Govs plan to keep ESD title

By Journal staff

Nothing much changes in the Eastern South Dakota Conference.

Defending champion Pierre is again the preseason favorite in the boys division, and Aberdeen Central always seems to be in contention, Yankton continues to be loaded with distance runners and Brookings and Watertown have sprinters and jumpers.

What does it all mean?

The ESD race could be up for grabs.

Returning ESD champions include Pierre's Matt Tetzlaff (110 hurdles), Brookings' Phil Workman (800) and Scott Jorgenson (long jump) and Watertown's Brad Monahan (triple jump) and Aaron Jung (discus).

The ESD teams at a glance:

Watertown

Coach: Vic Godfrey, 20th year.

Last season's record: Eighth in state.

Season's outlook: "Our field events will be better than average, but our track events need to get stronger," Godfrey said.

Returning lettermen: seniors Tyler Heller (800), Scott Keszler (pole vault), Allan Mayer (distance), Jesse Morrow (pole vault), Jim Sweeden (800), Jimmy Thomas (3,200), Jordan Van Maanen (800); juniors Jordan Burchatz (110 hurdles), Andy Foley (1,600), Brad Gross (400), Josh Hanson (400), Aaron Jung (shot put, discus), Alex Kjellsen (300 hurdles), Brad Mohahan (triple jump), Keith Newman (300 hurdles), Adam Renner (high jump), Nathan Rogness (sprints); sophomore Ethan Johnson (long jump, 100).

Lettermen missing: Jon Ryan (USF), Mitch Kranz (SDSU).

Conference favorite: "Pierre is strong everywhere, Yankton is tough in the distances and Aberdeen Central is always competitive," Godfrey said.

Pierre

Coach: Geoff Gross, fourth year.

Last season's record: ESD and state champions.

Season's outlook: "We had a tremendous year," Gross said. "Of course, we had our standout athletes who performed very well, but we were even happier with our younger athletes who stepped up and filled the spots. Those returning athletes have seen what it takes to be competitive on the state level and are hungry to have another memorable season."

Returning lettermen: seniors Matt Bump (3,200), Brandt Payne (shot put), Cameron Rogers (100), Andrew Smith (triple jump), Lucas Solberg (100); juniors Travis Fitzke (second in state in 1,600, third in state in 800), Devin Rounds (200), Aaron Trimble (triple jump); sophomores Brice Drapeaux (3,200), Alec Espelan (1,600), Jarrett Klinger (fourth in state in 100), Matt Tetzlaff (first in state in 100 hurdles, eighth in 300 hurdles).

Promising prospects: Matt Blake (pole vault), Cody Coppess (sprints), Jordan Forsch (sprints), Chance Fredrick (sprints), Chris Getty (throws), Quinn Holden (hurdles), Sid Intorn (sprints, jumps), Chad Johnson (throws), Sean Melmer (distance), Robert Nagle (distance), Kevin Peery (throws), Trent Thompson (pole vault), Nate White (throws).

Lettermen missing: Quincy Christie (USD), Michael Tveidt (NDSU), Dustin Jordan (S.D. Mines), Kolton Knox (USF), Ryan Bass, Brian Kemnitz (S.D. Mines), Dustin Ortbahn (SDSU), Tane Owens (USD), Tyler Peterson (DWU), Cody Geffre (BHSU).

Conference favorite: "Yankton will be strong in the distance especially, but have some other individuals who will be strong in open events," Gross said.

"Watertown will have good throwers and horizontal jumps. Brookings is always strong in the sprints and relays and have some exceptional field events. We hope to have a diverse line-up that can score in various events."

Brookings

Coach: Jason Sebern.

Last season's record: Fourth in ESD, 10th in state.

Season's outlook: "We have a promising mix of veterans and newcomers," Sebern said. "We hope to stay healthy and compete well at the ESD and state."

Returning lettermen: Evan Bunkers (relays), Dustin Gibbons (relays), Scott Jorgenson (long jump, ESD champ), Andrew Myers (hurdles), Dan Schmidt (high jump, relays), Jeff Sebern (high jump, triple jump), Mason Svennes (relays), Phil Workman (800, ESD champ).

Conference favorite: "Watertown has balance and strong sprinters," said Sebern.

Mitchell

Coach: Eric Palmer, fifth year.

Returning lettermen: seniors Justin Brown, Tyler Hill (relays), Chase Olson (third in state in 300 hurdles, sixth in 110 hurdles), Brent Peterson (relays), Nic Polly, Brady Zimmerman (relays); juniors Cody Christopherson (relays), Cory Greenway; sophomores Jesse Hanssen, Isaac Harrington, Cade Heamen, Jake Jones, Walker Kurle, Alex Loes.

Lettermen missing: Matt Heesch (Augustana).

Conference favorite: "Brookings has a strong senior class," Palmer said.

Brandon Valley

Coach: Troy Sturgeon, first year as head coach.

Season's outlook: "Our numbers are up and we have a nice balance of experience and youth," Sturgeon said. "Hopefully, our young runners will be able to add much-needed depth."

Returning lettermen: seniors Nate Mahone (long jump), Derrick DeZeeuw (long jump, triple jump), Dan Kohler (100, 200), Will Castle (shot put, discus), Dale Moss (800, long jump, triple jump); juniors Greg Beesley (1,600, 3,200), Michael Bellmore (100, 200), Brady Smith (400, 800), Brett Daley (800); sophomores Britt Wickett (400, 800), Ben Fox (100, 200, 400), Darren Niklason (triple jump), Alex Nachrorner (100, 200), Jordan Simon (100, 200), Spencer Arrowsmith (high jump, long jump); freshman Billy Brockmueller (800).

Lettermen missing: Corey Gross (USD), Derek Mousseau (USD).

Conference favorite: "Yankton has depth and talent," Sturgeon said.

Aberdeen Central

Coach: Mike Flakus, fourth year.

Season's outlook: "We will mix in some younger kids," Flakus said. "We should be middle-of-the-pack in the conference."

Returning lettermen: Charlie Smook (sprints), Ethan Remily (jumps), Travis Kamm (sprints), Cole Lemke (distance), Josh Wilson (distance), Marcus Wiley (hurdles), Jordan Punt (middle distance).

Conference favorite: Pierre and Yankton, said Flakus.

Huron

Coach: Bob DeBoer, fifth year.

Assistant coaches: Ryan Mors, Roger Loecker, Steve Peters, Tom Baszler, Char Carda, Dan Thelen, Mike Carda, Demi Moon.

Season's outlook: "On the track we will have some quality individuals, but lack needed depth," DeBoer said. "We will be young in most events on the track and will be strongest in the distance events. Our field events also lack depth, but we should have qualifiers in the jumping events. Our pole vaulters have state meet experience and should lead us throughout the season."

Returning lettermen: seniors Josh Arbeiter (distance, relays), Wade Schoenfelder (high jump, shot put, discus), Jason Stickler (pole vault), Tyson Vandeberg (distance, relays); juniors Jordan Buddenhagen (hurdles, relays), Logan Korkow (jumps, relays), Dustin Walraven (pole vault); sophomores Brandon Bergquist (distance), Josh Bartel (sprints, relays), Dan Dismounts (sprints), Shaun Henderson (distance), Tim Rotert (pole vault), Chris Sterrett (sprints, relays).

Promising prospects: senior Ivan Hofer (shot put, discus); junior Dominique Williams (jumps, relays); sophomores Pat Bartel (shot put, discus), Marz Hammond (jumps, relays), Travis Hofer (shot put, discus); freshmen Shane LaFortune distance), Thane McFarland (jumps, relays).

Lettermen missing: Troy Beekman (SDSU), Scott DeBoer (MMC), Devan Huber (SDSU), Tabor Brock, Jeremy Nebelsick, Aaron Siebrecht, Thoulow Gilyard.

Conference favorite: "I think the ESD will be more closely contested this season," DeBoer said. "Pierre returns a large group of athletes who will make them contenders again. Watertown, Yankton and Aberdeen Central could challenge. The team which is able to find some young contributors will have the edge."

Editor's note: A preview was not received from Yankton.

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