Category Archives: Sports

By Colton Hall
Staff writer

Krockett Krolikowski is living the dream in Brookings.

The redshirt-sophomore from Winner was a part of a South Dakota State University football team that went undefeated at home (7-0) on its way to finishing 10-3.

Krolikowski proved the be a big reason for the Jackrabbits success while “stirring the pot”, registering four sacks which was good enough for second on the team. Everything was going his way.

That’s when tragedy happened.

Krolikowski suffered a torn ACL which would put him out of the last two games, but that wasn’t enough to keep him down for long.

According to Krolikowski, he’s scheduled to be back in time for fall camp, and he’s looking to pick up where he left off.

“Rehab’s going good,” Krolikowski said in a phone interview. “I’ll be back in time for fall camp, and I’m going to be excited to be back with the boys. I just want to get back, be to do what I love.”

Krolikowski, a construction management major, burst onto the college football scene after recording a career high seven tackles, while mustering one and half sacks against Easton Stick and North Dakota State Bison in week three.

Before Krolikowski’s injury, he even blocked kicks in back-to-back games against The University of South Dakota and Duquesne. Krolikowski was heating up.

“It felt good to get in a groove,” Krolikowski said. “It takes a little bit of time to get stuff clicking. I just want to keep playing better, and continue to improve. You work so hard to get to a certain point, and it’s amazing when everything pays off. Now it’s all about building off of last year.”

While a horrific injury like an ACL tear might be enough for some athletes to call it quits, Krolikowski seems to be shaped by the injury. He’s not letting it slow him down, and it all starts with a different mindset.

“There’s going to be adversity in everything,” Krolikowski said. “You can run with it, or you can crumble. One day, you’ll tear your ACL, that can be career ending. It’s different things everyday. You have to push yourself everyday. You have to have the mindset to get through. I’m going to take it one step at a time, and have playing the sport I love.”

His love and work ethic for football is a major reason for his success, but Krolikowski doesn’t forget the people that helped him out along the way. In fact, those people are another reason he plays as hard as he does.

“My favorite part is the guys that I’m around,” Krolikowski said. “I’m not playing for me anymore, its for the guys. I play for the guys right beside me and my family who have continued to push me to get here. I continue to want more, and my desire to continue to get better is what’s going to help me get better. With my faith, and the way that coach Stiegelmeier runs the program , and I like how our team is based around faith.”

In college football, the little things can make the difference between a good or great player. Krolikowski wants to put more of an emphasis on the little things. He just wants to keep getting better.

“It’s the little tendencies,” Krolikowski said. “Learning more mentally from the game can only help you get better. The smarter you get, the better you get with your hands, and I”m learning how to watch film better. I’m paying attention to all the details that can help me be successful. I’m looking at things from a different perspective, and I’m able to pick on the little things better. Our team is more competitive. We’ve been getting better and better, and we’re close. It’s time for the glass to break.”

Make no mistake. Krolikowski wants to get better, but his team is on the verge of being one of the better teams in the country. At some point, all the hard work and dedication will pay off. Something will give.

“We want to win the national championship,” Krolikowski said. “We’ve got to close it out. We’re changing up and things are looking different. We’re more competitive. We’re getting better. It’s time for the glass to break.”

By Colton Hall
Staff writer

There’s a country song by Brad Paisley called “last time for everything”.

If you haven’t listened to it, it’s about the fact that the best things in life don’t last forever. That’s why it’s important to remember those times and cherish them while you’re in them.

For the rest of the story, pick up this week’s edition of the Winner Advocate or subscribe to the Winner Advocate at 1-605-842-1481!

By Colton Hall
Staff writer

Winner legend Frank Leahy once said, “There are no shortcuts in life, only those we imagine.”

It’s a pretty straightforward saying. Basically if you want to get somewhere, shortcuts aren’t the answer. It’s going to take hard work to get where you want.

For the rest of the story, pick up this week’s edition of the Winner Advocate or subscribe to the Winner Advocate at 1-605-842-1481!

Lady Warriors down Gregory

Winner volleyball team, ranked No. 3^rd in Class A, defeated Gregory in three sets on Oct. 2. The scores were 25-10, 25-9, 25-7.

Ellie Brozik and Mackenzie Levi were 100 percent in serving. Brozik and Morgan Hammerbeck each had 4 ace serves.

Hammerbeck had 9 kills, Kalla Bertram, 6 and Brozik, 5.

Levi had 21 set assists and Addy Root, 4

Maggie LaCompte had 17 digs and Brozik, 8.

Hammerbeck had 1 solo block and 1 block assist.

Abby Marts had 1 block assist.

As a team, Winner was 98 percent in serving with 9 ace serves, 29 kills, 27 set assists and 46 digs.

“We came out focused and ready to play,” said coach Jaime Keiser. “We were aggressive and did a great job of attacking and serving the ball which kept Gregory on the defensive end. We played three consistent games. The girls played as a team and were having fun,” said Keiser.

The Lady Warriors improve to 16-1 with the victory.

Lady Warriors defeat Arlington

The Winner Lady Warriors volleyball team defeated Arlington in 4 sets at the Chester Challenge on Saturday.

The scores were 25-14, 22-25, 25-16, 25-19.

Morgan Hammerbeck was named the MVP of the match.

Hammerbeck and Maggie LaCompte were 100 percent in serving.

Ellie Brozik had 4 aces and LaCompte, 3.

Abby Marts had 23 kills and Hammerbeck, 13.

Mackenzie Levi had 27 set assists and Addy Root, 22.

Hammerbeck had a 2.20 serve receive rating and LaCompte had a 2.06 serve receive rating.

Hammerbeck had 27 digs and LaCompte, 25.

As a team, Winner was 95 percent in serving with 8 aces, 59 kills, 56 assists and 122 digs.

“Arlington is a very experienced, scrappy and well coach team,” said coach Jaime Keiser.

“We came out ready to play and had the momentum most of the first set. The second set we gave Arlington too many unearned points. We switched our defense in the third set and it helped get to Arlington’s tips, down balls and attacks.

“Arlington was very scrappy and would get to every ball we hit to them. We did a great job of attacking the ball over and over wearing them down. I was very proud of the girls and their effort. They played with a lot of heart and intensity. It as a total team effort,” said Keiser.

The Lady Warriors defeated White River in three sets on Thursday. Winner won 25-17, 25-10 and 25-12.

Ellie Brozik was 94 percent in serving and Littau was 90 percent.

Brozik had 4 aces and Littau 2.

Hammerbeck had 14 kills and Abby Marts 9.

Levi had 18 set assists and Root, 9.

LaCompte had 10 digs and Brozik and Hammerbeck with 8 each.

Kalla Bertram had 1 solo block and 3 block assists and Brozik had 2 block assists.

As a team, Winner was 87 percent in serving with 8 aces, 36 kills, 34 set assist, 44 digs and 4 blocks.

“The first set we made too many serving and attacking errors. Then we settled down and did a great job of attacking the ball, which kept White River out of system and chasing the ball all over the place,” said Keiser.

The next action for Winner will be Oct. 15 hosting Mt. Vernon/Plankinton and Oct. 16 hosting Wagner.