PRESS & DAKOTAN n PLAIN TALK FALL SPORTS 2015 n PAGE 13 Gayville-Volin’s four returning state meet competitors (left) Laura Nelson (43), Eliana Clark (39), Megan Hirsch and Genevieve Clark. Taming The Tigers Boys XC Charlie Long • Dakota Valley After Three Straight Runner-Up Finishes, The Gayville-Volin Girls Look To End Ipswich’s Five-Year Reign At The Top Of Class B BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK James.cimburek@yankton.net In the early 1980s, Hoven finished second in three straight South Dakota State Class B girls’ cross country team races. Two years later it began a string of five straight state titles. In the early 2000s, Ipswich finished second in three of four years. Six years later, they began a string of five straight state titles, a streak that is still active. For the past three seasons, the Gayville-Volin girls have taken second behind the Tigers. This year they want to tame those Tigers and add the program’s firstever cross country team title to what is already an impressive trophy case for the Raiders. The Raiders, who return three state placewinners and four state qualifiers from their 2014 squad, begin that quest with the Beresford Invitational on Friday. Not only due the Raiders boast three returning placewinners, but two former state champions: Senior Genevieve Clark and junior Laura Nelson each won state as a freshman, the second and third individual champions in school history. Nelson was second to Ipswich’s Macy Heinz last season, with Clark placing 12th. “These girls have gone to state since they were seventh graders,” Buffington said, noting that junior Megan Hirsch (29th) and sophomore Elianna Clark (20th) have also made multiple state meet trips. “No matter what happens this year, it’s fun to be in the discussion.” What has made the Raiders an interesting factor in the team discussion is the fact that three of the team’s four returning state placewinners are also a part of a Gayville-Volin volleyball squad that has crushed the Raider record books the past two seasons. All four compete in basketball, a program that made its first-ever state tournament appearance in 2013. “These same girls have been in the hunt in volleyball and basketball, and they’ve been on the podium on cross country and track,” Buffington said. “They have never shied away from a challenge.” In contrast, none of Ipswich’s five state meet competitors last season competed in volleyball. What has allowed Gayville-Volin to pull off the feat is not only a cooperative coach but one whose practice style meshes with the cross country team’s. “We have three two-sport (cross country and volleyball) runners, and Coach (Amy) Westrum has worked with us,” Buffington said. “We have one of the most fit volleyball teams around.” While the Raiders are working hard to try to earn the program’s first title, the runners understand that – even if they don’t win this year – they can add to an already-impressive resume. “If we get it, we get it. It all depends on the day,” said Genevieve Clark. “I’m not going to cry if we don’t get it.” Alcester-Hudson Avon Jacia Christiansen • Viborg-Hurley (left) Elianna Clark • Gayville-Volin (right) COACH: Beth Dykstra VITALS: Class B, Region 3 RETURNING: Heidi Cap (Sr., team MVP); Kylen Swanson (So., voted team’s most inspirational) NEWCOMERS: Ali Sees (7th); Emily Harms (8th) 800 Summit St. Yankton, SD 665-1085 2410 Broadway Ave., Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 665-8717 3212 Peninah St. Yankton, SD 605-665-1088 Menno COACH: Cindee Evenson VITALS: Class B, Region 3, Cornbelt Conference LAST YEAR: The Wolves sent one runner, Logan Klaudt, to state. RETURNING: Logan Klaudt (Fr., state qualifier), Joe Grassmid (8th) NEWCOMERS: Tyler Massey Joe Sees • Irene-Wakonda RETURNING: Lucas Johnson (Sr.); Logan Hansen (Jr.); Logan Slack (Jr.); Jacob Voss (So.) Parker Follow @JCimburek on Twitter. Beresford COACH: Bill Hanson VITALS: Class B, Region 2, Tri-Valley Conference Viborg-Hurley COACH: Matt Coy (7th season) ASSISTANT: Dawn Coggins (3rd year) VITALS: Class A, Region 3, Dakota XII Conference RETURNERS: Ashlynn Atwood (Jr., 17th state meet); Cait Savey (So., 26th state meet); Grace Quartier (Fr., 65th state meet); Julia Mochel (Sr., 74th state meet); Caitlin Worth (Jr., 91st state meet); Kendra Schapp (Jr., 113th state meet); Hannah Ebert (So., state meet qualifier) NEWCOMERS: Emma Hepner (Fr.); Faith Weiland (Fr.); Katie Knutson (8th); Sabrina Swee (8th) Ankeny Construction (Sr.), Koleman Mattheis (Sr.), Preston Engbrecht (Fr.), David Larson (Fr.), Danny Cremer (8th), Jamison Lundy (8th) COACH: Phil Bjorneberg VITALS: Class B, Region 2, Big East Conference RETURNING: Blake Olson (Fr.), Nick Thon (Fr.), Mace Plucker (8th) S.D. GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY COACH: LeeAnn Haisch VITALS: Class B, Region 2, TriValley Conference RETURNING: Kendra Jensen (Fr., 22nd at state) NEWCOMERS: Julie Dickau (So.); Elena Waite (Fr.); Ashley Weddle (Fr.); Kara Weddle (Fr.); Jorden Rasmussen (7th) FROM PAGE 12 I EXIST Wagner COACH: Thomas Cartney (1st year) VITALS: Class A, Region 3, Southeast South Dakota Conference NEWCOMERS: Keegan Alderink (So.); Curtis Jensen (8th); Tony Bruguier (8th); Malcolm Janis (7th); Michael Barnett (7th); Brady Lhotak (7th) TO ASSIST Call me for help with your insurance and financial services needs. Auto. Home. Life. Bank. GIRLS’ XC | PAGE 14 “Memorials of Distinction” Roy Wilcox, Agent 200 W 4th ST Yankton, SD 57078 Bus: 605-665-7140 roy.d.wilcox.b6fp@statefarm.com Home office 1609 Broadway, Yankton, SD 1-800-888-1407 (605) 665-3052 1408589 State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL FULLY EQUIPPED. FULLY EXPERIENCED. 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