PAGE 17 FALL SPORTS 2016 Nelson, Heinz Turn Mutual Respect Into Friendship BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK James.cimburek@yankton.net When Ipswich’s Macy Heinz and Gayville-Volin’s Laura Nelson line up against each other at the Beresford Invitational today (Aug. 26), it won’t be a battle of bitter rivals. More like a matchup against friends … who want to finish ahead of each other. The two seniors have gone against each other in major races since their seventh grade seasons and, as they enter their final cross country season, have seen respect develop into friendship. “It first started off as respect,” said Heinz, the 2014 Class B champion. “Since we raced against each other so many times, we started talking after races. We’ve grown to be really close. It’s grown into a really good friendship.” The two would have plenty of reasons not to like each other. In three of her four state meet finishes — Heinz dropped out of the 2015 meet due to injury — she finished behind a Gayville-Volin run, twice behind 2012 champ Genny Clark (now at Mount Marty) and once behind both Clark and Nelson, the 2013 champ. Nelson finished behind Heinz in 2014 and Heinz’s teammate, Aleah Steger, in 2015. Ipswich also relegated the Raiders to second in 2012, 2013 and 2014, part of the Ipswich’s Macy Heinz shakes the hand of Gayville-Volin’s Laura Nelson (152) after Heinz edged out Nelson for the 3200-meter run title at the 2016 South Dakota State Track Meet. The pair, each with a state cross country title on their resumes, have been racing against each other since the seventh grade and have developed a friendship over the years. Tigers’ string of six straight titles and counting. “Like Buff (Gayville-Volin coach Larry Buffington) says, ‘There’s a bigger picture to all this. Some day you might be working together in the operating room or something,’” Nelson said. “It’s much greater than the wins and losses. It’s about the relationships you build.” Ipswich head coach Todd Thorson has been as impressed with Nelson’s demeanor off the course as her accomplishments on it. “Laura has a really good character,” he said. “You can tell when an athlete loves the sport.” Heinz has been impressive off the course as well. When Heinz won the 3200-meter run at the South Dakota State Track Meet this past May, she pulled Nelson and third place finisher Ellie Coyle of Philip, now at the University of South Dakota, up to the top of the awards stand after the medals presentation so that the three could take a photo together. “It was so touching,” Nelson said. “She embraced us up there, and we were all just smiling.” That win — along with her wins in the 1600, 800 and 400 — gave a happy ending to a frustrating junior season. “Last year she broke her tailbone during that race,” Thorson said, referring to the 2015 Beresford Invitational cross country meet, the season opener. “Insurance didn’t let her do a MRI for 10 weeks, so the MRI was after state.” Heinz missed much of the season, and tried to run in the state cross country meet but had to drop out. Her team still won the title, with Steger earning medalist honors. “During track season she as maybe at 85 percent,” Thorson said. Heinz estimated her health at 75 to 80 percent. “For her to do what she did at state was incredible.” With her health now at 100 percent, Heinz is more than excited to cut loose in her first meet of her senior season. “The great thing about the first meet of the season is that you don’t have anything riding on it,” she said. “You can take risks. You can go for it.” Thorson said that you can see Heinz’s excitement in practice. “She’s always liked to train,” he said. “But she really loves it right now. You can see that she’s so happy to be out there.” And while Heinz is excited to race, she’s also excited to compete against a good friend. “I love racing her,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it.” Nelson is looking forward to the meeting as well. “She is one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet,” Nelson said. “It’s cool just to run with someone of that caliber, but also has the heart like that.” Follow @JCimburek on Twitter. S.D. GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY Alcester-Hudson NEWCOMER: Madison Stark COACH: LeeAnn Haisch VITALS: Class B, Region 2, Tri-Valley Conference ROSTER: Kara Weddle (Jr.); Kendra Jensen (So.); Elena Waite (So.); Rachel Kelderman (Fr.); Janelle Dickau (8th) Ethan-Parkston COACH: Jared Digmann ASSISTANT: Eric Aisenbrey VITALS: Class A, Region 3 ROSTER: Chloe Wegehaupt (Jr.); Jessica Endres (So.); Callie Hohn (So.); Lexy Leischner (So.); Kate Oberembt (So.); Morgan Hinckley (8th); Maelie Culbert (7th); Lindsey Roth (7th) Beresford COACH: Matt Coy ASSISTANT: Dawn Coggins VITALS: Class A, Region 4, Dakota XII Conference LAST YEAR: The Watchdogs won conference and region titles, and finished second at the state meet. RETURNING: Cait Savey (Jr., seventh at state); Ashlynn Atwood (Sr., 15th at state); Caitlin Worth (Sr.); Grace Quartier (So.); Sabrina Swee (Fr.); Kendra Schaap (Sr.); Hannah Ebert (Jr.); Gabrielle Engbarth (8th); Laura Bogue (8th) Freeman COACH: Rory Hermsen VITALS: Class B, Region 3, Cornbelt Conference LAST YEAR: The Flyers won the Region 3B title and took 13th place at the state meet. Gone from that team are three runners. RETURNING: Hannah Eberts (So.), Dayna Roth (So.), Sarah Wipf (So.), Emmarie Edwards (Fr.), Isabel Sayler (Fr.), Mara Anderson (Fr.), Sydney Jensen (Fr.) NEWCOMERS: Cara Maske (8th) Bon Homme COACH: Kris Lavalle VITALS: Class A, Region 3, Southeast South Dakota Conference LAST YEAR: Bon Homme lost two runners from last season’s team. RETURNING: Paige Eddy (Jr.); Madi Hall (So.) Dakota Valley COACH: Tiffany Wendling ASSISTANT: Phil Breed VITALS: Class A, Region 3, Beresford’s Cait Savey (306) Dakota XII Conference RETURNING: Marissa Schulz (Sr., 12th at state) NEWCOMERS: Lexus Hill (Jr.); Eryn Sandwell (Jr.); Nichole Dial (Jr.); Erica Okine (So.); Lexie Klemme (7th) Elk Point-Jefferson COACH: Kelly Haberling VITALS: Class A, Region 3, Dakota XII Conference LAST YEAR: The Huskies will have three letterwinners back, including All-Conference runner Robin Stark. RETURNING: Robin Stark (All-Conference); Kylee Donnelly, Emma Scarmon, Emily Hanze Freeman AcademyMarion COACHES: Suzanne Koerner, Jerry Kippes VITALS: Class B, Region 3, Tri-Valley Conference RETURNING: Jessica Sun (So.) NEWCOMERS: Tiana Schroeder (Sr.), Kristen Wieman (8th), Alivea Weber (7th), Alyssa Dent (7th) Gayville-Volin COACH: Larry Buffington ASSISTANT: Gene Bormann VITALS: Class B, Region 2, Tri-Valley Conference LAST YEAR: The Raiders finished fourth at the state meet, the program’s fifth consecutive year in the top-5. RETURNING: Megan Hirsch (Sr.); Laura Nelson (Sr.); Meghan Buckman (Jr.); Sarah Buckman (Jr.); Elianna Clark (Jr.); Jayden Engen (Jr.); Hannah Bartos (So.); Tristin Gunderson (So.) NEWCOMERS: Breeanna Gilbery (Fr.); Johanna Schreier (Jr.); Madison Fairley (7th); Molly Larson (7th); Navaeh McDade (7th) Irene-Wakonda COACH: Jim Katrenak VITALS: Class B, Region 2, Tri-Valley Conference RETURNING: Hailey Sees (8th); Freja Kjeldseth (Fr.) NEWCOMERS: Katrina King (7th); Amber Kjeldseth (7th); Nora O’Malley (7th); Hailey Sees (9th) Parker COACH: Phil Bjorneberg VITALS: Class B, Region 2 ROSTER: Macy Kippes (7th) Platte-Geddes COACH: Matt Maxon VITALS: Class B, Region 3 ROSTER: Grace Brink (Sr.); Alayah Nachtigal (Fr.); Jayden Johnson (7th) Scotland COACH: Gary Pepper VITALS: Class B, Region 3, Southeast South Dakota Conference LAST YEAR: Scotland only returns two runners from last season, but one of those runners is Kchandra Forney, who looks to make her sixth straight state meet appearance. RETURNING: Kchandra Forney (Sr.); Annabelle Hlavac (8th) Viborg-Hurley COACH: Bill Hansen VITALS: Class B, Region 2, Tri-Valley Conference ROSTER: Jacia Christiansen (Sr.); Kirsten Paetow (Sr.); Erica Boomgarden (Jr.); Savannah Westrom (Jr.); Tori Hansen (So.); Skyler Kludt (So.); Kaylee Kropuenske (So.); Holly Richards (So.) Wagner COACH: Thomas Cartney VITALS: Class A, Region 3, Southeast South Dakota Conference RETURNING: Taylor Eitemiller (Jr., State Qualifier); Abby Freier (Jr.); Maggie Barnett (So.) NEWCOMERS: Josi Bouza (Jr.); Gabby Flute Player (So.); Alcista Dion (8th) S.D. BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY Alcester-Hudson COACH: LeeAnn Haisch VITALS: Class B, Region 2, Tri-Valley Conf. ROSTER: Brayden Pulscher (So.) Beresford COACH: Matt Coy ASSISTANT: Dawn Coggins VITALS: Class A, Region 4, Dakota XII Conference LAST YEAR: The Watchdogs won two invites last year and had a fourth place finish at the region meet. Beresford returns every one pert (Jr.); Anton Hejna (Jr.); of its runners. Stas Sutera (Sr.); Nate Hall RETURNING: Alec Atwood (7th) (So., 15th at state); Jake Limmer (Jr.); Tim Peterson (Sr.); Riley Twedt (Sr.); Cole COACH: Tiffany Wendling Homandberg (Sr.), Noah HinASSISTANT: Phil Breed richs (So.), Dallas Davis (So.) VITALS: Class A, Region 3, Dakota XII Conference RETURNING: Jon Green COACH: Kris Lavalle VITALS: Class A, Region 3, Southeast South Dakota Conference LAST YEAR: Bon Homme will have six runners back from a year ago. RETURNING: Nate Klip- Dakota Valley Bon Homme ~ Since 1902 ~ (605)384-3646 Fax: (605)384-3403 www.commercialstate.com Email – bank@commercialstate.com FUNERAL HOME INC. Avon, SD 119 N. Poplar St. Wagner, SD 124 E. Hwy 50 384-3781 WAGNER Springfield, SD 604 8th St. 369-2488 Jim & Julie Jaeger and Chad Peters Viborg-Hurley’s Logan Hansen “We Have A Way With Money” Bloomfield, NE 402-373-4321 www.fandmstatebank.com Member FDIC Branches in Hartington, Crofton, Center, Niobrara & South Yankton BLOOMFIELD 9/1 9/6 9/8 9/12 9/15 9/20 9/22 9/27 Volleyball Wynot Quad vs. Osmond at Wausa/vs. Allen vs. Wausa at Winside vs. Hartington-Newcastle at Humphrey St. Francis vs. Neligh-Oakdale/ Plainview 10/4 at Santee/vs. West Boyd 10/6 at Laurel-Concord-Col. 10/8 at Randolph Tourn. 10/11 vs. Wynot 10/13 at Creighton 10/17-18 5 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 9 a.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. BOYS’ XC | PAGE 18 Commercial State Bank CROSBY-JAEGER FARMERS & MERCHANTS STATE BANK (Sr., 59th at state), Joe Graves (Fr., 96th at state) NEWCOMERS: Aidan Vick (Jr.); Tyler Kennedy (Jr.); Josh Midland (Jr.); Chase Olsen (Jr.); Julen Aldalor (Jr.); Jared Messersmith (Jr.); Henry Jensen (So.); Hayden Jensen (So.); Miles Bying- 8/26 9/2 9/9 9/23 9/29 10/7 10/14 10/20 Football vs. Wynot at Scribner-Snyder at Randolph vs. Elkhorn Valley at North Central at St. Mary’s at Osmond vs. Stuart 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. TBA 7 p.m. Cross Country 9/1 9/8 9/16 9/29 Parkston Tourn. vs. Platte-Geddes vs. Chamberlain at Gregory vs. Avon vs. S.F. Christian 9/20 9/26 10/1 10/3 10/4 10/8 10/10 at Bon Homme 6:30 p.m. vs. Vermillion 6:30 p.m. vs. Tri-Valley 12:45 p.m. vs. Tripp-Delmont-Armour 6:30 p.m. at Scotland 6:30 p.m. Chester Area Tourn. TBA at Mount Vernon-Plankinton TBA 6:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 10/11 vs. Parkston 6:30 p.m. 10/13 at Andes Central-Dak. Christian 10/18 at Winner 9/2 9/9 9/16 9/23 Football 9/30 10/7 10/14 10/20 at Aberdeen Roncalli vs. Groton Area at Canton vs. Dakota Valley 8/27 9/3 Mitchell Inv. 10 a.m. Mount Vernon-Plankinton Inv. 9/6 Scotland Inv. 4:15 p.m. 9/15 9/19 Chamberlain Inv. Bon Homme Inv. 2:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 9/29 Burke-South Central Inv. 10/6 Ethan-Parkston Inv. 6:30 p.m. 10/24 vs. Burke-South Central 6:30 p.m. (Co-op With Wausa) Niobrara-Verdigre Inv. 4:30 p.m. Hartington-Newcastle Inv. 4:15 p.m. O’Neill Inv. 3:30 p.m. West Holt Inv. 4 p.m. Volleyball 8/27 8/30 9/1 9/8 9/13 9/15 vs. Beresford 7 p.m. at Winner 7 p.m. vs. Jones County/White River 7 p.m. at Parkston 7 p.m. 8/27 9/10 9/17 10/1 10/8 10/10 10/15 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Cross Country 4:15 p.m. Competitive Cheer Gregory Inv. Winner Inv. Brookings Inv. Roosevelt Inv. Mitchell Inv. Bon Homme Inv. Platte-Geddes Inv. 11 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 11 a.m. TBA 10:30 a.m. TBA noon