Athletes must be a Junior or a Senior, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, be involved in community and school activities, be an elite athlete, and be nominated by their coach or administration. The Elite Eight Committee votes on the nominations based on criteria.
21st Annual Elite Eight Athlete of the Year Award made possible by KORN News Radio, Q107-3 and KORN Country 92-1.
Bentley Bates – Mitchell (Jr.), Gymnastics
Bates led Mitchell to its second straight AA state gymnastics championship this past February, while also claiming individual state titles in the uneven bars (9.766) and balance beam (9.683). She finished second in the all-around at state and became just the fifth Mitchell gymnast ever to win multiple state titles at a single state meet. Earlier this month, Bates won the uneven bars title at the Region 4 Developmental Championships in Bettendorf, Iowa. With her senior year still to come, Bates intends to also earn an associate degree along with her high school diploma.
“Bentley’s most impactful attribute is how she leads by example. She has a huge number of young athletes that watch everything she does. They cheer her on during all the good and bad days. She never lets them down. Bentley shows these young girls how to handle winning and losing. Her humility and calm confidence will get her through any challenge life brings her.” – Audra Rew, Mitchell Gymnastic Coach
Berkeley Engelland – Mt. Vernon/Plankinton (Sr.), Track & Field
A three sport athlete, Engelland excels on the track as she finished first in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 meters at the 2023 Class A state track meet. She has also been on four winning relay teams at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays with her senior year currently in progress. Engelland has accumulated 10 individual goal medals and been a team member on four state relay championship teams, while also being in the top 10 in state history of the 200, 400 and 800 meters. She will continue her track career this fall at the University of South Dakota.
“In my tenure as a track coach, I have never had an athlete put in as much time as Berkeley has. The weightlifting and conditioning she does year round has proven to be a staple in her success on the track, court and classroom.” – Lawron Bohr, Mt. Vernon/Plankinton Girls Track and Field Coach
Emilee Fox – Mt. Vernon/Plankinton (Sr.), Basketball
Fox cemented her spot atop the Mt. Vernon/Plankinton record books playing varsity for six seasons, becoming a five-time All-State selection and the 2024 Class A Spirit of Su winner. She finished her career with 2,261 points, extending a school record that she set as a sophomore. Her 131 made three-pointers this season broke a state record, as she shot 43 percent from deep. Fox holds the MVP school record for career assists, steals, three-pointers made and single game records for points, rebounds, assists, steals and three’s. With a 4.14 GPA, Fox will continue her career at South Dakota State this fall.
“With all of Emilee’s accomplishments, I can’t say enough about her as a person. She is one of the most humble student-athletes I have known. She shares her knowledge by getting in the gym with our younger kids in the Mount Vernon/Plankinton area. Her legacy has inspired so many of our younger athletes to chase success. She not only is a great basketball player, but she excels in the classroom too. When I think of what this award stands for, Emilee Fox checks the boxes for all the accolades she has accomplished. I also know that Emilee would be someone that will represent not only our school, but be a reflection of this award through her hard work and perseverance as she moves on to the next chapter.” – Preston Kristensen, Mt. Vernon/Plankinton Girls Basketball Coach
Macy Koupal – Wagner (Sr.), Volleyball, Basketball
An all-state athlete in two sports, Koupal has excelled in volleyball and basketball during her high school career in Wagner. A Class A first-team all-state selection in volleyball, Koupal had 946 assists, 67 aces and 282 digs during her senior year as a setter. Macy ended her volleyball career with 3,320 career assists, 980 digs and 231 aces. A Class A second-team all-state selection in basketball, Koupal averaged 17.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 4.5 apg as a senior. She ends her basketball career sixth all-time in school history with 1,271 points, fourth all-time in rebounds with 708 and third in assists with 372. Koupal will continue her education at Dordt University this fall where she will continue to play basketball and study to become an optometrist.
“Macy has been another coach on the court for our basketball program. She carries a competitive edge and wants what’s best for her team. She’s unselfish, very coachable, reliable and has a motor to just keep going.” – Mike Koupal, Wagner Girls Basketball Coach
Ava Lingemann – Ethan (Sr.), Basketball
The 2023-24 Class B girls basketball player of the year and Spirit of Su winner, Lingemann led Ethan to a third-place finish at this year’s state tournament and a 22-3 record. She tied a South Dakota record with 12 made three-pointers vs. Tripp-Delmont/Armour at the Corn Palace on February 15th and also set a Class B girls record with 108 three-pointers in a season. Lingemann averaged 20.2 points, 7.7 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a senior and finished her career with 1,811 points, 347 three-pointers and 455 assists. She will continue her basketball career at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa.
“I have been fortunate to coach Ava for six years and in those six years, I have never seen her take a play off during any practice or any game. In my 30 years of coaching, I have never had a player with a bigger heart. There are many times I have been tough on her over the years and her response has been positive and accepting the teaching or coaching every single time. She has had a great amount of success on the basketball court personally and team wise, but what really endears her to me are the character traits that she possesses of kindness, loyalty, leadership, servanthood, humility, thoughtfulness, inner confidence and faith.” – Tom Young, Ethan Girls Basketball Coach
Allison Meyerink – Mitchell (Sr.), Golf
As Meyerink starts her sixth year of varsity golf for Mitchell, she has established herself as one of the best golfers in the state. During the 2023 season, Meyerink led the Kernels to their first ever girls golf state championship, finishing second individually after a one-hole playoff. In 2022, Meyerink finished tied for third individually at state as Mitchell placed second as a team. After winning six tournaments in 2023, Meyerink has already claimed two individual titles in the first two tournaments of 2024. She has also been a contributor for Mitchell basketball the last two seasons that have ended with state tournament appearances.
“Allison has been hitting golf balls since she was three years old. Her drive, determination and willingness to do whatever it takes to improve are traits you don’t often see for such a long time. These traits I have seen first-hand many times. But her biggest attribute may be her kindness. She is the first one to help someone in need.” – Jeff Meyerink, Mitchell Girls Golf Coach
Sawyer Stoebner – Mitchell (Sr.), Basketball
Stoebner capped off her Mitchell basketball career leading the Kernels to an ESD title, a No. 2 seed at the Class AA state tournament, an 18-2 record during the regular season and was awarded the Spirit of Su award. A three-time All-State selection, Stoebner was named to the AA first-team for the second time in her career, leading Mitchell with 15.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 4.5 apg and 3.5 steals per game as a senior. She exceeded the 1,000th point mark in her career at Spearfish on February 3rd and ended her career with 1,174 points. Stoebner will continue her basketball career at Black Hills State in Spearfish this fall where she plans to study Sociology and Criminology.
“I have had the pleasure of knowing and coaching Sawyer for the past five years, during which time I have witnessed her remarkable growth and talent both on and off the basketball court. Sawyer cares about her teammates and the Kernel basketball program and puts the team before her personal interests or goals. I have no doubt Sawyer will continue to achieve great success in whatever she chooses to pursue in the future. Her combination of talent, determination and character make her a truly exceptional individual and I am confident she will make a positive impact wherever her journey takes her.” – Dave Brooks, Mitchell Girls Basketball Coach
Karly VanDerWerff – Platte-Geddes (Sr.), Volleyball and Basketball
VanDerWerff ended her high school career leading Platte-Geddes volleyball to three straight state tournament appearances, while earning her third straight all-state selection, including two first-team selections. In 2023, VanDerWerff finished with 455 kills, 393 digs and 79 blocks. For her career, she accumulated 2,036 kills, 1,662 digs, 252 aces, and 112 blocks. She also averaged 14 points and seven rebounds per game during the 2023-24 basketball season. VanDerWerff will attend and play volleyball at Dakota Wesleyan this fall.
“Karly VanDerWerff’s story is one of perseverance, passion and unparalleled skill. From the volleyball court to the basketball court, she has proven herself to be a true champion in every sense of the word. As she continues her journey playing volleyball at DWU, her legacy will live on as a shining example of what it means to be an elite athlete.” – Calvin Hunhoff, Platte-Geddes Girls Basketball Coach