Winter Sports Preview 2011 B
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Winter Sports Preview 2011 B



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    PRESS&DAKOTAN YANKTON DAILY Wagner s Alex Kocer Eyes Fifth State Title BY JEREMY HOECK jeremy.hoeck@yankton.net WAGNER Try as he might, Alex Kocer has been unable to avoid the state spotlight for his accolades on the wrestling mat. It s just not possible when you ve put together the kind of career the Wagner senior has assembled. Four individual state titles. Three team championships. But now, Kocer is about to feel the spotlight burn even brighter as he begins his senior year with a chance to win his fifth straight state title and in the process, join rare company. I ve thought about it, sure, he said before a pre-season practice outside Wagner s red-clad wrestling room. It s a cool thought. It doesn t always happen, because every year has been tougher. Kocer has won championships at 103 pounds (2008), 119 (2009), 130 (2010) and 152 last season as a junior. Only four other South Dakota wrestlers have won five straight state titles. Kirk Wallman of Freeman (1984-89) and Logan Storley of Webster Area (2006-11) both won six straight two of the three in U.S. history to accomplish that feat. Lincoln McIllravy of Philip (1988-92) and Hannon Hisek of Bon Homme (1994-98) each captured five straight titles. Put another way, Kocer could join exclusive company with a strong senior season. He doesn t ever bring it up, but just by the things he does, I think he feels it a little bit, said Wagner first-year coach Chas Welch, who pointed to Kocer s increased summer workout habits as proof. The crazy thing is, he s about the most carefree kid you can ever meet. Even with all his success, Kocer has, for the most part, done so quietly, without much hoopla. When the Red Raiders won Championship Effort X 4 Wagner s Alex Kocer will try to become just the fifth South Dakota prep wrestler to win five state championships during his career. Last February, he became the 16th wrestler in S.D. to win as many as four. Six-Time Champions Kirk Wallman, Freeman (1984-89) .....................................................98-112-126-132-138-152 Logan Storley, Webster (2006-11)....................................................103-119-130-152-171-171 Five-Time Champions Lincoln McIlravy, Philip (1988-92)..............................................................98-112-125-152-152 Hannon Hisek, Bon Homme (1994-98)....................................................112-119-125-135-135 Four-Time Champions Dan Bonte, Garretson (2001, 2003-05) .....103-119-135-140 Rick Jensen, Watertown (1971-74)..............98-105-119-132 Alex Kocer, Wagner (2008-11).................103-119-130-152 Seth Lange, Sturgis (2007-10)...................103-119-125-130 David Rowe (1983-86) ...............................112-119-132-132 Travis Slaba, Wagner (1992-95) ................103-119-119-125 their three consecutive team titles from 2008-10, the bulk of the focus was on Wagner three-time state champion Robert Kokesh now at Nebraska. Now, just like last season, Kocer is the undisputed leader. Is he ready for that role? I hope the guys see me like that, he said. I m an easy-going guy, but we like to push each other. That s what the seniors before me did to us younger guys. Kocer is not alone when it comes to Wagner wrestlers poised for strong seasons. Senior Derek Dickerson is the returning Class B champion at 160 pounds, while David Kocer (So.), Tyler Dion (Jr.), Sage Zephier (Jr.), Austin Soukup (Jr.) and Brady Cuka (Sr.) all competed at the state tournament a year ago. The attitude showcased by Kocer is not unlike that of his teammates, Welch said. He s very good about pushing the younger kids and pushing the team in the right direction, said the 29-year-old former wrestler at Northern State. He never wants the spotlight on him. That s the whole program in Wagner; everyone has the same mindset. If the Red Raiders need motivation, they need only to look at their schedule this season. Wagner will compete in tournaments at Kimball, Winner-Gregory, Nick Smith, Yankton (2001-04)...................103-119-119-125 Chad Uhrig, Sully Buttes (1996-99) ...........103-119-119-125 Cory Wallman, Marion-Freeman (92-95) ...135-145-152-152 Gary Wallman, Miller (1961-64) ...................95-112-127-133 Troy Wallman, Freeman (1985-88) ..............98-105-119-126 Dustin Walraven, Huron (2004-08) ............112-130-135-135 Howard, Sioux Falls Lincoln and Wyoming. All the while, Kocer will be there, giving guidance to his younger teammates. The kids definitely look up to him. It s nice to have someone who can demonstrate what s going on or what the coach is explaining, Welch said. He leads by example. He s done things people can t get away with, but for him, it looks natural. As far as his post-high school plans, Kocer said he hasn t decided yet on a college. I m pretty indecisive, he said, with a grin. I ve had a lot of schools send letters and stuff, but I m not sure yet. I just want to have a good finish to high school first. WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2011 CENTER PHOTO BY JEREMY HOECK 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 B Wagner HS PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK SURROUNDING PHOTOS COURTESY SOUTH DAKOTA PUBLIC BROADCASTING SECTION Red Raiders Boys Basketball Date 12/10 12/17 12/30 1/3 1/6 1/7 1/10 1/12 1/19 1/23 1/26 1/27 1/31 2/3 2/4 2/10 2/11 2/14 2/17 2/24 Opponent Avon Dakota Christian Parkston Classic Plankinton Bon Homme Corsica/Stickney South Central Parkston Winner Tripp-Delmont/Armour Scotland Hartington Cedar Catholic O Neill Andes Central McCook Central/Montrose Chamberlain DWU Classic Vermillion Platte-Geddes Gregory Location Wagner Corsica Parkston Plankinton Tyndall Corsica Wagner Wagner Winner Wagner Wagner Hartington, Neb O Neill, Neb. Wagner Salem Chamberlain Mitchell Wagner Wagner Gregory Time 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. TBA 6:30 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 5 p.m. TBA 8 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Date 12/6 12/10 12/12 12/16 12/17 12/29 1/3 1/5 1/7 1/10 1/12 1/14 1/20 1/27 1/31 2/2 2/4 2/10 2/14 2/16 Opponent Winner Lennox Tripp-Delmont/Armour West Central Dakota Christian Parkston Classic Hanson Bon Homme Corsica/Stickney Gregory Parkston Hanson Classic Avon Scotland O Neill Andes Central McCook Central/Montrose Chamberlain Vermillion Platte-Geddes Date 12/1 12/3 12/8 p.m. 12/10 12/13 12/16-17 12/29-30 1/7 1/14 1/17 1/24 1/28 2/2 Opponent Location Bon Homme Wagner Kimball Tournament Kimball Winner/Gregory Tournament Time 6:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. Wagner6 Howard Tournament Howard Parkston Wagner Wyoming Tournament Gillette, Wyo. Sioux Falls Lincoln Tourn. Sioux Falls SESD Conference Tourn. Tyndall Mitchell Tournament Mitchell Kimball/Lyman Triangular Kimball Andes Central Lake Andes Wagner Tournament Wagner Scotland/EPJ/Beresford Quad.Scotland 10 a.m. 6:30 p.m. TBA 11/10 a.m. 10 a.m. 11 a.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Date 12/10 12/29 1/6 1/7 1/9 1/14 1/23 1/30 Opponent Wagner Tournament Vermillion Tournament Chamberlain Quadrangular Stanley County Meet Mitchell/S.F. Roosevelt Tri. Madison Tournament Chamberlain/Kimball Tri. Vermillion/West Central Tri. Jim & Julie Jaeger and Chad Peters Red Raiders Girls Basketball FORT RANDALL TELEPHONE CO. 384-3993 Wagner, SD Commercial State Bank ~ Since 1902 ~ (605)384-3646 204 South Main Wagner, SD Fax: (605) 384-3403 www.commercialstate.com Email bank@commercialstate.com Location Winner Wagner Wagner Wagner Corsica Parkston Alexandria Wagner Corsica Gregory Wagner Mitchell Wagner Scotland O Neill, Neb. Lake Andes Salem Chamberlain Wagner Platte Time 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. TBA 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. TBA 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. Red Raiders Wrestling Red Raiders Gymnastics Location Wagner Vermillion Chamberlain Ft. Pierre Wagner Madison Chamberlain Vermillion Time Noon 11:30 a.m. 6:15 p.m. Noon 6:30 p.m. Noon 6:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m.