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PRESS & DAKOTAN SPRING SPORTS 2012 PAGE 11 USD Already Off To Strong Outdoor Start BY TYLER SMIT sports@yankton.net C O Y O S lays) should also do well, Gottsleben said. The Coyote men already boast the Summit League s best time in the 800, set by Shade at the Arkansas Spring Invitational senior infielder Alex Mueller (hit .307 with 35 runs scored in legion ball) and fellow senior, outfielder Chris Kanaly (hit .310 last year). Seniors Tom Binder (OF), Andrew Kotalik (C/OF), Morgan Jones (UTL) and Steven Marlow (C) will also need to contribute for a successful season. We will look to the seniors for leadership and hopefully the young guys can get some experience as the season goes along, McClemans said. Entering his fifth season at the helm of the Mount Marty College track and field program, head coach Randy Fischer is ever-optimistic that this spring will be the most successful of his tenure at the school and perhaps even the best in the 19-year history of the program. We ve finally got our numbers up within the program and now we can really start to concentrate on getting some quality performances across the board, Fischer said. On the women s side, senior Katie Breuer will lead the way after claiming her first All-American award in early March at the NAIA Indoor Championships with a fifth place finish in the pole vault. Katie has a chance to win conference for us and get one more All-American award if everything falls into place, Fischer said. The former Class A state champion from Madison acknowledged that she would love to close out her collegiate career with one more national meet appearance. I d like to clear 12-feet and MMC TRACK | PAGE 12 Tanagers Boast Veteran Lineup BY CODY BALL sports@yankton.net EDITOR S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the March 30 edition of the Press & Dakotan. It has been updated to reflect the ongoing season. S From Page 10 compete in the Mount Marty Twilight in Yankton on April 24. The Summit League Outdoor Championships will be held May 10-12 in Fargo, N.D. ER Yankton COACH: Bob Bamberg ASSISTANTS: Wade Gall and Dean Fink VITALS: Class B, Region 1B LAST YEAR: Corsica-StickneyArmour went 6-5 overall last year. They were beaten by Wagner in the first round of the playoffs. RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Adam Fink (Sr., P/C/IF), Aaron Groen (Sr., P/C/IF), Dustin Bultje (Jr., P/C/IF), Lane Thomas (Jr., P/C/IF), Kade Rexwink (So., P/C), Nick Blom (So., P/OF) TOP PROSPECTS: Ryan Hongslo (Sr., OF/P), Gunner Baan Hoffman (Jr., OF), Mason Van Vuren (So., OF), Kruz Kundson (Fr., IF/P), Aaron Hargens (Fr., OF), Walker Baan Hoffman (Fr., P/IF), Micah Noteboom (Fr., IF), Eli Van Roekal (8th, P/C) a 3.0 GPA in the classroom, Gottsleben said. The only home meet for the Coyotes this spring is the April 6 Dakota Duals in Yankton, though USD is scheduled to AG Bon Homme COACH: Gary Kortan ASSISTANT: Don Kortan VITALS: Class B, Region 1B LAST YEAR: The Cavaliers went 13-2 on the year and were crowned the 2011 Class B State Champions. RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Blase Vanecek (Jr., C, First Team All-State, .510 batting average), Ross Kortan (Jr., SS/P), Kodi Larson (Jr., CF/P), Scott Ulmer (Sr., P), Jeff Honner (Sr., OF), Sawyer Fridrich (Jr., OF), Ezra Bartlett (Jr., 1B), Alec Weber (Jr., OF), Nathan Bares (Sr., OF), Mitch Merkwan (Jr., 1B), Mike Mesman (So., P/OF), Austin Kaul (So., P/C) TOP PROSPECTS: Chase Kortan (7th, SS), Zach Sutera (Fr., P/OF), Hunter Young (Fr., IF/P), Andrew Roland (Fr., IF), Carter Mecham (Fr., C), Cole Uecker (7th, IF) Corsica-StickneyArmour on March 31. Our goal for outdoor track and field is a top three finish and getting 10 NCAA Qualifiers for NCAA First Round in Austin, Texas. We also seek to maintain N TA COACH: Al Hoines ASSISTANT: Nathan Ivarsen VITALS: Class B, Region 1B LAST YEAR: The Watchdogs went 10-4 in the 2011 season. Beresford lost to Bon Homme in the region finals, falling one win short of the state tournament. RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Matt Hoines (Sr., 3B, First Team All-State), Hayden Palmer (Sr., CF), Ethan Sorenson (Sr., 1B), Michael Mullinix (Sr., LF), Logan Hunter (Jr., 2B), Ty Knutson (Jr., LF) TOP PROSPECTS: Jason Strand (Sr., 3B), Austin Carlson (Sr., RF), Matt Wiebers (Jr., 1B), Devon Saugstad (Jr., LF), Caleb Johnke (So., 1B), Derek Wiebers (So., C), Eli Orr (So., LF), Kory Diefendorf (So., SS), Trevor Anderson (So., SS), Oliver Doeden (Fr., C), Brent Beckstrom (Fr., CF), Hunter Cotton (Fr., 2B), Thomas Brewers (Fr., RF), Blake Kennedy (Fr., RF), AJ Schmidt (Fr., 3B) sports@yankton.net BETHANY BUELL SO POLE VAULT SD BASEBALL Beresford BY CHRIS RILEY TE VERMILLION Aided by a warmer than usual spring, track and field athletes at the University of South Dakota have gotten a head start on competition. The men and women aim to capitalize off their impressive indoor season; highlighted by a second-place finish for the women and a men s fourth place finish at the Summit League Indoor Championships. We had a great meet, USD men s head coach Dave Gottsleben said. There wasn t much time for celebration, however. Both teams traveled to San Diego, Calif. March 16-17 for the Aztec Invitational (San Diego State University) for their first scheduled outdoor meet. The Coyotes didn t waste any time; walking away with two school records after two days of competition junior Bethany Buell in the women s pole vault and junior Alexa Duling in the 400-meter hurdles. On the men s side for the Coyotes, Gottsleben said he is looking forward to Kyle McKelvey and Cody Snyder in the shot put, Kyle Ballew in the pole vault, Jeff Mettler in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Casey Shade in the 800 meters, Lukas Bernard in the 400 hurdles, and Erik Hill in the 400 hurdles. Our 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 (re- Lancers On Track For Top Years In Team History only sophomore that is expected to make some appearances for the Tanagers. Gault pointed to a few things that will lead to a successful season for Vermillion. Without sounding too much like a broken record, pitchers will need to throw strikes, and our defense will need to make plays, Gault said. The introduction of wood bats will provide for a much more pitcher and defense oriented game. Something that plays along nicely with our small ball philosophy. That doesn t mean that we don t have the hitting to put lots of runs up on our opponents, Gault said. But if we keep other teams off of base, it takes pressure off of our hitters. Gault feels that the experience of his team will lead to a successful season. This is a very experienced group of ballplayers with proven success, Gault said alluding to a state Teener title won by Vermillion and a successful legion season. The coaching staff feels that with offseason workouts, and a year of growth with our younger players, we should be in the hunt for the Region 1B title. Vermillion opened their season with a split against the Sioux City Bancrofts. Vermillion won the first game 9-4, before dropping game two 4-1. Vermillion earned a 9-3 win over Dakota Valley on March 24 and an 8-0 victory over Beresford on March 31. The Tanagers lost to Yankton 6-2 on April 2, dropping their record to 3-2. VERMILLION With the ideal weather that southeast South Dakota has been experiencing, the Vermillion Tanagers baseball team has yet another reason to have a positive outlook on the upcoming season. The Tanagers ended last year with a 6-9 overall record and lost to Beresford 7-6 in the playoffs. But Vermillion returns seven starting fielders and three pitchers from last year s squad. Among those returning starters are All-Region seCOACH: Jeff Sand (1st year) lection D Andre Fore who ASSISTANTS: Tanner Chrisis a senior centerfielder tensen, Josh Davies and All-Region honorable VITALS: Class B, Region 1B LAST YEAR: WALA lost in the mention selection short second round of playoffs to Park- stop Tanner Settles who is a junior. ston. The other starters reTOP PROSPECTS: Chase Zeturning include seniors: phier (8th, IF/P), Johnny Kanter Cale Miller at first base, (8th, OF), Dylan Zephier (Fr., Stormy Mintz will cover a OF/IF), Derek Dickerson (Sr., few infield roles, pitcher P/OF), Alex Kocer (Sr., IF/OF/P), Chris Kuca (So., IF), Quinn Wilson Nate Garrett, and pitcher (8th, OF), David Kocer (So., IF/P), Nile Morecraft. The returning starters who are Branson Tolliver (Sr., C/OF), Derek Soukup (Fr., IF/OF/P), Mike juniors are: Chayse Meierkort at catcher, TanKocer (Jr., OF), Zach Cournoyer ner Anderson at third (So., IF/P), Hunter Hewitt (8th, base, and Collin Bertram IF), Gabe Cournoyer (Jr., IF/P), who plays outfielder and Brady Cuka (Sr., OF), Caden pitcher. McBride (7th, C/P), Jonah Keen Vermillion head coach (So., OF), Drue Soukup (Fr., Jason Gault spoke about OF/P), Bryce Soukup (Jr., IF/P), the pitching rotation that Truman Ashes (7th, IF/P) the Tanagers will have We should have solid pitching rotation, Gault said. With the possibilthe defensive side of his to make the routine play Mitch Ellison. Juniors that ity of having five quality squad. often. are expected to see some Across the state, McClemans Defensively, we lost Other Tanagers basetime on the diamond are: sees Sioux Falls Lincoln as one of pitchers in the starting rotation, Vermillion will only two starters from ball players that are exJoe Mazour, Peter Haught, the favorites. last season, Gault said. pected to make an impact Collin Olson, and Lincoln will be one of the top have a variety of options So the expectations are this season are seniors Damerius Johnson. Jayce teams in the region and state, led and looks. Gault also spoke about high for the starting nine Cody Sommervold and Huska is currently the by Alex Schultz who signed to play baseball at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, McClemans said. CROSBY-JAEGER McClemans also sees BrookFUNERAL HOME INC. ings and Mitchell as stiff competition. Avon, SD Brookings will have young talent to go with senior Landon 119 N. Poplar St. P.O. Box 107 Volin, SD Wakonda, SD 605-267-2088 ~ Since 1902 ~ Busch, who has signed to play (605) 267-2025 baseball at Kansas State, McCleWagner, SD Springfield, SD Steve & Michele Gustad mans added. Mitchell also re124 E. Hwy 50 604 8th St. turns a lot of letter winners so 204 South Main Wagner, SD they should have a lot of talent 384-3781 369-2488 Fax: (605) 384-3403 and experience back. www.commercialstate.com Yankton is 1-2 on the season. Email bank@commercialstate.com Jim & Julie Jaeger and Chad Peters Wagner-AvonLake Andes D ANDRE FORE SR OUTFIELD Commercial State Bank Valley View Hay Co. (605)384-3646 The Bag Lady Mac s Pub Opens 4:30pm 300 Lincoln Ave., Volin, SD (605) 267-2333 Mac & Vicki McDonald Gerstner Oil Co. E. Hwy. 50 Yankton 665-5568 Michele Gustad, 661-8405 Unique Home Party or Fundraiser Shopping Experience 509 Washington St. Gayville, SD (605) 267-3100 Trendy Handbags, Jewelry & Accessories Cash & Carry Checks Accepted Hostess receives: 20% with $500.00 party or 15% w/less than $500.00 party A Touchstone Energy Coorperation Lake Andes, SD 57356 (605)487-7321
- Mac's Pub
- Gerstner Oil Co.
- Valley Ag Supply
- The Bag Lady
- Charles Mix Electric
- Valley View Hay Co.
- CROSBY-JAEGER FUNERAL HOME INC.
- Commercial State Bank
- Clay Rural Water System
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PRESS & DAKOTAN SPRING SPORTS 2012 PAGE 11 USD Already Off To Strong Outdoor Start BY TYLER SMIT sports@yankton.net C O Y O S lays) should also do well, Gottsleben said. The Coyote men already boast the Summit League s best time in the 800, set by Shade at the Arkansas Spring Invitational senior infielder Alex Mueller (hit .307 with 35 runs scored in legion ball) and fellow senior, outfielder Chris Kanaly (hit .310 last year). Seniors Tom Binder (OF), Andrew Kotalik (C/OF), Morgan Jones (UTL) and Steven Marlow (C) will also need to contribute for a successful season. We will look to the seniors for leadership and hopefully the young guys can get some experience as the season goes along, McClemans said. Entering his fifth season at the helm of the Mount Marty College track and field program, head coach Randy Fischer is ever-optimistic that this spring will be the most successful of his tenure at the school and perhaps even the best in the 19-year history of the program. We ve finally got our numbers up within the program and now we can really start to concentrate on getting some quality performances across the board, Fischer said. On the women s side, senior Katie Breuer will lead the way after claiming her first All-American award in early March at the NAIA Indoor Championships with a fifth place finish in the pole vault. Katie has a chance to win conference for us and get one more All-American award if everything falls into place, Fischer said. The former Class A state champion from Madison acknowledged that she would love to close out her collegiate career with one more national meet appearance. I d like to clear 12-feet and MMC TRACK | PAGE 12 Tanagers Boast Veteran Lineup BY CODY BALL sports@yankton.net EDITOR S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the March 30 edition of the Press & Dakotan. It has been updated to reflect the ongoing season. S From Page 10 compete in the Mount Marty Twilight in Yankton on April 24. The Summit League Outdoor Championships will be held May 10-12 in Fargo, N.D. ER Yankton COACH: Bob Bamberg ASSISTANTS: Wade Gall and Dean Fink VITALS: Class B, Region 1B LAST YEAR: Corsica-StickneyArmour went 6-5 overall last year. They were beaten by Wagner in the first round of the playoffs. RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Adam Fink (Sr., P/C/IF), Aaron Groen (Sr., P/C/IF), Dustin Bultje (Jr., P/C/IF), Lane Thomas (Jr., P/C/IF), Kade Rexwink (So., P/C), Nick Blom (So., P/OF) TOP PROSPECTS: Ryan Hongslo (Sr., OF/P), Gunner Baan Hoffman (Jr., OF), Mason Van Vuren (So., OF), Kruz Kundson (Fr., IF/P), Aaron Hargens (Fr., OF), Walker Baan Hoffman (Fr., P/IF), Micah Noteboom (Fr., IF), Eli Van Roekal (8th, P/C) a 3.0 GPA in the classroom, Gottsleben said. The only home meet for the Coyotes this spring is the April 6 Dakota Duals in Yankton, though USD is scheduled to AG Bon Homme COACH: Gary Kortan ASSISTANT: Don Kortan VITALS: Class B, Region 1B LAST YEAR: The Cavaliers went 13-2 on the year and were crowned the 2011 Class B State Champions. RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Blase Vanecek (Jr., C, First Team All-State, .510 batting average), Ross Kortan (Jr., SS/P), Kodi Larson (Jr., CF/P), Scott Ulmer (Sr., P), Jeff Honner (Sr., OF), Sawyer Fridrich (Jr., OF), Ezra Bartlett (Jr., 1B), Alec Weber (Jr., OF), Nathan Bares (Sr., OF), Mitch Merkwan (Jr., 1B), Mike Mesman (So., P/OF), Austin Kaul (So., P/C) TOP PROSPECTS: Chase Kortan (7th, SS), Zach Sutera (Fr., P/OF), Hunter Young (Fr., IF/P), Andrew Roland (Fr., IF), Carter Mecham (Fr., C), Cole Uecker (7th, IF) Corsica-StickneyArmour on March 31. Our goal for outdoor track and field is a top three finish and getting 10 NCAA Qualifiers for NCAA First Round in Austin, Texas. We also seek to maintain N TA COACH: Al Hoines ASSISTANT: Nathan Ivarsen VITALS: Class B, Region 1B LAST YEAR: The Watchdogs went 10-4 in the 2011 season. Beresford lost to Bon Homme in the region finals, falling one win short of the state tournament. RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Matt Hoines (Sr., 3B, First Team All-State), Hayden Palmer (Sr., CF), Ethan Sorenson (Sr., 1B), Michael Mullinix (Sr., LF), Logan Hunter (Jr., 2B), Ty Knutson (Jr., LF) TOP PROSPECTS: Jason Strand (Sr., 3B), Austin Carlson (Sr., RF), Matt Wiebers (Jr., 1B), Devon Saugstad (Jr., LF), Caleb Johnke (So., 1B), Derek Wiebers (So., C), Eli Orr (So., LF), Kory Diefendorf (So., SS), Trevor Anderson (So., SS), Oliver Doeden (Fr., C), Brent Beckstrom (Fr., CF), Hunter Cotton (Fr., 2B), Thomas Brewers (Fr., RF), Blake Kennedy (Fr., RF), AJ Schmidt (Fr., 3B) sports@yankton.net BETHANY BUELL SO POLE VAULT SD BASEBALL Beresford BY CHRIS RILEY TE VERMILLION Aided by a warmer than usual spring, track and field athletes at the University of South Dakota have gotten a head start on competition. The men and women aim to capitalize off their impressive indoor season; highlighted by a second-place finish for the women and a men s fourth place finish at the Summit League Indoor Championships. We had a great meet, USD men s head coach Dave Gottsleben said. There wasn t much time for celebration, however. Both teams traveled to San Diego, Calif. March 16-17 for the Aztec Invitational (San Diego State University) for their first scheduled outdoor meet. The Coyotes didn t waste any time; walking away with two school records after two days of competition junior Bethany Buell in the women s pole vault and junior Alexa Duling in the 400-meter hurdles. On the men s side for the Coyotes, Gottsleben said he is looking forward to Kyle McKelvey and Cody Snyder in the shot put, Kyle Ballew in the pole vault, Jeff Mettler in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Casey Shade in the 800 meters, Lukas Bernard in the 400 hurdles, and Erik Hill in the 400 hurdles. Our 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 (re- Lancers On Track For Top Years In Team History only sophomore that is expected to make some appearances for the Tanagers. Gault pointed to a few things that will lead to a successful season for Vermillion. Without sounding too much like a broken record, pitchers will need to throw strikes, and our defense will need to make plays, Gault said. The introduction of wood bats will provide for a much more pitcher and defense oriented game. Something that plays along nicely with our small ball philosophy. That doesn t mean that we don t have the hitting to put lots of runs up on our opponents, Gault said. But if we keep other teams off of base, it takes pressure off of our hitters. Gault feels that the experience of his team will lead to a successful season. This is a very experienced group of ballplayers with proven success, Gault said alluding to a state Teener title won by Vermillion and a successful legion season. The coaching staff feels that with offseason workouts, and a year of growth with our younger players, we should be in the hunt for the Region 1B title. Vermillion opened their season with a split against the Sioux City Bancrofts. Vermillion won the first game 9-4, before dropping game two 4-1. Vermillion earned a 9-3 win over Dakota Valley on March 24 and an 8-0 victory over Beresford on March 31. The Tanagers lost to Yankton 6-2 on April 2, dropping their record to 3-2. VERMILLION With the ideal weather that southeast South Dakota has been experiencing, the Vermillion Tanagers baseball team has yet another reason to have a positive outlook on the upcoming season. The Tanagers ended last year with a 6-9 overall record and lost to Beresford 7-6 in the playoffs. But Vermillion returns seven starting fielders and three pitchers from last year s squad. Among those returning starters are All-Region seCOACH: Jeff Sand (1st year) lection D Andre Fore who ASSISTANTS: Tanner Chrisis a senior centerfielder tensen, Josh Davies and All-Region honorable VITALS: Class B, Region 1B LAST YEAR: WALA lost in the mention selection short second round of playoffs to Park- stop Tanner Settles who is a junior. ston. The other starters reTOP PROSPECTS: Chase Zeturning include seniors: phier (8th, IF/P), Johnny Kanter Cale Miller at first base, (8th, OF), Dylan Zephier (Fr., Stormy Mintz will cover a OF/IF), Derek Dickerson (Sr., few infield roles, pitcher P/OF), Alex Kocer (Sr., IF/OF/P), Chris Kuca (So., IF), Quinn Wilson Nate Garrett, and pitcher (8th, OF), David Kocer (So., IF/P), Nile Morecraft. The returning starters who are Branson Tolliver (Sr., C/OF), Derek Soukup (Fr., IF/OF/P), Mike juniors are: Chayse Meierkort at catcher, TanKocer (Jr., OF), Zach Cournoyer ner Anderson at third (So., IF/P), Hunter Hewitt (8th, base, and Collin Bertram IF), Gabe Cournoyer (Jr., IF/P), who plays outfielder and Brady Cuka (Sr., OF), Caden pitcher. McBride (7th, C/P), Jonah Keen Vermillion head coach (So., OF), Drue Soukup (Fr., Jason Gault spoke about OF/P), Bryce Soukup (Jr., IF/P), the pitching rotation that Truman Ashes (7th, IF/P) the Tanagers will have We should have solid pitching rotation, Gault said. With the possibilthe defensive side of his to make the routine play Mitch Ellison. Juniors that ity of having five quality squad. often. are expected to see some Across the state, McClemans Defensively, we lost Other Tanagers basetime on the diamond are: sees Sioux Falls Lincoln as one of pitchers in the starting rotation, Vermillion will only two starters from ball players that are exJoe Mazour, Peter Haught, the favorites. last season, Gault said. pected to make an impact Collin Olson, and Lincoln will be one of the top have a variety of options So the expectations are this season are seniors Damerius Johnson. Jayce teams in the region and state, led and looks. Gault also spoke about high for the starting nine Cody Sommervold and Huska is currently the by Alex Schultz who signed to play baseball at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, McClemans said. CROSBY-JAEGER McClemans also sees BrookFUNERAL HOME INC. ings and Mitchell as stiff competition. Avon, SD Brookings will have young talent to go with senior Landon 119 N. Poplar St. P.O. Box 107 Volin, SD Wakonda, SD 605-267-2088 ~ Since 1902 ~ Busch, who has signed to play (605) 267-2025 baseball at Kansas State, McCleWagner, SD Springfield, SD Steve & Michele Gustad mans added. Mitchell also re124 E. Hwy 50 604 8th St. turns a lot of letter winners so 204 South Main Wagner, SD they should have a lot of talent 384-3781 369-2488 Fax: (605) 384-3403 and experience back. www.commercialstate.com Yankton is 1-2 on the season. Email bank@commercialstate.com Jim & Julie Jaeger and Chad Peters Wagner-AvonLake Andes D ANDRE FORE SR OUTFIELD Commercial State Bank Valley View Hay Co. (605)384-3646 The Bag Lady Mac s Pub Opens 4:30pm 300 Lincoln Ave., Volin, SD (605) 267-2333 Mac & Vicki McDonald Gerstner Oil Co. E. Hwy. 50 Yankton 665-5568 Michele Gustad, 661-8405 Unique Home Party or Fundraiser Shopping Experience 509 Washington St. Gayville, SD (605) 267-3100 Trendy Handbags, Jewelry & Accessories Cash & Carry Checks Accepted Hostess receives: 20% with $500.00 party or 15% w/less than $500.00 party A Touchstone Energy Coorperation Lake Andes, SD 57356 (605)487-7321