By Peyton Hove, GHS Blue Ink
Football
It feels like it has been a year since Friday Night Lights. The Blue Dragons ended their season going 2-6. One big accomplishment was Cody Erickson’s 52-yard record-breaking field goal.
“I mean it feels amazing. Finally beating the record that I’ve wanted to beat,” said Erickson.
Two Blue Dragon alumni are furthering their academic and athletic career: Dominic Abraham and Rave Uhlich. Abraham is going to Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. Uhlich is going to Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD.
All Conference Honors:
- Dominic Abraham
- Evan Bly
- Cody Erickson- honorable mention (also received All-State honors)
- Jaden Richter- honorable mention
- Jake Schroeder- honorable mention
Cross Country
The young cross country had a very successful year. This year the girls team including: Tayler Benson, Payton Campbell, Kylie Christensen, Lucie Frewaldt, Adair Hanisch, and Makayla Heesch qualified for state, as well as Preston Bohl.
“It felt good to qualify for state,” said Heesch.
Bohl finished 11th at the state competition; the girls finished 12th as a team. The state competition was much more difficult than previous years, as it was a snow storm during the long three miles.
All Conference Honors: Preston Bohl-All-State Honors!
Soccer
Lone senior, Kaycie King, ended her high school career going 3-7-2. The soccer team was .007 points off from making it into the state playoffs.
“Point .007 of a point was so devastating. We always kept the mindset we were going to make it and so we practiced until we found out. We definitely thought we had it in the bag, but it just didn’t happen,” said King.
“I feel the soccer team is truly a family. They are a fantastic group of athletes with more potential than they know,” said Coach Amber Williamson.
The Lady Blue Dragons beat West Central, who were state champions and Sioux Falls Christian.
All State Honors: Paige Sterud
Volleyball
The Lady Dragons had their best season yet going 18-4. However, they ended their season short of going to the SoDak 16.
Beating the Chester Flyers not once but twice was the highlight of their season. Those two wins helped the Lady Dragons win the Big East Conference, they also finished second in the conference tournament.
Another big feat this season was for senior setter, Peyton Hove. Hove accomplished something that hasn’t been done in over a decade, which was to record her 1,000 career assist.
The volleyball team will graduate six seniors, including Kennedy Buckneberg, who plans on continuing her volleyball career at Minnesota West Community College in the fall.
All Conference Honors:
- Kennedy Buckneberg
- Peyton Hove
- Lily Ranschau-also nominated for Future 50!
- Jaelyn Benson (honorable mention)
- Logan Bly (honorable mention)
Boy’s Basketball
Starting off the season with a win against Tri-Valley, the Blue Dragons ended up having one of the best seasons in a long time going 8-12.
For the Big East Conference tournament the Blue Dragons were seeded 5th, but ended up getting 8th. However, throughout the season the Dragons were able to redeem themselves and ended up tying for 2nd place.
Postseason play consisted of the Dragons pushing past the Tri-Valley Mustangs, but fell short to the Sioux Falls Christian Chargers. The Blue Dragons graduated six seniors and Joe Zahn will further his basketball and baseball career at Minnesota West.
All Conference Honors:
- Dylan Kindt
• Cooper Long
• Joe Zahn
• Evan Bly-honorable mention
• Jake Schroeder-honorable mention
Girl’s Basketball
Just as the boys, the Lady Blue Dragons had one of the best seasons in years going 16-4. This season the Lady Dragons were able to take down Flandreau, Sioux Valley, and Vermillion.
The Lady Dragons ended up winning the Big East Conference title during the historic season. However, a big obstacle the girls had to face was COVID.
Both of their head coaches were out with COVID come postseason play. Mr. Steckler, Mr. Long, and Ms. Williamson took over for the coaches and were able to get the girls past the first round but just shy of the SoDak 16. The Lady Dragons graduated six seniors and Lizzie Olson will continue her basketball career at the University of Sioux Falls.
All Conference Honors:
- Jaelyn Benson
- Lizzie Olson- All-State honors!
- Lauren Heesch- honorable mention
- Lily Ranschau- honorable mention
Wrestling
The GHS wrestling program has been known to always have a strong team and a known state appearance, but this year that wasn’t the case.
For the first time in years, the GHS wrestlers did not send one person to the state tournament. Yet, the Blue Dragons recorded one of the youngest teams in years.
Lone senior Trevon Cross was the Big East Conference Champ and junior Jayse Miller was 1st team.
While the wrestling team didn't have the season they wanted to, the upcoming students will have a good grasp from what to expect in the years ahead.
Golf
Regular season is done, and now onto postseason play. The Blue Dragon golfers were able to have a full season this year and play at almost every meet (which doesn’t always happen).
The girls team were announced Big East Conference champs last Friday in Beresford. The boys got third, but got first at the Jesse James Invitational including Ryan Flanagan earning medalist honors by taking down an opponent in a playoff hole.
The golfers will head to Hartford on May 24 for regions followed by state in Brookings on June 7-8.
All Conference Honors:
- Autumn Gaspar
- Katie Hanson
- Grace Hove
- Peyton Hove
- Ryan Flanagan
- Cooper Long
- Rave Uhlich
Track & Field
Track finished up their regular season last Thursday at home for the Big East Conference meet. This past season the track and field team have shown great promise for the upcoming postseason.
People have had to step into new roles and try new things, but that didn’t discourage anyone. The track and fielders have great aspirations for state.
“I hope to make it to state. My first year at state, my sophomore year, was not good at all, so I’m hoping to redeem my track career and do better this time,” said senior Madden Lardy.
Baseball
Spring club baseball is almost done with their regular season, but will shortly begin preparing for regions. The boys are currently 2-5.
