A look back at some of the sports happenings during the week of Oct. 4-10, 2026:

Last year on Oct. 8, 2025: Northwestern senior Ella Boekelheide won her fifth straight Lake Region Conference cross country title in Ipswich.

10 years ago on Oct. 8, 2016: Northwestern defeated Miller to win the Pheasant Fall Volleyball Classic in Redfield.

20 years ago on Oct. 7, 2006: Castlewood native Brooks Little scored USD’s winning touchdown with a diving catch in the back of the end zone with 14 seconds left. The Coyotes were down 7-3 with 1:36 remaining and 87 yards away from their end zone. USD freshman quarterback Noah Shepard engineered the drive against Central Washington. The 10-7 win by coach Ed Meierkort’s Coyotes was USD’s 17th consecutive at its DakotaDome before a homecoming crowd of 10,255.

30 years ago on Oct. 4, 1996: Future NFL linebacker Ben Leber scored on a three-yard run with 20 seconds left to lift Vermillion High School past South Sioux City (NE) 21-18.

40 years ago on Oct. 5, 1986: It was reported that Yankton bowler Allen Novak picked up a Big Four Split (pins 4, 6, 7 and 10) on Sept. 22 at his hometown lanes. The American Bowling Congress said there are about twice the number of perfect games vs. bowlers who pick up a Big Four Split. It was the second time Novak, 21, accomplished the feat in his career.

50 years ago on Oct. 9, 1976: Northern State defeated Dakota State 49-24 as Randy Hagen threw four touchdown passes for the Wolves.