Aberdeen played host for the 2nd consecutive year of South Dakota State Softball Tournament action and Dakota Valley was there for 3 days of games from May 30-June 1. It was a successful run for the Panthers as they closed their season with a winning record and brought home the 5th place consolation champion trophy.

Plenty of medals, top finishes and personal records returned home, from Sioux Falls, for the Panthers after 3 days of competition at the state track meet on May 2325, 2024. Student athletes from across South Dakota shined while competing at Howard Wood Field. And the Panthers represented Dakota Valley well.

For the 2nd consecutive season the Panther high school softball team has qualified for the South Dakota state tournament. They will head to Aberdeen for 3 games of postseason play, on May 30, May 31 and June 1, after defeating Vermillion in the SoDak 16 qualifier on Wednesday, May 22nd.

A full week was on the calendar for the Panther girls golf team as they played in the DAK XII conference meet on Monday, May 20 and then had regionals on Thursday, May 23. Dakota Valley represented well at both meets, with the biggest news being 8th grader Katie Betsworth taking 1st place for each competition.

The Panther baseball squad entered regional play on May 22nd as the #1 seed for Region 1 with a regular season record of 15-2. Home field advantage existed for the Panthers as they faced Beresford/Alcester- Hudson in their 1st game.

Trailing 0-4 at one point in their SoDak 16 playoff game against Vermillion, the Panther softball team rallied to overtake the Tanagers in late innings on Wednesday, May 22. Sophomore Annie Bourne got the start for Dakota Valley and pitched the entirety of the game.

A full field of Dakota Valley athletes will be at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls on May 23-25 for the 2024 South Dakota High School State Track Meet. Coaches for the DV track team include: Vince Tucker (boys coach and throwers), Tammy Lilly (girls coach and sprinters), Ben Blaeser (jumpers and hurdles) and James Schmit (distance coach).

Down went Vermillion on Tuesday, May 14 as the Panther baseball team earned a victory by a score of 9-4. It was an away game, but Dakota Valley stayed strong to control the ballgame as it progressed. Trailing 1-4 as they entered the 5th inning, DV went to work and got 2 runs in the 5 , 2 more in the 6th plus 4 in the 7th.

It was a nail biter for individual scoring at the girls golf invite, in Vermillion, on Monday, May 13. The Panthers played The Bluffs Golf Course and Katie Betsworth led the field with a +3 over par. Her score of 75 tied with Vermillion’s Ronnie Wilharm for the top slot. However, when it came down to the tie breaker, Betsworth won the decider to be crowned the champion at the meet.

Playing against Sioux Falls Christian, on May 13, the Panthers got things going quickly as the away team at the Sanford Sports Complex. Sophomore Mia Riibe put a bunt down to get on base in the lead-off spot.