Sports

Alt Text for ImageHot Springs Zetta Kuhl earned three awards at this year’s state trapshooting championship included first in the conference, first in the state female division as well as first overall.

Alt Text for ImageHot Springs Zetta Kuhl earned three awards at this year’s state trapshooting championship included first in the conference, first in the state female division as well as first overall.

Hot Springs Claybusters finish as trapshooting state runners-up

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Body ABERDEEN – Fresh off their state title in 2025, the Hot Springs Claybusters trapshooting team had another successful season in 2026 which culminated this past weekend in Aberdeen at the South Dakota State High School Clay Target League (SDSHSCTL) State Tournament featuring...
Hot Springs senior Ashlynn Elshere opens up a large lead in a preliminary heat of the 400-meters during this past weekend’s State Class “A” Track & Field Championships at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

Hot Springs senior Ashlynn Elshere opens up a large lead in a preliminary heat of the 400-meters during this past weekend’s State Class “A” Track & Field Championships at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

Hot Springs Bison thinclads bring home total of six state medals

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Body SIOUX FALLS – The Hot Springs Bison track team came home with a total of six medals from this past weekend’s South Dakota Class “A” Track & Field Championships at Howard Wood in Sioux Falls on Thursday through Saturday, May 2830.
Hot Springs senior Katie Snyder, center, poses as she gets set to sign her letter of intent to wrestle at Chadron State College. Also pictured, in back, are coaches Lloyd Morgan and Ray Ringstmeyer. Seated on left, are sisters Jozee and Marley Snyder, and on right, is mom Desirae Gregerson and future step-father Sam Hanson. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Hot Springs senior Katie Snyder, center, poses as she gets set to sign her letter of intent to wrestle at Chadron State College. Also pictured, in back, are coaches Lloyd Morgan and Ray Ringstmeyer. Seated on left, are sisters Jozee and Marley Snyder, and on right, is mom Desirae Gregerson and future step-father Sam Hanson. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Snyder to wrestle at Chadron State

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Body HOT SPRINGS – After moving to Hot Springs from Waubay midway through her junior year of high school last season, it didn’t take long for Katie Snyder to begin making an impact on the Lady Bison wrestling team.
Riyahn Heinert signs to play volleyball at Iowa Lakes Community College while joined at the table by her brother Austin, dad Chad and mom Amber.

Riyahn Heinert signs to play volleyball at Iowa Lakes Community College while joined at the table by her brother Austin, dad Chad and mom Amber.

Four local student-athletes sign letters to compete in college

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Body HOT SPRINGS – Four Hot Springs student-athletes signed official letters of intent to compete at the next level during a ceremony held in front of their peers inside Case Auditorium last Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Hot Springs junior Sarah Rickenbach points to family and friends in the stands of the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls while getting her armed raised in victory after winning the 145 pound state wrestling championship on Saturday, Feb. 28. (Photo courtesy South Dakota Public Broadcasting)

Hot Springs junior Sarah Rickenbach points to family and friends in the stands of the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls while getting her armed raised in victory after winning the 145 pound state wrestling championship on Saturday, Feb. 28. (Photo courtesy South Dakota Public Broadcasting)

Rickenbach wins Hot Springs’ first girls wrestling state championship

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Body HOT SPRINGS – Despite not ever competing in the sport until 8th grade – one year after girls wrestling first became sanctioned in the state of South Dakota – Hot Springs High School junior Sarah Rickenbach has been a state medalist every year.
Members of the 1994 “double” boys and girls state champion cross country teams who were on hand this past weekend at the Hot Springs Bison Athletics Hall of Fame were, from left, assistant coach Cheryl Huddleston, Nyla Schroeder, Karla (Benson) Merrill, Chad Gackel, Carl Sanders, Shad Curtis, Cody Hofer, Jason Coleman, Kevin Couch, Jason Trimble, Cristina (Bergen) Wilaby and Belinda (Maisel) Lawrence. Photos by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Members of the 1994 “double” boys and girls state champion cross country teams who were on hand this past weekend at the Hot Springs Bison Athletics Hall of Fame were, from left, assistant coach Cheryl Huddleston, Nyla Schroeder, Karla (Benson) Merrill, Chad Gackel, Carl Sanders, Shad Curtis, Cody Hofer, Jason Coleman, Kevin Couch, Jason Trimble, Cristina (Bergen) Wilaby and Belinda (Maisel) Lawrence. Photos by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

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Hot Springs Bison athletic success celebrated at Hall of Fame banquet

Richard Anderson
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – It was a night of athletic celebration and history for the 10th Hot Springs High School Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet Saturday night, Sept. 27, at the American Legion.
Members of the Hot Springs Southern Black Hills Cup Team (on right in Bison blue) squared off against a team of Custer golfers (on left) in a new, hopefully annual event this past weekend at Southern Hills Golf Course. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Members of the Hot Springs Southern Black Hills Cup Team (on right in Bison blue) squared off against a team of Custer golfers (on left) in a new, hopefully annual event this past weekend at Southern Hills Golf Course. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

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Hot Springs wins inaugural Southern Black Hills Cup

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Body Ryder Cup-style mens golf tournament will move to Custer next year HOT SPRINGS – For many years, the Hot Springs Bison and Custer Wildcats football teams have had a traveling trophy awarded to the winner of their “usually annual” football game, referred to as the Southern...
1994 Boys and Girls State Champ Cross Country Teams

1994 Boys and Girls State Champ Cross Country Teams

Hall of Fame to induct 2 teams, 4 individuals

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – Next Saturday, Sept. 27, as part of Homecoming Week, the Hot Springs Bison Athletics Hall of Fame will host its 10th annual Induction Banquet where four individuals and two teams will be honored at the Hot Springs American Legion.
Hot Springs senior Carl Stanton stands with his football team on the sidelines of their game versus Wagner last Friday night at Woodward Field. Stanton is currently preparing for a surgery later this month which will remain a mass on his brain. Photo by Richard Anderson

Hot Springs senior Carl Stanton stands with his football team on the sidelines of their game versus Wagner last Friday night at Woodward Field. Stanton is currently preparing for a surgery later this month which will remain a mass on his brain. Photo by Richard Anderson

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Bison football players rally behind teammate

Richard Anderson
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – Carl Stanton stands on the sidelines of each Bison football game in his No. 22 jersey and is at each practice wishing he could be out on the field.
ABOVE: Members of the Hot Springs Rattlers 12u baseball team stand at attention as the National Anthem is played while the American Legion honor guard presents the colors during opening ceremonies last Friday morning. RIGHT: After the game ball was delivered by Black HIlls Life Flight, Hot Springs Mayor Bob Nelson throws out the first pitch of the tournament. Photos by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

ABOVE: Members of the Hot Springs Rattlers 12u baseball team stand at attention as the National Anthem is played while the American Legion honor guard presents the colors during opening ceremonies last Friday morning. RIGHT: After the game ball was delivered by Black HIlls Life Flight, Hot Springs Mayor Bob Nelson throws out the first pitch of the tournament. Photos by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Rattlers place 5th in 12u VFW Class B State Baseball Tournament

News Staff
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Body Games played at Butler Park in Hot Springs HOT SPRINGS – Butler Park was home to a lot of baseball this past weekend as the 12u Hot Springs Rattlers hosted the South Dakota VFW Class B Charlie Division State Championship.
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