TOURNAMENTS UPDATE

— WRESTLING —

State “A” team duals tournament quarterfinals, 5 p.m. Thursday:
Upper bracket—
#1 Pierre vs. # 8 Dell Rapids
#4 Watertown vs. #5 Sturgis
Lower bracket—
#2 Rapid City Stevens vs. #7 Madison
#3 Brandon Valley vs. #6 Harrisburg
(Semifinals, 5 p.m. Friday; third-place match, 6:30 p.m. Friday; championship, 8 p.m. Friday)

State “B” team duals tournament quarterfinals, 5 p.m. Thursday:
Upper bracket—
#1 Winner vs. #8 Parker
#4 Kingsbury County vs. #5 Redfield Area
Lower bracket—
#2 Kimball/White Lake/Platte-Geddes vs. #7 Burke-Gregory
#3 Canton vs. #6 McCook Central-Montrose
(Semifinals, 5 p.m. Friday; third-place match, 6:30 p.m. Friday; championship, 8 p.m. Friday)

State “A” and “B” individual wrestling tournaments schedule:
— Thursday:
10 a.m.—First-round matches.
3 p.m.—Quarterfinal matches.
— Friday:
9 a.m.—First- and second-round wrestlebacks.
12:30 p.m.—Semifinal matches.
— Saturday:
11 a.m.—Third- and fourth-round wrestlebacks.
2 p.m.—Third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches.
5 p.m.—Championship matches.

Pierre wrestlers who qualified for state out of the Region 3A tournament and their places there, their current records and their year in school:
106—Blake Judson, first place; 34-11, sophomore.
113—Trey Lewis, second place; 27-19, 8th grader.
120—Kaylor Hindman, second place; 26-15, junior.
126—Deegan Houska, second place; 31-17, freshman.
132—Hayden Shaffer, second place; 17-9, sophomore.
138—Tyson Johnson, first place; 34-13, junior.
34-6—Cade Hinkle, first place; 34-6, senior.
152—Jack Van Camp, first place; 35-8, senior.
182—Gavin Stotts, fourth place; 18-22, freshman.
195—Regan Bollweg, first place; 35-5, junior.
220—Jacob Larson, fourth place; 28-20, junior.
285—Preston Taylor, second place; 28-9, junior.

Stanley County wrestlers who qualified for state out of the Region 4B tournament, their current records and their year in school:
106—Chase Hanson; 34-12, freshman.
170—Reid Wieczorek, 32-15, senior.
285—Dylan Endres; 23-17, junior.

— HOCKEY —

The state girls varsity tournament will be played at the Expo Center next week, March 6-8. Regular-season games continue this weekend, but if the standings remain the same, the quarterfinal pairings next Friday would be:
#3 Brookings vs. #6 Watertown
#2 Sioux Falls vs. #7 Oahe
#4 Mitchell vs. #5 Sioux Center
#1 Aberdeen vs. #8 Huron
Not qualifying for state—Rushmore

The state boys varsity tournament will be played at Sioux Falls March 13-15. Regular-season games continue this weekend, but if the standings remain the same, the quarterfinal pairings March 13 would be:
#3 Brookings vs. #6 Rushmore
#2 Sioux Center vs. #7 Watertown
#4 Oahe vs. #5 Huron
#1 Sioux Falls No. 1 vs. #8 Sioux Falls No. 2
Not qualifying for state—Mitchell, Aberdeen, Yankton.
However, the race for seeds #2 through #6 is very much in doubt. The current standings points—(2) Sioux Center 28, (3) Brookings 26, (4) Oahe 24, (5) Huron 23, (6) Rushmore 21.

— GIRLS BASKETBALL —

Region 2B Tournament: The two semifinal games tonight (Thursday) will determine the region’s two entries in the March 5 SoDak 16. Sully Buttes plays at top-seeded Faulkton Area while Ipswich goes to #2 seed Herreid-Selby Area.

In the first round Monday, North Central ousted Sunshine Bible, 53-24. In second-round games Tuesday, Faulkton beat North Central, 64-37; Sully Buttes won at Lower Brule, 43-34; Herreid-Selby Area eliminated Potter County, 68-43, and Ipswich edged Highmore-Harrold, 60-56. In the Sully Buttes game Kendra Kleven led the Chargers with 14 points, and Ally Wittler had eight.

Region 6A Tournament: Three first-round games will be played Monday, and the two semifinal games are set for next Thursday, March 5. Those final two winners advance to the SoDak 16 on March 9.

A few scattered regular-season games remain, but if the seed points remain the same as they are today, the games on Monday will be #5 Chamberlain at #4 Mobridge-Pollock, #7 Stanley County at #2 Miller, and #6 McLaughlin at #3 Cheyenne-Eagle Butte. The #5-#4 winner would play at #1 Crow Creek in the semifinals, and the other two winners would play each other at the higher seed’s court.

Class “AA” SoDak 16: The eight games that will determine state tournament entries will be played Friday, March 6. If the seed-point standings remain the same as they are today, the matchups in the SoDak 16 would be:
— State tournament game #1
#16 Douglas at #1 S.F. O’Gorman
#9 Huron at #8 Brandon Valley
— State tournament game #2
#13 R.C. Central at #4 Harrisburg
#12 Mitchell at #5 Yankton
— State tournament game #3
#14 Pierre at #3 S.F. Lincoln
#11 Spearfish at #6 S.F. Washington
— State tournament game #4
#15 Watertown at #2 R.C. Stevens
#10 S.F. Roosevelt at #7 Aberdeen Central

— BOYS BASKETBALL —

Region 2B Tournament: If the seed-points standings stay the same as they are today, #9 Sunshine Bible and #8 North Central will play Monday night with the winner going to #1 Sully Buttes on Tuesday in the second round. Other second-round games would be #5 Lower Brule at #4 Potter County, #7 Highmore-Harrold at #2 Herreid-Selby Area, and #6 Faulkton Area at #3 Ipswich. The two semifinal games will be Friday, March 6, and those two winners advance to the SoDak 16 on March 10.

Region 6A Tournament: If the seed-points standings stay the same as they are today, the three first-round games next Tuesday, March 3, would be #5 Chamberlain at #4 McLaughlin, #7 Miller at #2 Mobridge-Pollock, and #6 Stanley County at #3 Cheyenne-Eagle Butte. The #5-#4 winner would play at #1 Crow Creek in one semifinal game March 6, and the other two winners play in the other semifinal. The two semifinal winners advance to the SoDak 16 on March 10.

Class “AA” SoDak 16: If the seed-points standings stay the same as they are today, the matchups on Saturday, March 7, would be:
— State tournament game #1:
#16 Sturgis at #1 Yankton
#9 Aberdeen Central at #8 S.F. Lincoln
— State tournament game #2:
#13 Spearfish at #4 S.F. O’Gorman or S.F. Roosevelt
#12 Harrisburg at #5 R.C. Stevens
— State tournament game #3:
#14 Mitchell at #3 S.F. O’Gorman or S.F. Roosevelt
#11 R.C. Central at #6 S.F. Washington
— State tournament game #4:
#15 Douglas at #2 Huron
#10 Watertown at #7 Brandon Valley

THOUGHT OF THE WE  nm EK

“Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed; just make your absence felt.”

— CreativeHealthyFamily.com

COUNTDOWN

2 days: NSIC men’s/women’s basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (Feb. 29-March 3).
2 days: South Carolina primary.
2 days: NCAA Div. II Super Region 5 wrestling tournament, Sioux Falls (Feb. 29).
5 days: Super Tuesday primaries.
5 days: Georgia Morse Middle School musical (March 3, 5).
8 days: State girls hockey tournament, Expo Center (March 6-8).
9 days: Summit League men’s/women’s basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (March 7-10).
10 days: Daylight Saving Time begins (March 8).
13 days: NAIA Div. II men’s basketball national tournament, Sioux Falls (March 11-17).
14 days: State “B” girls basketball tournament, Spearfish (March 13-14).
15 days: State boys hockey tournament, Sioux Falls (March 13-15).
15 days: Hayes play (March 13-15).
15 days: NCAA Div. II national wrestling tournament, Sioux Falls (March 13-14).
16 days: State Special Olympics basketball tournament, Pierre (March 14-15).
19 days: Arizona, Florida, Illinois primaries (March 17).
21 days: State “B” boys basketball tournament, Aberdeen (March 19-21).
21 days: State “A” boys/girls basketball tournaments, Rapid City (March 19-21).
21 days: State “AA” boys/girls basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (March 19-21).
21 days: State high school visual arts gallery, Sioux Falls (March 19-21).
21 days: NCAA Div. I wrestling championships, Minneapolis (March 19-21).
28 days: Baseball opening day (March 26).
30 days: All-State Band concerts, Mitchell (March 28).
34 days: Census Day (April 1).

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Wrestling—Thursday-Saturday, at state team and individual tournaments, Sioux Falls.
Girls basketball—Next game, March 6 in SoDak 16.

Wrestling: The Governors won the team title at the Region 3A tournament with 242.5 points, followed by Chamberlain 200, Mitchell 193, Aberdeen Central 138, Milbank 129, Huron 127, Todd County 29.5, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte 11. In addition to the wrestlers who qualified for state by placing fourth or better listed above, Daniel Tafoya and Jaret Clarke placed fifth in their respective weight classes and are alternates able to wrestle in the state tournament should an opening occur.

Boys basketball: The season ended for the Governors with a 67-60 loss at Sioux Falls Lincoln. With a 1-19 record Pierre will be one of the two Class “AA” teams not qualifying for the SoDak 16 playoff games. Paul Adam had 17 points, Grey Zabel 15 and Lincoln Kienholz 14. Finishing their high school careers were seniors Adam, Zabel, Justin Houlette, Grant Judson, Josh Rowe and Matt Lusk.

Girls basketball: Two more losses for the Pierre girls this week dropped their record to 7-13. In a 66-56 loss to Sioux Falls Lincoln, Kylee Thorpe scored 12, Avyrie Kaiser 12 and Caytee Williams 11. On Tuesday the Govs lost to Aberdeen Central, 52-30, with Williams high scorer with 13. Pierre went on a nine-minute stretch in the middle of the game during which they scored only one point, and the girls shot only 21% for the night.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

Boys basketball: The Buffaloes won over winless Miller, 56-50, Monday, and are now 8-11 heading into their final regular-season game at Winner. Lathan Prince was team-high with 24 points while Nathan Cook added 13 to the SCHS cause.

Girls basketball: The Buffalo girls lost to Mobridge-Pollock, 60-25, and lost to Chamberlain, 60-20. Now 0-19, SCHS ends the regular season tonight against undefeated Winner.

This week’s schedules:
Wrestling—Thursday-Friday-Saturday, at state “B” tournament, Sioux Falls.
Girls basketball—Thursday, at Winner; Monday, at Miller in Region 6A tournament.
Boys basketball—Thursday, at Winner; Tuesday, at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte in Region 6A tournament.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

Girls basketball: The Chargers lost to the region’s top team, Faulkton area, 56-48, Thursday. Lydia Hill scored 13 points and had 11 rebounds while Kendra Kleven scored 12. The next night SBHS won over Potter County, 58-47, as Kleven was 11-of-17 in field-goal shooting for 29 points with 12 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Ally Wittler contributed 14 points. The Chargers finished the regular season with a 10-9 record.

Boys basketball: The Chargers won two more games last week. In a 67-32 demolishing of Faulkton Area, Jett Lamb had 23 points and eight rebounds. Nick Wittler scored 19 as he surpassed the 1,500-point mark for his career. Quinn Jordre added 11. At Warner the Chargers whipped Class “A” Little Wound, 56-26, led by Wittler’s 25 and Grant Johnson’s 13 points.

This week’s schedules:
Girls basketball—Thursday, at Faulkton Area in Region 2B tournament semifinals.
Boys basketball—Tuesday, home vs. North Central or Sunshine Bible in Region 2B second round.

HOCKEY UPDATE

Oahe Capitals girls varsity: Idle last weekend, the girls play at Mitchell at 9 a.m. this Saturday to wind up their regular season.

Oahe Capitals boys varsity: The Capitals swept Sioux Falls last weekend, beating Sioux Falls #1, 6-4, and following that up with a 6-3 win over Sioux Falls #2. In the first game Clay Ambach scored twice while Raef Briggs, Caden Davis, Andrew Gordon and Spencer Wedin each found the net once. Kieran Duffy made 31 saves. On Sunday Briggs’ hat trick, Spencer Wedin’s pair of goals and Leif’s one secured another Oahe win as Duffy made 25 more saves. The Caps are home Friday at 8 p.m. vs. Rushmore and Saturday at 7 p.m. against Brookings.

Rapid City Rush: The Rush were swept in three games last week, losing to Utah 2-1 in overtime, losing to Idaho 3-2 in a shootout and losing to Idaho again 3-1. Rapid City is home Friday and Saturday vs. Tulsa.

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Herd split with Lincoln, losing 3-2 and winning 2-0. Sioux Falls goes to Cedar Rapids Friday and on to Dubuque Saturday.

Aberdeen Wings: The Wings won in a shootout over Austin, 3-2, then lost to Austin, 5-2. Aberdeen plays Friday and Saturday at Minot.

North Dakota: UND was swept in two games at St. Cloud State, 4-3 in a shootout and 2-1. Now 23-4-4, the Fighting Hawks are home Friday and Saturday vs. Western Michigan with both games on Midco Sports Network.

Minnesota Wild: The Wild won three of four games this week—beating Vancouver, 4-3; Edmonton, 5-3, and Columbus, 5-4, and losing to St. Louis, 4-1. Minnesota is at Detroit Thursday, at Columbus Friday, home vs. Washington Sunday and home vs. Nashville Tuesday.

PRAYER FOR THESE TIMES

“I think it’s getting close to time for the locker room talk, great Spirit, the one where you gather us around and inspire us to get back out there and win this one for the Gipper. We have a virus spreading, an election heating up and a financial meltdown, not to mention our concerns for climate change. It has been a tough first half. So tell us again why we can overcome all of these issues. Tell us why justice will win in the end, disease will be overcome and the stability of our community restored. Give us your vision and your determination. Give us your hope and your confidence. Remind us that we are a team. Lift us up, Spirit, and get us back into the game.”

— The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston
Episcopal Intercultural Network

BASEBALL UPDATE

Live TV games this weekend:
— Friday, 8:05 p.m.: Colorado vs. San Francisco, MLBN.
— Saturday, 12:05 p.m.: Washington vs. St. Louis, MLBN.
— Sunday, 12:05 p.m.: Atlanta vs. Boston, MLBN.
— Sunday, 12:05 p.m.: Minnesota vs. Tampa Bay, FSN+.
— Monday, 12:05 p.m.: Minnesota vs. St. Louis, MLBN.

Minnesota Twins:

Minnesota Twins this week:
Thursday—at Toronto, 12:07 p.m.
Friday—Boston, 12:05 p.m.
Saturday—Pittsburgh, 5:05 p.m.
Sunday—at Tampa Bay, 12:05 p.m. (FSN+).
Monday—at St. Louis, 12:05 p.m., MLBN.
Tuesday—Detroit, 12:05 p.m., FSN.
Thursday—at Baltimore, 2:05 p.m.

The Twins are 3-1-2 after the first week of spring training. They beat the University of Minnesota, 16-0; beat Pittsburgh, 2-1; tied Toronto, 5-5, in nine innings; beat Boston, 3-2; tied Atlanta, 4-4, and lost to Philadelphia, 5-4.

BASKETBALL UPDATE

Minnesota Timberwolves: Three more losses for the Wolves this week—129-119 to Boston, 128-116 to Denver and 139-123 to Dallas. But last night they won at Miami, 129-126. Minnesota goes to Orlando Friday, home against Dallas Sunday, to New Orleans Tuesday and home vs. Chicago next Wednesday.

Sioux Falls Skyforce: The Force won all their games this week—120-97 over Memphis, 127-105 over Oklahoma City, and 100-99 over Austin. In their only game in the coming week the Skyforce plays at Texas Friday.

MIDCO SPORTS NETWORK LIVE TV GAMES

Thursday, 5 p.m.: Women’s basketball, SDSU at NDSU.
Thursday, 7 p.m.: Men’s basketball, SDSU at NDSU.
Thursday, 7 p.m.: Women’s basketball, UND at Omaha (MSN2).
Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Men’s hockey, Western Michigan at UND.
Saturday, 1 p.m.: Women’s basketball, Omaha at NDSU (MSN2).
Saturday, 3 p.m.: Men’s basketball, Omaha at NDSU (MSN2).
Saturday, 7 p.m.: Men’s hockey, Western Michigan at UND.
— NSIC tournaments:
Saturday, men’s quarterfinals—12:00, Augustana vs. Northern; 2:30, MSU-Moorhead vs. Upper Iowa; 5:30, USF vs. Minnesota State-Mankato; 8:00, Winona State vs. Minnesota-Duluth.
Sunday, women’s quarterfinals—12:00, Northern vs. Minnesota-Duluth; 2:30, Mary vs. Minnesota State-Mankato; 5:30, Winona State vs. USF; 8:00, Augustana vs. St. Cloud State.
Monday, men’s semifinals—12:00, 2:30.
Monday, women’s semifinals—5:30, 8:00.
Tuesday, men’s championship—5:00.
Tuesday, women’s championship—7:30.

GOLF UPDATE

PGA Champions Tour (Tom Byrum): Idle last week, the Champions Tour moves west to Tucson for the Cologuard Classic Friday through Sunday.

SOCCER UPDATE

Minnesota United FC: The Loons completed their preseason schedule with a 1-1-1 record after beating Portland, 4-2, and losing at Vancouver, 2-1. The regular-season opener is at Portland at 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox Sports 1.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Feb. 27:
Patrick Olson, Nick Marso, Sheryl Johnson, Tyson Pierce, Vada Smith, Seth Deal, Terry (Lamster) Horning, Macy Bryant, Sara (Stulken) Kehrwald, Steven Jonas, Amanda Barber, Jim Bright, Andrea (Viken) Urbach.

Friday, Feb. 28:
Dawn (Henderson) Holmes, Anna (Van Duzer) Yost, Karen (Van Camp) DeJabet, Harry Decker, Terry Miller, Mitch Irion, Bre Ripperger, Derek Van Roekel, Kyler Tieszen, Kayla Klemann, Andrew Chick, Nancy Peck.

Saturday, Feb. 29:
Marjoanne (Schmidt) Thompson, Karen (Rawstern) LaFurge, Warren Albertson.

Sunday, March 1:
Jeb Bruzelius, Nathaniel Buscher, Laura Louder, Dan Cahill, Karen Schaefer, Robae (Cook) Robinson, Caleb McKinley.
— 6th anniversary, Alan/Ann Hess.
— 17th anniversary, Adam/Jami Chick.
— 20th anniversary, Brady/Emily Smith.

Monday, March 2:
Fletcher Ruby, Kate Boyd, Brianna Neuhauser, Lindsey (Lower) Uecker, Curt Roddewig, Rev. Teri Johnson, Sawyer Weinheimer, Sandy Zimmerman, Julie Morris-Holter, Karen Gerdes, Patricia Labahn-Kuchta.

Tuesday, March 3:
Brooke Goff, Jacob Wagner, Jesse Flottmeyer, Justin Flottmeyer, Will Vogel, Leah (Anglin) Hammersley, Carol (Sanborn) Koehn, Kenyon Kuiper, Chad Pitlick, Amanda Redden, Alena Axlund.
— 2nd anniversary, Kyle/Ali (Meister) Cichos.
We fondly remember Brooks Monfore, who passed away 8 years ago today.

Wednesday, March 4:
Holly (Curtis) Thompson, Nancy (Lamb) Weischedel, Claribel (Seaman) Stahl, Tamra Downs, Jon Gober, Ken Starks, Drew Nafus, Becca Jordre, Chris Schumacher, Lauren Jarvis, Kadin Johnson, Sheena Erickson, Sarah (Shepherd) Schulte.

Thursday, March 5:
Brecken Ottenbacher, Parker Anderson, Cindi Pochop, Genie (Wood) Lauing, Pat Swartz, Austin Myers, Jessica Smith, Judy Holzwarth, Carter Gilmore, John Sutton, Mary Deichert, Katelyn Decker, Brenna Martin, Jill Aadland, Brandon Ogan, Drew Osnes, Kera (Olson) Boaz.

ZESTO SHERBET SCHEDULE

Sunday-Monday: lemon.
Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday: coconut.

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

South Dakota State wrestling (Aric Williams): The Jackrabbits lost the season-ending dual to NDSU, 19-18. Aric did not wrestle in that varsity match. He went 7-11 this season, going 4-8 in matches decided by decision, 2-0 in major decisions, 0-3 in technical falls and 1-0 in matches decided by fall. SDSU sends wrestlers next to Tulsa for the Big 12 Conference tournament March 7-8.

Mary wrestling (Lincoln Turman): The Marauders won a conference dual over Northern, 20-16. Lincoln did not wrestle there. The Mary record in duals was 6-7, including 4-4 in the NSIC. The Marauders wrestle next in the Div. II Super Region 5 at Sioux Falls Saturday.

South Dakota women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb, Ciara Duffy): The Coyotes are now 26-2 and still perfect in the Summit League with one game left in the regular season. USD will be home against UND at 1 p.m. Saturday, but there’s no television of this game. USD clinched no worse than a tie for the regular-season championship by swamping NDSU, 96-57. Ciara was 10-of-15 from the field (1-of-3 in threes) and 1-of-1 for 22 points with a rebound, four assists and three steals. Chloe went 5-of-9 (2-of-2) and 3-of-3 for 15 points with two rebounds, an assist and two steals. On Saturday in Brookings the Coyotes clinched the regular-season championship on their major rival’s court with a 77-67 win over SDSU. Once USD took the lead, the closest SDSU got was five at 37-32, but a nine-point halftime lead held up as a late Jackrabbit rally attempt got them no closer than six. Chloe was a major factor in the win, hitting four three-pointers in seven tries along with 9-of-13 from the field for 22 points with two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Chloe was later named Summit League Player of the Week. Ciara was 7-of-13 (1-of-6) and 2-of-2 for 17 points with four rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

Texas A&M International women’s basketball (Nate Vogel): The Dustdevils lost to Lubbock Christian, 71-36, then beat Angelo State, 86-76. Now 10-16 overall and 7-13 in the conference, TAMIU closes the regular season at home Thursday vs. Tarleton and Saturday vs. Texas Woman’s.

Black Hills State track/field (Kelsey Van Den Hemel, Frank Becker, Allan McDonnell): At BHSU’s Stinger Open, Kelsey placed third in the 5,000-meter run in 20:15.55. Frank was 11th in the 200 meters in 24.80 seconds and seventh in the 400 in 54.03. BHSU goes to the RMAC conference meet in Colorado Springs Friday and Saturday.

South Dakota Mines track/field (Erick Colman, Theron Singleton): At the Stinger Open at Black Hills State, Theron finished sixth in the 3,000 meters in 9:28.13. Erick was sixth in the shot put at 45’11 1/4″ and fifth in the weight throw at 50’10 3/4″. The Hardrockers compete Friday and Saturday in their RMAC conference meet at Colorado Springs.

Northern track/field (Rachel Guthmiller): At SDSU’s Last Chance meet Rachel was 25th in the weight throw event at 39’5 1/4″. Northern sends athletes to the NSIC conference meet at Mankato Friday and Saturday.

South Dakota State track/field (Addyson Eisenbeisz): At SDSU’s Last Chance meet Addy tied for first place in the high jump with a leap of 5’6 1/2″. The Jacks go to the Summit League conference meet at Fort Wayne Friday and Saturday.

Wyoming wrestling (Tate Samuelson): The Cowboys lost a 17-16 dual at West Virginia, but Tate won his 184-pound match in an 8-4 decision. Wyoming competes next March 7-8 at the Big 12 conference meet in Tulsa.

Augustana wrestling (Jebben Keyes): The Vikings lost to top-ranked St. Cloud State, 27-3. Jebben did not wrestle in that dual. Augie finishes the regular season 10-4 in duals, including 6-2 in the NSIC. Augustana hosts Super Region 5, one of Division II’s five national regional meets, Saturday at the Pentagon.

Augustana track/field (Elizabeth Schaefer): At the SDSU Last Chance meet Elizabeth placed 18th in the shot put at 35’10 3/4″. Augie competes at the NSIC conference meet Friday and Saturday in Mankato.

Colorado Mines women’s basketball (Liz Holter): The Orediggers lost both RMAC games to their South Dakota opponents. In a 55-48 loss to Black Hills State, Liz was 0-for-6 and 0-for-0 and had two assists. In a 77-75 loss to South Dakota Mines, she was 2-of-9 (0-for-2 in threes) and 3-of-4 for seven points with six rebounds, eight assists and a steal. Now 18-8 overall and 15-6 in the league, Colorado Mines finishes the regular season Friday at UC-Colorado Springs.

Black Hills State women’s basketball (Racquel Wientjes): The Yellow Jackets won at Colorado Mines, 55-48, as Racquel went 7-of-17 (4-of-9 in threes) and 4-of-4 for 22 points with six rebounds and one blocked shot. In a 57-56 loss to UC-Colorado Spriings she was 4-of-17 (1-of-5) and 4-of-7 for 13 points with four rebounds, one assist and four steals. BHSU, now 16-10 overall and 13-8 in the league, ends the regular season at the School of Mines Friday.

South Dakota State swimming (Ashley Theobald, Caleb Huizenga): At the Summit League championships in Sioux Falls, Ashley, who earned recognition on the all-conference team, placed seventh in the 400 individual medley, swimming a career-best time of 4:31.65. She was also seventh in the 200 IM in 2:06.78 and second in the 100 IM in 57.65 seconds. She swam on the “A” team in the 200 freestyle relay (second in a school-record time of 1:34.4), on the “B” team in the 200 medley relay (eighth in 1:46.26) and on the “B” team in the 400 free relay (ninth in 3:34.85). Caleb swam on three relay teams—the “B” team in the 400 medley (ninth in 3:36.31), the “B” team in the 200 free relay (ninth in 1:24.88) and the “B” team in the 400 free relay (ninth in 3:07.63). Denver won the league title in both men’s and women’s divisions with USD second in both and SDSU third in both among six schools.

Lindenwood men’s hockey (Coleman Varty): The Lions swept Iowa State, winning 4-1 and 3-2 in a shootout. Now 23-7-0, Lindenwood plays at Missouri State Friday and Saturday to end the regular season.

Tennessee women’s basketball (Caleb Currier): After an 83-75 loss to Arkansas, the Lady Vols won a game they had to have, 67-63 over Vanderbilt. Tennessee ends the regular season at home Thursday vs. Mississippi and Sunday on the road at Auburn.

South Dakota State baseball (Landon Badger): Through the weekend the Jackrabbits were 1-5 for the new season. They spent the weekend in Stockton, Calif., going 1-2 against Pacific University. In a 2-1 win Friday Landon was 0-for-1 at the plate but walked twice and scored once. On Saturday he went 3-for-5 and had an RBI single in the top of the ninth as SDSU scored four to runs to take a 12-11 lead. The lead was lost when the home team scored twice in the bottom of the ninth for the win. On Sunday the Jacks lost 6-5. Badger accounted for State’s first two runs in the third on a two-run home run. He also walked once. Last night in Minneapolis the Jacks lost to Minnesota, 4-2. To lead off the game, Badger reached on an error and scored on a teammate’s double. Landon was 0-for-4 at the plate and walked once. SDSU goes all the way south to Edinburg, Texas, to play four this weekend against Texas-Rio Grande Valley, then plays another game at Minnesota next Wednesday.

Iowa Western baseball (Peyton Zabel): The Reivers are 8-2 after a 3-1 weekend. They won twice at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, 7-0 and 8-6, then split with Crowder College, winning 9-7 and losing 9-4. Iowa Western plays four games Saturday and Sunday against Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kan.

Minnesota baseball (Nolan Burchill): After a 16-0 drubbing at the hand of the Minnesota Twins in Florida, the Gophers returned home and went 1-2 against powerhouse TCU at U.S. Bank Stadium. Nolan faced one Twins batter and struck him out. In a 12-0 loss to TCU, Nolan pitched one inning, facing six batters. He walked two, gave up two hits and two earned runs, got one batter on a ground ball and retired another on a fly-out. Minnesota then beat TCU, 7-6, and lost, 11-2. After a home win over South Dakota State, 4-2, last night, the Gophers stay in the Vikings’ ballpark to face North Carolina Friday, Duke Saturday, North Carolina State Tuesday, North Dakota State Tuesday, and SDSU again next Wednesday.

Northern baseball (Spencer Sarringar): The Wolves opened their season at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis Tuesday, losing both ends of a doubleheader against St. Cloud State. In a 9-0 loss in the first game Spencer was starting catcher and went 0-for-2 at the plate but walked once and stole a base. In a 3-1 loss in the nightcap he walked as a pinch-hitter. Northern spends the weekend in Denver to play four games against Regis.

Northern men’s basketball (Lincoln Jordre): Northern won twice to finish the regular season—77-63 over Mary and 67-53 over Minot State before a crowd of 5,242 at the Barnett Center. NSU was 22-6 overall in the regular season and 18-4 in the NSIC. Last night in the NSIC first round, the Wolves defeated Southwest Minnesota State, 79-67, to advance to the Sanford Pentagon for a quarterfinal game at noon Saturday against Augustana on Midco Sports Network.

Augustana women’s basketball (Aislinn Duffy, Katie Bourk): The Viking women defeated USF, 79-56, as Aislinn was 9-of-15 (1-of-4 in threes) and 0-for-0 for 19 points with six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Augie then lost to Southwest Minnesota State, 72-65, as Aislinn was 4-of-7 (0-for-2) and 0-of-0 for eight points with seven boards and three assists. Augie finished the regular season at 16-10 overall, 12-10 in the NSIC. Last night in the first round of the NSIC tournament, Augustana ousted Bemidji State, 75-56. Aislinn was 4-of-7 (1-of-2) for nine points with two rebounds. The Viking women advanced to the quarterfinals at the Pentagon Sunday at 8 p.m. vs. St. Cloud State on Midco Sports Network.

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Bradley Dean): The Tigers lost their regular-season finale to Hastings, 70-62. Brad got into the game for 11 minutes and made one of two free throws for a point along with one rebound, one block and one steal. DWU finished the regular season at 21-8 overall and 13-7 in the GPAC. As the #2 in the GPAC post-season tournament, the Tigers were at home last night and defeated Jamestown, 90-75. Brad got into the game for one minute of action. Stunning news elsewhere in the GPAC was that top seed Morningside was beaten, so DWU is the highest remaining seed. The Tigers will be home Saturday vs. Mount Marty in the semifinals. The championship game will be Tuesday.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• There are some weird team nicknames in the Expedition League. Now we have another. The new Sioux Falls franchise will go by the name of the SunFish, playing their home games at Ronken Field on the Augustana campus. The Sioux Falls team will be the Pierre Trappers’ first home opponents of the coming season at the end of May.
• Sioux Falls Jefferson won’t open till the fall of 2021, but we know their athletic teams will be called the Cavaliers, and their colors will be dark green and gold.

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

A Riggs High barbershop quartet composed of Eli Houdyshell, Levi McKInley, Jacob Larson and Isiah Hand who earned a superior rating at the regional music conest earned Fine Arts Performers of the Week recognition last week.

Dr. Rhea Waldman, who currently works as education director at the South Dakota Discovery Center, will be that facility’s new executive director, replacing Kristi Maher, who left to run the Stanley County GOLD Program. (News courtesy of “Today’s KCCR News.”)

A Pierre resident since 1984, Tom Weber passed away at the age of 73 on Feb. 20 at Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota, Fla. Visitation will be tonight (Thursday) from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Isburg Funeral Chapel where a prayer service and rosary begin at 7. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Tom graduated from high school at LeCenter, Minn. He and Karen Opp were married in 1969. They lived in Minneapolis for three years and Sioux Falls for 11 years, and in both locations Tom managed a Cook Paint Store. The Webers moved in 1984 to Pierre where Tom worked as a financial planner with IDS/Ameriprise until 2005. After retiring he worked as a stocker at Walmart. In recent years the Webers spent winters in Florida. Tom is survived by his wife, Karen Weber; daughter-in-law Benita Weber of Aberdeen, who was married to the late Chad Weber; daughter Jennifer Weber and her spouse, Todd Reistroffer, of Sioux Falls; son Nathan Weber and his wife Jill (Storsteen) of Mitchell; five grandchildren; brothers, Terry Weber, Mike Weber, Frank Weber and Dan Weber and their wives, and sisters Ann Claffey and her husband and Carolyn Weber, as well as 28 nephews and nieces.

Sandra “Kim” Hughes died Feb. 17 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Services were held Feb. 24 at Lutheran Memorial Church. She graduated from Stanley County High School in 1978 and studied at Capital University Center. She married Donald Boe in 1980. At the time of her death she was working at State Radio Communications. She is survived by her daughter, Darci Ann Boe; her son, Daniel Boe; three grandchildren; three sisters, Carla Boe and Teresa Masteller of Fort Pierre and Kathy Mayworm of Springtown, Texas; a brother, Todd Hughes of Pierre, and many uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.

Mary Gates, executive director of The Right Turn for 10 years, is retiring from that position at the end of May.

Among the officials assigned to work the state “A” and “B” wrestling tournaments this weekend are Kris Dozark and Steve Rounds of Pierre. Tyler Bryant of Sioux Falls is also one of the tournament officials.

Pierre Police Department officer Cole Martin, who has been with the department since 2005, was promoted to patrol sergeant in a pinning ceremony Tuesday. Martin began here as a communications officer, transferring to patrol officer. Most recently he has been serving as an investigator assigned to the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force in Pierre. (News courtesy of Dakota Radio Group’s “My Daily News.”)

The Athlete of the Week honors for last week from the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association went to Jasmine Rounds of the gymnastics team and Deegan Houska of the wrestling team. This week the honored athlete is Cade Hinkle of the wrestling team.

Tom Rogers, who teaches drafting, welding and cabinetry in the industrial arts department at Riggs High School, has been named Teacher of the Year for the Pierre School District. Other nominees were Renee Allen, special education teacher at Georgia Morse Middle School; Kay Hanten, second-grade teacher at Kennedy Elementary; Nichole Bowman, eighth-grade math teacher at the middle school, and Jen (Thorson) Nedrebo, Title I/reading teacher at Buchanan Elementary.

One of those people born on Feb. 29 who have an actual birthday only once every fourth year is former Pierre resident Warren Albertson. He may be 84, but he’ll have his 21st birthday on Saturday. Friends can send greetings to him at 6516 Wellington Dr., Rapid City SD 57702.

The local High Plains Wildlife Federation has honored Dean Hyde as its Outstanding Member of the Year.

A Night of Superiors, a concert by Riggs High students who earned superior ratings at the regional music contests, will take place in the Riggs band room at 6 p.m. Monday, March 2. Note the change of date from the original schedule.

Our sympathy to Leanne and Randy Neuhauser and all of the rest of their families. Leanne’s mother, Letoy Brown, passed away at the age of 87 at the Kadoka Care Center on Feb. 14. Services were held Feb. 22 at the Presbyterian church in Kadoka. Mrs. Brown was Jackson County treasurer for several decades. She is survived by four other children, 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Back in 2017 Pierre native Stuart Stofferahn of Lincoln, Neb., wrote and published “The Love of a Cold, Wet Nose—Stories of a Hospice Dog.” He told the moving stories of how Buckley, his lovable companion, comforted hospice patients in their final weeks of life and how he changed the lives of his home family as well. We are so very sad to relate that Stu and his family had to say goodbye to Buckley this week. (If you have never read the book, it is available at www.amazon.com.)

Speaking of Stuart Stofferahn, he has been informed by the College of Education at the University of Nebraska-Omaha that he is being honored by the school as a Distinguished Alumnus.

BankWest has announced three new members of its 11-person board, and two of them are Pierre natives. Bob Burke, who is currently fraud risk manager for the bank as well as a small business owner and a real estate broker, and his sister, Becky Burke, who is currently vice president of strategic initiatives for the bank, are new members of the board as well as Russell Olson of Madison. Current members of the board are chairman Charles Burke III, Kent Kinkler of Onida, and Pierre residents Scott Jones, Ellen Lee, Ed Nill, Merrill Olson, Scott Bollinger and Rob Anderson.

Presenting and performing at the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce’s Ag Appreciation Banquet next Thursday, March 5, at the Ramkota will be the Peterson Farm Brothers. The event begins with a 5:30 social hour and continues at 6:30 with dinner and program. The Rancher of the Year award will be presented. Tickets are free to area ranchers and farmers, courtesy of sponsoring businesses, The Peterson brothers—Greg, 28; Nathan, 25, and Kendal, 22—farm with their parents and sister near Assaria, Kan. For years they have been promoters and advocates for agriculture, especially family-farm agriculture. They have traveled extensively, performing their farming-related parodies of pop music and supporting ag-related programs and events. More information on the Petersons can be read on their Facebook page entitled “Peterson Farm Bros.”

Bryan and Grace Beck are the parents of a son, Arlo James Beck, who was born Feb. 23, weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces. His brother, Kenneth Robert Beck, named for his great-grandfather, is 17 months old.

Onida native Mike Currier, 59, Sioux Falls, died Feb. 23 at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls. A gathering celebrating his life will be held at a later date. Mike was the oldest of the five children of Duane and Monita (McKenney) Currier. He was part of the Sully Buttes High School class of 1979 into his senior year. He spent many years on the road as a truck driver.