A look back at some of the sports happenings during the week of July 20-26 2025:
Last year on July 21, 2024: The J Sizzles Adidas Gold 16U Native American boys’ basketball team went 7-0 July 18-21 to win the platinum division at the Las Vegas Big Time. They beat teams from Texas, California, Utah, Georgia and Idaho. Coach Ashley Davis’ team consisted of Marvin Richard III of Pine Ridge; Darian Eaglestaff and Damien Clown of Cheyenne-Eagle Butte; Kenneth Eaglestaff, Makiya Berryhill, Te’Darrion Slack and Artie Carlow of Bismarck; Eli Eaglestaff of Mandan; and Lawrence Marshall of New Town.
10 years ago on July 26, 2015: Professional golfer Andre Metzger walked away with one of the richest paychecks for winning a sporting event in the history of Aberdeen when he earned $16,000 for his title at the three-day Moccasin Creek Country Club pro-am.
20 years ago on July 24, 2005: Verdeen Rath of Pipestone (MN) was inducted into the Huset’s Speedway Hall of Fame. He won the first race at the Brandon track’s inaugural program on May 23, 1954. He also was believed to be the first local driver to wear a driver’s uniform and the first to paint his car in the colors and logo of his sponsor (Sunbeam Bread).
30 years ago on July 26, 1995: Former Sioux Falls College standout and New York Jets punter Brian Hansen pulled a hamstring on the first day of practice.
40 years ago on July 20, 1985: Last week’s MLB All-Star Game at the Metrodome on July 16 was coordinated by Webster and Augustana graduate Laurel Prieb. Prieb works for the Minnesota Twins
public relations department. The National League defeated the American League 6-1.
50 years ago on July 26, 1975: Black Hills State athlete Ricky Crain of Rapid City broke his own world record in the squat lift at the AAU Junior National Powerlifting Championships in Lincoln (NE). Crain squatted 550 pounds, beating his 1974 mark by 10 pounds. Crain also set a national record of 1,415 in the combined squat, bench press and dead lift events. He not only won the 148-pound title, but he also earned the most valuable lifter of the meet award.
