PAGE 2 PLAIN TALK • PRESS & DAKOTAN ? WINTER SPORTS 2015 Golden Pursuit Yankton’s Spencer Huber tries to turn over an opponent during a match in the 2014-15 season. Huber, who became the Bucks’ all-time leader in victories early in the 2015-16 season, has high expectations for his senior campaign. Record In Hand, Huber Aims For Gold pencer Huber will be honest with you. He’ll tell you that any records he sets are likely to be broken. And sometime soon. Part of that is his humility; his soft-spoken nature. But most of that admission is him being honest. Huber, the senior wrestler at Yankton High School, entered this season needing four wins to break the program record for career victories. While he has yet to reach his ultimate goal of a state championship, Huber will nonetheless graduate next spring as the most successful wrestler in Yankton history. And yes, he says, he realizes it’s partly due to the availability of more matches these days “I think coming up, there will be guys looking at that,” Huber said. “There are going to be more matches that I’ve been getting, so I think I’m setting the new records at this new style.” Huber came into the season with a career record of 142-37, well within reach of Nick Smith’s mark of 145-5. Huber – like every wrestler these days – has, however more triangulars, quadrangulars and tournaments, rather than mostly dual meets. That means he gets more matches. For example, Smith – who won four state titles – would typically get one match on every date. Huber, meanwhile, typically gets 2-3 matches each date. During Smith’s senior season, he went 39-0, while Huber last season went 47-4. It certainly doesn’t mean Huber’s record will be any less impressive, it just means, he said, that it will present younger wrestlers with a similar opportunity if they stick with it. “The younger kids can see that,” Huber said. “They know they’ll have more matches, and know they’ll have opportunities to beat mine.” It’s an example that goes far beyond wins, according to his coach. One look at a pre-season practice would show you that Huber is the unquestioned leader of his team. He was the first one to go through the various warmups and techniques. “He’s not a guy that does only what he has to do,” firstyear head coach Riley Smith said. “If it gets easy, he finds a way to make it hard, and keep pushing.” All the while maintaining his quiet persona. Off the mat, at least, Smith points out. “He’s quieter, he doesn’t go out and showboat,” the coach said. “He’s a lead by example person. “He’s one in the room that you watch what he’s doing, it’s something that every single wrestler should be trying to do.” On the mat, though, Huber’s performance contrasts with his demeanor. He came into the season needing 15 pins to break that record in Yankton history, proof that Huber isn’t afraid to get physical in a physical sport. After a 48-20 start over the first two seasons of his varsity career, Huber has taken off the last two seasons. His record in that span? Ninetyfour wins and 17 losses. He finished third at 126 pounds at last season’s Class A state tournament. “I’m definitely getting more aggressive on the mat,” Huber said. “I used to be a wrestle-not-to-lose kind of guy, but now I’m wrestling to win.” Follow @jhoeck on Twitter Story By Jeremy Hoeck • Press & Dakotan • jeremy.hoeck@yankton.net In This Issue Wrestling Feature: Spencer Huber ........................... 2 Season Preview: Yankton .......................... 3 Feature: Riley Smith ................................. 4 Events To Watch ....................................... 6 Team Capsules: Nebraska........................ 6 Team Capsules: South Dakota ................. 7 Season Preview: Vermillion......................12 Boys’ Basketball Season Preview: Yankton .......................... 3 Boys/Girls Events To Watch ...................... 8 Season Preview: Vermillion......................11 Feature: Gabe King .................................13 Team Capsules: South Dakota .......... 13-15 Team Capsules: Nebraska................. 15-16 Gymnastics Season Preview: Yankton .......................... 5 Team Capsules: South Dakota ................. 9 Season Preview: Vermillion......................11 Bowling Season Preview: Yankton .......................... 6 Season Preview: Vermillion......................12 Girls’ Basketball Yankton Twitter Press & Dakotan Sports @YanktonSports James D. Cimburek @JCimburek Jeremy Hoeck @jhoeck Ben Hegge @bigheadbenny13 Rogelio Rodriguez @RogelioUlisesR Dylan Huggins @dugg23 Michael Hammond @michaelhammond_ Hockey General Contacts Phone: 605-665-7811 Season Preview: Yankton Boys ................. 5 Season Preview: Yankton Girls JV ............ 5 Vermillion Plain Talk Area Calendars Elyse Brightman Crofton ............................................................ 10 Hartington-Newcastle ..................................... 11 General Contacts Hartington Cedar Catholic .............................. 11 Niobrara-Verdigre ........................................... 12 Avon................................................................ 13 Centerville....................................................... 13 Bon Homme ................................................... 14 Freeman ......................................................... 15 Viborg-Hurley.................................................. 16 Gayville-Volin .................................................. 16 Irene-Wakonda ............................................... 17 Andes Central-Dakota Christian ..................... 17 Menno............................................................. 18 Scotland.......................................................... 19 Composite Schedule .................................18-20 FREE Truck & Driver With Move-In N. 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