Four teams favored in chase for GDC boys title

By Roger Toland, Journal staff

The chase for the Greater Dakota Conference boys' track and field championship could easily turn into a four-team race.

Rapid City Central edged Sioux Falls Roosevelt 135-134 to capture the GDC crown a year ago and both are expected to contend again. Added to the mix this season are the teams from Sioux Falls Lincoln and Rapid City Stevens.

There are two returning GDC champions - Roosevelt's Tyler Lynch (discus) and Stevens' Bryan Keck (pole vault).

A capsule look at the GDC teams:

R.C. Central

Coach: Dave Dolan, 16th year.

Assistant coaches: Randy Hagen, John Houska, Royuanne Jasinski, Loren Kambestad, Trent Pikula, Vince Spease, Jared Vasquez, Thad Caldwell, Royce Wuertzer, Adam Dunn.

Last season's record: Second in state.

Season's outlook: "We have a veteran squad with depth in some areas," said Dolan. "We need to stay healthy and continue to improve to be a contender in May. We will need people to fill in where we lost, due to graduation."

Returning lettermen: seniors Matt Dolan (high jump, middle distance), Mike Gerlach (sprints, relays), Chris Hopkins (hurdles, relays), Andrew Johnson (sprints, relays), Jake Kelly (jumps), Scott Koerlin (high jump), Derrick Oster (hurdles, relays), Tyler Robinson (sprints, relays), Allan Schmaltz (jumps, relays), Taylor Slingsby (pole vault, relays), J.R. Toles (jumps), Jesse Toney (hurdles, relays), Greg Vollmer (distance, relays), James Wright (distance, relays), Kevin Giggee (weights), Elliott Bloom (pole vault), Aaron Schafer (sprints, relays); juniors Cedric Williams (sprints, relays), Mike Krsnak (distance, relays), Trey Masterson (sprints, relays), Gabe Palmer (hurdles), Zach Palmer (hurdles), Cody Roberts (sprints, relays), Matt Heinrich (sprints, relays), Levi Franz (distance, relays); sophomores Jake Kabrud (sprints, relays), Taylor Hill (sprints, relays), Steve Dolan (weights), Justin Dillon (jumps), Tyler DeBriyn (hurdles, relays), Dustin Beaird (weights); freshman Nick Purcell (weights).

Lettermen missing: Ben Jasinski (SDSU), Sean Burns (SDSU), Cole Tucker (CSU), Seth Breckenridge, Kelsey Fitzgerald, Dustin Work, Chris Brandt (USD), Mike Bundy, Darrell Tuttle, Steve Doyle, Josh Johnson.

Conference favorite: Stevens, Lincoln and Roosevelt, Dolan said.

R.C. Stevens

Coach: Paul Hendry, ninth year.

Assistant coaches: Ray Boetel, Forry Flaagan, Kerry Beyer, Lyle Pagel, Jeff Fierro, Irv Hudyma, Jeff Barnes, Josh Lien.

Last season's record: Third in state.

Season's outlook: "We graduated some talented seniors, but return a great group of kids who will work very hard," said Hendry. "We have some outstanding returning athletes, but lack some depth. We will need to stay healthy, keep working hard and develop some of the younger kids in order to be competitive in the conference and state meet."

Returning lettermen: seniors Bryan Keck (state champ in pole vault), Chad Oetken (fourth in long jump, third in high jump), Tim Brown (eighth in 100), James Vollmer (eighth in 400 relay), Cam Fullerton (third in 3,200 relay), Nick Lewandowski (third in 3,200 relay), Connor Mahoney (distance), Aaron Breen (sprints); juniors Darren Messenger (distance), Reed Rice (eight in 400), Cole Benne (eight in 400 relay); sophomores Zach Dau (middle distance), Jon Doyle (sprints, jumps), Mike Hanley (hurdles), Kyle Chapman (hurdles, jumps), John Ruedebusch (sprints), Carter Mitchell (jumps); freshman Zak Prpich (sprints, jumps).

Lettermen missing: Marshall Kambestad (SDSU), Landon Lupi (SDSU), Alex Whitesell (Iowa State), Aaron Parker (Sioux Falls), Chad Ratigan (BHSU), Luke Manlove (Minnesota), Yuki Mutoi (Japan).

Conference favorite: "All schools graduated a number of quality athletes, but Roosevelt and Central may have the most talent," Hendry said.

S.F. Lincoln

Coach: Jim Jarovski, eighth year.

Last season's record: Seventh in state.

Season's outlook: "We return a lot of sprinters with state meet experience," Jarovski said. "We have a good group of distance runners returning and quite a few young kids who we are looking forward to seeing what they can do this year."

Returning lettermen: seniors Matt Braithwaite, D.J. Clark, Ibraham Gabon, Mike Gray, Kelly Hall, Seth Harris, Max Kruse, Andy Lane, Tanner LaValliere, Major McGruder, Bret Olsedky, Nick Selken; juniors Devin Clark, Jeremy Randle, DeAngelo Smith, Dominic Thielen; sophomores Brett Anderson, Derek Carlson, Ross Gebauer, Anthony Mullenburg, Justin Ross.

Lettermen missing: Sean Stokke (DWU), Zach Morris (Augustana), Holden Rassmusen, Austin Vandeberg (Augustana), Derek Washington (DWU), Brian Werner (USD).

Conference favorite: Roosevelt, Jarovski said.

Sturgis

Coach: Cody King, seventh year.

Last season's record: eighth in state.

Assistant coaches: Scott Peterson, Aaron Helvig, Chad Hedderman, Adolph Shepardson, Steve Lensegrav, Chris Koletzky, Steve Hilton.

Returning lettermen: seniors Calvin Cammack (pole vault), Tyler Dodge, Mike Grosik, Chad Peck (sixth in state in pole vault), Nick Kuno, Zac Carter; juniors Brit Porterfield, Drew Carwile, Harrison Smith; sophomores Daine McNenny, Dylan Keszler, Damien Schuster.

Conference favorite: Stevens, King said.

Spearfish

Coach: Aaron Nida, fourth year.

Season's outlook: "We have some solid returning athletes and some promising new athletes, which should add up to a successful season," said Nida.

Returning lettermen: Taber Carlson, Lee Cordell, Rayce Delzer, Bryce Hagerty, Justin Hagerty, Jared Hicks, Kyle Martens, Branden Myers, Trevor Olson, Tim Poper, Jake Russell, P.J. Scheetz, Matt Soriano, Mike Sprigler, D.J. Thompson, Tom Tieszen, Mike Tollefsrud, Randy Vette, Kyle Wagner.

Lettermen missing: Pete Eckrich (BHSU), Brian Coburn (UNL).

Conference favorite: "Stevens has tradition," said Nida.

S.F. Washington

Coach: Everett Gebhart, sixth year.

Season's outlook: "We have a good group of sophomores and good young freshmen," said Gebhart. "If we learn how to compete and gain some confidence, we could be pretty good by state meet."

Returning lettermen: seniors Austin DeYoung (distance), Alex Gutnik (throws), Anthony Murphy (sprints), Jeff Shearer (distance), Alex Zuke (sprints, hurdles); juniors Blake Berke (sprints, jumps), Nate Carda (middle distance), Tim Marlette (sprints, hurdles), R.J. Meier (sprints), Josh Sayler (jumps); sophomores Adam Heck (middle distance), A.J. Holtz (middle distance), Tyler Johnson (jumps), Quintin McMartin (middle distance), Brock Nelson (distance), Casey Shade (middle distance), Jordan Willeson (jumps).

Lettermen missing: Austin Prehiem (USD), Anthony Collins, Josh Nunn (USD), Kyle Blake (NDSU), Josh Soholt (NDSU).

Conference favorite: Stevens, Central and Roosevelt all have good number sand return good athletes," Gebhart said.

S.F. Roosevelt

Coach: Kristi Rieger.

Returning lettermen: seniors Tyler Lynch (state champ in discus), Brad Iverson (sprints, jumps), Mike Dunn (long jump, triple jump), Andrew Duba (distance); juniors Bill Kogel (middle distance, distance), Andrew Martin (shot put, discus), David Sturdevant (sprints, jumps); sophomores Jake Arechigo (middle distance), Andrew Burroughs (sprints), Broch Bills (sprints), Ben Schempp (hurdles).

Promising prospects: seniors Jared Smith (hurdles), Ryan Wudel (sprints); junior Colin Strausberg (hurdles); freshmen Jake Hemenway (middle distance), Jordan Fugelstad (jumps).

Lettermen missing: Tony Thompson (SDSU), Josh Poppen, Alex Anderson (USF).

Conference favorite-Stevens, Rieger said.

S.F. O'Gorman

Coach: Doug Lindner, 28th year.

Assistant coaches: Art Hagg, Paul Kreber, Denny Merritt, Steve Krier, Rick Lynch, Ed Whiting, Alex Butterfield, Mary Stoll, Aaron Strand, Dan Lindner, Mike Neufeld, Tom Slattery, John Sweets, Justin Olson, Terry Sajdak, Derek Robey.

Last seasons's record: 10th in state.

Season's outlook: "We have a number of outstanding athletes who have been part of successful programs this year," said Lindner. "Our numbers are good, with nearly 80 boys participating. This experience should help us in a number of areas."

Returning lettermen: seniors Andrew Berg (throws), Josh Sweets (throws), Adam Hurley (sprints), Tom Jarding (sprints), Pat Wilka (sprints), Mark Engeman (relays), Kirby Monnin (relays); juniors Nick Beare (distance), Jerrod Hopkins (distance), Dan Lown (distance), Matt Greenfield (relays), Danny Isaacson (relays), Dan Windschill, Alex Robey; sophomore Joe Viereck (relays).

Promising prospects: Will Powell (out with injury last year), Phil Wright (transfer), Jordan Wheeler (transfer), Jordan Heisler (distance), Trevor Hooten (distance).

Conference favorite: "It will be a battle between Stevens and Central," Lindner said. "Lincoln and Roosevelt should be in contention."

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