PAGE 6: SPRING SPORTS 2018 PRESS & DAKOTAN ? PLAIN TALK SOUTH DAKOTA GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD Alcester-Hudson Carson (Fr.), Hannah Cuka (Fr.), Hannah Lindula (Fr.) COACH: Shannon Hames ASSISTANTS: Von Selchert, Toni Hinker VITALS: Region 5B RETURNING: Julie Dickau (Sr.); Amelia Stene (Sr.); Kendra Jensen (Jr.); Emma Pulfrey (Jr.); Tori Rasmussen (Jr.); Keandra Rhead (Jr.); Elena Waite (Jr.); Elizabeth Hallaway (So.); Jillian Kribell (So.); Jade Owings (Fr.); Janelle Dickau (Fr.); Abby Walth (Fr.) NEWCOMERS: Rachel Kelderman (So.); Ashley Weddle (So.); Abby Holman (Fr.); Emily Miiller (Fr.); Brooke Nyreen (Fr.); Bayleigh Peterson (Fr.), Emily Vanderfeen (Fr.) Andes Central/ Dakota Christian Creighton’s Chase Largen was fifth in Class D a season ago. The senior and Doane golf recruit will look to lead the Bulldogs as they transition to Class C this season. Largen Returns To Lead Bulldogs sity in Crete, Nebraska. “I am really excited, I love the facilities, campus, program and coach Myron Creighton may have Parsley. I am excited to play moved up a classification for him and continue my cafrom Class D to Class C after last season, but Chase Largen reer at the next level,” Largen doesn’t see that stopping his said. He won’t be far from home team and himself competing when attending Doane Unifor a state title his senior versity, which will allow him season. He did just that last year when Creighton finished to continue playing golf with his family, who introduced third in team play and he him to the game as a kid. finished fifth. “I don’t remember how “I am really proud at what old I was exactly, but my dad we were able to accomplish really introduced me to the last season, but I don’t see game. I guess it just took off any reason why we can’t from there,” Largen stated. compete at a higher clasLargen would take off, sification for a state title,” placing third in Nebraska Largen said. Class-D his sophomore While his driving accuseason, and fifth his junior racy is a strength, Largen season. While he enjoys the has spent the offseason to improve it even further, going game of golf, Largen is a competitor first and foremost, as far as receiving lessons from professional golfer Tom and will be a golfer to keep an eye on in the region. Sieckmann who resides in Nebraska. It is this focus on Follow BLadwigsports on improvement that has led to Twitter his receiving a scholarship for golf from Doane Univer- BY BRYCE LADWIG sports@yankton.net CO-COACHES: Cliff Johnson, Jessica Brouwer ASSISTANTS: Diane Deurmier, Beth Harrington VITALS: Region 6B RETURNING: Beulah Black Cloud (Sr, state quali?er high jump.); Sydney Muckey (Jr.); Isabel Phiefer (So.); Brieanna Deurmier (Jr.); Kristian Maas (Jr.); Sonya Hansum (8th); Emma Faller (8th), Lexie VanderPol (8th) NEWCOMERS: Tyra Medicine Horn (Jr.); Allison Muckey (7th); Isabella Brouwer (7th) Avon COACH: Tina Cameron ASSISTANT: Brad Poppe VITALS: Region 6B LAST YEAR: The Pirates return state quali?ers from nine events RETURNING: Cheylee Nagel (Sr., state quali?er in 400); Kacie Mudder (Sr., state quali?er in triple jump); Livi Jurrens (Sr., state quali?er in discus); Lauren Sees (Jr., third in long jump, ?fth in 100, state quali?er in 200); Alexa Sees (Fr., state quali?er in 800); Mackenzie Jager (So.); Ila Blaha (So.) Centerville COACH: John Shubeck ASSISTANTS: Shellie Eide, Pat Sees VITALS: Region 5B ROSTER: Alyssa Brandsrud (Fr.); Ellie Hunter (Fr.); Haley Meyer (Fr.); Mya Bendt (8th); Sophie Eide (8th); Harley Steinhaus (8th); Kalie Barcklay (7th); Jaelynn Buckneberg (7th); Bailey Hansen (7th); Mackenzie Meyer (7th); Aspen Shimp (7th); Katelyn Slattery (7th) Dakota Valley Menno’s Ashton Vaith was the Class B hurdle champion at the Dan Lennon Relays last month. NEWCOMERS: Hanah Long (Jr.); Megan Soukup (Fr.); Macy Sternhagen (So.); Kristen Namminga (Fr.); Sammi Brodeen (8th); Tiffany Pelton (8th); Katie Gretschmann (8th); Shalayne Nagel (7th); Reece Loewe (8th); Natalie Zacharias (Fr.); Reese Powers (8th); Makayla Kopp (8th) Beresford COACH: Scott Ebert ASSISTANTS: Matt Coy, Dan Bergland, Pam Conklin, Kelly Knutson, Mikala Larsen, Rob Wilson VITALS: Big East Conference, Region 4A LAST YEAR: The Watchdogs were the region runner-up and then ?nished 14th at state RETURNING: Hannah Ebert (Sr.); Shelby Mullinix (Sr.); Cait Savey (Sr., state champion in 3200, 10th in 1600); Alana Bergland (Jr.); Aubrey Boden (Jr.); Cali Boden (Jr., 4th at state in discus); Bloom?eld/Wausa COACH: Gary Eisenhauer VITALS: Class C RETURNING: Mitchell Mackeprang (Jr.); Derek Gillian (Jr.) NEWCOMERS: Drew Munter (Jr.); Sage Stolpe (So.); Gracie Dawson (So.); Colton Gieselman (So.) Creighton COACH: Gary Hammer VITALS: Class C LAST YEAR: The Bulldogs ?nished third at the state Class D tournament, but move up to Class C this season RETURNING: Chase Largen (Sr., 5th at state); Brady Brockhaus (Sr., district champ); Wyatt Diedrichsen (Sr.); Bryce Zimmer (Jr.); Conner Hammer (So.); Brennan Pint (So.) NEWCOMERS: Braxton Brockhaus (Fr.); Trey Vogt (Fr.); Tyler Wagner (Fr.); Trenton Mathias (Fr.) Crofton COACH: Barb Bowers ASSISTANT: Alan Arens VITALS: Class C RETURNING: Connor Dahl (Jr.); Logan Leader (Jr.); Levi Suing (Jr.); Calvin Schieffer (Jr.); Tyler Potts (So.); Nathan Schmidt (So.); Blake Zavadil (So.); Jason Zavadil (So.) NEWCOMERS: Austin Tramp (Fr.); Zach Weber (Fr.) Hartington-Newcastle COACH: Ken Knei? VITALS: Class D RETURNING: Caleb Kalin (Sr.); Ethan Lammers (Jr.); Logan Buschkamp (Jr.); Dylan Dendinger (So.) NEWCOMERS: Caden Heithold (Fr.) Hart. 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Doubleheader noon vs. Elk Point-Jeff. 5:30 p.m. vs. Beresford-CentervilleAlcester-Hudson 5:30 p.m at Dakota Valley 5:30 p.m. vs. Wagner-AvonLake Andes 5:30 p.m. at Parkston 2 p.m. at Beresford-CentervilleAlcester-Hudson(B) 5:30 p.m. at Bon HommeScotland (Tabor) 5 p.m. vs. Dakota Valley 5:30 p.m. at Turner-Hutch (Irene) 6 p.m. at Elk Point-Jeff. 5:30 p.m. Regions State Tourn. (Sioux Falls) a guy that is extremely hard working and has been working a lot behind the plate, so he will see a lot of time back there as well as the twins Drew and Dylan Thelen, they will see some time,” Heisinger said. Infield could see the likes of Ward, Halls and Rylan Craig and newcomer Brody (So.); Alexis Hrbek (Sr.); Kendra Hrbek (Sr.) NEWCOMERS: Christian Swalley (Sr.); Max Hollmann (Fr.); Ashtyn Holz (Fr.) Randolph COACH: Rob Engel VITALS: Class D LAST YEAR: The Cardinals were the Class D runner-up, with three individual medalists RETURNING: Carter Schnoor (So., state quali?er); Judson Hixson (Sr.); Sam Lemmons (So.) NEWCOMERS: Kyle Lindquist (Sr.); Mason Keifer (Jr.); Tyson Junck (Fr.); Sam Korth (Fr.) Surrell. Outfield will see rotations with Chaussee, Peterson and Devin O’neill. Once a defensive lineup can be nailed down, Heisinger is looking for the offense to “take care of itself.” As the leadoff hitter last season Johnson had 17 hits and six RBI in 56 at-bats for a .304 average. Christopherson saw 36 at-bats with six hits for a .167 average. Larson went to bat 18 times and knocked out three hits. Ward played in 14 games as a courtesy runner and cross home eight times. The Tanagers first game was Thursday, March 29, at Tea Area then the team was scheduled to travel to Yankton on Thursday, April 5. The home-opener is scheduled for Monday, April 9, against Elk Point-Jefferson. Weekday games begin at 5:30 p.m. with the junior varsity to follow and home games are played at Prentis Park. K A Insurance Comparison Quote Auto • Home • Toys • Life • Health Farm • Crop & Commercial Tyndall • 589-3572 Tabor • 463-2558 Springfield • 369-5520 Yankton • 665-3572 Tea • 213-3572 A Kaul’s Ag & Auto, Inc. Your Complete Parts & Service Center 1414 Walnut • Springfield, SD 605-369-5411 Prices Reduced On New 2017 & 2016 E-Z-GO Models • Variety of Colors • Over 400 Available • Gas or Electric • Trade-Ins Welcome Optometrist Hold Overs Get FREE Select Accessories 1708 Main Street Tyndall, SD 605-589-3406 Financing available on new or used E-Z-GO cars! Open Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday by appointment TABOR LUMBER COOP Carson Family Dentistry Tabor, SD 707 Chestnut St. Springfield, SD 57062 605-369-2226 Lumber Co-op 463-2565 Petro Dept. 463-2251 Lesterville Dept. 364-7522 VITALS: Class C LAST YEAR: The Trojans ?nished third at the state tournament ROSTER: Levi Arens (Sr.); Sam Feilmeier (Sr.); Quinn Paulsen (Sr., state quali?er); Matthew Schaefer (Sr., district champ, 7th at state); Tomas Kathol (Jr.); Nolan Klug (Jr.); Ted Bengston (So.); Owen Lammers (So.); Mason Schaefer (So.); Wyatt Wiebelhaus (So.); Carsen Becker (Fr.); Charlie Dendinger (Fr.); Kejuan Freemont (Fr.); Mack Kuehn (Fr.); Riley Kuehn (Fr.); Myles Thoene (Fr.) Baseball Johnson Tony & Donna Ellis Bon Homme COACH: Byron Pudwill ASSISTANTS: Rusty Roland, Jason Hein, Lindsey Fathke, Tara Ronke VITALS: Region 5A ROSTER: Paige Eddy (Sr.); Rachel Sestak (Sr., 7th at state in pole vault); Maloree Lanphear (Sr.); Ciera Himes (So.); Johanna Jelsma (So.); Kaitlyn Willis (So.); Miranda Fuhrer (Sr.); Elizabeth Garness (Sr.), Jenae Alberts (Fr.), Alanna Boedeker (Fr.), Mckenzie Elk Point-Jefferson COACH: Cole Knippling VITALS: Region 4A ROSTER: Callie Chicoine (Jr.); Amanda Havermann (Jr.); Karly Marx (Jr.); Katelyn Chytka (So.); Kenna Curry (So.); Calli Davis (So., 5th at state in 400); Riley Donnelly (So.); Kyra Fennel (So.); Emma Robinson (So.); Trysten Rupp (So.); Robin Stark (So.); Bjork Thyssen (So.); Kalla Bertram (Fr., 14th at state in 800); Trinity Love (Fr.); NEBRASKA BOYS’ GOLF the offense will take care of itself. Five new starters on the mound will be huge,” Heisinger said. and he’s won a lot of games seen the mound in the past The Tanagers will see for us, but he will be a guy as a relief pitcher with the the return of pitcher and that we’ve bumped up to that occasional start, but this infielder Riley Johnson, who senior leader for the younger time around he’s considered is expected to be go-to at the FROM PAGE 5 kids to look up to and he’s a the ace. mound. He’ll most likely be at great kid to do it. I don’t think “He’s a strike pumper the top of the rotation as the During the past few years, it will be a challenge for him,” and doesn’t throw extremely most experienced. Last seamuch of the lineup didn’t Heisinger said. hard, but keeps the ball down son Johnson pitched in four change, but last year the Johnson is now the only in the zone. He’s competitive games with two starts and other eight starting players returning starting payer from enough where sometimes he threw a total of 13.1 innings. all graduated. last season and is looking doesn’t have strikeout stuff, He allowed 14 runs on 16 hits “It really sucks that they to lead the rest of the team, but he finds a way to get and struck out 13. left because they have been many in their first year at the you out and lets the defense But, Heisinger says not my good friends for a while,” varsity level, to another state work,” Heisinger said. to count out the players like Johnson said. tournament run. He wants When he’s not on the Larson, Christopherson, When he was called up to be able to be an example mound, he’s looking to fill the Ward and Chaussee. to the varsity team in 2015 for the younger players, both shortstop position. “At this point Riley he was the only freshman playing wise and in attitude Though Johnson has been Johnson is our best on the to make the shift, but said it if things might not be going part of a state tournament mound,” Heisinger said. “But, allowed for him to learn from according to plan. team two of his last three we have some young guys the older players to emulate “I feel that I need to beyears and is still looking for that I think are ready to make the way Vermillion baseball come a leader for them and that championship win, this that leap.” carries itself on the field. I need to show by example season he just wants to see Christopherson and Justin Then-coach Jason Gault was because if I show by example the team pull out some wins Hall are the only other two also a big factor in the learn- then they can reflect off me and maybe make another players who have experience ing process. and play better,” Johnson state run. The Tanagers fell pitching at the varsity level “It taught me a lot of good said. “If I have a positive just shy of the state title with with Christopherson throwlessons on the field, like how attitude on the field then a loss to Dell Rapids in the ing in two games totaling 3.2 to act on the field. Gault was everyone else will have a championship game. But, innings and Justin Hall tossed a really good mentor for me positive attitude because new this year: the Class B 2.2 innings in one game. because he was a really good everyone will be looking for state tournament has expandLooking behind the baseball coach,” Johnson me for leadership especially ed to eight teams. pitcher, Vermillion will need said. when times are tough.” “We want to take it step to fill some key positions, Johnson was able to Though Johnson isn’t by step, one game at a time,” mostly all of them. This is grow as a player around the expecting times to get too Johnson said. “I’ve learned where Heisinger will use the same mentor players and tough. throughout my career than beginning of the season to from near the bottom of the “I think we’ll have a pretty anything can happen and rotate some players to see lineup to last year’s lead-off solid squad a long as we can crazier things have happened where the team seems to hitter under new coach Tom string some hits together,” that we can make a state “gel” together. Heisinger, who started with he said. tournament and I think that Gray Peterson is looking Vermillion in 2016. On the field, Johnson will would make a great story if to take up catcher, along with “He was always the young- be looked at as the startwe made the state tournastints from Drew and Dylan er one that has been there ing pitcher, a spot on the ment.” Thelen. and he’s done a lot for us diamond he knows well. He’s “Gray Peterson I think is TONY ELLIS AUTO SALES Sadie Huot (Jr.); Grace Quartier (Jr.); Faith Weiland (Jr.); Clair Bovil (So.); Audrey Doeden (So.); Jaycee Fischer (So.); Jordyn Fischer (So.); Katie Knutson (So.); Jessica Niles (So., 8th at state in high jump, 15th in long jump); Anna Atwood (8th, state quali?er in 400) NEWCOMERS: Laura Bogue (Fr.); Kylie Dressen (So.); Myah Hepner (Fr.); Deeanne Mann (Sr.); Summer Roelke (So.); Aubrey Twedt (Jr.) COACH: Tammy Lilly ASSISTANTS: Vince Tucker, Ben Blaeser, James Schmit VITALS: Region 4A LAST YEAR: The Panthers ?nished fourth at the Class A state meet RETURNING: Alyssa Johnson (Sr., state champion in high jump, member of state champion medley relay); Nikita Reinschmidt (Sr., 4th at state in high jump); Hope Carlson (Sr.); Eryn Sandwell (Sr.); Rachel Wente (So.) NEWCOMERS: Elizabeth Parks (So.); Brionna Goodman (Fr.); Jenna McCabe (Fr.); Lauren Okine (Fr.); Rachel Rosenquist (Fr.); Chloe Stout (Fr.) C. Nolan Carson III, DDS, MA Kelsey Pudwill, RDH Hours: 8am - 5pm Mon - Fri MR. Golf Car, INC. Springfield, SD • 605-369-2625 www.mrgolfcar.net BON HOMME CAVALIERS 3/20 3/26 4/3 4/10 4/13 4/17 Track & Field 4/20 4/24 4/28 5/1 Dan Lennon (Vermillion) Gregory Inv. ccd. Scotland Inv. 2 p.m. Wagner Relays 2 p.m. Avon Inv. 4:30 p.m. South Dakota/Nebraska Challenge (Tyndall) 2 p.m. Flevares Relays (Tyndall) 4:30 p.m. Creighton Inv. 1:30 p.m. Platte-Geddes Inv. 10 a.m. Little Missouri Valley Conf. 2 p.m. 5/4-5 5/8 5/11 Howard Wood Dakota Relays SESD (Wagner) 2 p.m. Ethan-Parkston Inv. 2 p.m. (at Avon) (at Mount Vernon) 4/6 Boys’ & Girls’ Golf Class B Classic (at Lakeview GC, Mitchell) 10 a.m. 4/12 Southeast S.D. Small School 9 a.m. 4/20 BSC/Gregory Inv. 4/25 4/27 (at Fox Run GC, Yankton) 10 a.m. (Boys at Burke, Girls at Gregory) Gayville-Volin Inv. (Fox Run) 9 a.m. Avon/Scotland Inv. 10 a.m. (Boys at Bon Homme CC, Girls at Scotland) 5/4 5/11 PG/BSC Inv. 10 a.m. Avon/Bon Homme Inv. 10 a.m. (Boys at Platte, Girls at Burke) (Boys at Bon Homme CC, Girls at Spring?eld) 5/18 Pre-Region (Lakeview GC) 10 a.m.