Tiefenthaler, Jeff

Jeff Tiefenthaler, a 1981 graduate of Armour High School and 1986 graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU), played a pivotal role in helping Armour win seven state titles—three in track & field and two each in baseball and basketball. At SDSU, he excelled in both football and track & field. Initially attending on a […]

Templeton, Kim

A graduate of Miller High School in 1972 and Black Hills State University in 1976, Kim Templeton distinguished himself as an all-state basketball player and helped lead the undefeated Miller boys’ basketball team to the 1972 State A title. Despite Miller being the smallest school in Class A at the time, Templeton’s leadership propelled them […]

Soderquist, Rudy

Rudolph “Rudy” Soderquist, a 1937 graduate of Rapid City Central and a 1942 graduate of the University of Iowa, was a standout in both high school and college athletics. In his senior year, he led Iowa to its best season since 1926, finishing the 1942 season tied for second in the Big Ten with an […]

Mickelson, Amy (Brecht)

Amy (Brecht) Mickelson, a 1986 graduate of Brookings High School and a 1990 graduate of the University of Washington, was a standout athlete throughout her career. Standing 6-foot-3, Mickelson was a key player on the Brookings girls’ basketball team, leading them to unbeaten seasons during both her junior and senior years. Under her leadership, the […]

Plihal, Sally

Sally Plihal, a 1971 graduate of Tyndall High School and 1975 graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU), is celebrated as one of South Dakota’s pioneering female athletes who gained national prominence. In 1969, she secured a remarkable victory in the high jump at both the AAU Junior Nationals and the AAU Junior Olympics, establishing […]

Morgan, Scott

Scott Morgan is the most decorated male basketball player in Dakota Wesleyan University history. The 6-7 forward was voted the NAIA Division II National Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993. He scored 2,810 points in his career, averaging 25.8 points per game and 10.7 rebounds. In his junior season, Morgan led the nation […]

Guebert (Olson), Melissa

Melissa Olson Guebert graduated from Sioux Falls Lincoln High School in 1983. She was named South Dakota Miss Basketball, Class A Player of the Year, and an All-State player, averaging 19.2 points and 8.0 rebounds in her senior year. She was the state champion in the 100m hurdles in 1983 and the 300m hurdles in […]

Ecoffey, Fred

Fred Ecoffey, a Pine Ridge Reservation native who graduated from a government high school and attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, is hailed as perhaps the greatest horseman in Lakota Country, a region renowned for its horsemen. From a ranch near Wounded Knee, his racing career as a jockey began at age 20, per […]