, that’s the time you hang it up, and he ain’t doing that anytime soon.”

Dozier, unlike a critical fan base, sees the amount of effort Mauer puts in each day, behind the scenes, to keep his body limber enough to play through nagging injuries and the other accrued dings of an endless bigleague summer.

“You can’t forget that for 10 years he was a catcher and that probably took a lot of toll on him,” Dozier said. “but at the same time he’s a veteran. He knows how to get his body where it needs to be before every day. Sometimes it might take longer. It’s a lot longer than some of these other young cats in here, but that’s all about being a veteran and knowing what you’ve got to do to perform that day, and he’s the best at that there is.”

Molitor offered a thin smile upon hearing the question about Mauer’s enjoyment of playing.

“Joe hasn’t changed much,” Molitor said. “I think when he’s played

ERA) as the team’s big-game pitcher.

“He would be the guy if we need a game to win — 2-1 — he will be the guy we would throw,” Weber said. “But a lot of those other games where you can just try to win — 6-4 — I feel like we have a lot of guys

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From Page 13

pitching depth.

O’Bryan, DeMers and juniors Ty Bolton, Riley Calhoon and Carter Brickman will anchor the pitching staff. Bolton and Brickman were also all-region performers. Bolton (1.19 ERA) was an all-stater.

Weber tabbed O’Bryan (2.23

and is now playing for Dakota Wesleyan University.

Weber said Winner/Colome will miss Harter’s infield stability, but he likes the versatility with Calhoon, juniors Dalton Baker, Jeremiah Yeaman and freshmen Phillip Jorgensen and Joren Bruun. Junior Levi McLanahan will also be back in the mix after missing last season due to an injury.

“We have some options and they would be like our ninthtype guy batting-wise,” Weber said. “We can do different things and see who is hitting the ball well and in high school, it is nice because you can DH for anybody. Maybe we have got a glove guy that we want somewhere and then we can hit with somebody else. We have some depth that gives us some options.”

Offensively, DeMers batted .444 last season and drove in 12 runs. Calhoon was close behind at .354 and had 15 RBI. Brickman (.317), junior Nick Lantz (.289), O’Bryan (.250) and Bolton (.220) will also add to the team’s offensive production.

Weber hopes to see more runs manufactured by players in the middle of the lineup.

“We have lacked the power hitting that comes in handy in big games and are hopeful that some of the guys have matured physically and the hard work put in during the offseason will payoff for us,” Weber said.

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MAURER

Republic file photo

Winner/Colome third baseman Carter Brickman prepares to throw to first base during the 2016 Class B state high school baseball tournament at Sioux Falls Stadium.

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By Ryan Deal The Daily Republic WINNER — Familiar faces abound for the Winner/Colome Royals.

The Royals, who won last year’s Class B state high school baseball title, return seven starters and 13 letterwinners in a quest to return to the top of the class.

Winner/Colome’s three seniors — Kelly O’Bryan, Drew DeMers and Holden Thieman — highlight the experienced Royals. The trio were all-region selections, while DeMers and Thieman were all-staters.

“Those are probably our three key guys, but we are pretty deep,” Winner/Colome coach Drew Weber said. “We have a lot of depth at different positions, too.”

Weber said despite all the returners, the team doesn’t feel any pressure and added they are used to facing expectations from other sports. Winner is coming off back-to-back Class 11B football titles, while Colome won the Class 9B football crown in the fall.

Now they want to have that same sustained success on the diamond.

“We want to be considered one of those top baseball programs,” Weber said. “There is a lot to prove for us, as we trying to build that reputation as a big baseball community.”

Weber said perhaps the biggest strength is the team’s

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

APRIL 2017

15

IN BASEBALL, A GOOD PITCH HAS A DIRTY SECRET: MUD

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 3, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; General view of a baseball before a game between the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park.

Wessington Springs

liff, 60, said he and his wife, Joanne, now sell about 2,000 pounds of mud each year, to every MLB team as well as to minor-league and college squads. The business has been in the family for three generations, ever since Blackburne passed it

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along to Bintliff’s grandfather, a close friend.

“There’s an art to harvesting mud,” Bintliff said. He usually wades knee-deep into the muck, which he said is on public land, and shovels near the surface. If he goes any deeper, the mud becomes

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erbank that sent water into the nearby Delaware River formed a natural goop with a thick, baseball-friendly consistency.

The magic mud soon spread through baseball’s American and then National leagues. Bint-

black and begins to smell.

To perfect his product, Bintliff ages the mud in 35-gallon trash cans for about six weeks before sending it on to buyers.

(A “personal size” halfpound container of mud sells for $24.) Each MLB team gets 12 pounds for spring training and the regular season, he said.

Dan Wallin, the Nats’ equipment manager, said it takes him or a clubhouse assistant about 45 minutes to rub the mud on the 12 dozen baseballs that are prepared for a game. Applying the brown stuff can “make it harder for a hitter to see the ball,” he said, so he and his staff try to find a nice middle ground “where the pitchers like it and the hitters don’t complain.”

Rawlings, a sporting-goods company that makes all of the handstitched baseballs used in MLB games, is working on a new ball “that is easier to grip and does not require rubbing with mud,” according to an MLB spokesman. The experimental ball “would change things” for Lena Blackburne, Bintliff said, but in the past decade, he’s also found surprising new customers: pro football teams.

The National Football League did not immediately answer a request for comment, but Bintliff said that about half of NFL teams buy Lena Blackburne mud to help their players grip the ball.

So his business, which he plans to pass along to a daughter, may not dry up anytime soon.

001467260r1

the balls’ leather, turned it black or simply smelled bad. Blackburne, a thirdbase coach and former infielder, began using a better product in the late 1930s: mud that he found near his childhood home of Palmyra, New Jersey, where the slope of a riv-

001468067r1

By Harrison Smith The Washington Post A few times each fall, before the ground freezes and the air gets too cold, Jim Bintliff takes a shovel and buckets down to the banks of a muddy river in southern New Jersey. He’s there to harvest mud — odorless and pudding-like, with a chocolate color to match — that has become as much a part of Major League Baseball as Cracker Jack and batting helmets.

His Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud is applied to every baseball used in a big-league game, to help pitchers grip the ball better as they launch it toward home plate.

“When fresh baseballs come out of the box, they’re quite slick. For a pitcher, that equals danger,” says Shawn Kelley, a Washington Nationals reliever. “If a pitcher were to throw a brandnew baseball, most would tell you they couldn’t be assured that it would even end up over the plate.”

In August 1920, Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman died after being hit in the head by a pitch from Carl Mays, a New York Yankees righthander. It was the first and only time in MLB history that a player has been killed by a pitch, and it led the league to look for new ways to protect batters and improve pitch accuracy.

Balls began to be rubbed with mud, clay, shoe polish or tobacco juice, but the homemade mixtures often damaged

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

16

APRIL 2017

MITCHELL GOLF COURSES PREP FOR NEW SEASON

Lakeview adds new short course, tweaks clubhouse

Republic file photo

A tee box marker is shown during the 2016 Class AA state girls golf tournament at Lakeview Golf Course in Mitchell. playing from the traditional tees where it is obviously a little bit longer,” Hieb said. “It gets the beginners, the kids a chance to get out there

and kind of enjoy golf a little bit more.”

Hieb said it adds something different to the course and it also intrigues more people to

give golf a try.

“Golf is obviously one of the toughest sports to not necessarily catch onto, but it is one of the toughest sports to get

FUEL UP

Best of luck to all this season!

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taken off of the back nine on the course.

“Until the weather gets out of the 20’s at night, then we can get those pulled off and get that opened up,” Wild Oak manager Dave Backlund Jr. said. “At least next week, just by the way the forecast is looking.”

The fees and memberships at the courses are similar to recent years.

Lakeview is offering $495 for a single, $720 for couples and $795 for a family membership.

Green fees are $25 for nine holes and $41 for 18 holes, with a cart included.

Wild Oak is offering monthly rates of $49.99 for a single, $59.99 for couples and $69.99 for a family membership, which includes membership in the Great Life chain of courses. Green fees are $26 for nine holes and $43 for 18 holes, with a cart included.

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By Ryan Deal The Daily Republic Lakeview Municipal Golf Course will have a shorter look to it in 2017.

Mitchell’s 18-hole golf course on the northwest edge of town has added a “short course,” as Lakeview clubhouse manager Eric Hieb calls it. The course has the same layout, but the front nine has orange tee markers that serve as tee boxes for the shorter course.

Hieb said it is basically like a par-three course, with a few par fives.

“Basically just for guys to come shoot lower scores and enjoy the game a little bit more with that short course, instead of

good at,” Hieb said. “If you are starting golf right away — instead of going out to the course — you can play these short ones to kind of get acquainted with the course.”

In addition to the shorter course, Lakeview has also tweaked its clubhouse setup, enclosing its north patio area and putting new siding on the building.

Golfers are slowly getting acquainted with both Mitchell courses again, but they are at the mercy of the weather. Lakeview Municipal Golf Course and Wild Oak Golf Course have both had golfers getting their swings in recent weeks.

But the unpredictable South Dakota weather has kept them from both being officially open for business on a consistent basis.

The front nine at Wild Oak is open and the green covers recently were

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