Jill's Journal: Three weekends. Three state tournaments.

f you were trying to find me over the last three weekends, all you had to do was look no further than the floor.

Well, the floors of the Denny Sanford Premier Center or the Sanford Pentagon, that is.

That’s where I spent ample time at this month, and the reason being, it’s been high school tournament time in good ol’ South Dakota. And much to the delight of this weekly newspaper editor, it was the sheer will and determination of our Brandon Valley Lynx sports teams that put me there.

I’m not complaining by any means, just letting you know, it’s easy plunking myself down, but getting up, well, let’s just say it’s not as easy as it used to be.

My three-weekend run of snapping pictures from the sidelines of the wrestling mat and basketball courts began with wrestling. Of the three – and as one may assume – wrestling is the most time-consuming of the tournaments. I’m giving the South Dakota High School Association some props for separating the team duals and individual tournaments for the first time this season. And from my perspective, I saw fewer student-athletes come and go from the “medical tent” than I have in past years.

Although the Lynx boys didn’t rise to the top of Class A as they have in previous back-to-back years, there was still plenty of excitement to be witnessed. That excitement came from BV Lynx history-makers, seniors Mary-Katherine “MK” Joseph, who was the first female wrestler to win a state title, and Navarro Schunke, who won his fifth straight individual title. Not only did he make school history, he made Class A state history, too.

And of course, I can’t forget Brendon Oehme, a spunky wrestler, who brought energy to each and every opponent he faced to win what I anticipate is the first of many state titles yet to come.

A week later, if you were at home in the comforts of your recliner watching the Class AA Girls’ State Basketball Tournament, you may have caught a glimpse of me on the floor near the basket. While I did end up with a wrestler on my lap this year – a first in my longtime career – you’ve got to keep an eye out for flying basketballs and players when your courtside. Let’s just say, a few of those came my way, too.

I was proud to cheer our Lady Lynx on all the way through to the final buzzer of the AA championship game. That’s quite a feat for a team that started out with three losses before their game plan came together and they reeled off a string of wins to nab the No. 3 seed. 

This past weekend, I was in familiar territory once again on the floor near the basket and was back at the “Denny” for three exciting boys’ games. Once again, I was sporting my Brandon Valley red and black, cheering on our boys, as they, too, garnered the No. 3 seed. As fate would have it, the Lynx played their hearts out for the opportunity to play for the AA state title.

The boys’ title game went down to the wire, and will surely be one that basketball fans will remember for years to come.

With the robins now chirping outside and hints of green showing up in the grass, I’m ready for new venues and new games to take in. And if by chance the ground becomes my perch, lend me a hand up. It’s only a short “trip” down but a “monster” back up.

Thanks for taking this Lynx fan along for the ride.