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Three members of the Winner volleyball team have been named to the Southeast South Dakota all conference team. Named to the team are Ellie Brozik, Kalla Bertram and Mackenzie Levi.

By Dan BechtoldEditor

Community member came together Sunday evening to welcome home the Winner High School volleyball team who played in the state tournament.

The Winner Lady Warriors won the SoDak 16 and qualified for the state meet which was held this last weekend in Watertown. The girls played three matches in the Watertown Civic Arena. They lost to Hamlin and Madison and defeated Hill City.

At Sunday’s celebration, coach Jaime Keiser said the team is fortunate to have been able to get this far due to COVID-19.“This is a special team of amazing girls who never cared who got the stats or the credit, all they wanted to do was win,” explained the coach

Keiser said the play at state was a complete team effort.

“The state meet did not go as we were hoping. We were excited to see Hamlin and everyone on this team wishes we could have that match back,” said the coach. “I know these girls could have played a lot better against Hamlin,” she added. “I know how much potential they have and we did not put that full potential into the Hamlin match.

Keiser was proud of how the girls came out against Madison the next day. She said Winner gave 110 percent. The coach added the girls gave 110 percent against Hill City and came up with a win. “I am very honored to have been able to coach these girls. I would not want to coach any other team.” Assistant coach Jenna Phillips spoke along with the five seniors.

Two members of the champion Winner High School football team have been named to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader Elite 45 football squad.

Brady Fritz and Sam Kruger were named to the Elite 45 and Preston Norrid was named honorable mention.

Branded by his coach as one of the fastest players in the state, Fritz was dynamite for the Winner Warriors in 2020.

Commanding an offense that does its damage on the ground, he rushed for 499 yards and eight touchdowns on 68 carries but was also effective when called on  to pass. He was 23 of 38 for 504 yards.

At free safety, Fritz intercepted a pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown.

“Brady is a real leader and a quality person off the field,” said coach Trent Olson.

Kruger was the Warriors leading rusher and receiver this season. On the ground, he logged 810 yards and 12 scores on 105 carries. Through the air he caught five passes for 89 yards and four touchdowns.

On defense, Sam played SAM linebacker. “That is the most difficult position in our defense,” said Coach Olson.

Kruger logged a team high 60 tackles and two forced fumbles.

“We were very balanced on both offense and defense,  but Sam was our best all around player,” Olson said.

“He has been instrumental in our success these past couple of seasons,” said Olson.

Norrid, also a senior, was included in the list of honorable mention.

Six members of the Winner High School football team have been named to the Class 11B all state team. Winner (12-0) is represented by Sam Kruger, Preston Norrid, Bosten Morehart, Kaden Keiser, Charley Pravecek and Brady Fritz.

Winner defeated Bridgewater/Emery-Ethan in the state 11B football championship 18-14. Both teams were powered by dominate offensive lines so it is no surprise that all state linemen were Warriors or Seahawks.

Norrid and Morehart paved the way for Winner’s rushing attack. The seniors were both three year starters while Norrid also played fullback this season.

“Great leader and very versatile player,” said coach Trent Olson about Norrid. “Extremely physical and hard nosed.” Olson said of Morehart: “Stout player in the middle for us on both sides of the ball.” Olson said Morehart was a big part of why Winner was effective in running the ball and stopping the run.

Kruger paced Winner’s ground game with 810 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added four touchdown receptions and 45 tackles. The 6-2 175 pound senior was chosen as the most outstanding back of the state championship.

Olson said Kruger always got the tough yards for Winner. Keiser was selected to the all state team as an athlete. Keiser had 423 yards rushing and seven touchdowns while posting 29 tackles and four interceptions on defense. The junior speedster had close to 300 return yards.“ He had a great postseason for us,” Olson said. “Played big in the biggest games. He had four interceptions in the last three playoff games and made a bunch of big tackles.”

Pravecek was chosen for the defensive line. He had 25.5 tackles and seven sacks to earn all-state defensive line honors. Pravecek was named the outstanding lineman at the Class 11B championship game.“ Excellent two way lineman,” said Olson. “Our most productive defensive lineman. He has good technique and disciple,” said the Winner coach.

Fritz was an all state defensive back while also orchestrating Winner’s offense from his quarterback position. Fritz finished with seven tackles, two fumble recoveries and one pick six. The senior threw for 504 yards and seven touchdowns. He rushed for 499 yards and had 8 touchdowns.

“Incredible athlete with great speed,” said Olson. “Excellent leader. True dual threat QB. He speed and experience at free safety really prevented a lot of big plays for our opponents,” said Olson.

Returning state champions plus a lot of depth will fuel the Winner Area wrestling team this season.

The Warriors finished runner up to Canton in both the dual and individual state meet a year ago.

Returning lettermen are Aaron Gilchrist, Jude Sargent, Maxton Brozik, Kaleb Osborn, Karson Keiser, Charley Pravecek, Kamryn Meek, Stetson Shelbourn, Preston Norrid, Joey Cole, Sam Kruger, Jack Kruger, Riley Orel, Kaden Keiser, Adam Bohnet, Konnor Osborn and Achilles Willuweit.

Warriors lost to graduation are Trevor Peters, Cailob Week and Landon Debus.

There are 18 athletes on the team with three seniors—Gilchrist, Sam Kruger and Norrid.

Winner will open the season Dec. 4 in a triangular in Parkston. The Warriors will wrestle Parkson and Warner/Northwestern. On the road a lot the first part of the season, Winner does not have a home match until Jan. 22.

The returning state placers are Kaden Keiser and Sam Kruger. Riley Orel and Achilles Willuweit took second place at state while Jack Peters and Norrid took fourth.

Kaleb Osborn placed fifth.

Gilchrist, Pravecek and Brozik all attended state and gained valuable experience. Coach Spencer Novotny says Winner will have a  solid team. The strength of the team will be its leadership and depth. Novotny says the team works hard in practice and push each other. “We have a lot of kids who do not like to loose even in practice so things get competitive  in practice,” said Novotny.

“We are fortunate we have enough kids out and that adds to our depth.”

Practice started Nov. 23 and the team went right to work. The coach said they did a lot of drills and some cardio work.

On Nov. 25  they team went live with wrestling for 23 minutes.

Novotny looks at the top teams in Class B to be Canton. “Everyone is chasing Canton and hopefully we are up there at the top,” said the coach.

He noted there are a lot of teams in Winner’s region who will be strong this year.  

This will be a different year for the Warriors as they make their way through a pandemic. A year ago, the state tournament was able to be completed before COVID-19 hit.

The South Dakota High School Activities Association has made recommendations on how to conduct winter sports including wrestling.

Wrestling will be one sport that will have a lot of changes.

Novotny says the activities association is recommending that all who attend a wreslting match wear a mask.

Among the mandatory changes is limiting  tournaments to no more than  eight man brackets and 112 wrestlers in a tournament.

Teams are required to have pods of athletes during practice. This is to limit exposure and help lower the spread of COVID-19.

Right row Winner has five pods and only those wrestlers in a certain pod wrestle each other. As an example, a wrestler in pod 1 cannot cross over and wrestle a teammate in pod 2. “If we intermingle pods that will give us more exposure to the virus,” explained the coach.

If a wrestler tests positive for COVID-19 then only that pod would be considered for exposure and the rest of the pods could compete. That is the reason for the pods. If there were no pods and a wrestler tests positive the entire team would be  considered for exposure.

Novotny said a wrestler can only wrestle a maximum of four matches per day.

Also, there can only be two weigh ins a week.

Novotny added the team bench is a little different. “We cannot sit in a pile any more we have to spread out for social distancing.”

Novotny added: “We are battling some things we have not had to worry about. We are going to keep on going and hopefully we all stay healthy.”  

The Winner area wrestling schedule includes:

Dec. 4—at Parkston

Dec. 10—Burke/ Gregory  and Wagner at Wagner

Dec. 12—Gregory Tournament

Dec. 18—Valentine dual tournament

Jan. 2—MCM invite in Salem

Jan. 12—at Stanley County

Jan. 16—Tri Valley Tournament in Colton

Jan. 19—Valentine and O’Neill in O’Neill

Jan. 22—Kimball/White Lake and Platte/Geddes in Winner

Jan 23—Winner tournament

Jan. 30—Lee Wolf in Aberdeen

Feb. 2—Chamberlain in Winner

Feb. 13—Huron Invite

Feb. 20—Region 3B in Wagner

Feb. 25—State B in Rapid City