In the past few weeks, we have been presented with a vivid picture of South Dakota athletic pride. We have witnessed the splendor in achievement that young men and women representing our high schools and colleges have provided us through dedicated and relentless efforts.

One such example is women’s pole vaulter Bethany Buell of The University of South Dakota, who on Friday will be the first USD athlete to compete at the NCAA DI Track and Field Championships.

Another example was the inspired and energetic play of Ritchie Price’s South Dakota State University men’s baseball team. The Jacks pushed Oral Roberts to the brink in the Summit League Baseball Championships.

Let’s recall the recent standout performances at the South Dakota High School Track and Field Championships at Howard Wood Stadium where we saw a reappearance of one of the state’s most storied programs, Sioux Falls Washington. The Warriors, led by former SDSU great Everett Gebhart, won the AA boys title for the 32nd time in school history and the first since 1988. It was at that same meet that we saw the continuing of a remarkable track legacy in Rapid City Stevens, whose girls team, led by former Coyote Paul Hendry, picked up its 18th overall title and 15th in 16 years. Along with thousands in attendance at Howard Wood Field, I witnessed the exploits of Carly Carper, Kari Heck, Seth Boomsma and Sami Galliger and others, who dazzled us with their powerful and graceful talents. 

All of these athletic efforts are worth the price of admission — so keep watching, the actors in this reality show will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you want to read more about Buell or other South Dakota sports related topics, go to The Genz blog which is tagged here (http://genzmania.blogspot.com/). The Genz is a regular blog  written by Dan Genzler of Sioux Fall, S.D. The blog focuses primarily on South Dakota sports-related topics but also ventures into regional and national issues. Take a minute and join “The Genz” in sports conversation.