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.
22nd Annual Elite Eight Athlete of the Year Award made possible by KORN News Radio, Q107-3 and KORN Country 92-1.
Holden Havlik – Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central (Sr.), Football and Wrestling
Havlik was selected to the Class 11B all-state football team this past fall, while also winning a state wrestling championship in Class B at 215 pounds this past February with a 33-3 record. The senior quarterback threw for 1,789 yards and accounted for more than 2,000 yards of total offense, along with 18 total touchdowns for the Blackhawks. Havlik is committed to play college football at Northern State in the fall.
Gannon Knebel – Wagner (Jr.), Wrestling
Knebel placed second at the Class B state wrestling tournament this season at 190 pounds, finishing with a 49-2 record with 10 pins and 31 tech-falls. He has compiled 157 career wins on the mat with his senior season still to go. Knebel was also impactful on the football field for Wagner this past fall despite playing only six games due to injury. The junior ran for 756 yards and 10 touchdowns, while averaging 7.5 yards per carry. He threw for 532 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 69 percent of his passes. Knebel has also competed at the state track and field meet for the Red Raiders in relays and the javelin.
Luke Koepsell – Howard (Sr.), Basketball and Football
A multi-sport athlete, Koepsell excelled again on the field and court for the Howard Tigers during his senior season. Luke led Howard football to an undefeated season in 2024, finishing his career with a 9A State Championship as a starting defensive end and an all-state selection at tight end. He was part of a class that ended with a 43-3 record and was named the Mitchell Republic Football Player of the Year. On the basketball court, Koepsell averaged 15 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as Howard went 17-6 as the defending state champions, reaching the Class B SoDAK 16. In addition to Luke’s accolades on the court, he has a 3.8 GPA and is recognized as an Academic All State athlete. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and HHS student council. He is actively involved in community service efforts. From volunteering for cleanup efforts, renovations and upkeep, and youth sports coaching/mentoring, Luke is always giving of time to support the school and the community. Koepsell will attend Dakota Wesleyan in the fall and be a part of the Tiger baseball team.
Lucas Lenz – Kimball/White Lake (Sr.), Wrestling
Lenz won a state title this past season at the Class B state meet at 165 pounds to complete a perfect 43-0 senior season to become Kimball’s first undefeated state champion since 2003. He won 46 of his final 47 matches in high school, including 166 career wins, a second-place finish at state in 2024, and being named the Mitchell Republic boys wrestler of the year. Lenz was also named to the 9AA all-state football team as a defensive lineman for the Wildkats. Lucas volunteered his time to officiate youth wrestling tournaments as well as lower-level youth football games. He also has volunteered many hours with his church. Lucas joined the Knights of Columbus his senior year and helped with many fish fries and served breakfast for his parish.
“Lucas’s impact on Kimball High School as a student-athlete will have an effect on students and teammates for years to come. His accomplishments have cemented him as one of the top athletes to ever compete for Kimball High School.” Kimball/White Lake/ Platte-Geddes wrestling coach Thomas Konechne
Ryder Michalek – Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central (Sr.), Football
Michalek was a Class 11B all-state selection at wide receiver with 58 catches for 721 yards and nine touchdowns for the Blackhawks. He finished his career with 158 receptions for 2,316 yards and 23 touchdowns. The senior also averaged 11.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game on 54 percent shooting over 10 contests this past season for Wessington Springs boys basketball. Michalek has committed to Black Hills State for football.
Iden Myers – Kimball/White Lake (Sr.), Football
Myers rewrote the Kimball/White Lake football record book over his four years with the Wildkats. As a senior, Myers ran for 1,530 yards and 16 touchdowns to go along with 82 tackles and an interception on defense on his way to a 9AA all-state selection. In his career, Myers ran for a school record 3,641 yards, as well as 252 career tackles and 13 interceptions. On the mat, he finished second at the state wrestling tournament this season in Class B at 150 pounds. Myers has signed to play running back at Concordia (Neb.) this fall.
“Iden Myers is a tough as they come. Durable, hardworking and a great leader. He could run you over in the hole or with his crazy shiftiness he could just make a defender look silly. On defense he was seemingly always in a good spot because of how hard he studied the game off the field. I feel honored to have coached a kid of his talent.” – Kimball/White Lake head football coach Ryan Skluzak
Colton Smith – Mitchell (Jr.), Basketball
A Class AA all-state second team selection, Smith averaged 15.7 points per game as a junior and led AA with 9.7 rebounds per contest. He has led Mitchell to three straight state championship game appearances, including finishing runner-up this past March. Smith will enter his senior season with the Kernels needing just eight points to reach 1,000 for his career to become just the eight Mitchell player to eclipse that mark. He is also on pace to finish second all-time in school history in career rebounds. Off the court, Colton stays involved in the community. He’s helped with Special Olympics events, Big Friend Little Friend, and other local activities.
“Colton has made real progress as a leader. In the last half of our season, Colton saw he needed to make a change in how he was using his voice during practices and games. It was this change that helped propel us all the way to the last game of the season. We would not have been in the position we were at the end of the year had he not taken this role on.” – Mitchell boys head basketball coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt
Markus Talley – Mitchell (Sr.), Basketball
Talley was named the Class AA basketball player of the year and was also the Spirit of Su winner in leading Mitchell to its third consecutive state championship game this past season. The senior averaged 18.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game and finished sixth all-time in school history with 1,135 career points. Talley also had a triple-double vs. SF Washington on February 18, finishing with 23 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. The future Augustana Viking led Mitchell past SF Lincoln in the state semifinals in March with five 3-pointers in the first half to finish with 22 points to take out the No. 1 seed Patriots. At the Hoop City Classic this past December, Talley had a career-high 30 points vs. Orono (Minn.).
“Dependable. Coaches have favorites, everyone knows it. Coach’s favorite players are the players whom they can trust, depend on, and know have their back. Teachers have favorites as well; those are the students who strive to be great in the classroom by working hard to maximize their potential as a student. Having Markus in both the classroom as well as athletically, I can, without a doubt say that Markus is a “favorite”. In the classroom, Markus is the type of student that is not just going to get his work done, he is going to complete it and make sure it is correct. This is not difficult for him as he is a high-achieving student who is capable of learning information quickly. Athletically, if I ever need help with a camp, league, or anything else, Markus is the kid I ask. Markus is going to do everything in his power to help the program and give back to the Mitchell community that he cares so deeply for.” – Mitchell boys head basketball coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt