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

Dell Rapids School Holds Pep Rally for Fine Arts Students

December 3, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids school held a pep rally for the fine arts students to the school day on Wednesday, November 30th. The event, which was held in the middle school commons area, featured performances by the high school choir and the jazz bad, recognition of fine arts students, and a special announcement.

Mr. Michalscheck recognized a few students for their accomplishments. Clara Kelm and Kerrigan Kindopp were recognized for being chosen to partake in the South Dakota Elementary Honors Choir to be held in February. Elly Petrik was selected to be a part of the South Dakota High School Honors Choir. Petrik, Veronica Fritz, Justice Haggin, Sydney Stofferahn, Micah Gleason, James Lueders, Timothy Jaycox, and Thomas Petrik were recognized for participating in the South Dakota All-State Choir this past fall.

Mrs. Kludt recognized three students, Paige Schueller, Elyssa Petrik, and Chloe Solberg, for their graphic design contributions to the school (HS / MS / Haven).

Mrs. Gleason shared submissions from the creating writing students at the rally. Gleason also announced a new publication that will be added to the Echo newspaper and Quarrier yearbook. That is a new literary magazine. Students can submit original writings, short stories, essays, and even artistic photography to be considered for publication in the new magazine.

More information about the pep rally and the new magazine will be released by the students in the Echo newspaper.

Channing Barber to Play in the 7th Annual FCS National Bowl Game

November 30, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dayton Beach, Fla. – Northern State University seniors, Channing Barber and Chad Stoterau will represent the Wolves in the 7th annual National Bowl this Sunday from Daytona Beach. The defensive duo was named to the All-NSIC First Team this season. They led the Northern State defense with a combined 132 tackles in 2016 and have been mainstays for the Wolves the past four seasons. Both Barber and Stoterau will play for the American Team in white, with Barber donning his usual #22 and Stoterau taking over #90.

The FCS National Bowl is an annual post-season college football all-star game consisting of the top players from college football FCS schools. The inaugural FCS National Bowl was played in December 2014 at FIU Stadium and moved to Daytona Beach Stadium in Daytona Beach, FL in 2016 which is home to FCS Bethune-Cookman Football. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m., following the National Bowl which begins at 9:30. The National Bowl and FCS Bowl all-star weekend for Non-FBS schools has been the only games of its kind to attract numerous NFL & CFL scouts.

“I think that the thing I’m looking forward to is playing against Division I players, and seeing how I match up against bigger school guys,” noted Barber. “It is a huge opportunity to play in front of NFL and CFL scouts, and also a lot of agents. It’s exciting to get to play another game especially how the last game ended and it’s going be a in Florida, so it will be fun to play in nice weather and not snow.”

Players travel to the National Bowl weekend from as far as Texas, Arkansas, Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, Utah, South Dakota and more. The FCS National Bowl and National Bowl Game are presented by East Preps LLC and founded by its owner Michael Quartey Esq., also a Professor of Sports Law at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, PA.

The rosters gives NFL/CFL scouts a chance to view and get to know some of the best players from smaller schools over the bowl weekend. The FCS National Bowl is coached by pro coaches and features coaches such as NFL Coach Mike Stock formerly of the Green Bay Packers, who is set to return and coach the FCS Bowl for the 2014 game in Miami, FL. The game has been attended by scouts from the NFL’s St Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, and has even seen scouting directors fly in. With its location in at FIU in Miami, the bowl weekend continues to gain scouts attention.. All 32 NFL teams receive and review the FCS National Bowl film as the game and practice film are distributed directly to all NFL teams by NFL Films.

Teammates

November 29, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

By Jody Schumaker

In their younger years you could hear an echo of a basketball dribbling in the gym, the clang of a basketball hitting iron, and a swish of a made basket—all seemed like a common occurrence with these two Dell Rapids Quarrier teammates. Zane Schumaker (Mount Mary—freshman guard) and Ty Hoglund (Dakota Wesleyan—freshman guard) were in third/fourth grade when they began playing this game together as teammates; however, on November 22, 2016 in Yankton, SD, something changed.

They were together on the floor again, but this time playing against each other. As Hoglund would say following the game, “that just felt weird”. It was also a bit strange watching from the stands cheering for both, but rooting for one. I’m sure this sequence has occurred several times within the state, perhaps even here in Dell Rapids—recent memory includes two brothers from Dells playing against each other.

Memories returned of these two hitting three point shots as young grade school kids, barely with the strength to get the ball to the rim, but with all the confidence of a veteran ball player. It didn’t take long to know they had something special. At a young age, their uncontrolled speed and over abundance of energy are now a bit more enhanced, controlled, and times with pin point accuracy. Their time in the gym, hours of practice, to push their passion for the game only continues to grow, and oh how it shows with the improvement and enhancement of their individual and team skills. Even as college freshman both are showing signs of leadership and gamesmanship on veteran teams. They are no longer boys. These two former grade school kids, who possessed tons of energy and love of basketball, are now grown men still possessing the same energy and love of the game.

It was a bit strange not seeing them wearing Quarrier orange and black, instead sporting two different shades of blue with a splash of white. The names have changed from Schmidt, Hammer, and Karst to names like Thok, Martin, Tellas, and Spicer. The chemistry built with years of playing with their old teammates, now needs to be quickly developed with their new teammates for a future of success on the court. Their teams may be heading in different directions, as Dakota Wesleyan pulled away from Mount Marty to capture the win this night, but both these former Quarriers again showed their skill and ability to their new fans of Lancers and Tigers.

The Lancer and Tiger fans will get to know and enjoy watching these two play for the next four years, as we Quarrier fans have been doing for many years. Oh yes, there were fans from Dell Rapids in the stands watching this match-up, perhaps bringing back memories of state tournament runs, 25 foot bombs, awesome passes, last second shots, and a love for the game attitude. This won’t be the last time they will be on the floor together. They could possibly see each other another seven times, since both schools play in the very talented GPAC conference, and are scheduled to play twice a year, if they both decide to continue to play the game—I have a hunch they will. They will move on to do great things in their life and enjoy life as friends on and off the court, and when they get together, not only will they visit about high school experiences, but now they can throw it a bit about college.

As I watched them interact following the game, talking and laughing about the game and their current teammates, but still holding on to that connection from the past. Schumaker had the first opportunity to experience playing against a former Quarrier when Mount Marty faced Morningside on November 16, 2016 and former Quarrier Bryce Koch. Hoglund will get the same opportunity when Dakota Wesleyan faces Morningside on November 30, 2016. All in all, I can say it was a lot of fun to watch these two play again, even if they weren’t on the same team. They are representing Quarrier basketball and coach Fersdahl quite well in their new roles and teams.

Zane and Ty will face off again on February 1, 2017, as Dakota Wesleyan hosts Mount Marty at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD at 8 p.m.

2016 Fall Sports Awards

November 28, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Several Dell Rapids and Dell Rapids St Mary athletes earned awards for the 2016 fall sports season.

For the Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal cross country team, Christina Vogel was an Academic All-State winner. Ella Heinitz and Ch. Vogel were named team Co-Most Valuable Runners by Head Coach Pete Schmidt. Catherine Vogel was named Most Improved for the girls team. Connor Libis was named the boys Most Valuable Runner. Jacob Vogel was named Most Improved.

Kennedi Mullaney won the Coach’s Award from Head Coach Cami Bacon for the Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal cheer team. Paige Bunkers was named the Most Improved.

Mullaney also earned Offensive MVP for the Cardinal volleyball team, was an Academic All-State winner, and also earned All-Conference. Haley Michel was the Defensive MVP, was an Academic All-State winner, and an All-Conference Honorable Mention. Cassie Mullaney earned the Most Improved award, and Jackie Wolles also was an Academic All-State winner.

For the Cardinal football team, Garret Frost, Dalton Houska, and Zach Geraets were Dakota Valley Conference All-Conference winners. Carson Park was an All-Conference Honorable Mention. Geraets, Houska, Frost, Park, Jacob Eining, Sam Schwebach, Kathryn Klein (stats), Wolles (stats), and Lexi Klein (stats) all were Academic All-State winners.

Chloe Solberg, Kenzie Gullickson, and Sara VanRegenmorter earned Academic All-State awards for the Dell Rapids Quarrier volleyball team. The team as a whole earned a team Academic All-State award for their 3.72 overall GPA. Solberg, Trinity Gordon, and Brooke Klein were Dak-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention selections.

Averi Pankonen, Micah Gleason, and James Lueders earned Academic All-State awards for the Quarrier cross country team.

Ross Wiebenga, Alex Nordstrom, Justin Dorn, Jacob Wolles, Mason Peter, and Grace Tischer (stats) also earned Academic All-State awards for the Quarrier football team. Dawson Kerzman, Seth Andersen, Tanner Heim, Nate McKee, Hunter Hansen, Anthony Miller, and Matt Gillogly were all Dak-12 All-Conference selections. Peter and Wiebenga were All-Conference Honorable Mentions. Andersen, McKee, and Hansen were class 11-A All-State award winners. Trevor Pulscher and Kerzman were 11A All-State Honorable Mentions. Hansen was also named an Argus Leader Elite 45 player for 2016. McKee was an Elite 45 Honorable Mention.

City Receives Grant for Campground Updates

November 28, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The City of Dell Rapids has received a $75,000 grant from the Land Water Conservation Fund through the State Game Fish and Parks Department. That grant will be dedicated towards the construction of a comfort station/shower house that will be near Rickeman Field.

“We went through the process of bidding that, and that came in a little bit higher I think than we had budgeted for this year. This goes a long way towards getting that building built though,” said City Administrator Justin Weiland during the Dell Rapids City Council regular meeting on Monday, November 21st.

Part of the grant funds will be used to expanding the campground in the former tractor pull area. The city has put both of these projects in the budget for 2017. Administration will start working on the planning phase of the projects to get the projects going in the spring of 2017 as soon as federal approval for the funding is received.

Heather (Graves) (Feuerhelm) Klein

November 25, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Heather Klein, 43, of Colton, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at her home after a battle with cancer. Her funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 28, 2016 in the Trent Baptist Church. Visitation with the family present will be from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 27, 2016 at Kahler Funeral Home. A prayer service will begin at 4:00 p.m. On-line condolences may be left at the Kahler Funeral Home website.

Heather Marie Graves was born on January 9, 1973 at Dell Rapids, SD, the daughter of Doug and Susan (Halvorson) Graves. Her father passed away at a young age and her mother remarried Rodney Feuerhelm. Rodney adopted and helped raise her. She grew up in Trent and attended school in Flandreau, graduating from Flandreau High School in 1991. After high school Heather worked for Hutchinson Technology. She started dating Chris Klein in 1998 and the couple married in 1999. They made their home in Colton where the couple was blessed with two daughters, Gillian in 2001 and Elizabeth in 2004. While raising her children and working full time, Heather went back to college and received her degree in accounting. She helped her sister, Dulcy with raising Dulcy’s three children for a couple years. She then went to work for Duluth Trading Company in Sioux Falls.

Heather liked working on her garden and flower beds, doing puzzles, loved music and her hockey teams, the Pittsburg Penguins and Sioux Falls Stampede. She had a special place in her heart for her dog, Cooper.

She is survived by her husband, Chris of Colton; her daughters, Gillian and Elizabeth both at home; her mother, Susan Feuerhelm of Trent; her sister, Dulcy (Scott) Poppenga of Worthing; her brother, Kelly (Amber) Feuerhelm of Baltic; her nieces and nephews, Caden, Connor, Kaylee, Reese and Ryder; her in-laws, Don and Cheryl Klein of Dell Rapids; her brother-in-law, Jeff Sorensen of Melvin, IA and many other relatives.

She is preceded in death by her fathers; her sister-in-law, Stacey Sorensen; and both sets of paternal grandparents and her maternal grandparents.

Brayden Otto

November 25, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Brayden Otto, was taken from us unexpectedly on November 20, 2016, in Sioux Falls, SD. Brayden was born on March 26, 2009, in Sioux Falls, SD. He went to school at Dell Rapids Elementary. Brayden touched anyone’s life who came into contact with his beautiful smile and infectious laugh.

Brayden will be missed by his mother Cassie and his father Michael, Sioux Falls, SD; grandparents Darren Otto, Sparta, WI, Kim and Jerry Fry, Colman, SD, Guy Marcucci, Sioux Falls, SD; his aunt Aleesha and her husband DJ, Salem, SD; and many other relatives and friends.

Brayden was joined in heaven with his grandmother Carol Simon.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the family can be accepted at any First Premier Bank in Sioux Falls for Carol Simon and Grandson.

Visitation with the family present will be from 3 to 5 pm with a prayer service beginning at 4:30 pm on Sunday, November 27, 2016, at the Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 South Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, November 28, 2016, at the Quarry Rock Church, 47381 246th Street, Dell Rapids, SD. On-line condolences may be left at the Miller Funeral Home website.

Carol (Otto) Simon

November 25, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Carol Lynn Simon went home to the Lord on Sunday, November 20, 2016, at the age of 48 in Sioux Falls. Carol Lynn Simon was born in Faulkton, SD, on March 2, 1968, to Emil S. Simon and Ruth Wegner of Lovalton, SD. She attended school in the Ipswich Public School District and graduated from Ipswich High School in 1986.

She married Darren Otto at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Ipswich in 1988, they had three children, Aleesha, Cassandra, and Heath. Carol and Darren lived in Aberdeen, SD, for a time. Darren was deployed to serving in the Gulf War, Desert Storm, and Carol and the children lived with her parents on the family farm. Carol enrolled in the nursing program at Presentation College in Aberdeen and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in 1992. They divorced in 1994.

Carol LOVED nursing! She started her career at the Ipswich and Faulkton Hospitals and then in Sioux Falls. She joined a travelling nursing organization that took her to many communities. Tulsa, OK, and Tucumcari, NM. She took a position for a time with Centura Health in Holy Oak, CO, in 1998.

She returned to live in Ipswich and work in Aberdeen before moving to Sioux Falls. She began her lengthy career with the South Dakota Department of Corrections in 2002, and worked at the State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls until the time of her death.

Carol LOVED to learn. In March 2006, Carol attended the PSI Basic Seminar in Denver, CO. She went on to attend the Advanced Leadership Course (PSI 7 Class 443) in October of 2006 at High Valley Ranch in California and returned to the High Valley Ranch to participate in the Women’s Leadership Seminar C-95 in June 2007. She met many new friends. Carol also traveled to Denver to attend a Women of Faith Conference.

Carol LOVED her family and friends. She could always make people laugh! She met her significant other, Todd Mitzel in 2010, and he was the love of her life! Carol’s grandchildren: Ashtyn, Ella, Deacon, Zeke, and Brayden were her pride and joy. She enjoyed spoiling them and showering them with love.

Carol enjoyed working out at Pharrell’s and working with her Mary Kay associates. She was a member of the Quarry Rock Church in Dell Rapids, SD.

Carol was joined in heaven with her parents Emil J. and Ruth L. Simon, paternal grandparents Charles J. and Anna (Hamak) Simon and maternal grandparents Albert C. and Emma (Heil) Wegner, brother David Allen Simon and brother Richard Dean Simon, and her grandson Brayden.

Carol is survived by her three children Aleesha (DJ) DeKnikker, Salem, SD, Cassandra Otto, Sioux Falls, SD, and Heath Otto; four beloved grandchildren, Ashtyn, Ella, Deacon, and Zeke; eleven brothers and sisters, Mary (Ryc) Casati, Minneapolis, MN, Edward (Sue) Simon, Great Falls, MT, Jeanie (George) Zenanko, Maple Plain, MN, Roger (Julie) Simon, Congress, AZ, Deborah Simon, Phoenix, AZ, Shirley (John) Miller, Sun City West, AZ, Tony (Cindy) Simon, Ipswich, SD, Charlene (Arnie) Malsom, Thornton, CO, Tim (Jeanne) Simon, Black Hawk, SD, Denise (Chris) Chiavuzzi, Punta Gorda, FL, Ruth (Michael) Gibbons, Boise, ID; Wegner Aunts and Uncles; and many nieces, nephews, co-workers and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the family can be accepted online at this You Caring link.

Visitation with the family present will be from 3 to 5 pm with a prayer service beginning at 4:30 pm on Sunday, November 27, 2016, at the Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 South Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, November 28, 2016, at the Quarry Rock Church, 47381 246th Street, Dell Rapids, SD. Interment will be at 1 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Ipswich, SD. On-line condolences may be left at the Miller Funeral Home website.

Dell Rapids City Council Undergoing Changes Again

November 21, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids City Council will once again undergo a change. During the regular meeting on Monday, November 21^st, it was announce that council member Mary Klockman is resigning her Ward 4 council seat as of the meeting.

This change is the third change to the council since the last election on April 12^th, 2016. Earley was appointed Mayor of Dell Rapids on September 6^th filling the vacancy left by Scott Fiegen. When Earley moved to the mayor position that left an opening in Ward 2. The council approved Barry Berg to fill the open seat for Ward 2 also during the September 6^th meeting.

The council had two options to fill the open spot in Ward 4. The council could appoint someone to that open seat. That individual would serve until the next municipal election in April of 2017. The council could also leave the seat open until the April 2017 election.

Councilman Mark Crisp said, “I think it should be filled. We should visit with people in Ward 4 and see if we can find somebody with some interest. It’s kind of a short period, but still, I think the position should be filled if we can.”

The council did not make a decision on the open position during their meeting. This will allow time to find potential replacements and bring those names to Mayor Earley. Earley’s mayor appointment, Berg’s Ward 2 appointment, and the appointment to fill the open seat for Ward 4 will all be up for vote at the next election on April 11^th, 2017.

Barbara (Wolf) Scholten

November 20, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Barbara Jean Scholten, age 83, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2016.

Barbara was born on Sept. 15, 1933, in Ramona to Martin and Lillian Wolf. She graduated from St. Agatha High School in Howard in 1951 and St. Joseph School of Nursing in Mitchell in 1954. She married Darrell Scholten in 1956 and lived in New Jersey until 1977. She moved with her family to San Diego, Calif., where she continued her nursing career. She moved to Denver in 1989 to be with her children and grandchildren.

She spent her entire working career caring for the sick and elderly. She loved to dance and was an accomplished artist.

Survivors include her four children, William Scholten, Vikki Rieves, Patricia Fritts and Sandra Alson, all of Denver; seven siblings, Mary Poncelet and Leo (Delda) Wolf of Sioux Falls, Ron (Donna) Wolf of Dell Rapids, Tom (Grace) Wolf of Madison, Gary (Bonnie) Wolf of Howard, Lefty (Darlene) Wolf and Shirleen Berkelo of Mesa, Ariz.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, 455 Sherman Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203

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