At the March 28 Sturgis Early Bird Meet held at Woodle Field, twelve teams from West River showed up to compete as track season got underway. Teams included Belle Fourche, Custer, Douglas, Hill City, Hot Springs, Lakota Tech, Lead-Deadwood, Rapid City Central, Rapid City Stevens, St. Thomas More, Spearfish, Sturgis and Wall.
Events included pole vault, shot put, high jump and running events. Top placements as noted on athletic.net follow.
At the March 28 Sturgis Early Bird Meet held at Woodle Field, Aidan Hedderman (12) leads the race. Hedderman took first place in the 110 and 300 meter hurdles. photo by Ryan Heinert
Avery Marler (11) tied for third place in the 100 meter race with a time of 12.92.
Taking third place in the 400 meter event was Iris Zylstra (10) with a time of 1:02.27.
Second place in the 800 meter race went to Paige Willnerd (11) for a time of 2:28.54.
Top scores for the Sturgis men’s team included Quinn Bruch (10) who received second place for running 3200 meters with a time of 9:53.30.
Ireland Nacey (11), with a time of 16.20, took third place in the 100 meter hurdle event.
Placements for 110 meter hurdles went to Sturgis, including Aidan Hedderman (12) who took first place with a time of 14.42 and Teigen Wormstadt (11) who placed third with a time of 16.62.
Hedderman also took first place in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 41.44. During the women’s 300 meter hurdles, Hannah Killinger (12) ended with a time of 49.79, securing fourth place.
Men’s 4×100 relay fifth place went to Owen Udager (12), Carson Wolter (11), Sully Jost (10) and Jude Legner (10) with a time of 45.82. Women’s relay fifth place went to Kendal Blair (9), Danica Dschaak (9), Kynlee Stewart (9) and Leigha Long (9) with a time 53.92.
Third place 4×200 relay was captured by Sturgis men’s team comprised of Jayden Spratt (12), Jason Venjohn (10), Chase Walker (11) and Manny Jaramillo (11) with a time of 1:38.58.
Men’s 4×400 relay teammates Ty Ferguson (11), Carsen Wolter (11), Taylor Colunga and Legner received second place with a time of 3:36.43. For the women’s event, Novalí Dinkins (12), Willnerd, Keelin Dinkins (9), Iris Zylstra (10) captured second place with a time of 4:19.23.
For the 4×800 relay, Ferguson, Colunga, Bruch and Petrocco moved into first place with a time of 8:15.60. With a time of 10.06.14, Lucy Hamer (10), Novalí, Zylstra and Willnerd secured second place in the women’s division.
Miles Voigt (10) took fifth place in the 12-pound shot put with a distance of 41′ 9.5″.
Sturgis athletes excelling at pole vault included first place to Hedderman at 14′ 0″ and fourth place to Jaramillo at 10′ 6″.
To view all results, go to https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/540927/results.
“We cannot thank him enough for his dedication and skill in providing us with these priceless memories,” SBHS instructor Shannah Dschaak said.
Community member Tim Potts has made a huge impact on numerous people. His illuminating grin shines on anyone who comes into contact with him. He spreads this joy through his passion for photography and life.
“I started taking pictures in college, and enjoyed it,” Potts said. “Then when my kids got involved in sports, I started taking more and more photos and then started sharing with their teammates. That is where it all got started some forty years ago.”
He was motivated to keep up-to-date equipment since he started taking senior and family photos. Photography started as a fun hobby, which resulted in a part-time job for Potts. He felt it was a way to keep families involved in their children’s sports.
“If I can put a smile on the face of a friend, family member or athlete with one of my pictures, that is what it is all about,” Potts said, “Photography is my passion and one of my favorite hobbies and I enjoy getting out and trying to capture that one perfect picture, maybe a touchdown catch, pinning an opponent or the coolest picture of my grandchildren.”
“As my athletic career continued to grow, I loved nothing more than to see the camera pointed towards me,” Jake Krog (11) said. “It gave me a better sense of motivation.”
Potts never fails to create happy moments in young athletes’ lives. He brings an uplifting spark to any conversation he is in. Anyone who meets Potts tends to be left with a positive impression from this inspiring individual.
“A huge jokester, Tim is such an easy person to talk to,” Ryan Heinert (11) said. “His knowledge about all the sports he shoots is insane. There’s always those people that when you talk to them you’re always smiling and you can go on and on. Tim Potts is one of those people.”
Holly Kopplin said, “During the football games, he gets right down there. He knows all the athletes. I think he likes having relationships with the high school kids and I think he finds joy in actually knowing them.”
Truly focusing on making one-on-one relationships with all individuals willing to stop and talk with him, Potts finds a way to encourage and lift everyone. He radiates a light from within himself.
“Tim Potts is a great person. He always cheers everybody up on the sidelines of any sport,” Tarver Zebroski (10) said.
Krog said he enjoys talking with Potts, because of how he is treated.
Continued on page 2
Continued from page 1
“He acts as an equal whenever I talk to him,” Krog said, “never in a superior way, even though he’s miles ahead of me, but as a mentor should be with someone trying to learn.”
Bringing an uplifting outlook, Potts offers advice to students and athletes as well.
“It’s a great hobby and it’s a great way to get to know people and share your talents with people who don’t have the time to see their kids go to sporting events,” Potts said. “You don’t have to have the fanciest camera to take good pictures but it sure helps.”
Continually sharing a new perspective with any student or athlete engaging him in conversation, Potts can be seen in a multitude of places, teaching lessons and offering considered advice.
“I think that Tim Potts has taught me to always be friendly and nice to people,” Sebastian Giang (9) said. “The reason I say this is because Tim is such a friendly guy and has always been nice to me. Tim has also made me laugh and had me enjoy the random conversations I have had with him.”
Kaylee Hoesing (10) said, “Tim Potts has taught me how to properly take photos and has even taken some photos of me for football managing. He taught me to always try and get the shot, no matter what’s in the way.”
“Tim Potts has taught me to be proud of myself. In my sports, he is always there and cheering me on. He has told me that it is always okay to mess up because you can just try again,” Erin Shaw (11) said.
Adding his appreciation for this featured individual, Aidan Hedderman (12) said, “Tim Potts is a true blessing to Sturgis athletics. He shows up to take pictures of everyone, not just the stars or the varsity, but the JV, C, and freshmen teams.”
Regarding building relationships, Hedderman said, “Tim Potts has taught me how to be kind and caring. No matter the day, you will always see a smile on his face, see him cheering on Sturgis and giving kids an opportunity to capture moments in their event that they can look back on forever.”
Known for what he does outside of photography, Potts is also involved in his faith community.
“In 1982, I moved to Sturgis, joined the Grace Lutheran Church and started working with the youth portion. Now I have become an assisting minister and have done that for the past 25 years. I am strongly committed to the church,” Potts said.
It may be his faith that has inspired Potts to reach out and do more outside of his church.
“Tim Potts is truly the most pure-hearted person I’ve met and he continues to make huge impacts as a role model in the community,” Hedderman said.
Individuals become more when they are within a community, especially when they are willing to assist and help each other become greater.
“Tim Potts has shown me how being involved in my community is important,” Arina Haugen (9) said, adding that he “is always at church. Every time I see him at church he is always so friendly and involved. He helps wherever he can and loves to be a part of the church.”
However, the joy Potts finds from taking photos is only increasing. He finds countless amounts of inspiration in different areas.
“My favorite part of taking photographs is getting to know the people. Whether it is friends, family or athletes, getting to know them is my favorite part of my hobby,” Potts said. “Lately, taking pictures of athletes from around the Hills has been rewarding as I have got to know so many athletes from Sturgis as well as Spearfish, Belle Fourche and Lead-Deadwood, and consider many of them friends.”
Also being part of the local newspaper, Black Hills Pioneer, Potts’ photos and writing skills have been utilized.
“I was running for city council and was taking pictures but wanted to get paid for the pictures I took for advertisements but found out I couldn’t do that according to the city,” Potts said. “They hired me to take photos instead, so I could still get paid. I was looking for ways to make money and started in 2010. I worked for Meade County Times for years until it went out of business.”
Senior photos are also an important aspect of Potts’ contribution to the community. He looks for ways to change up settings, poses and to find the right angles.
Senior photos have been taken outdoors near Bear Butte, Lead, within Spearfish Canyon, up trees, near or on big rocks and at the old train station.
An individual who does an astounding amount for the community, Potts continues to exhibit positivity. Although not everyone may know him, it may be clear that everybody can all learn a thing or two from him about photography or even how to become a better person.
As students look toward their futures, becoming instructors may be on the books.
STURGIS, S.D. — On, October 21 at Black Hills State University, 15 students from SBHS attended the first annual West River Educators Rising Expo cosponsored by BHSU and the South Dakota Department of Education.
The purpose of Educators Rising is to provide encouragement for high school learners who may be interested in the field of education as a profession.
“They listened to presentations from Dr. Laurie Nichols, BHSU President; retired Spearfish Superintendent David Peters, and Harrisburg School District Innovative Programs Director Travis Lape,” Assistant Principal Coleen Keffeler said. “Breakout sessions included Make Your Mark – Teach Special Education, Careers in Education, Teaching Math, Engaging with Literature, Teaching with Sketch Notes and Internships & Careers in Education.”
A BHSU panel consisting of six individuals preparing to student teach in the spring semester answered questions from the audience. They also shared their own experiences at BHSU and why they chose to go into education.
After the panel discussion, students toured the campus and talked to BHSU staff during the Resource Expo.
The Educators Rising State Conference will be held Feb. 28, 2023, on the BHSU campus. Lape, also Educators Rising State Coordinator, encouraged all participating students to attend.
“He is available to help schools start a local chapter,” Keffeler said. “There is no cost associated with the organization. Chapters are required to hold monthly meetings.”
BHSU recommended careers@bhsu.edu as a resource for teaching careers as well as careers related to education.
Individuals attending the West River Educators Rising Expo on October 21 include back: Zoe Kirkland (10), Kennedi Nacey (11), Rheanna Page (11), Jessie Schummer (11), Wapiya Doud (11), Heather Nudd (12), Leah Johnson-Landoll (11), Jenna Burke (11); front: Gabi Isburg (11), Audrey Barksdale (11), Madison Snyder (11), Skylar Williamson (11), Zabree Bush (11), Annie Henderson (11) and Timber Inhofer (11). photo by Coleen Keffeler
STURGIS, S.D.– There was a crispness to the early summer morning air on July 30 welcoming 29 walkers and 19 runners who were preparing to participate in the 8th annual Brandon Delzer Legacy 5K.
Event organizers, workers and family members of Brandon Delzer come together as the 5K walk/run draws to a close. Pictured were Anita Brenneman, Megan Andersen, Sandy Buchholz, Glenn Delzer, Cheryl Delzer, Vonda Andersen, Brittany Delzer and Stephanie Kaufman. photo by Tim Potts
Starting at SBHS, the course crossed Hwy. 34, wound through Ft. Meade, returning on the bike path back to where it began. This memorial walk/run has been an event held yearly since 2014 after the loss of Delzer in 2013.
“For many years, the Brandon Delzer Legacy 5K was organized by an SBHS student runner as a part of his or her senior project. This year many of the SBHS runners were participating in a camp at BHSU and were unable to help host the event,” Sandy Buchholz said.
Vonda Andersen, Buchholz and Meade County Extension Leader Jenny Voigt decided to make sure the Brandon Delzer Legacy 5K continued to be part of the Meade County Fair in 2022.
Activities for which he became well-known in the community included 4-H, rodeo, cross country and wrestling. According to the organizers, Delzer was an all-around athlete who was loved by the Sturgis community.
“We believe it is important to continue this event to honor Brandon’s life,” Buchholz said. “He was a kind, charismatic young man. Brandon’s smile was infectious and he drew people in. Brandon had an immense amount of talent, succeeding in most of his endeavors, but more importantly, he always worked to lift others up.”
Delzer sought to win, Buchholz said, by helping to encourage everyone else at the same time.
“He did what he could to help everybody become the best they could. He was a mentor and a role model, even as a freshman in high school,” Buchholz said. “Brandon had a positive impact on all who were lucky enough to cross his path or walk beside him.”
Before participants gathered at the starting line, Jarett Keffeler, former SBHS student and runner, started the 5K with a few stories about Brandon and a prayer.
Sponsors included Richter’s Tire and Exhaust, Liberty Chevrolet, County Drug, Pioneer State Bank, Jacob’s Auto Repair, HomeSlice Media Group, Loud American, Black Hills Gunstocks and Engraving, Fowler Insurance Agency, Sturgis Chiropractic, Northern Hills Veterinary Clinic, Sabers Agency, Emma’s Ice Cream, Lynn’s Dakotamart, Grocery Mart, Kick Start Travel Center, Sturgis Coffee Company, Black Hills Rally and Gold, Hotel Sturgis, Sunshine Sweets Bakery and INita Bag etc.
Medals were awarded for the top three participating runners in each of the five age divisions. The overall prize, a $50 gift card to Texas Roadhouse was received by Ty Petrocco who also took first place in his category, 13-18 year-old-males.
In the 13-18 category for females, sisters Josie Reedy and Emily Reedy tied for first place. Second place was captured by Berley Gill.
In the 19-29 male category, Jarrett Keffeler took first place followed by his brother Alec Keffeler. Gavin West landed third place. Females in the 19-29 category were Josie Kaufman in first place, Amanda Froelich second place and Jaelyn Lardy third place.
Winners in the 30-49 male category were Trev Fiedler with first place and Blake Proefrock in second place. Female winners were Erin Fiedler taking first place, Jennifer Johnson in second place and Kari Bates with third place.
Robert Haivala took first place and Marv Linn second place in the category of males over 50.
Proceeds benefited the Brandon Delzer Memorial Scholarship and Meade County 4-H.
