Rapid City Central Cobblers Track Preview
Rapid City, SD — Rapid City Central’s head track coach Jacquee Schaefer sat down with the Rapid City Sports Association to give a preview of the Cobbler track team. Rapid City Central has 195 athletes out participating in Track & Field and coach Schaefer, a Cobbler alum, is excited about the opportunity to continue to build the program in her second year leading the way!
Boys Team
The boys’ returns a strong core of athletes, with the main goal this season being to stay healthy and build on past success.
Returning state placers include Coy Urban, Henry Hill, Lincoln Williamson, Braedon Isler, Layne Bixby, and Weiland Benbo (Central’s Male Athlete of Year nominee). All last year’s sprint relay athletes are back, along with several new additions who are expected to make an immediate impact:
Eric Errea, Aidan Hermsen, Samuel Sheehy, Easton Graff, Sean Smith, Fox Pendegraft, Onzei Weaver, Troy Catches, Brayden Jackson (who was injured last year but was one of the team’s top sprinters), and a few more freshmen that we are excited to see what they can contribute as well. The program continues to thrive on multi-sport athletes, especially on the boys’ side.
Girls Team
The girls’ team returns key contributors this season, including Macy Copeland, Leah Landry, Miya Muellenberg, Kailynn Dukat, Emerie Carr, Hope Skoog, Grace Skoog, Skyler Huber, and Alaya Horst. This year’s squad features the most multi-sport female athletes the program has had in a few years. The focus will be on growth and development, with hopes to see the team progress in a positive direction throughout the season.
Area High Schools select their nominees for High School Athlete of the year
Each year at the Rapid City Hall of Fame and Recognition Banquet a High School Male and Female athlete of the year is announced as part of the event. In 2025 the High School Male athlete of the year as Gilbert White Jr from Central and The Female athlete of the year was Taaliyah Porter from Stevens.
All five area high schools nominate a male and female athlete to represent their school, and those nominees get voted on by the Rapid City Sports Association membership, anonymously. All nominees receive a plaque at the banquet, but the winner of the High School Male/Female award is announced.
Award criteria include:
1. The winner MUST have participated in two seasons/sports (fall, winter, spring). Summer club sports can be considered.
2. To be eligible all nominees must have demonstrated superior athletic achievement or brought significant recognition to their school.
3. Contributed significantly to the team’s season (starter or another significant role)
4. Exhibited some/all of the following positive qualities on and off the court/field: Teamwork, Pride, Loyalty, Character, Attitude, Ethics, Dedication, Leadership, Sportsmanship, Enthusiasm, Perseverance, Integrity, Sacrifice, Desire, and Honesty.
5. The athletes must be seniors in high school to be considered.
The 2026 Nominees considered for the award for each school are as follows:
Douglas High School – Paiden Sandal and Kira Ubence
Central High School – Weiland Benbo and Kamryn Stauffacher
Rapid City Christian High School – Lars Kieffer and Sadie Marshall
Rapid City Stevens High School – Joshua Mueller and Sylvie Mortimer
Saint Thomas More High School – Broeden Sales and Maity Strand
Tickets on sale for Rapid City Sports Hall of Fame and Recognition Banquet
The Rapid City Sports Hall of Fame banquet takes place Monday, May 4th at LaCroix Hall at The Monument. Doors open at 5:00 PM, with dinner beginning at 5:45 and the program to follow. Tickets must be purchased in advance at https://www.visitrapidcity.com/sports-commission/hall-of-fame/ and the cost for the program and meal is $35.00. There are limited seats available so please purchase your tickets to support all the honorees.
This year’s inductees include:
Craig Nowotny – Hall of Fame Contributor, St. Thomas More AD
Dick Novak – Hall of Fame Contributor, Rushmore Thunder
Cooper Bowman – Hall of Fame Professional Athlete, Baseball
Kelvin Tovre – Hall of Fame Coach, Post 22 Baseball
Simeon Birnbaum – College Male Athlete of the Year, Oregon Ducks
Haleigh Timmer – College Female Athlete of the Year, Oklahoma State University
Abbie Cina – Dakota Calamity Lacrosse – Independent Athlete of the Year
Owen Johnson –Rushmore Swim Team – Independent Athlete of the Year
For more information, please reach out to domico@rcsportscommission.combo
Upcoming Events
Rapid City Rush FINAL home stand vs Tahoe – April 17-18 – Monument Ice Arena
Rocker Rumble Volleyball Tournament – April 18-19 – King Center at SDSM&T
Living LaVida Disc Golf Tournament – April 18 – LaCroix Links Disc Golf
WRC Redemption Series – April 19 – LaCroix Links Disc Golf
