Saturday, 8.10.13 sports ON THE WEB: www.yankton.net RESS AKOTAN SPORTS DEPARTMENT: PAGE 6 P D [email protected] USD Takes Arena Plan Above Ground athletes, staff and the academic component.” New Plan Moves Court To Same Level As Between the DakotaDome and the arena would be a 3-story sports performance en- DakotaDome Concourse Instead Of Floor hancement facility, that will house the Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy BY JEREMY HOECK “Everything will still be in there that we and Kinesiology & Sports Sciences depart- [email protected] need to have in there,” he said Friday, ments. That structure could also be af- adding that USD has surpassed the $52 mil- fected in the potential changes, Herbster VERMILLION — With fundraising efforts lion mark for both facility projects, includ- said. continuing to progress, the proposed bas- ing an outdoor track and soccer complex. “If we don’t go that (original) direction, ketball and volleyball arena project at the The 6,000-seat arena is now but assured it’ll all be one level,” he said. “Regardless, University of South Dakota went back to the of a spring 2014 construction start because from a programmatic standpoint, the only drawing board for a slight design change. of the changes, Herbster added. thing that would really change is where Rather than have a 2-level arena with Other than that, the original proposed things are placed. We could still end up the basketball and volleyball courts be- components of the arena remain in place. keeping the original plan, it just depends.” neath ground level (at the same level as the They include: 3 practice courts, locker Those original plans — kick-started football field in the DakotaDome), the rooms, coaches and administrative offices, from a $20 million gift from Sanford Health courts would be constructed at concourse new training room, new weight room and and later a $1.5 million donation from level, according to USD athletic director other fan amenities. CorTrust Bank — have helped build mo- P&D FILE PHOTO David Herbster. In short, a lot of pieces had to be con- mentum for the project, Herbster said. South Dakota State runner Phillip LaVallee, pictured The change was proposed after contrac- sidered. “What’s going to help us the most is actu- competing in the 2013 Summit League Indoor Track tors determined that costs associated with “Any time you do change, the biggest ally being able to see more fully what it’s and Field Championships, was killed in a car-pedes- digging that far under ground would esca- thing is, you have to make sure the vision going to be like,” he said. “We’ve been able to trian accident near Otsego, Minn., on Thursday. late the $69 million pricetag, Herbster said, and functionality aren’t compromised,” Herb- pointing out that the changes are still being ster said. “We have to make sure that even SDSU Runner Killed evaluating. when we do it, it still meets the needs of the ARENA | PAGE 11 In Minnesota Golf | SDGA Women’s Amateur Notebook BROOKINGS — South Dakota State Univer- sity cross country and track and field student- athlete Phillip LaVallee died Thursday afternoon in a car-pedestrian accident near Ot- sego, Minn. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Phillip's family, his teammates and coaches during this very difficult time,” said Justin Sell, director of athletics. “He was a model student-athlete and a great teammate to everyone in our cross country and track and field programs. He loved being a Jackrabbit and the entire SDSU commu- nity shares in this tragic loss.” LaVallee was training for his sophomore sea- son and was expected to be a key contributor this fall for the Jackrabbit cross country team. During his freshman season, LaVallee finished 15th overall at the 2012 Summit League Cham- pionships in helping SDSU claim the team title for the third time in four years. He also finished fifth in the 800-meter run at both the league in- door and outdoor track and field champi- onships. He also was honored as a Summit League Distinguished Scholar and was named to the Summit League Honor Roll for academics while majoring in civil engineering. The incident remains under investigation by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office and the Mid- west Medical Examiner’s Office. Funeral arrangements are pending. NDSU Football Looks To JAMES D. CIMBUREK/P&D Remain Atop Conference Lauren Fitts of Brookings watches her tee shot on Hole No. 11 during the first round of the SDGA Women's Amateur Championship on Friday at Yankton's Fox Run Golf Course. BY JEFF KOLPACK Fargo Forum

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — It was just a handful of years ago when North Dakota State first played a game in the Missouri Valley Football Confer- New Champion Guaranteed ence. The Bison weren’t exactly welcomed with opened arms. not be the first former SDGA Some teams objected to the No. 1 preseason Kaufman Playing champ to play on the LPGA. Sioux ranking the Bison got in 2008. They were right: Falls native Kris Tschetter won the NDSU went 4-4 in the conference that season. On Symetra Tour, SDGA Women’s Amateur, then Times have changed. called the “Women’s Stroke Play,” There are no objections to the No. 1 ranking One Step Below four straight years, from 1983-86. heading into this season. The Bison are coming Many of the young golfers in off their second straight NCAA Football Cham- LPGA Tour the field may be eyeing a similar pionship Subdivision national title and return path. Over half the field is cur- BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK rently a collegiate golfer or will be more starters than anybody else. [email protected] It means for the second straight year, head beginning this fall. Several others were competitive in the SDGA Jun- coach Craig Bohl has had to answer the com- There will be a new champion placency question on more than one occasion. ior Championship two weeks ago. for the South Dakota Golf Associa- “This is becoming a younger “The best way I know how to guard against tion’s Women’s Amateur champi- it is to take care of business every day and person’s tournament,” Merry said. onship, which began at Yankton’s “It’s good to see all the high make sure you have good competition within Fox Run Golf Course on Friday. your football team,” he told The Forum. “We school and college players out But not because last year’s ti- there. I’m happy with the turnout have a clear vision of what we need to accom- tlewinner isn’t able to play golf. plish. While it’s important to celebrate past vic- of the younger players.” It is because she has moved on Of the four returning golfers tories, to sit and meander in all of that is a to a high level of competition. proven ground for complacency.” from last year’s top-10 at the Clark native Kim Kaufman, who Women’s Amateur, three played in The Bison haven’t lost on the road since a won the last two women’s amateur 2010 playoff loss at Eastern Washington. They the SDGA Junior last month in Wa- titles among her many golf crowns tertown. The other is Karla Cot- are 28-2 in the last two seasons, with those two won in the state, is currently on losses coming at home against Missouri Valley ton, who won this event in 2008 the Symetra women’s golf tour, the and 2010. teams that didn’t make the playoffs. level below the LPGA. Kaufman, “That’s a real case in point of the competi- “It’s fun to watch these kids who won the Island Resort Cham- grown up and become better tive nature of Missouri Valley football,” Bohl pionship in just her third tour said. “We know we’ll have our hands full in the golfers,” Merry said. “They’re get- event, ranks ninth in the tour ting more and more opportunities Valley.” standings despite missing the first On offense, the Bison return the likes of to play at a higher level.” five events due to her final season Of the eight NCAA Division I quarterback Brock Jensen, wide receivers Zach at Texas Tech. Vraa and Ryan Smith, running backs Sam Ojuri golfers in the field — four each “It’s been fun to watch Kim from the University of South and John Crockett and four of the starting five progress. I first saw her play when on the offensive line. Dakota and South Dakota State she was 12 years old,” said Wade University — six are S.D. natives. On defense, the starting four defensive line- Merry, the executive director of the men and a few key backups are back. All three SDGA. “She grew up in Clark, play- linebackers return, as well as most of the defen- ing on a nine-hole course, and de- Cotton, Leland Share Lead sive backfield. About the only hole to fill is de- JAMES D. CIMBUREK/P&D veloped her skills there. More than Cotton, a two-time Women’s Am- parted cornerback Andre Martin. Karla Cotton of Sioux Falls stares down a putt during the first round anything, she’s a great example of ateur champion, and Maggie Leland “I don’t think there’s anything wrong talking of the SDGA Women's Amateur Championship on Friday at Yank- where hard work can take you.” of Alexandria share the first-round ton's Fox Run Golf Course. Cotton, who won the event in 2008 and Kaufman, who also won the 2010, shares the first-round lead with Maggie Leland of Alexandria, BISON | PAGE 11 who golfs at Augustana, at 72. Women’s Amateur in 2009, would SDGA | PAGE 11 Irene, Crofton, Tabor Open State Amateur This Weekend Cards Aim For Better Showing ‘Jays Look For 4th Straight Title Berth BY JEREMY HOECK Roller Coaster Season BY JEREMY HOECK been one and done,” Cardi- of the bracket with teams [email protected] like Canova, Tabor and de- [email protected] nals manager Kendall Johnke said. “We just have to get fending champion Parkston Brings Bluebirds To State Mudcats, the Bluejays (19-2) The state’s biggest stage over that hump. Crofton’s résumé at the BY JEREMY HOECK ning ways Sunday with it “We’re capable of making South Dakota Class B Ama- can’t afford to look past Lake [email protected] plays Lennox Only One in has not been kind to the Norden, Schieffer said. Irene Cardinals over the last a run,” he added, “but our teur Baseball Tournament the first round of the state downfall all year has been since 2010 reads like this: 13- “Each game, you have to Two months ago, the tournament. Game time is 11 three years. look at it that way,” he said. Each of those summers, leaving people on base. In 2 record, three consecutive Tabor Bluebirds were more a.m. at Sioux Falls Stadium. the games we’ve won, we’ve trips to the championship “It (bracket) won’t change worried about simply win- It’s already been a roller the Cardinals lost their first- how we look at our games, round game at the South brought those guys in.” game, and one title in 2011. ning a regular season game, coaster season for the Blue- The Cardinals, who So yes, the Bluejays are we know we have to show up let alone one at the South birds, according to manager Dakota Class B Amateur ready to play each night. Baseball Tournament, twice earned the last bid out of the target. Dakota Class B Amateur Jon Vavruska. District 6B, qualified for state “I’m sure people aren’t Otherwise you don’t have to Baseball Tournament. “At the beginning, I’m getting shut out — the other worry about tomorrow.” time losing a lead in the for the 10th consecutive looking past us, by any After starting their season sure everyone thought it year. In both 2008 and 2009, means, because we’ve had Using that theme all sea- 0-4, the Bluebirds won 10 of would be a long season,” he ninth inning. son, the Bluejays have again Irene, sitting at 15-14 they lost in the second the success we’ve had the their next 12 and quickly be- said. “Then things started round after winning their last few years,” Schieffer rolled. Following a season- came a contender in the coming together, nerves set- overall, will look to stop that opening loss, Crofton won 13 streak when it plays Miller opener. said. “We can’t do that, ei- South Central League. They tled, just enjoyed the game, As has been the case for ther. There’s a reason these straight South Central eventually lost to Crofton in “Now we’ll see if we can today (Saturday) at 11 a.m. League games, and later at the state tournament at Irene in the last handful of teams are at state; they can the District 6B title game. have some fun in Sioux Falls.” Sioux Falls Stadium. play.” Now, Tabor (13-8) will Thrown into a tough part “The last few years we’ve IRENE | PAGE 7 CROFTON | PAGE 7 look to rediscover its win- TABOR | PAGE 7