Tuesday, 9.1.15 ON THE WEB: www.yankton.net SPORTS DEPT.: [email protected] ress akotan sports P &D PAGE 7 Q&A: Burgard Excited About Return To Sideline In addition to his basketball du- their own thing, and this all fell into ning going to classes. Former S.F. Lincoln Coach Named ties, Burgard was also hired as the place at the right time. Obviously I college’s Residence Hall Director like Yankton, and having a chance With the Residence Hall Direc- MMC Assistant Earlier This Summer and will help the athletic depart- to visit with Coach Baker, it seems tor position, did that happen first? BY JEREMY HOECK For Burgard, he ment in other capacities. He spoke like we have a lot of similar beliefs. I Or how did that come up? [email protected] was ready to get with the Press & Dakotan on Mon- think it’s going to be a great fit. I think they wanted it to be to- back into basketball day about returning to basketball gether. I had nowhere to live down The last time Robin Burgard after a 20-plus year and his desire to help the Lancers So you’re pretty familiar with there, so it worked out well. I’ll be stepped off the basketball floor in career that includ- (winners of six games over the past Yankton? trying to come back to Sioux Falls an official capacity, his Sioux Falls ing 18 seasons as an two seasons) progress. When I used to scout at the when I can to spend time with my Lincoln boys’ squad was celebrat- assistant at Sioux (Yankton) high school, I used to wife, but I’ll be down there as much ing a state championship. Falls Lincoln and five What have you been up to since stop in and see coach (Jim) Thor- as I can. Once we get started (with That was in 2009. Burgard seasons as the head leaving Lincoln? son’s practices. basketball), it’s getting everyone Six years later, Burgard will coach. He had origi- I left coaching so I could be going. We’ve got a great group of return to the bench, this time at nally stepped aside from coaching around my kid and watch him play Today is the first day of classes freshmen coming in, so there will be the collegiate level and this time as to spend time with his family, and to a little bit. Now he’s in college at the at Mount Marty. Does that mean plenty of new stuff to do. an assistant coach at Mount Marty watch his son Cameron play for the University of Minnesota, so my wife you’ve been running around like College. He was hired last week Dakota Schoolers (from 2010-13). said I needed to get a job. crazy? Did you want to get into the as the top assistant for Lancers Shortly after putting out feelers It’s been the busiest time of college game? head coach Andrew Baker, whose for available openings in the area, How did the Mount Marty Col- my other part of the job, getting I always had that little interest in program is seeking an ascent up the Burgard interviewed at Mount lege position come up? everyone in their dorms and getting the back of my mind that I wanted ladder in the Great Plains Athletic Marty two weeks ago and was on I wanted to get back into coach- their keys. We got that done as of to give college a try and see what ing once everyone was off doing (Sunday), now they’re off and run- Conference. campus a few days later. BURGARD | PAGE 8 Sano Storm XC: Coyotes Looking For Big Things In 2015 BY JEREMY HOECK [email protected] VERMILLION – On the verge of what could shape up to be a historic season for her team, Amber Eichkorn prefers to look ahead. Not that the University of South Dakota senior doesn’t mind talking about last year, it’s just that she looks at the 2014 Summit League cross country title in a different way. Sure, Eichkorn’s team may now be the hunted instead of the hunters, but in her eyes, she hasn’t reached her goal yet. “I try not to think about that,” she said, smiling. “I’m a person that thinks, ‘I haven’t won my race in the Summit League yet, so there’s not the target on my back.’ “I’m still chasing that goal. It’s all about looking forward.” Eichkorn, second at last year’s Summit League meet, leads a team that returns eight of its nine runners from the conference meet for head RICHARD TSONG-TAATARII/MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE/TNS coach Dan Fitzsimmons. His Minneapolis Twins’ Miguel Sano (22) homers in the 7th inning, scoring two runs as he rounds third base and is congratulated by coach Gene Glynn as program put together the fol- the Twins played the Astros at Target Field on Sunday in Minneapolis, Minn. The Twins won 7-5. Sano has 13 home runs and 40 RBI in just 49 games. lowing resume last fall: • Women won the Summit League title, finished seventh at the Midwest Regional meet and for the first time sent a Twins Rookie Shows Power, Discipline At Plate runner (Amber Eichkorn) to BY DAVE CAMPBELL the guy doing that,” Molitor tros shortstop Carlos Correa the Twins the most proud. and 260-pound frame has the Division I national meet. AP Sports Writer said, “which is not easy to do for the AL Rookie of the Year Though his 74 strikeouts in shaped the perception that’s • Men finished third at when you’re a young guy in a award. Still, a better prize 206 plate appearances are his permanent role, but the the Summit League meet MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — big situation.” for Sano would be power- alarmingly high, a rate put- Twins have long touted his and sent five runners to the Torii Hunter, Minnesota’s The Twins have put Sano ing the Twins to an AL wild ting him on pace to lead the sufficient athletic ability to be regional meet. 40-year-old right fielder in his in plenty of those big spots card. With a 67-63 record, major leagues while playing a a long-term corner infielder Now, the question be- 17th full major league season, already in his not-quite-two- the Twins were 1 1/2 games full season, Sano has shown once there’s an opening. He comes: What can the Coyote was at the plate last week month-long career, and the behind Texas for the second discipline beyond his years. was signed at age 16 as a women do for an encore? with the bases loaded. broad-shouldered Dominican spot before the Rangers He has 33 walks, roughly shortstop, after all. “We know we’ve got the Miguel Sano, the rookie has delivered more than his played Monday night. one every six times he steps Sano’s legacy will target on our back, and now slugger, was shouting more share of big hits. Cabrera, now with the De- in the batter’s box. With an ultimately be with the bat, we want to take that next step than simple encouragement In just 49 games, Sano has troit Tigers, won a World Se- average of 4.34 pitches per though, no matter how he and do it twice,” said senior from the dugout. 13 doubles, 13 home runs, ries as a rookie at age 20 with plate appearance, Sano is be- fares in the field. Again, Sano Katie Wetzstein, who was He was giving Hunter hit- 40 RBIs and a whopping the Marlins. That got Hunter hind only Los Angeles Angels hasn’t yet collected enough third at the conference meet. ting advice. .989 on-base-plus-slugging daydreaming, as much of a star Mike Trout (4.39) among at-bats to qualify, but his .287 “The bar has been raised.” “Make him come to you! percentage while facing a long shot the Twins might be AL players with 200 or more batting average is by far the And with the number of Make him come to you!” Sano majority of off-speed pitches. to make it that far. plate appearances. best for the Twins. runners the Coyotes have bellowed, cautioning Hunter He hasn’t played enough to “Not saying he’s going to “Every at-bat I try to read “He’s going to get his back, that bar could again get against chasing a pitch out- officially qualify, but the only have the same numbers or the pitcher and try to look for home runs by being a good pushed. side the strike zone. American League hitter with end up like Miggy or anything my pitch,” Sano said recently. hitter,” Molitor said. “When Eichkorn and Wetzstein Twins manager Paul Moli- 50 or more at-bats and a bet- like that, but his body type “When they make a mistake he gets a little greedy, lead a group that includes tor called the scene “a little ter OPS percentage than Sano and everything, his presence, I need to make them pay for sometimes he’s been paying Bethany Kozak (So., fifth at bit comical,” the way the is two-time AL MVP Miguel is like Miggy,” Hunter said. “A that.” a price for that. I wouldn’t conference), Kelsey Barrett 22-year-old Sano earnestly Cabrera. lot of similarities. Put it that With Trevor Plouffe at blame him with that skill set (Sr., sixth), Nicole Schmidt warned Hunter to be patient. Called up at the begin- way.” third base and Joe Mauer to try to take a shot now and (Jr., 13th), Bailey Oettel (So., “But it was good, because ning of July from Double-A Sano’s discipline at the at first base, the Twins then, but just being a good 22nd), Jessica Feldman (Jr., I think how he was thinking Chattanooga, Sano might not plate, despite never play- have used Sano mostly as a hitter is what’s making him 28th) and Erin Wetzstein (So.). Torii should be thinking was have enough time to beat out ing in Triple-A, has made designated hitter. His 6-foot-4 valuable.” The Coyotes, who also how he thinks when he’s front-runner and Houston As- have seven freshmen on the roster, certainly have the depth to again contend for a conference title, but K-State Ready To Name QB Starter, Texas Tech Still Either/Or Pierre’s Severyn as Fitzsimmons cautioned, BY STEPHEN HAWKINS Baylor and Okla- be some growing pains. they’re not the only team AP Sports Writer homa State don’t “He’s been a really interesting Lands At USD in that position – runner-up coming up have to wait until player, because he’s only had three BY JEREMY HOECK North Dakota State and third- Kansas State coach Bill Snyder Saturday to open the games in his career and there’s been n USD Faces [email protected] place South Dakota State knows which of his four quarterbacks K-State, SDSU season, but all are a lot of talk about where he’s going,” both return their top three will be the Wildcats’ new starter. on the road. Gundy said. “We want him to learn to The search for the “right fit” runners. Snyder plans to name Jake Waters’ Faces Kansas TCU is at Min- play within himself, and not try to do To Open 2015 has taken Kaitlyn Severyn down “Some of the other teams replacement during his campus news nesota on Thursday, too much.” Interstate 29 to her new home. we’ll be going up against conference Tuesday. Football Season. when coach Gary — Charlie Strong has a better feel return almost their entire SATURDAY From Brookings to Vermillion. Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury is tak- Patterson faces old and comfort level with his players From South Dakota State to the squads,” he said. “As much ing a different approach in revealing friend and fellow going into year two at Texas — and the University of South Dakota. as on paper that looks really whether Davis Webb or Patrick Ma- rural Kansas native players better know their head coach. Severyn, a Pierre native and impressive, we’ve made it our homes will be starting again. The Red Jerry Kill. Oklahoma State plays Thurs- But the preparation level is much the 6-foot guard/forward, has landed focus to just get better.” Raiders’ depth chart lists the quarter- day at Central Michigan, and Baylor same. on the women’s basketball ros- That will be the key for back as Webb or Mahomes after both goes to SMU on Friday. “Even this time a year ago, you ter at USD, where she will finish a particularly young men’s started multiple games last season. IMPACT FRESHMEN were prepared because you had all out her college career for the team. “They’ve had a great camp. ... While freshman running back preseason to get ready to go play,” he Coyotes. Although the Coyotes re- Both guys deserve to be the starter,” Joshua Thomas is in line to play said. “You’re just playing a different “Personally, the fit and USD turn five of their conference Kingsbury said Monday during the first at Iowa State because of need, and opponent.” and with the girls was what I meet runners, they’ll also Big 12 coaches teleconference of the “hasn’t disappointed,” coach Paul A year ago, it was North Texas needed,” Severyn said Monday be looking to work in a large season. Rhoads said freshman Carson Epps is in Strong’s debut. This season, it’s a night. freshman class (six). When asked who would start probably more impressive since he has Saturday night game at No. 11 Notre Neither program sought to “As you can see, the num- Saturday against Sam Houston State, gotten noticed among a talented group Dame. make waves with Severyn’s bers. That’s the first thing we Kingsbury said one of them will “jog of receivers. — Bob Stoops is ready to see Okla- decision, but nonetheless, the noticed too,” senior Mubarik out there for the first snap, and that Freshman receiver Jovon Durante homa’s offense in Saturday’s opener former Pierre T.F. Riggs standout Musa said. “We’ve got a very will be it.” could have an early impact at West against Akron. Stoops hired offensive is listed on the USD roster – after high quality and I think for At K-State, three players emerged Virginia. Coach Dana Holgorsen said coordinator Lincoln Riley to bring back months of discussion. the next couple years, they’ll from the spring competing for the Durante has outstanding speed and the kind of Air Raid offense that the “When it boiled down to it, become a major part of im- starting spot, and a junior college route-running ability. Durante also Sooners helped make popular in the she said, ‘I’m going to come to proving this team.” transfer joined the mix during pre- likely will be part of the return game. Big 12. USD one way or another,’” USD Third at the Summit season practice. Snyder said it was a EXTRA POINTS “I’m very pleased with it, but that’s head coach Amy Williams said League meet last fall, the competitive camp and that he has faith — Mason Rudolph made a quick im- only practices and scrimmages,” he Monday. “She wasn’t ready for Coyotes bring back Musa in all four quarterbacks. pression as Oklahoma State’s starting said. her basketball career to be over.” (fifth), Isaac Allen (Sr., sixth), Some more details from the first Big quarterback the final three games last — New Kansas coach David Beaty Although she redshirted last Mach Dojiok (R-Jr., 21st), Brice 12 coaches’ call of the season: season, including a comeback victory said the team’s confidence in new quar- season at SDSU, Severyn will also Cowman (So., 27th) and Aaron EARLY STARTERS over Oklahoma and a bowl win. But terback Montell Cozart is evidenced have to sit out the upcoming Breyer (So.). Second-ranked TCU, fourth-ranked coach Mike Gundy warns there will still with him being elected a captain. SEVERYN | PAGE 8 COYOTES | PAGE 8