TO MIDWEEK UPDATE READERS:

Last week my home laptop crashed, and I am either in the process of having it repaired or purchasing a new one. Until that time, if the Midweek Update is to continue, it is going to have to be done through a different laptop at a different location than home. So the Update, for the time being, will contain only the bare minimums—local news/sports/obituaries and calendar events. (If you wonder how the Timberwolves did in the past week, you’ll have to look it up yourselves!) So bear with me for a few weeks, please!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“You get wrapped up in getting all the glory and the fame and the status. I feel like that’s a shallow life and that can fade away pretty quickly.”
— Brock Purdy, 49ers quarterback

TOURNAMENT TIME ROUNDUP

STATE INDIVIDUAL WRESTLING

This is regional tournament weekend, and there will be a plethora of wrestlers and school buses in Pierre/Fort Pierre. At Riggs High the Governors host the Region 3A tournament, welcoming in Aberdeen Central, Chamberlain, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, Mitchell, Todd County, Sisseton, Milbank and Huron wrestlers. At Parkview Gym the Buffaloes host the Region 4B tournament, joined by Custer, Elk Mountain, Faith, Harding County, Hill City, Hot Springs, McLaughlin, Newell, Lead-Deadwood, Lemmon/McIntosh, Philip/Kadoka/Wall, Red Cloud, St. Francis, St. Thomas More, Lyman and Mobridge-Pollock. The top four placers in each weight class advance to next week’s state tournaments in Sioux Falls.

Sully Buttes goes to the Region 1B tournament at Gettysburg Saturday, joined there by Webster, Redfield, Potter County, Hamlin/Castlewood, Faulkton, Clark/Willow Lake, Sioux Valley, Tiospa Zina, Britton-Hecla, Doland, Groton, Ipswich/Bowdle, Kingsbury County and Warner/Northwestern.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Postseason play begins next week. For Sully Buttes in Region 6B the first-round games will be Monday, with the second round Tuesday and the two semifinal games next Thursday. Those last two winners advance to the SoDak 16 Feb. 29, and from there the eight winners go to the state tournament.

In Region 6A Stanley County begins play Tuesday night. The semifinals will be Thursday, and those two winners advance to the SoDak 16 on Feb. 29, and from there the eight victors go to the state tournament.

In Class “AA” the Governors and the other qualifying teams play in the SoDak 16 on March 1, and those eight winners become the state tournament qualifiers.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Stanley County begins postseason play in the Region 6A tournament Feb. 27 with semifinal games on March 1. The two semifinal winners go on to the SoDak 16 round on March 5, and from there the eight winners qualify for the state tournament.

Sully Buttes begins postseason play in the Region 6B tournament Feb. 26 with the second round Feb. 27 and the semifinal games March 1. The two semifinal winners play in the SoDak 16 on March 1, and from there the eight winners qualify for the state tournament.

Pierre’s game in the SoDak 16 round in Class “AA” will be on March 2, and the eight winners that night go on to the state tournament.

STATE GIRLS HOCKEY

The girls varsity state tournament will be played in Watertown March 1-3. The teams are seeded according to their regular-season records.

STATE BOYS HOCKEY

The boys varsity state tournament will be hosted by Brookings March 8-10. The teams are seeded according to their regular-season records.

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— FRIDAY
Boys basketball: home vs. Mitchell.
Girls basketball: at Mitchell.
— SATURDAY
Wrestling: home for Region 3A tournament.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: at Sioux Falls Jefferson.
Boys basketball: home vs. Sioux Falls Jefferson.

Girls wrestling: The Governor girls captured the ESD tournament championship at Harrisburg with 150 points, followed by Harrisburg 125.5, Watertown 125, Aberdeen Central 120 and Brookings 58. Pierre’s individual champions were Dani Ringstmeyer at 120 pounds, Kezrey Benning at 132, Ireland Templeton at 145 and Abbigail Lewis at 152.

Gymnastics: At the state tournament held at Riggs High, the Pierre girls placed sixth in the “AA” team competition with 137.811 points, only three points back of third place. Mitchell was the state team champion. In the “AA” individual competitions Neveah Karber placed ninth in the all-around standings at 35.682. earning All-State status, and Ryen Sheppick was 13th. In the vault Karber tied for 21st, Kirsten Korber placed 26th and Sheppick was 29th. On the beam Karber tied for 13th, Sheppick was 16th, Madelyn Merrill 26th, KaCee Wilson 33rd and Rebecca Spitzer 35th. On the bars Karber tied for 14th, Wilson was 16th, Sheppick placed 23rd and Merrill finished 34th. In floor exercise Karber was 19th, Merrill 23rd and Sheppick 27th.

Boys dual wrestling: Sturgis won the state team duals tournament title at Brookings Saturday. In the quarterfinals Pierre defeated West Central, 42-25, but lost Jaxon Ducheneaux due to injury, and that affected the rest of the day’s competitions for the Governors. Against West Central Trey Lewis, Chance Carda, Tristan Spencer and Lucas Chamberlin won by falls; Alex Oedekoven won by forfeit, and Jacob Mason and Walker West won by decision. In the semifinals Watertown took advantage of the Ducheneaux injury, winning 7 of the 14 weight classes. Chamberlin and Lewis won by falls, Brock Moser and Spencer won by major decisions, and Carda, Elijah Boutchee and Oedekoven won by decisions as Watertown advanced to the finals with a 38-29 win. Pierre wrestled for third against Aberdeen Central and fell to the Eagles by 31-30. Lewis, Carda, Chamberlin and Walker West won by falls, and Lucas Colman and Moser won by decisions. Pierre won four of the last five matches at 150, 165, 175 and 190 pounds but fell just one team point short. The Govs had to forfeit the 157-pound weight class, giving Aberdeen six crucial free points. Pierre’s final dual record was 10-4.

Girls basketball: The Governors cruised to a 61-35 win over Brookings. Lennix Dupris had 27 points and Reese Terwilliger 12 to lead Pierre whose record is now 12-5.

Boys basketball: The Govs were down at halftime at Brookings by 28-21 but rallied to beat the one-win Bobcats in overtime, 54-50. Dawson Getz scored 28 points, including seven in overtime. Pierre’s record is 10-7.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— FRIDAY
Girls basketball: at Little Wound.
Boys basketball: at Little Wound.
— SATURDAY
Wrestling: home for Region 4B tournament.
— MONDAY
Boys basketball: home vs. Lyman.

Girls basketball: The Buffaloes won their second game of the year when they beat Dupree, 40-37. On Tuesday they lost to Mobridge-Pollock, 69-27. SC’s record is 2-17.

Boys basketball: In their only game this week the Buffs got a three-pointer from Paxton Deal with :01.7 seconds left to beat Mobridge-Pollock, 62-59. SC’s record is 11-7.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Faulkton.
Boys basketball: home vs. Faulkton.
— SATURDAY
Boys basketball: at Warner Classic.
Wrestling: at Region 1B tournament, Gettysburg.
— MONDAY
Girls basketball: First-round game of Region 6B tournament.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: Possible second-round game of Region 6B tournament.

Wrestling: At the Black Hills Last-Chance Tournament in Hot Springs, Sully Buttes had two individual champions in girls wrestling. Cateri Yellow Hawk won the 126-pound class, and Cheyenne Fuller was the 138-pound champion.

Boys basketball: The Chargers lost to Mobridge-Pollock, 69-54; lost to Aberdeen Christian, 78-54, and beat Sunshine Bible, 72-45, for a 7-10 record.

Girls basketball: The Charger girls lost to Mobridge-Pollock, 61-50; beat Lower Brule at the Warner Classic, 42-40, and beat Sunshine Bible, 61-24, for a 10-9 record.

COUNTDOWN

2 days: Region 3A wrestling tournament, Pierre (Feb. 17).
2 days: Region 4B wrestling tournament, Fort Pierre (Feb. 17).
4 days: Presidents Day (Feb. 19).
7 days: State individual wrestling tournaments, Sioux Falls (Feb. 22-24).
8 days: Minnesota Twins spring training opener (Feb. 23).
8 days: Pierre Players’ “Clue: On Stage” (Feb. 23-March 2).
10 days: Pierre Concert Series, “Yu and I” (Feb. 25).
12 days: Georgia Morse Middle School musical, “The Lion King Jr.” (Feb. 27-29).
15 days: Zesto opens (March 1).
16 days: NSIC men’s/women’s basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (March 2-5).
21 days: State girls basketball tournaments (AA Sioux Falls Pentagon, A Brookings Dacotah Bank Center, B Rapid City Summit Arena) (March 7-9).
22 days: Summit League men’s/women’s basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (March 8-12).
24 days: The Oscars, ABC-TV (March 10).

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• I have not had access to Facebook for a week, and I miss it terribly! I don’t know whose birthday it is, I don’t know what has happened statewide and nationally, I don’t know what news you have posted about yourself or your family. In short, my source of a lot of what usually goes into the Midweek Update has gone missing without my own laptop available. Therefore, if you have news, whether wonderful or bad or interesting that present and former residents of our hometown areas should read about, you need to send it to me at parkerhome16@hotmail.com. And if you miss my daily “words of wisdom” on my Facebook page every morning, thank you for saying so. I miss posting them, too!
• A few years back when things were right with the world and the Patriots won the Super Bowl often, they played a playoff game in Kansas City that went into overtime. Tom Brady got the ball first, drove for a score, and little Patty Mahomes never got a chance. A couple years back, the Chiefs did the same thing to Buffalo; Mahomes drove for an overtime score, and Josh Allen never got a shot. So the NFL changed the rules for overtime. And wouldn’t you know! The Chiefs would not be celebrating this week if the old rule had been in place last Sunday. The 49ers scored first in overtime, and in the former days that would have won the game for them.
• Those of you who complained—no, whined and cried—that the Patriots got into the Super Bowl almost every year should now be doing the same over the Chiefs. Enough already! Anybody but Kansas City from now on! You who said the refs always favored the Patriots and who said they always got the breaks should be thinking similar thoughts about the Chiefs. A punted ball hits the HEEL of a player and thus becomes a live ball, so the 49ers’ punt receiver had to try to pick up the ball. He couldn’t, the Chiefs recovered, and they had a short 16-yard field on which Mahomes used one play to throw a score. Nice break! A 49ers extra-point attempt (they’re automatic, right?) was blocked, and that point kept the 49ers from winning in regulation time. Nice break! And of course the 49ers gave Mahomes too much time (1:45 or so) just before halftime to score a field goal. And they couldn’t stop the final drive. Disgusting.
• So now we know the NFL season will open with a Thursday night game next September in Kansas City. Again. For whom can we cheer that night? Well, the Chiefs have eight home opponents already determined, and I surmise that the NFL and the TV people will make the Los Angeles Chargers as the opening-night opponent in K.C. That’s because that would be the first game as head coach for Jim Harbaugh, who has just escaped Michigan, leaving all of his violations in his wake for the Michigan people to clean up. What a story the media could make of Harbaugh making his NFL debut against the defending champions! Yep, that’s who it will be. (The other seven Chiefs home opponents will be Baltimore, Cincinnati, Houston, New Orleans, Tampa Bay and the AFC West’s Denver and Las Vegas.)

WORDS OF WISDOM

I believe the greatest privilege in this world is to use your freedom of speech for those who have no voice.
— Ricky Gervais

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

University of Sioux Falls men’s wrestling (Josh Rydberg): The Cougars were idle last week. They wrestle Minnesota State-Mankato Friday.

Augustana swimming (Ella Ward-Zeller): Idle last week, the Vikings swimmers are at the NSIC tournament now through Saturday.

South Dakota State swimming (Morgan Nelson): Idle last week, the Jacks will next swim at the Summit League championships Feb. 21-24.

Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Aric Williams, Tyson Johnson): Idle last week, the Tiger wrestlers go to the GPAC championships Friday and Saturday.

South Dakota men’s basketball (Max Burchill): The Coyote men defeated Denver in overtime, 92-86. Max went 3-of-6 (1-of-3 in threes) and 4-of-4 for 11 points with four rebounds and three assists. USD goes to Omaha Thursday and to St. Thomas Saturday.

University of Sioux Falls women’s wrestling (Toby Bryant): The USF women lost a 30-15 dual to Chadron State. At the Warrior Open in Fremont, USF had a third-place finisher and a fourth-place medalist. USF finishes the dual season with a 6-3 mark in the first year of USF women’s wrestling. The Cougars send some wrestlers to their national regional at Denton, Texas, Feb. 25.

Georgia Tech women’s basketball (Caleb Currier): The Ramblin’ Wreck women lost two games by a total of five points—62-59 to Syracuse and 62-60 to Miami. Now 14-11 overall and 5-8 in the SEC, Georgia Tech plays at Clemson Thursday and at North Carolina State Sunday.

University of Mary women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb): The Marauders lost to St. Cloud State, 68-45, and won over MSU-Moorhead, 87-54. Now 17-9 overall, Mary is home vs. Concordia-St. Paul Friday and Minnesota-Duluth Saturday.

South Dakota State wrestling (Regan Bollweg): The Jackrabbits won a dual at Oklahoma, 20-13, and lost at Oklahoma State, 31-6. Now 12-3 in duals and 6-1 in the Big 12, SDSU wrestles at home at 2 p.m. Sunday vs. Missouri.

South Dakota State men’s track (Rylan McDonnell): Rylan placed third in the long jump with a personal-best distance of 23’0″ at a home meet. The SDSU men were first of 25 teams. SDSU hosts a last-chance meet this Friday.

South Dakota State women’s track (Jessica Lutmer, Lydia Hill): With a third-place time of 4:54.13 in the mile at SDSU’s home meet, Jessica is now ninth on the all-time SDSU runners in the mile. The Jacks host a last-chance meet Friday.

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Nick Wittler): The Tigers lost at home to Concordia, 95-79. Now 14-11 overall and 9-8 in the GPAC, DWU played Morningside last night and hosts Dordt next Wednesday.

Dakota State men’s track (Houston Lunde): At Mount Marty’s meet Houston placed fourth in the weight throw at 51’5″ and 18th in the shot put at 41’9 3/4″. DSU competes Sunday in the NSAA conference championships at Brookings.

Black HIlls State men’s basketball (Jackson Edman): The Yellowjackets beat Colorado Mines, 86-83, and lost to Metro State, 75-58. Now 11-11 overall and 9-7 in the RMAC, BHSU is home Friday vs. UC-Colorado Springs and Saturday vs. Regis.

Northern women’s basketball (Katie Bourk): The Wolves won over Minnesota-Crookston, 85-59. NSU is now 17-7 overall and 13-5 in the NSIC. They host Winona State Friday and Minnesota State Saturday.

HOCKEY UPDATE

Oahe Capitals boys varsity: The Caps earned standing points in both weekend games despite winning one and losing one. In a 7-3 win over Mitchell, Barret Schweitzer had a hat trick with single goals added by Aidan Dozark, Andrew Coughlin, Jarron Beck and Devin Dodson. Spencer Anderson made 24 saves in goal. Down 3-0 to Aberdeen Sunday, the Capitals fought back with three third-period goals to force overtime but lost when Aberdeen put in a goal with 11 seconds remaining to win, 4-34. Dylan Dodson, Aidan Dozark and Keegan Kitts each scored an Oahe goal. Anderson made 27 saves. The Caps have a three-game weekend—Friday at Rushmore at 7 p.m. MST, then home vs. Yankton at 6 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 p.m Sunday.

Oahe Capitals girls varsity: In their last regular-season game the girls fell to Aberdeen, 4-1. Brylee Kafka scored the Capitals’ goal, and Sophia Peschong made 22 saves. The final regular-season record is 8-5-1.

FOOTBALL CONTEST FINAL RESULTS

Our weekly football contest that began in mid-August concluded. Sixteen persons participated in at least 20 of the 27 weekly contests to be considered in the final standings. Thomas Voeltz is our champion this year, accumulating 197 points in the 24 contests he entered, averaging 8.290 points. Runner-up was a former champion, Jason Noyes, who had 169 points in 21 contests, averaging 8.045 points. The remainder of the results:
3. Mikal Kern 7.692 (200/26).
4. Brad Cruse 7.654 (199/26).
5. Jon Boer 7.333 (198.27).
6. Randy Pool 7.148 (193/27).
7. Debra Bollinger 6.957 (160/23).
8. Nathan Vetter 6.885 (179/26).
9. Seb Axtman 6.852 (185/27).
10. David Ludwig 6.301 (164/26).
11. Levi Neuharth 6.296 (170/27).
12. Kyle Richards 6.222 (168/27).
13. Eric James 5.950 (143/24).
14. Beth Rinehart 5.778 (156/27).
15. Terry Tousley 5.600 (140/25).
16. Dawn Magee 3.578 (93/26).

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I’m not upset that you lied to me. I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Feb. 15:
Tessa Jorgensen, Brynlee Pease, Stephanie (Tveidt) Knapp, Tracie (Seyfer) Vogel, Lorena Hyde, Kendra (Woodburn) Zuercher, Curtis Egan, Ken Rausch, Nolan Sazama, Lincoln Sazama.
— Anniversary, Dick/Carol Howard.

Friday, Feb. 16:
Bennett Dean, Kent Hrdlicka, Barry Nuttall, Drew Johnson, Dmitri Melius, Bridget Hrdlicka, Cecelia Mortenson, Marilyn Rasmussen, Matt Farris, Hayden Shoup.
— 5th anniversary, Jesse/Meredith (Lee) Roebuck.
— 14th anniversary, Tom/Chelsie Martin.

Saturday, Feb. 17:
Amy (McComsey) Nelson, Austin Hillestad, Alisha (Hunt) Erickson, Rowan Hillestad, Kendall Olson, Eileen Crandell, Jordan Heckenlaible, Kristen (Smart) Biersma, Gilbert Brindza, Brian Bechard, Dan Genzler, Ryan Murphy, Alec Anderson, Brady Walz.

Sunday, Feb. 18:
Jeff Eckhoff, Matthew Beckwith, Katie Kelly, Hatta Stoeser, Robyn (Starks) Holcomb, Gale Harkless, Michael Lusk, Caelie Williams, Rachel Engbrecht, Mary Lehecka Nelson, Dana (Garry) Reiprich, Debbie (Heckel) Blackledge, Katelyn (Lamb) Pottorff.
— 13th anniversary, Dustin/Therese (Blake) Schutz.
— 7th anniversary, Todd/Cora Pfister.
— We fondly remember Shane Cronin on his birthday.

Monday, Feb. 19:
Tony Rislov, Madelyn Hove, Kathy Christenson, Erin Moehring, Josh Breske, T.J. Iaquinta, Hatta (Clark) Barnes, Coral Assam, Sarah (Nystrom) Duncan, Sandy Krom, Charlie Meyer, Caleb Stoltenburg, Amanda Slama, Penelope Sampson, Michael Pangburn, Chase Campbell, Pam Roberts.
— 19th anniversary, Daniel/Sara (Lakner) Almarez.

Tuesday, Feb. 20:
Mazen Garrett, Lisa Hylle, Carol Howard, Rodd Bauck, Kyle Nuzum, Laura Schmidt, Dan Gilmore, Chaz Williams, Matt Anderson, Amanda Fanger, Marileen Tilberg, Lawson Fravel, Elyse Miller, Ellen Erlenbusch, Matt Dayton, Callie (Buechler) Morris, Jesse Gosselin, John Gosselin.
— 9th anniversary, Jayme/Bobby (Krell) Howard.
— 2nd anniversary, Jonathan/Abby (Javurek) Andres.

Wednesday, Feb. 21:
Teddy Jakson, Anne Rasmussen, Jolee Smith, Alissa (Harter) Schumacher, Megan Wellner, Cade Larson, Larry Cass (#85), Pat Brown, Day Breitag, Nancy McCahren, John Weeldreyer, Blaire Formanek, Mallori (Barnett) Johnson, Felicity Cronin, Lynn Senftner.

Thursday, Feb. 22:
Bob Stalley, Ted Massey, Kathryn Hardwick, Steve Radabaugh, Kevin Kalil, A.J. Rounds, Britt Palmer, Ben Jensen, Amy (Robinson) Ryan, Memphis Murphy, Travis Scharnweber, Luke Schuetzle, Jackie Decker, Arlo Rosenau, Karly Harris, Stu Larson.
— 10th anniversary, Brennan/Amber (Russell) Priest.

AIR SHOW COMING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

The skies above Pierre Regional Airport will come alive with the thunderous roar of engines and breathtaking aerobatic displays when the Let Freedom Fly international air show takes center stage May 25-26. Organized by a dedicated team of local aviation enthusiasts, this is the first-ever sir show in Pierre.

The preliminary air show lineup boasts an impressive array of talent, including local favorite Jim Peitz flying the iconic P51D Mustang “Dakota Kid II” as well as his fan favorite aerobatic F33C Bonanza. Other performers include air race pilot/entertainer Vicky Benzing in a Boeing PT-17 Stearman; Matt Younkin showcasing the beauty and power of his twin-engine Beech 18, and Bill Stein thrashing the sky in his Edge 540 aerobatic monoplane. The U.S. Marine Corps will inspire with their MV-22 Osprey demonstration. Additional military and civilian performers are yet to be announced.

Jim Peitz, owner of Mustang Aviation of Pierre and renowned air show performer, is managing the air show operations.

In addition to the aerial displays, the show will feature on the largest displays of vintage military aircraft ever seen in this region, both on the ground and in the air. The Let Freedom Fly air show is made possible through the generous support of the city of Pierre and numerous local businesses. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Pierre United Way, supporting various local charities and initiatives.

Ticket information will be posted soon on the official event website: https://lffairshow.org. Fans are encouraged to sign up for the show’s Flight Crew newsletter on the website to get first notices of breaking news as more details become available. Fans are also invited to follow and share on Facebook and Instagram at “lffairshow.”

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

The first show of Pierre Players’ 2024 season is just a week away. “Clue: On Stage” will be performed on the nights of Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 29 and March 1-2, as well as Sunday afternoon, Feb. 25. Call 224-7826 to make ticket reservations. The play is directed by Joshua Penrod, assisted by Roxanne Smith. Cast members are Jack Mortenson, Chloe Bowers, Jennifer Bieser, Sarah Burger, Jessica Carr, Tyler Seeley, Isaac Gonzolas, Daniel Nelson, Anna Arch, Jamie Myers and A.J. Holland.

Virginia Nelson Learn died Feb. 7. She had spent her last years at Avantara Rehabilitation Center in Pierre after suffering a spinal cord stroke in March of 2021, an incident which paralyzed her from the waist down. A memorial visitation will be scheduled for this spring. Virginia spent her childhood in Kennebec. She married Larry Nelson in 1955, and they raised four children in Murdo and Pierre. Later Virginia moved to Watertown where she married Don Learn. There she clerked in a law office and worked in fast-food establishments. After she returned to Pierre, Virginia helped in a grade school and with Home Health Care. She is survived by four children, Todd (Dawn) Nelson, Mary Kane, Nena Nelson and Lane Nelson; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Aaron Fabel, Oahe Family YMCA chief executive officer, will be leaving his job in Pierre to become vice president of the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties in Fargo. (News courtesy of KCCR Radio)

At the Northridge Mall in Pierre a remodeling project is about to begin. The mall will also have two new tenants—T.J. Maxx and Five Below. The Maurice’s store will move to a new location in the mall. (News courtesy of KCCR Radio)

PONDER THIS

Rivers never go in reverse. So try to live like a river. Forget the past and focus on the future. Always be positive!