Category Archives: News

Jr. Legion Record Moves to 4-0

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The Winner Jr. Legion team defeated Gregory June 4 at Leahy Bowl by a score of 9-7.

After trailing 6-0 early, Winner battled back with a 4-run bottom of the 3rd, and took the lead for good with a 5-run 5th inning.
The offense had a big night, belting out 13 hits, including a 3 for 4 night from Kameron Meiners. Joren Bruun was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI’s, while Phillip Jorgensen added 2 hits (both triples), and 3 RBI’s.

Joren Bruun got the start on the mound and went 4 innings, giving up 6 hits and 7 runs (4 earned), while striking out 3. Jacob Beckers pitched 3 strong innings in relief, giving up just one hit, no runs, and striking out 5.

“The defense struggled early, committing 4 errors, leading to 3 unearned runs. After that, the boys played well in the field, and the offense really picked us up,” said coach Kory Foss.

“ We put a lot of good swings on the ball and found some gaps. It’s always nice when the offense clicks because it seems to pick everyone up and that then carries over to the defensive side,” said Foss.
With the victory, Winner Jr. Legion moves to 3-0 on the year.

Winner Junior Legion baseball team won a high scoring battle June 2 in Platte with an 18-10 victory.

On a day when the winds were swirling, every ball hit in the air was a challenge for fielders and as a result each team committed five errors.

After falling behind 9-6 early, Winner stormed back to outscore Platte 12-1 over the next four innings.
Kameron Meiners got the win on the mound after coming in relief for starter Phillip Jorgensen. Aaron Gilchrist closed the door pitching the final three innings while only giving up one run on three hits.

Winner racked up 13 hits for the day led by Colby Kaiser who was 4-4.

Oscar Pravecek had a big game at the plate as well going 2 for 2 with a two run home run to left while walking three times and scoring five runs.

Fred Whiting was 2-3 with 4 RBI’s including a big double in a four run fourth inning.

Jorgensen went 3-5 with an RBI.

Winner Junior Legion beat Bennett Counties Legion team by a score of 14-4 in 6 innings on June 6. The game was called due to the 10-run rule.

Kameron Meiners was 3 for 5 at the plate with 3 RBI’s. Philip Jorgensen was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s. Oscar Pravecek was 2 for 3. Landon Theiman added a hit and an RBI.

Kameron Meiners started and pitched 4 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 5. Fred Whiting pitched a scoreless inning, striking out one.

Overall, it was a good game for our offense with 13 hits said coach Kory Foss. “We’re getting contributions from all parts of our order, as 9 different players had at least 1 hit. Kameron did a nice job on the mound, and didn’t give up a hit until the 4th inning. Fred threw well in his inning of relief, which was nice to see as it was his first time on the mound this summer. The defense played well, and didn’t commit an error, which was encouraging because we’ve struggled with that at times early this season,” said Foss.

With the win Winner moves to 4-0 on the year.

Amateurs Snap Alexandrai’s 28 Game Win Streak

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Winner/Colome amateur baseball team snapped Alexandria’s 28 game win string with a 1-0 victory Thursday in Winner.

The Pheasants snapped the win streak which dates back to May 26, 2017 when Winner/Colome also defeated Alexandria, 5-4.

Connor Hopkins, who pitched for Winner/Colome,

fanned 15 batters in a no hitter.

In the fifth inning, Zach Harter scored the go-ahead run on a Trever Vermeulen wild pitch.

Offensively, Harter had a double, Austin Richey recorded two hits and Austin Calhoon had a double.

 

Winner/Colome amateur baseball team defeated Corsica/Stickney 10-1 Sunday in Corsica.

Winner/Colome outhit Corsica/Stickney 13-7.

Austin Richey hit a two run home run in the fourth inning. The Pheasants scored another run in the fifth, four in the sixth and three in the seventh.

Reed Harter and Austin Calhoon were 3-5 with two RBIs which Zach Harter had two hits.

Derek Graesser got the win on the mound. He struck out nine batters and allowed four hits and two walks.

Winner/Colome, 7-1, will host Wagner on Thursday, June 14, for an 8 p.m. game.

Carney Joins Activities Foundation Board

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By Dana Hess
For the S.D. Newspaper Association

The former executive director of the South Dakota High School Activities Association will join the board of directors of the SDHSAA Foundation.

Wayne Carney will join the foundation board as a non-paid member according to Dave Stevens of Mitchell, a member of the foundation board who provided an update to the activities association’s board of directors at their Thursday meeting.

Carney was instrumental in the formation of the foundation during his tenure as executive director.

“Quite frankly, the foundation has had a hard time getting started,” Stevens said, adding that the organization would benefit from Carney’s experience.

Stevens said the foundation has a balance of $382,000 with $10,300 available to distribute in grants.

According to Stevens, the foundation would like to form a distribution committee consisting of four foundation board members, three association board members and SDHSAA Executive Director Dan Swartos as a non-voting member.

The appointment of the board members from the association will likely take place at the group’s August meeting.

Late in Carney’s tenure as executive director, the association’s corporate sponsors asked that their donations be redirected to the foundation. While they all initially stayed with the association, First Premier Bank/Premier Bankcard has decided to take its yearly donation to the foundation.

At its Thursday meeting, the SDHSAA board welcomed a new banking sponsor, Dakotah Bank, which signed a five year agreement to make yearly donations of $75,000 to the association. Corporate sponsors receive a variety of marketing benefits for their donations.

The association’s other corporate sponsors are Sanford Health, Farmers Union Insurance, Billion Automotive and the South Dakota Army National Guard.

 

 

BROOKE SWIER SCHLOSS HONORED AS ONE OF PRAIRIE BUSINESS MAGAZINE’S “TOP 25 WOMEN IN BUSINESS”

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Brooke Swier Schloss of Swier Law Firm was recently honored as one of the “Top 25 Women in Business” by Prairie Business magazine.

Now in its fifth year, the award honors successful businesswomen in North Dakota, South Dakota, and western Minnesota. The award emphasizes professional achievement, community contributions, and work-life balance.

“I am so honored that Prairie Business magazine recognizes the accomplishments of professional women in our region,” said Brooke Swier Schloss. “As the mother of two small daughters, I am thrilled to tell them ‘Look at the opportunities you have to chase your dreams.’ I am humbled to be part of such a successful group of businesswomen.”

“We are very proud of Brooke’s achievement in being named one of the ‘Top 25 Women in Business for 2018,” said Scott Swier. “She is the epitome of a dedicated professional and selfless volunteer.”

A reception was held on Thursday, May 17, in the Dakota Ballroom at the Avalon Events Center in Fargo, to celebrate the 2018 Top 25 Women in Business.

Photo Contest Receives Good Response

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Winner Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased with the response it has received in its photo contest.

Persons can submit a photo through June 11 and all photos must be taken in Tripp County.

Karla Brozik, executive director of the Chamber, says so far 18 photos have been submitted.

Brozik says current photos are needed for the Chamber’s web site, promotional items and other materials.

Brozik noted some of the pictures that are being used by the Chamber are 10 years old and will be refreshing to have new photos.

At the June 14 Winner Summer Night the photos will be on display and persons will have a chance to vote for their favorite photo. The photo receiving the greatest number of votes will receive a canvas print of the photo and $25 in Winner Cash and second place will receive $25 in Winner Cash.

Persons can email photos to thechamber@gwtc.net.

First Winner Summer Night Set for June 14

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The Winner Summer Nights was a huge success last year and will continue this summer.

Plans are already in the works for first Winner Summer Night this year on June 14.

The event will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on the first block of Main Street. This portion of Main Street will be blocked off during this event.

The event will celebrate Rosebud Concrete’s 25th anniversary. Rosebud Concrete will be serving hot dogs, chips and a bottle of water.

This year’s first Winner Summer Night have an 80’s theme and persons are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite 80’s outfit. There will be prizes for the best male and female dressed in the 1980’s theme.

There will be live music by the Annabelle Band of Sioux Falls.

There will be several games including a cake walk, Tetris wall, kids golf pong, sidewalk chalk and more.

The Winner Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers to provide a cake for the cake walk. Persons who can provide a cake are to call the Chamber at 842-1533.

The summer night event will feature food vendors. Winner Regional Healthcare Center will be providing dessert like the ones they served at the Taste of Winner.

Madison Gill, a student at Colome High School, will have a root beer float booth to raise money for a trip next summer to attend the Ambassadors of Music as they travel throughout Europe. Her booth is sponsored by Potrzeba State Farm and Animal Clinic.

Easy Entrée will be doing Pac-Man cookies and Smurf-berries.

Spirit Gems will be doing snow cones.

Anyone who would like to be a food vendor or have an informational booth is asked to call the Chamber.

The other dates for Winner Summer Nights include: July 12, Aug. 9 and Aug. 30.

The July 12th event will honor the 60th anniversary of Mathis Implement and have a red, white and blue theme.

The Aug. 9 evening will featured the Methodist Church family and faith night with lots of games.

On Aug. 30, Winner Livestock Auction Company will be recognized for 85 years in business and the theme of the night will be ag appreciation.

The event on June 14 will feature a photo judging contest. Photos submitted in a Chamber contest will be printed and displayed and everyone will have a chance to vote for their favorite. First place will received a canvas print of the photo and $25 in Winner Cash and second place will receive $25 in Winner Cash.

Karla Brozik, executive director of the Winner Chamber, said after last year’s summer nights a survey was taken and 10 questions were asked about what persons like or did not like about the event. There were 215 persons who responded. Some of the questions asked if they felt Main Street was the best location and would kind of games would they like to see. Persons were also asked if the event met the objective of being family friendly.

Persons who have questions about the Winner Summer Nights can call the Chamber office.

Seminar Focuses on Big Momentum from Small Habits

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By Dan Bechtold, Editor

The importance of communication, friendliness and teamwork are only surpassed by accountability in both personal and professional growth says Gina Kuck, Brookings, the speaker at a seminar in Winner on May 30.

The free seminar was sponsored by Winner Area Chamber of Commerce, Tripp County and South Dakota Tourism.

Representatives from several businesses attended the seminar.

Kuck has spent the last 15 years working at Daktronics in Brookings.

Kuck is an expert in national brands and small business and focuses on helping customers achieve their goals.

Prior to joining Daktronics, the Nebraska native owned her own custom frame boutique.

Kuck talked about the habit loop and then showed ways to change a habit.

She noted persons should be more intentional with their habits. “Fifty percent of decisions are made spontaneously,” she explained.

Kuck noted that consumer behavior is tied to habits.

She said soft skills can lead to superior customer service and greater consumer loyalty.

 

High School Trap Clubs Heads to State Tournament

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The Winner Area High School Trap Club concluded its season on May 27. The team consisting of Winner and Colome students shot on Monday and Wednesday nights starting on April 1 at the Rosebud Arrow Rod and Gun Club trap range.

There is a total of 940 student athletes across the state that competed this season, which is almost double from last year. There are 4 conferences across the state and the Winner Area Club is in conference number 2 that has a total of 135 student athletes.

Luke Hennebold ended up the overall champion shooter for the state combining male and female shooters. He won the overall with an average of 24.3 out of 25. He was also the top male shooter in the state and conference champion.

Katie Welker was conference champion female, she ended up 2nd high female in the state with an average of 22.6. She was also 5th overall in the conference and was tied for 30th overall in the state.

Loren Moeller placed 7th in the conference and tied for 42nd overall in the state. Jude Sargent placed 12th in the conference and finished 61st in the state. George Clark finished 16th in the conference and tied for 84th overall in the state. Tyler Olson finished 16th in the conference and tied for 84th in the state. Tane Pravecek tied for 17th in the conference and 88th in the state. Jack Ducheneaux tied for 19th in the conference and tied for 97th in the state. Caleb Vandenbark placed 27th in the conference and tied for 152nd in the state.

Jack Anderson tied for 52nd in the conference and 292nd in the state. Austin Olson tied for 62nd in the conference and tied for 356th in the state. Jared Amidon tied for 73rd in the conference and tied for 406th in the state. Hunter Osborn tied for 73rd in the conference and tied for 406th in the state. Jesse Larson placed 77th in the conference and tied for 419th in the state. Julie Larson placed 82nd in the conference and tied for 474th in the state.

Josh Musilek placed 107th in the conference and tied for 757th in the state. Megan Brozik placed 110th in the conference and tied for 766th in the state. Melanie Brozik tied for 118th in the conference and 819th in the state.

The season will conclude with the state tournament that will be held in Aberdeen on June 9. The Winner Area team is taking 11 athletes to the state tournament. Coaches for the team are Tim Pravecek, Mike Pravecek and Rod Clark.

 

TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL AWARDS ANNOUNCED FOR SOUTH DAKOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL CLAY TARGET LEAGUE 2018 SEASON

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Luke Hennebold of Winner/Colome High School took home top individual honors in the South Dakota State High School Clay Target League’s (SDSHSCTL) 2018 spring season, which wrapped up competition on May 26th.

Hennebold led the field to earn the trophy for the highest overall average in the league. He’ll also bring home the award for top male average overall.

Isabel Myren from Pierre T.F. Riggs High School earned top female average honors.

Overall, 30 athletes and 10 teams will take home awards.

“We are proud to congratulate all of the award winners for their success this year.” said Jim Sable, President of the SDSHSCTL, “They have really worked hard to get where they are, and we look forward to seeing them at the state tournament.”

Upon completion of the Spring League, all student athletes are invited to participate in individual and team competitions at the 2018 State Tournament. The event is scheduled for June 9 at the Aberdeen Gun Club.

The South Dakota State High School Clay Target League is an affiliate of the USA High School Clay Target League, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The League is an independent provider of shooting sports as an extracurricular co-ed and adaptive activity for high schools and students in grades 6 through 12. The organization’s priorities are safety, fun, and marksmanship – in that order. Each student is required to pass a comprehensive firearm safety education course prior to participation.

Nationwide, over 26,000 students representing over 800 school-approved teams participated in the League during the 2017-18 school year.

Five on Trap Team have Perfect Score

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In trap shooting, 25 is a perfect score. It is extremely hard to achieve this goal. The Winner/Colome high school trap team had five individuals that had one or more perfect rounds to send in for a score and some were achieved during practice.

Loren Moeller sent in one 25 round for score, Luke Hennebold sent in five 25s for a score and one 50 straight run.

Katie Welker sent one 25 round for score and had one 25 for practice.

Jude Sargent sent one 25 for score, then had one for practice for a straight 50.

George Clark had one 25 for practice.

Taylor Olson sent one 25 for score and Tane Pravecek had one 25 for practice.