Riders, Raiders in chase for GDC crown

By Roger Toland, Journal staff

A two-team race is shaping up in the Greater Dakota Conference girls' track and field championships.

Defending champion Sioux Falls Roosevelt and runner-up Rapid City Stevens have been tabbed as the teams to beat again this season.

Stevens returns GDC champions in four events - Emily DeVries (300 hurdles), Hannah Lehmann (triple jump) and Brooke Garner (shot put, discus) - while Roosevelt returns three - Allison Eckert (800, 3,200) and Krista Eckert (1,600). The other returning champion is Rapid City Central's Jasmyne King (100).

A look at the GDC teams:

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: State champion.

Season's outlook: "We lost a fabulous group of seniors, however, we have many talented kids returning in all events," Hendry said. "As usual, we will need to develop some more kids and stay healthy."

Returning letterwinners: seniors Lynsey Jansen (state champ in 1,600 relay, second in 800 relay, fifth in 400, eighth in 200), Samee Pagel (state champ in 1,600 relay), Kayla Gosnell (state champ in 400 relay), Kassie McKie (eighth in pole vault), Katie Moran (fifth in medley), Kendra Crisman (distance), Brittany Hovdenes (distance); juniors Emily DeVries (state champ in 300 hurdles, second in 800 relay), Becca Bedard (fifth in 100, fifth in 200, state champ in 400 relay, second in 800 relay), Mikayla Anderson (state champ in 400 relay, fifth in long jump), Taryn Sahli (sixth in 3,200, eighth in 1,600, third in 3,200 relay), Brooke Garner (second in discus, fifth in shot put), Liz Burke (third in 3,200 relay), Brooke Warne (high jump, hurdles), Hannah Lehmann (pole vault, jumps); sophomores Haylee Weisgram (fifth in medley, second in 800 relay, state champ in 400), Cassandrea Peterson (third in 3,200 relay, fifth in medley), Grace Gill (fifth in medley), Kelly Herrmann (fourth in shot put), Annie Pfeifle (third in 3,200 relay), Kate Gutske (fifth in medley), Becca Spangler (eighth in high jump), Cassandra Ceremuga (sprints).

Letterwinners missing: Brittany Garner (SDSU), Kayla Wolff (Central Arkansas), Katie Hogan (U. of Mary), Erin Beisner (Rice U.).

Conference favorite: "It should be another battle between Stevens and Roosevelt, but Central has some very good young kids and will surprise some people," Hendry said.

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: Fifth in state.

Season's outlook: "We have a young group of sprinters, hurdlers and distance, mixed with veterans in field events," Dolan said. "I am excited about our potential this year. We have a solid group of state placers returning, mixed with some newcomers."

Returning letterwinners: seniors Kallie Baum (pole vault), Brittany Deranleau (weights), Cara Leis (jumps), Jessica Thomson (weights), Jenn Wilber (pole vault); juniors Rachael Nilles (sprints, relays), Kayla Pahl (hurdles, relays), Skye Pahl (hurdles, relays), Kristin Quasney (hurdles, relays); sophomores Hollie Bloom (pole vault), Anna Gagliano (hurdles, relays), Katie Ranta (distance, relays), Jenifer Richards (distance, relays), Caitlin Templeton (jumps), Madison Whitley (sprints, relays), Courtney Carmichael (jumps); freshmen Jacquee Jasinski (hurdles, relays), Jasmyne King (sprints, relays), Lecy Lehman (hurdles, relays).

Letterwinners missing: Courtney Ollerich (U. of Mary), J.T. Toles (SDSU).

Conference favorite: "Stevens and Roosevelt have quality and depth," Dolan said. "Central is young, but experienced. We are a darkhorse, but need to cover more events."

S.F. Roosevelt

Coach: Kristi Rieger.

Returning letterwinners: seniors Allison Eckert (state champ in 800, 1,600 and 3,200), Krista Eckert (middle distance, distance), Meghan Nelson (sprints), Katie Bowman (sprints), Jasmine McDonald (hurdles); juniors Caitlyn Crowley (middle distance, distance), Larissa Thune (sprints); sophomores Erin Hargens (middle distance, distance), Megan Bren (first in state in 100), Steph Kroeze (hurdles).

Promising prospects: senior Jennifer Schuttloeffel (shot put, discus); freshmen Bailey Breems (middle distance, distance), Seanna Kautz (middle distance, distance), Shawnteeve Ashley (sprints), Katie Ferguson (jumps).

Letterwinners missing: Brittany Thune (Belmont U.), Victoria Johnson (Dakota State).

Conference favorite: "Roosevelt is the two-time defending champs, but Stevens is always the team to beat," Rieger 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.

Season's outlook: "We are going to have some good individuals," King said.

Returning letterwinners: seniors Nikki Watson (eighth in 1,600 relay at state), Laura Hilton, McKenzie Bachand, Jessica Engel (second in state in 3,200, sixth in 1,600); sophomores Tera Potts (sixth in state in 3,200 relay), Taylor Fernen (sixth in state in 3,200 relay).

Promising prospects: Madelin Takahashe, Carsey Barden.

Letterwinners missing: Sarah Skinner (BHSU), Kristi Mortenson (SDSU), Jennifer Maynard (BHSU).

Conference favorite: "Roosevelt and Stevens have lots of depth and numbers," King said.

Spearfish

Coach: Aaron Nida, fourth year.

Season's outlook: "We hope to continue to build on what we start the last few years," Nida said.

Returning letterwinners: Tessa Aiken, Jordan Boke, Alison Eckrich, Kurian Hartje, Maloree Jeffery, Savana Larson, Trista Ludens, Shanne Quinn, Davina Samuelson, Leah Sperry, Julie Williams.

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