A look at the Arrow cross country, cheer and dance, soccer, boys golf and girls tennis squads

Ok, even though it's officially 36 days before autumn officially arrives, the fall high school sports season in South Dakota is off and running.

Watertown High School's boys and girls soccer teams each opened play by hosting Rapid City Central and Rapid City Stevens over the weekend and the Arrow boys kicked off their golf season on Monday and Tuesday.

Other WHS teams are set to follow in the coming days. Here's a look at what to expect from a majority of the WHS athletic teams this fall.

Information on the WHS volleyball and football teams will be released later.

BOYS GOLF

• Head Coach — Corey Neale, fifth year.

• Assistant — Ryan Neale.

• 2022 Highlights — The Arrows repeated as the Eastern South Dakota Conference champions and also finished third in the state Class AA tourney for the the second-straight year.

Jake Olson also repeated as the individual champion in the ESD and took second in the state Class AA meet. Kaden Rylance and Curtis Sneden joined Olson as All-ESD performers with top-15 finishes in the state meet. Rylance, Jaden Solheim and Lenards each also medaled at state with top-25 places.

• Top Returnees — Seniors Olson and Sneden; juniors Rylance, Lenards, Solheim, Gabe Norberg and Brody Torgerson; and sophomore Jerome Zebroski.

The ESD title for Olson was actually his third. The Arrows didn't get to play in the 2020 tournament because of COVID-19. Rylance tied for fourth and Sneden tied for 15th in the ESD. At state, Solheim and Rylance each tied for seventh and Lenards tied for 19th.

• Season Outlook — With such a strong returning cast, the Arrows still have some big goals. One of them is trying to win the school's first state championship since 1971.

"We have a great core of guys who put a lot of work into their game and have had the goal of winning a state championship since they entered high school," said Corey Neale. "We have a great chance for them to achieve that goal this year."

• ESD — Harrisburg and Pierre are the two teams with the best chance of stopping Watertown's bid for win the conference for a third-straight year.

• State — Watertown is part of a group of four teams (Harrisburg, Pierre and Sioux Falls O'Gorman are the others) who are the Class AA favorites heading into the season. In the season-opening Warrior-Lynx Invite on Monday and Tuesday, Harrisburg won by six shots over Pierre and O'Gorman edged Watertown by one shot for third place.

• Schedule Highlights — Watertown's schedule again includes 10 events, highlighted by Watertown Invitational at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Cattail Crossing Golf Course. The ESD tournament follows on Sept. 25 at the Fox Run Golf Course in Yankton. The season wraps up on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 2-3 with the state Class AA tournament at the Brandon Golf Course.

GIRLS TENNIS

• Head Coach — Ryan Zink, seventh year.

• Assistant — Mackenzie Turbak and Renee Cummings (middle school).

• 2022 record — 14-3 in duals.

• 2022 Highlights — Watertown won its eighth ESD tournament title, and first since 2018, and notched a fourth-place finish in the state Class AA tournament.

• Top Returnees — Juniors Ellie Zink, Faith Berg and Sophia Nichols and sophomore Leyla Meester are returning regulars for the Arrows.

Zink finished fourth at No. 2 singles in both the ESD and state tournaments. She also teamed with Josie Heyn to finished fourth at No. 1 doubles at state. Meester finished third at No. 3 singles and teamed with Jaida Young to win the No. 2 doubles. At state, Meester was sixth at No. 3 singles and won the No. 2 doubles championship with Young. Berg won the fifth flight singles title in the ESD and teamed with Nichols to take sixth at No. 3 doubles. Nichols took second in the ESD and fifth in the state at No. 6 singles.

• Others to Watch — Senior Karlie Schulte; juniors Cayda Weiss, Olivia Whiting and Hannah Pesek; and sophomores Jade Smith and Kaia VanDerMerwe are returnees battling to fill the last couple of spots in the lineup.

• Season Outlook — "We started practice in July, so that was a first. I have been happy with their work ethic so far," said Zink. "We have a great group of young ladies who work hard and have fun. The returning varsity players are going to have to move up to tougher flights this year and we need a couple of girls to step in to fill the bottom of our lineup.

• ESD — Yankton, Mitchell, Harrisburg and Aberdeen Central are teams that all could stand in the way of Watertown's bid to repeat in the conference.

"It will definitely be a tough task to repeat as ESD champions, but I know this team will work hard every day and we should be able to compete with most teams," said Zink. "I think Yankton will be a tough team to beat and Mitchell, Harrisburg and Aberdeen should field solid teams as well."

• State — Two-time defending champion Rapid City Stevens, Sioux Falls Lincoln, Yankton and Sioux Falls Jefferson are among the teams to beat.

• Schedule Highlights — Weather and other factors often play a role in the Arrows' tennis schedule. They are currently scheduled to host Sioux Falls Lincoln (Aug. 29), Milbank (Sept. 5), Mitchell (Sept. 19) and Roncalli (Sept. 21) in home duals at Highland Park and also will host Harrisburg and Sioux Falls Roosevelt in a triangular on Sept. 12. The ESD tournament will be played over two days (Sept. 25-26) at Pierre as will the state Class AA tourney (Oct. 5-6) at Sioux Falls.

COMPETITIVE DANCE

• Head Coach — Carolyn Fraher takes over as the head coach of the program. She replaces Amber Thomas, who returned after a one-year break to coach the Arrows last fall.

• 2022 Summary — Watertown finished fourth in the ESD last fall before slipping to 14th in the state Class AA competition.

• Returnees — Seniors Lauren Keller, Taylor Lawrence and Josie Hirtz and sophomore Sophia VanLaecken.

• Top Newcomers — Senior Lauren Geier, sophomore Sadie Johnson and eighth-grader Emory Whetsel.

• Season Outlook — “We have a really new team with only four starters returning from last season and six newcomers," said Fraher. "However, the team is working very hard on perfecting new skills and I expect them to have a very clean and entertaining routine.

• ESD — Brandon Valley repeated as the conference champion last fall and is the favorite along with Harrisburg.

• State — Brandon Valley also won the state Class AA title for a second-straight year and will chase a third consecutive championship this fall. Sioux Falls Washington is likely the top challenge. Either Brandon Valley or Washington has won every state title since 2008 (the second year of the state's cheer and dance competition).

COMPETITIVE CHEER

• Head Coach — Malory Hoffmann, seventh year.

• Assistant — Jenah Hanson.

• 2021 Summary— The Arrows finished fourth in the ESD and and sixth in the state Class AA championships.

• Returnees — Seniors Erika Andrews, Brooklen Dahl, Jenna Dede, McKenzie Lewis, Ava Mack, Allison Pahl, Kaitlynn Rudebusch and Tessa Swiden; juniors Natalie Benson and Alexis Olson; freshmen Ashlynn Andrews, Kendra Buchholz and Kamryn and Kailyn Nordquist; and eighth-graders Taylor Buchholz, Addisen Jensen and Emmah Scott.

• Newcomers  — Seniors Emma Bredvik and Shayne Hoffman; freshmen Madison Giang, Briana McElhany, Kira Niemann and Adriene Schulz; and seventh-graders Kamelia Mjoun and Zoey White.

• Season Outlook — "This year's team has 10 seniors who provide great leadership and experience. A majority of the new athletes have experience from club cheer," said Hoffmann. "Our routine is fast paced and the girls are executing stunting skills sooner in the season than previous years. We also have strong tumbling skills, with the majority of the athletes able to tumble."

• ESD — Harrisburg won its fifth-straight conference title last fall and should be the favorite this year.

• State — Harrisburg also is the defending state Class AA champion. Sioux Falls Jefferson could challenge.

"This team (Watertown) has the potential to be in the top six again at state," said Hoffmann. "We are excited to start competing."

• Schedule Highlights (Dance and Cheer) — Watertown again open its season at the Hub City Invitational in Aberdeen on Aug. 27 before coming home to host the Watertown Invitational on Aug. 30 in the Civic Arena. The Eastern South Dakota Conference Championships are Oct. 13 at Yankton. Watertown is hosting the state Class AA championships on Saturday, Oct. 22 in the Civic Arena.

BOYS SOCCER

• Head Coach — Jesse Hauck, second year.

• Assistant — Jayden Fiechtner.

• 2022 record — The Arrows went 9-3-4 overall and 5-1-2 in the ESD.

• 2022 Highlights — After winning only two games in 2021, the Arrows had a nice bounce-back season that included a second-place finish in the conference and a first-round Class AA playoff win over Rapid City Central. Watertown's season ended with a 3-1 quarterfinal playoff loss to Sioux Falls Lincoln.

• Top Returnees — Junior Riley Fischer, senior Tommy Foley, junior Braxten Endres and senior Mason Anderson as well as a group of defenders that includes senior Noah Wallenmeyer and juniors Devon Snyder, Jacob Sadler and Conner Schlacht.

Fisher tallied seven goals, Anderson four and Foley two last fall.

The Arrows must replace leading scorers Jayden Fiechtner, who set an all-time program record with 52 career goals to go along with 42 assists, and Ryan Roby. Fiechtner had 15 goals and 11 assists and Roby eight and 11 last fall.

• Newcomers to Watch — Juniors Ty Meidinger and Skyler Stanton and goalkeepers Parker Meek, a sophomore, and Owen Muller, a freshman.

• Season Outlook — “The team outlook is simple; everything this year is about playing as one, playing as ARROWS," said Hauck. "Defending as one, possessing as one, attack and scoring as one, and winning and losing as one. Also staying healthy is key, so we can use our depth to our advantage offensively and defensively.,

• ESD — Aberdeen Central has a strong returning group and five home matches this fall. Huron went 6-0-2 and edged Watertown for the conference title last fall.

• State — Defending state champion Rapid City Stevens and runner-up Sioux Falls Lincoln are Hauck's teams to beat again this fall. The Arrows opened their season by beating Rapid City Central 2-0 last week before falling to Stevens 5-1.

"We have to expect every match is going to be a battle physically and mentally," said Hauck. "I believe the level of competition in South Dakota has improved overall, making no match an easy win.

GIRLS SOCCER

• Head Coach — Emily Trupe, second year.

• Assistant — Jordan Bakken.

• 2022 record — 6-9 overall and 4-4 in the ESD.

• 2022 Highlights — The Arrows qualified for the state Class AA playoffs last fall but fell 6-0 to eventual state runner-up Rapid City Stevens 6-0.

• Top Returnees — Senior Aspen Reynolds, junior Shelby Spilde and freshman Katie Fischer. Reynolds had five goals and three assists and Fischer two and three last fall.

• Top Newcomers — Sophomores Makenna Blank and Mya York and freshmen Harper Hendricks, Olivia Dettmann and Madison Enstad. Enstad takes over in goal for two-time All-Stater Katelyn Hanson.

• Season Outlook — “Although we are young with only one senior this year, the girls have shown a high level of grit and determination," said Trupe. "The girls are willing to work hard and know the season ahead will require a lot of self-sacrifice and endurance.

"Blank and York will do well at holding the back line with their speed and perception of the field. Reynolds and Fischer are connecting well up top to create scoring opportunities and Enstad may be young, but her desire to go above and beyond has already earned her team's respect and trust."

• ESD — Harrisburg, Aberdeen Central and Pierre are the likely teams to beat. Aberdeen Central and Brandon Valley shared the league title last year. Brandon Valley went 6-0-2 and Central 7-1-0.

• State — Harrisburg, Aberdeen Central, Sioux Falls Lincoln and Rapid City Central are Trupe's favorites. Sioux Falls Roosevelt is the defending champion, having beat Stevens 2-1 in last year's title match.

The Arrows opened their season last week with a 5-0 loss to Rapid City Central and a 4-1 loss to Rapid City Stevens.

• Schedule Highlights (Boys and Girls) — Watertown was also scheduled to host Yankton Thursday, meaning three of the team's home matches are out of the way. They will also host Mitchell (Sept. 5), Sioux Falls Washington (Sept. 16) and Huron (Sept. 22).

The state Class AA playoffs run Oct. 3, 7 and 10 and conclude with the state championships on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Brandon Valley High School.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

• Head Coach — Jenn McElroy, second year as head coach.

• Assistant — Chas Welch and Olivia Taschner.

• 2022 Summary— The Arrows finished seventh in the ESD and 14th in the state Class AA meet.

• Top Returnees — Junior Bayley Steiner; sophomores Ty Sullivan, Isaiah Norton and Tucker Lunde; and freshmen Dane Stark and Chris Bevers.

Sullivan medaled at the state meet by placing 21st. Steiner was 63rd, Stark 66th, Norton 81st and Bevers 101st. Sullivan also earned All-ESD honors with a fifth-place finish.

• Top Newcomer — Freshman Logan Becker.

• Season Outlook — “The boys are still a little young as far as cross country goes, but we are bringing back a lot of runners with some good experience from last year," said McElroy. "They have been running together for a couple of years now, so we are hoping to bring some experience and knowledge to this season to get us some higher finishes in both ESD and state.

• ESD — Brandon Valley is McElroy's team to beat. Yankton is the defending champion.

• State — State champion Rapid City Stevens lost all-world standout Simeon Birnbaum to the University of Oregon and that could open the door for Sioux Falls Lincoln to find it ways back to the top.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

• Head Coach —Jenn McElroy, third year.

• Assistant — Chas Welch and Olivia Taschner.

• 2022 Summary— The Arrows took third in the ESD, the team's highest finish since 2003, and 10th in the state Class AA meet.

• Top Returnees — Juniors Bella Horning, Elizabeth Rieffenberger and Ava Jensen; freshmen Kate McElroy and Grace List; and eighth-grader Olivia Anderson.

• Top Newcomers — Sophomore Abby Reeves, eighth-grader Jayda Jensen and seventh-grader Grace McElroy.

• Season Outlook — “The girls finished the highest in the ESD than we have in awhile. We're looking to build off that and keep going this year," said McElroy. "We lost some girls, but our returners are strong and hoping to fill in with a few new (to the varsity) runners."

• ESD — Brandon Valley has won four-straight conference titles and should be tough again along with Harrisburg.

• State — Rapid City Stevens edged Brandon Valley 96-100 for the state title last fall and the two teams could battle again in 2023.

• Schedule Highlights (Boys and Girls)  — The Arrows again are slated to open their season at the Sioux Falls O'Gorman Invite on Friday, Aug. 28. That's a month to the day (Sept. 28) before the Arrows host the Watoma Invite at 2 p.m. at Cattail Crossing Golf Course.

The nine-event schedule includes the ESD meet on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls, the site of the state Class AA meet on Saturday, Oct. 21.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on Twitter @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Fall sports preview for most of Watertown High School's sports teams