Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media, Author at Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Dell Rapids 10U Softball 3rd at State Tournament

July 19, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids 10U softball team took third place in the C division at the State Softball Tournament held in Sioux Falls Friday, July 14th, through Sunday, July 16th. There were a total of 17 teams that played in the C division.

On Friday Dell Rapids defeated Yankton 12-6 and Brookings Blast 15-3. On Saturday Dell Rapids defeated Brookings Blue 10-9 to put them in the semifinal game on Sunday. Dell Rapids was then defeated by Dakota Valley 14-3 in the semifinal game on Sunday. In the championship game of the losers bracket, Dell Rapids lost 13-5 to Lennox for a third place overall finish.

Back row L to R: Head Coach Melissa Hanson, Assistant Coach Matt Hanson, and Assistant Coach Robert O’Meara.
Middle Row L to R: Makaylah O’Meara, Aubrey Hubers, Addison Van’t Hof, Avery Destigter
Front Row L to R: Katie Kvigne, Madala Hanson, Paige Trewin, Rylee Bird, Kayleigh Gilette

Local Wrestlers Place at Black Hills Night Brawl

July 19, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Six local wrestlers earned 8th place out of the 54 teams that participated in the Black Hills Night Brawl on Saturday, July 15th, in Custer, SD. The wrestlers that participated in the event were Andrew Weiland (1st place), Trevon Cross (1st place), James Lueders (1st place), Stas Sutera (2nd place in two different brackets), Tate Feucht (2nd place), Stetsen Tebay (3rd place), and Kain Burggraff (2nd place).

Black Hills Night Brawl is an event held in Custer where wrestlers compete on wrestling mats that have been set up on the football field. The event starts in the evening and runs into the night.

Virgil Fiegen

July 19, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Mass of Christian Burial for Virgil Fiegen will be held on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon on Thursday in the funeral home chapel. Family will be present to greet friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and the Christian Wake Service followed by a Rosary will begin at 6:00 p.m. On-line condolences may be left at the Kahler Funeral Home website.

Virgil Cornelius Fiegen was born on December 7, 1934 in Colman, South Dakota, the youngest child of John and Jennie Fiegen. Virgil’s family moved to the Devaney farm in 1936 and later to what is known as the Fiegen farm in 1945. As a teenager he was an active member of 4H/FFA and in March of 1950 won first place in a swine judging contest receiving a trophy and $50. Virgil joined the Army in January, 1954 and served in Korea. A few months later in March of 1954 during his two week leave, he asked Shirley Goodale to marry him. Virgil was discharged from the military in October of 1955. While in the service his citations included: National Defense, Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Virgil returned home to Dell Rapids and on May 1, 1956 he married Shirley Goodale. Virgil and Shirley continued to live and farm in the Dell Rapids area until 1966. During that time they had four children, two boys and two girls. They moved to California in 1966 and they had their 5th child, a son. Virgil worked as an insurance agent for National Life Insurance. In 1986 after 20 years as an insurance agent in Los Angeles County he decided to change careers and went to work for the Los Alamitos School District as a custodian. During his time in California he made frequent trips to South Dakota with his family to visit friends and relatives. He enjoyed his years in California, but always thought of his home as South Dakota. Virgil retired in 1997 and moved back to Dell Rapids. In May of this year he celebrated 61 years of marriage to the love of his live. They were together through thick and thin and never left each other’s sides.

Virgil was an active member of St Dominic Savio Catholic Church in Bellflower, California and St Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. Virgil enjoyed many hobbies. He had a great love of fishing and camping which he shared with his children and grandchildren. He also loved pheasant hunting, playing cards, shuffleboard and visiting friends, but dancing with the love of his life brought joy to his heart. He was a member of the American Legion Post 65 where he served on the firing squad, chaplain and legion commander. Through his whole life the thing that made him most proud was his family. He was a wonderful husband, great father and a caring grandfather. The little ones always brought a smile to his face.

During the last five years Virgil had many health struggles, but never complained. He spent a short time in the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls and Touchmark at All Saints in Sioux Falls. On July 12, 2017 he suffered a severe head trauma. On July 18, 2017 he succumbed to his injuries and passed away. He was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed and was never alone.

Those lucky to have shared his life include his wife, Shirley; three sons, Jeffrey (fiancé Kathy) Dell Rapids, SD; Steven (Stacy) Brandon, SD; Scott (Teri), Sioux Falls, SD; two daughters; Kristi Cabral, Ontario, Ca, Lisa (Jerry) Rush, Dell Rapids, SD; His 12 grandchildren; Brian Compton, Kristin Compton, Jerrice Taplett, Jessalee Fiegen, Jeremiah Fiegen, Patrick Fiegen, Kirra Fiegen, Gerard Rush, Kylie Rush, Julia Rush, Todd Fiegen and Katherine Fiegen; 9 great grandchildren and his sister Dorothy Baumberger. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jennie; brother, Melvin; sisters; Joyce Richter and Helen Liester; brother’s-in –law Terry Baumberger, Earl Richter; and daughter-in-law, Joyce Fiegen.

Larry Holt

July 17, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Larry G. Holt, 72, of Brandon, formerly of Jasper, MN, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at the Bethany Home in Brandon. His funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2017 in Messiah Lutheran Church, rural Flandreau. Visitation will be one hour prior to the start of the funeral service. On-line condolences may be left at the Kahler Funeral Home website.

Larry Gene Holt was born on March 18, 1945 at Flandreau, SD, the son of Orvan and Darlene (Nelsen) Holt. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethania Lutheran Church in rural Flandreau. He graduated from Jasper High School in 1965. He served in the Army National Guard from 1965 until 1971. Larry farmed with his father until his father’s death in 1981. Larry then farmed his parent’s farm until 1993 when he decided to quit farming. He decided to change his career and he enrolled at Southeast Tech in Sioux Falls, SD to become a long distance truck driver. He was very proud to say he traveled three million miles through 49 states accident free with a total of 29 years on the road. Larry had a stroke four years ago, and he spent the last years in Bethany Meadows Nursing Home in Brandon, SD. Through all his health issues he was able to share his humor and he enjoyed visiting with family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roger Holt.

He is survived by his sister, Linda Kay (Ronald Sr.) Brochu of Forest Lake, MN; his brothers, Dennis (Bonnie) Holt of Carson City, NV and Richard (Shari) Holt of Trent, SD; his nieces and nephews, Ron Brochu Jr, Michael Brochu, Sandra Brochu, Sydney Holt, Isaac Holt, Keith Holt, Brian Holt, and his many friends and extended family.

Dell Rapids 10U Baseball Wins State Tournament

July 17, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

A Dell Rapids 10U travel baseball team won the the South Dakota State VFW 10U Class A State tournament held in Humboldt July 14th – 16th. The team went undefeated throughout the weekend tournament.

Dell Rapids played two games on Friday, July 14th, to start the tournament. They defeated Tea 11-2, and then they beat Winner by a score of 18-1. Lennox was their next opponent on Saturday, July 15th. Dell Rapids earned an 11-8 victory to give them a 3-0 record heading into the semifinals. In the semifinal round held Sunday, July 16th, Dell Rapids beat West Central 10-0 to advance to the championship game. Dell Rapids then defeated Madison 14-4 to bring home the title.

Five pitchers shared the mound for Dell Rapids over the weekend. Lincoln Fersdahl pitched a total of 10 innings giving up just four runs with 17 strikeouts. Quinn Carr pitched five innings allowing five runs while having nine strikeouts. Cooper Frost pitched three innings giving up four runs while striking out eight batters. Talan Millage finished with 3 2/3 innings giving up one run and having four strikeouts. Cole Ruesink pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball while striking out three batters.

The team had a .600 batting average for the entire tournament. Millage led the team going 11-14 with 11 runs scored. Brandon Nyman was 12-16 with six runs scored. Fersdahl finished 11-15 while scoring 12 runs. Carr was also 11-15, one of those hits a home run, with five runs scored. Frost was 10-16, and he also had a home run and scored seven times. Grady Lamer was 10-17 with seven runs scored. Ruesink finished 7-14 with eight runs scored. Ethan Vanderwerf had five hits with three runs. Carson Crosby had four hits, and Matthew Nelson collected three hits in the tournament.

Front, left to right: Talan Millage, Carson Crosby, Cooper Frost, Grady Lamer, Cole Ruesink
Back, left to right: Quinn Carr, Lincoln Fersdahl, Ethan Vanderwerf, Matthew Nelson, Brandon Nyman, Lane Weiland
Not Pictured: Joshua Fletcher and Braden Gruis
Coaches: Todd Carr, Steve Millage, Mark Vanderwerf

Dell Rapids Legion Headed to State

July 17, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Legion baseball team is headed to the 2017 Class B State Tournament in Winner on Friday, July 21st, through Tuesday, July 25th. Dell Rapids claimed the District 2B title on Saturday, July 15th, in Volga.

Dell Rapids started the District 2B tournament with a 10-0 win over Madison on Tuesday, July 11th. Dell Rapids scored seven runs in the third inning, two more in the fourth, and a run in the fifth to end the game on the 10-run rule. Brett Mogen, Casey Hansen, Elijah Story, Carter Gullickson, and Seth Anderson all had hits in the game. Gullickson finished with three RBIs, Story had two RBIs, and Anderson also drove home a run. Mogen pitched four innings giving up just two hits while striking out six batters. Gullickson worked one inning giving up one walk and struck out one batter.

Dell Rapids then defeated Volga 15-4 on Wednesday, July 12th, in the semifinals of the district tournament. The game was tied 2-2 after two complete innings, and Dell Rapids led 4-3 after the third inning. Dell Rapids, however, would score 11 times in the sixth and seventh innings to pull away for the win. Eight Dell Rapids hitters collected hits in the game. Nate McKee, Mogen, and Gullickson had two hits each. Mogen and Gullickson drove in four runs each, while McKee added three RBIs. Josh Roemen pitched a complete game giving up four runs, two earned, on nine hits while walking two batters and striking out seven.

Dell Rapids defeated Volga for a second time, this time in the championship game on Saturday, July 15th. Dell Rapids used a seven-run second inning to propel them to a 9-4 victory and secure their spot in the state tournament. Volga cut the lead to 7-4 after their half of the fourth inning, but Dell Rapids scored two times in the fifth inning to pull away for the win. Roemen collected three hits for Dell Rapids, while Eric Klein, Miller, and Hansen each had two hits. Klein also finished with two RBIs in the game. Mogen pitched all seven innings for the win and collected 14 strikeouts in the game.

Dell Rapids will now head to Winner for the State B Tournament. They will face Platte/Geddes (District 4B Champ) on Friday, July 21st, at 5:00 p.m. in the opening round of the tournament.

Back Row (from left) – Bruce Mogen, Brett Mogen, Eric Klein, Eddie Price, Tyson Dahler, Ethan Brobjorg, Keegan Miller, Elijah Story, Adrian Juba, Greg Gullickson

Front Row (from left) – Logan Ruesink, Casey Hansen, Nate McKee, Carter Gullickson, Seth Andersen, Jay Holm, Josh Roemen, Lealand Randel, Dan Miller

Dennis Hood

July 16, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dennis R. Hood, 75, Sioux Falls, formerly from Dell Rapids, passed away at the Dougherty Hospice House on July 9, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia. On-line condolences may be left at the Heritage Funeral Home website.

Dennis was born on 11/26/1941 to Dr. Thomas Robin and Philomene Hood in Lawrence, KS. He attended the University of Kansas and remained proud to be a ‘Jayhawk.’ He later joined the Air Force, serving as a Russian communications specialist. After his discharge he worked for the state of New York, transferring to South Dakota in 1971, where he served in the South Dakota State government. He later moved to the USGS’ EROS Data Center as a senior scientist. In his 30 years at the Center he was instrumental in helping scientists appreciate and apply technical information to real world issues. He retired in 2006.

He was married to Margot Stephen in 1964. In 1986 he married Joy (Sward) Peterson, Dell Rapids. In his life he loved family, friends, sailing, projects, good food, and motorcycling. He is survived by his mother, Philomene Hood (Williamsburg Landing, VA), wife, Joy Hood (Sioux Falls, SD), daughters, Brittany (Gary) Schmidt (Renner, SD), Kari (Jeremy) Schmidt (Saline, MI), a son, Aaron (Dayna) Peterson (Howard Lake, MN), two brothers, Dana Hood (Whitehall, MD), Doug (Diana) Hood (Cockeysville, MD), and 7 grandchildren, Kelly, Maggie, Erin, Alex, Carter, Kate, Elly, several nieces and nephews and a host of great friends.

A celebration of his life and our love of this good man will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to Avera McKennan foundation attention Dennis Hood Honorarium. Contributions will be used to support the Parkinson’s physical therapy program.

Avera McKennan
Avera McKennan Foundation
1325 S. Cliff Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57105

Dell Rapids 13/14 Teener Season Ends

July 15, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Photo courtesy of Nathan Sommerfeld

The Dell Rapids 13/14 Teener season came to an end in heart-breaking fashion on Wednesday, July 12th, in Dell Rapids. The teener team went 2-2 at the Class A Northeast Region tournament held in Dell Rapids at Rickeman Field Monday, July 10th, through Wednesday, July 12th.

Dell Rapids opened up the tournament with an 11-1 win over Sisseton on July 10th. Connor Libis went 3-3 in the game with three RBIs. Carter Nelson collected two hits and two RBIs. Coby Maeschen, Trevon Cross, and Bryce Sommerfeld all had hits as well. Austin Henry pitched four innings giving up just one run on four hits while walking three batters and striking out five. Sommerfeld pitched one inning giving up just one hit while striking out two.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Sommerfeld

The team followed that win with a 16-6 win over Flandreau also on July 10th. Charlie Holm was 2-2 with three RBIs. Landon Ruesink, Kaeden Eastman, and Nelson all had two hits in the game each. Libis had two RBIs, while Ruesink and Nelson each drove home a run. Dayton Andersen pitched three innings giving up one run on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Brady Larson also pitched three innings giving up five runs, four earned, on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts.

Dell Rapids then faced the Madison 14s on Tuesday, July 11th. The game was back-and-forth throughout the entire contest. The two teams were tied 5-5 heading to the bottom of the sixth inning. Dell Rapids scored two runs on back-to-back RBI singles by Eastman and Henry. But with two outs in the top of the 7th inning, Madison scored four times and then held Dell Rapids to no runs in the bottom of the 7th for the 9-7 come-from-behind win. Eastman, Henry, Maeschen, and Cross all had two hits in the game. Ruesink, Libis, and Nelson each had one hit. Henry drove home two runs, while Libis and Eastman each had an RBI. Nelson pitched four innings giving up five runs, two earned, on two hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Henry pitched the final three innings giving up four runs, all unearned, on three hits with three strikeouts.

Volga then defeated Dell Rapids on Wednesday, July 10th, 4-1 to push them into the championship game against Madison. Dell Rapids managed just one hit in the game which was a first-inning single by Eastman. Sommerfeld pitched a complete game seven innings giving up four runs on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Madison went on to win the region championship over Volga 10-4 to advance to the 13/14 Class A State VFW tournament in Milbank July 21st-23rd. The Northeast Region tournament teams were Madison 14s, Volga, Dell Rapids, Milbank, Flandreau, Sisseton, and Madison 13s.

The Dell Rapids 13/14 teener team that played in the regional tournament was a combination of two 13/14 Dell Rapids league teams. The league teams played in the I29 League. Dells-J league team was coached by Jeff Holm, Fran Ruesink, and Nate Henry. Dells-J finished with an 11-5 league record. Dells-G league team was coached by Bill Goeken, Matt Larson, and Dane Stone. Dells-G finished with a 9-6 league record. The I29 League consists of teams from Tea, Madison, Volga, Hills-Beaver Creek, Canova, Tri-Valley, West Central, Garretson, Dell Rapids, Salem-Montrose, Flandreau, Baltic, Parker/Freeman, and Sioux Falls Christian

Dell Rapids School Board Sets 2017-2018 Fees

July 13, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids School Board set fees for the upcoming school year during the regular meeting on Monday, July 10th. The rates and fees that were set were meal prices, admission and activity ticket prices, and transportation rates.

The following meal prices were adopted by the board:

Student breakfast – $1.45
Reduce price breakfast – $.30
Adult breakfast – $1.80
Extra breakfast entree – $1.20
K-4 student lunch – $2.80
5-12 student lunch – $2.90
K-12 reduce price lunch – $.40
Adult lunch – $3.35
Milk – $.50
Extra traditional entree – $1.75
Extra pizza – $1.85
Chef demo meal – $2.25

Admission to activities were set at $3.00 for K-12 students and $5.00 for adults. Admission for doubleheader basketball games are $4.00 for students and $6.00 for adults. Activity ticket prices are as follows:

Resident senior citizens – free pass available in district office
K-8 student pass – $15.00
9-12 student pass – $20.00
Adult 10-punch pass – $30.00
Adult all-season pass – $50.00
Family all-season pass – $100.00

The transportation rates for the upcoming year will be as follows:

Resident in-town and open-enrollment transportation (on designated route), St Mary non-resident rural transportation (on designated route), and Haven transportation (between elementary school and River Community Church) – $80.00/child or $200.00/family
St Mary transportation off designated route – $432.50 annually per mile added to the route
Open-enrollment transportation off designated route (as determined by the school board on an individual basis) – $432.50 annually per mile added to the route
St Mary / outside organization transportation – $2.00 per mile (minimum of $20.00) plus actual driver cost

Dell Rapids School Board Swears in New Member

July 12, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

During the Dell Rapids School Board regular meeting, Jeffrey Traill took his oath of office on Monday, July 10th. Traill was elected to a three-year term in April. He will take over the seat vacated by Tom Morris.

With Traill joining the school board, new officers were selected. Matt Weiland was voted the new president. Troy Randall will serve as vice president. Weiland will also serve as the Prairie Lakes Educational Cooperative Board of Directors representative with Jody Schumaker serving as the alternate. Schumaker will be the ASBSD voting delegate with Steve Stofferahn the alternate.

Each of the school board members were voted to different committees. Stofferahn and Schumaker will be on the Technology Planning and Wellness/Insurance committees. Stofferahn and Traill will head the Facilities committee. Weiland and Randall are on the Transportation and Negotiations/Personnel committees. Randall and Traill will be on the Budget/Finance committee. Weiland and Schumaker will head the Curriculum committee, and Schumaker and Traill will be on the Policy committee.

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