PAGE 6: SPRING SPORTS 2016 PRESS & DAKOTAN PLAIN TALK NEBRASKA BOYS’ GOLF COACH: Gary Eisenhauer ASSISTANT: Chip Bartos VITALS: District C-3, Lewis & Clark Conference LAST YEAR: The squad qualified one golfer for state, Quinn O’Brien, who graduated. Two other varsity golfers graduated. RETURNING: Cole Fiedler (Sr.), Aiden Kleinschmidt (Sr.), McGwire Mackeprang (Jr.), Wilson Wagner (Jr.), Mitchell Mackeprang (Jr.) Creighton COACH: Gary Hammer ASSISTANT: Susan Largen VITALS: Class D, Lewis & Clark Conference LAST SEASON: The Bulldogs finished second in their district and third at state. Gone from that squad is Connor Baldwin. RETURNING: Chase Largen (So., 10th at state); Cole Wetzler (Sr., 15th at state); Brady Brockhaus (So.); Ryan Neumann (Jr.); Josh Borgmann (Sr.); Alec Zimmerer (So.); Bailey Zimmerer (Jr.) NEWCOMERS: Bryce Zimmerer (Fr.); Cameron Tyler (Fr.); J.D. Kuhlman (Fr.) Crofton ANDES CENTRAL-DAKOTA CHRISTIAN: J.J. Cooney Cooney Set For Senior Season, Title Defense BY ROGELIO RODRIGUEZ sports@yankton.net Jonathan James (J.J) Cooney of Andes CentralDakota Christian has been around a golf course practically his entire life. “He would ride in golf cart with me about the time he learned to walk,” Tom Cooney, head golf coach at Andes Central-Dakota Christian and father to J.J, said. Given his background and upbringing, it is no surprise then that J.J is preparing for his senior season as the defending class B golf state champion. J.J has been coached by his father since he was in junior high. “It’s a pretty cool thing, watching your son get better as a golfer and young man,” Coach Cooney said. Cooney has had much to watch as his son has qualified for state five years in a row beginning in eighth grade. As a sophomore, J.J placed fourth at state and followed that up with a state championship a year later. “He’s been working hard in the off season even though season is still a ways out,” Cooney said. Being the defending champion does come with some unwanted attention, and having made so many appearances at state does not help. “It puts a target on his back, there are a lot of good golfers and they will put up a challenge,” Coach Cooney said. Including J.J, Cooney has two golfers under him whom he feels are able to compete at the varsity level. “I don’t believe in putting someone in a position where they will not be successful,” Coach Cooney said. J.J seems to be the prime example of that philosophy. Qualifying for state five years straight is not something that many can attest to. With this being his senior year, both coach Cooney and J.J will be looking to make this season a memorable one. “I’m proud of him, he works hard, his success has little to do with me and more to do with his work ethic at practice,” Coach Cooney said. J.J and Andes Central-Dakota Christian will play their first match of 2016 on April 8 in Mitchell. Follow @RogelioUlisesR on Twitter S.D. BOYS’ GOLF COACH: Steve Hale ASSISTANT: Hillary McNamara VITALS: Region 3B, TriValley Conference RETURNING: Zach Ronning (state qualifier), Grant Johnson (state qualifier), Mitchell Johnson, Nick Johannssen Dakota Christian 4B 915 Cornell Street Vermillion, SD 57069 COACH: Tom Cooney ASSISTANT: Jeremy Boer VITALS: Class B, Region NEWCOMER: Emily Iverson (Fr.) GAYVILLE-VOLIN RAIDERS Avon 605-624-7000 COACH: Rick Eisenhauer ASSISTANT: Pat Svec VITALS: Niobrara Valley Conference RETURNING: Brandon Ausmus (Jr., letterwinner); Bryce Stark (So., letterwinner) NEWCOMERS: Christian Swalley (So.); Dakota Crosley Beresford COACH: Jay Weber ASSISTANT: Jeff Haenfler VITALS: Region 4 RETURNING: John Kopp (Sr.), Slater Brodeen (Jr.), James Schuurmanns (So.), Tyler Kopp (Fr.), Max Moch (Fr.), Riley Wiebango (Fr.), Logan Schuurmanns (8th), Landan Pudwill (8th), Carter Fillaus (8th) Professional Grade Service COACH: Don Maxwell VITALS: Class C, District C-2, Lewis & Clark Conference RETURNING: Billy Barelman (Sr.); Ethan Gubbels (Sr.); Connor Cross (Sr.); Trey Erwin (Jr.); Zach Dietrich (So.); Logan Hansen (So.); Garrett Taylor (So.) NEWCOMERS: Hunter Pehrson (Fr.); Karson Klooz (Fr.); Evan Urwiler (Fr.); Justin Kinkaid (Fr.); Brian Potts (Fr.); Trent Lubberstadt (Fr.) COACH: Steve Hale COACH: Jay Weber ASSISTANT: Hillary McASSISTANT: Jeff Haenfler Namara VITALS: Class B, Region VITALS: Region 3B, Tri4B Valley Conference RETURNING: Karli JohnRETURNING: Calli Conson (So.), Sammy Schryuers stance (state qualifier), Emily (Jr.) Ronning, Brigetta Rasmussen, Holly Van Wyke RETURNING: J.J. Cooney (Sr., 2015 Class B champion); Drew Veurink (Sr.); Jeremiah Mitchell (Jr.); Micah Mitchell (Fr.) NEWCOMER: Jacob Maynard (Fr.) Bon Homme COACH: Mike Johnson VITALS: Class C, District C-3, Mid-State Conference LAST SEASON: The Trojans graduated Brad Kathol and Adam Leise, both of which were part of the state tournament roster. RETURNING: Sam Anderson (Sr., state qualifier, 4th at Randolph Inv.); Colton Schieffer (Sr.); Capp Benston (Jr., state qualifier); Reggie Miller (Jr., alternate for state); Matthew Schaefer (So., state qualifier, 6th at Pierce Inv.) NEWCOMERS: Koby Lammers (Sr.); Kelby Schommer (Jr.); Levi Arens (So.); Reid Arens (So.); Jason Becker (So.); Sam Feilmeier (So.); Dylan Keuhn (So.); Quinn Paulsen (So.); Tomas Kathol (Fr.); Nolan Klug (Fr.) Coleridge COACH: Adam Simington ASSISTANT: Kari Lowe VITALS: Class C, District C-2, Lewis & Clark Conference RETURNING: Tanner Perkins (Sr., medaled in all but one regular season meet); Holden Schweers (Sr.); Tim Hayes (Sr.); Jack Charlson (Jr.); Casey Brentlinger (So., medaled in three meets); Jacob Anderson (So.); Jay Brockhaus (So.); Max Masin (So.); Logan Kingsbury (So., medaled in one meet) NEWCOMERS: Evan Anderson (Fr.); Jayde Reid (Fr.); Cole Richards (Fr.); Livy Eifert (Fr.); Andrew McLean (Fr.) COACH: Ken Kneifl VITALS: District C3, Lewis and Clark Conference LAST YEAR: The Hartington-Newcastle boys golf team graduated five seniors last year, including state qualifier Kolby Jueden. Chase Dendinger, Derck Jueden, Cole Fischer, and Ethan Mortan were the other four seniors. RETURNING: Caleb Kalin (So.), Jacob Gothier (Jr.), Ryder Haug (Sr.). NEWCOMERS: Logan Buschkamp (Fr.), Ethan Lammers (Fr.). Avon COACH: Tom Cooney ASSISTANT: Jeremy Boer VITALS: Class B, Region COACH: Drew Lawrence ASSISTANT: Matt Aarstad VITALS: Class A, Region 4A, Little Valley Missouri Conference, Southeast South Dakota Conference Hartington Cedar Catholic Newcastle (So.); Joseph Moose (So.); Matt Mozak (So.); Alexsis Hrbek (So.); Kendra Hrbek (So.); Bailey Frank (Fr.) Ponca Randolph COACH: Rob Engel VITALS: Class D, District D-3, Lewis & Clark Conference LAST YEAR: The Cardinals graduated one state qualifier, Katie Fye, the only female qualified in Class D. She placed 86th. RETURNING: Mason Stubbs (Jr., won four events, including L&C and districts; fourth at state); Andrew Schnoor (Jr., second at state in playoff); Cade Linville (Jr., 15th at state); Logan Nordhues (Jr., 48th at state); Grant Brunssen (Sr., part-time varsity player last season); Judson Hixon (So.) NEWCOMER: Denton Kuhl (Sr.) S.D. GIRLS’ GOLF Dakota Christian 4B COACH: Barb Bowers ASSISTANT: Allen Arens VITALS: Class C, District C-3, Mid-State Conference LAST SEASON: The Warriors graduated four golfers, including MSC champion and two-time state qualifier Brock Mueller. Brent Evans, Josh Goeden and Ronnie Ausdemore also graduated. RETURNING: Justin Mueller (Sr.); Turner Dahl (Sr.); Justin Goeden (Jr.); Justis Hoffart (Jr.) NEWCOMERS: Connor Dahl (Fr.); Logan Leader (Fr.); Hunter Neuhalfen (Fr.); Levi Suing (Fr.) CEDAR CATHOLIC: Colton Schieffer Track & Field Mar. 29................................Dan Lennon Apr. 7 .... Turner Co. Relays (Centerville) Apr. 12 .........Rotary Relays (Centerville) Apr. 19 ............... Tri-State Inv. (Gayville) Apr. 28 ......Great Plains Conf. (Gayville) Apr. 29 ....First Dakota Relays (Yankton) May 3 .......Don Diede Relays (Freeman) May 6 ...................... O’Gorman Inv. (SF) May 10 ........................TVC (Centerville) May 19 ................. Region 5B (Scotland) May 27-28................. State (Sioux Falls) BON HOMME: Alec Johnson LAST YEAR: The Cavaliers Carter Libis (8th, state qualigraduated Andrew Roland, fier) who placed 15th at state. RETURNING: Alec Johnson (Jr., 3rd at state); Tyler Kaul (Sr., 67th at state); SD BOYS | PAGE 7 CRWS Clay Rural Water System CROSBY-JAEGER FUNERAL HOME INC. Avon, SD 119 N. Poplar St. Wagner, SD 124 E. Hwy 50 384-3781 Springfield, SD 604 8th St. 369-2488 Jim & Julie Jaeger and Chad Peters Golf Apr. 5 ................................... Crofton Inv. Apr. 14 ....................SESDSS (Fox Run) Apr. 27 ...... Gayville-Volin Inv. (Fox Run) May 3 ...................................... Baltic Inv. May 6 .......................Irene-Wakonda Inv. May 11 ........................... TVC (Fox Run) May 17 .................. Alcester-Hudson Inv. May 31 ..............Region 3B (Sioux Falls) June 6-7..................... State (Rapid City) (8th), Kaylee Schaap (8th), Summer Roelke (8th), Jordon Johnson (8th), Katie Knutson (8th), Alicia Carlson (8th), Emilee Spangler (8th), Brooklyn Upton (8th), Breanna Upton (8th) Bon Homme COACH: Drew Lawrence ASSISTANT: Matt Aarstad COACH: Jerry Carda VITALS: Class A, Region VITALS: Class A, Region 4A, Little Valley Missouri 2A, Dakota XII Conference RETURNING: Sadie Jensen Conference, Southeast South Dakota Conference (Sr.), Sydney McKee (So.), RETURNING: Maloree Aerica Schroeder (So.), Lamphear (So.), Jessica Chloe Voegeli (So.), Elizabeth Cordell (Fr.) SD GIRLS | PAGE 7 NEWCOMERS: Kaydence Van Amber (7th), Nikita Renken (8th), Lia Erlandson IRENE-WAKONDA WAGNER RED RAIDERS Track & Field Apr. 5 ..............E-P Early Bird (Parkston) Apr. 12 ........................... Wagner Relays Apr. 15 .....................................Avon Inv. Apr. 22 .... Jim Flevares Relays (Tyndall) May 3 ..........................LMVC (Parkston) May 10 ...........................SESD (Winner) May 13 ............Trojan Relays (Parkston) May 19 ...................Region 5A (Hartford) May 27-28...State (Madison/Sioux Falls) Girls’ Golf Apr. 14 ....................SESDSS (Fox Run) Apr. 19 ....... Mount Vernon Inv. (Mitchell) Apr. 29 ..... Gregory/Burke Inv. (Gregory) May 6 .......Avon/Scotland Inv. (Scotland) May 13 .............Burke/Platte Inv. (Burke) May 16 ............................. Vermillion Inv. May 19 ........................S.F. Christian Inv. May 20 .. Avon/Bon Homme Inv. (BHCC) May 24 .............Pre-Region 3A (Mitchell) May 31 ................... Region 4B (Mitchell) June 6-7...................State (Hot Springs) EAGLES Track & Field Apr. 5 ................................. Scotland Inv. Apr. 7 .... Turner Co. Relays (Centerville) Apr. 12 .........Rotary Relays (Centerville) Apr. 19 ............... Tri-State Inv. (Gayville) Apr. 22 .... Jim Flevares Relays (Tyndall) Apr. 29 ....First Dakota Relays (Yankton) May 3 .......Don Diede Relays (Freeman) May 6 ...................... O’Gorman Inv. (SF) May 6-7........Howard Wood Relays (SF) May 10 ........................TVC (Centerville) May 19 ................. Region 5B (Scotland) May 27-28................. State (Sioux Falls) Golf Apr. 8 .............Class B Classic (Mitchell) Apr. 14 ....................SESDSS (Fox Run) Apr. 19 .................................. Parker Inv. Apr. 26 ..................... at Alcester-Hudson Apr. 27 ...... Gayville-Volin Inv. (Fox Run) May 3 ...................................... Baltic Inv. May 6 .......................Irene-Wakonda Inv. May 11 ........................... TVC (Fox Run) May 17 .................. Alcester-Hudson Inv. May 23 .......Pre-Region 3B (Sioux Falls) May 31 ..............Region 3B (Sioux Falls) June 6-7..................... 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