Honorary Referee
2024
Eric Klinker attended Estelline schools for 3 years and graduated from EHS in 1997. While he enjoyed his most success on the track, Eric also played football and basketball for Estelline, played baritone in the concert band, and took part in the school play each of his 3 years at EHS. During his high school track career, he won a total of 4 state titles- winning Class B in both the 110 High Hurdles and 300 Intermediate Hurdles in 1996 and 1997. He also had top 4 finishes in both hurdle races in 1995. In 1997, he added a second place finish in the triple jump, which helped guide Estelline to a 4th place team finish in the Class B meet when paired with David Ziegler’s (Class of 1997) runner-up finish in the High Jump. In addition to his success at the State Meet, Eric also won more than 15 EDC and DVC conference titles in the hurdles, jumps, and sprints.
2023
Russel Schwartz is 1976 graduate of Estelline High School, has been chosen as the Honorary Referee for this year’s Pat Gilligan-Alumni Invitational Track Meet, scheduled for April 25. Russel is the son of Donna and Ralph Schwartz. Russell attened school is Estelline and was very involved in sport thoughout his time as a Redmen.
2022
Kristy (Brown) Hollenbeck was born and raised in Chadron, Nebraska. Her immediate family consisted of her parents Bill and Isabelle Brown and two older sisters Barbara and Karen. She grew up watching and learning Football from her Father and also watching and learning Baseball her from her Mother. Her oldest sister, Barb, was a cheerleader so she saw many Chadron High Cardinal Boys Football Games and Basketball Games from the stands sitting with parents. Girls did not have teams and did not play games. Title IX was not passed until around 1974.
The Pat Gilligan-Alumni Track Meet will be held on April 27 this year with Reid Johnson being named Honorary Referee.
Reid Johnson grew up in Estelline and graduated from EHS in 2002. His parents are David W. Johnson (‘70) and former EHS English teacher, Jan Johnson (’75-‘03). Reid earned letters in basketball, football, cross country and track and earned several Dakota Valley Conference and team awards
Larry Saathoff, a 1968 graduate of Estelline High School, has been chosen as the Honorary Referee for this year’s Pat Gilligan-Alumni Invitational Track Meet, scheduled for April 23.
Larry was born and raised in Estelline. He was a member of the largest class to ever graduate from EHS. There were a lot of great athletes at that time, Larry said, so intramural basketball was a big activity and participants had a lot of fun.
Thomas Caron, a 1978 graduate of Estelline High School, has been chosen as the Honorary Referee for this year’s Pat Gilligan-Alumni Invitational Track Meet, scheduled for April 24. Tom was born in Brookings to Charles and Lorraine Caron and raised in Estelline where he enjoyed a standout athletic career. He earned 12 letters in football, basketball, and track at EHS. His high school athletic career was highlighted by a SD state championship run in the 120 yard high hurdles in 1977.
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Gordon Groos was born and raised in Sisseton, SD. He graduated from Sisseton High School in 1966. During his high school years he participated in basketball, football, and track. Gordie attended Northern State college in Aberdeen, SD where he played basketball and football. He received his BA degree in 1970.
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Struwe taught in Estelline for 25 years. He was the head boys basketball coach from 1989 through 1996. He also taught business education and was the network administrator from 1998 through his departure in 2014. He wore the athletic director hat as well from 1997 through 2014. He was a leader in the school’s transition to a 1 to 1 computing environment. He also coached cross country and track during his time at Estelline.
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Ann and Mike Gorder were chosen as the honorary referees for the 2015 Pat Gilligan-Alumni Track Meet held April 28. Ann Erickson grew up in Elk Point, SD and graduated from Elk Point High School in 1978. Mike is a 1977 graduate of Estelline High School where he was a letter winner in football, basketball, and track. He earned all-conference honors in football his junior and senior years. As a senior, Mike was named to both the South Dakota Sports Writers All-State Football team and the Argus Leader All-State Football Team.
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Dan Clarke was born in Mitchell, SD to Gilbert and Mary Clarke. The family moved to Estelline in 1955 when Dan was two years old. Mary was a long-time sixth grade teacher when she passed away in 1994. Dan lettered in football, basketball, and track all four years of high school. As a senior, he was named to the All-State Basketball Team and was also voted the Most Valuable Player in the Hamlin County Conference. In track, he ran the 100, 220, and 440 dashes and relays. He was a
member of the 440 relay team that held the school record for a number of years. Dan played Legion baseball and amateur baseball for several years.
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Rich Jefferis, a 1961 graduate of Estelline High School, is the Honorary Referee for this year’s Alumni Invitational Track Meet. Rich attended Estelline Schools for 12 years and continued his education at South Dakota State University. He earned 12 varsity letters at EHS while competing in football, basketball, and track.
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Jim Fjerestad, a 1964 graduate of Estelline High School, has been chosen as the Honorary Referee for this year’s Alumni Invitational Track Meet. Jim’s dedication to the youth in his community is a shining example of making a different in the lives of children.
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As a student at Estelline High School, Don lettered all four years in Track, Football and Basketball, and in the summers he participated in Post 184 Junior Legion Baseball and the Estelline City Baseball team. He received All-State recognition in both football and basketball. Estelline adopted eleven-man football in 1954, and Don was the quarterback of the eleven-man
teams throughout his high school career. Don also participated in band, choir, and declam, and he was elected President of the Student Council. While in high school he worked at the Red Owl grocery store for Harold Radke, and he assisted Ray Ellsworth at the Ellsworth Funeral Home.
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Doug Dohrer was born and raised on a farm and attended school in Milbank, graduating in 1967. He earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball, and track while competing for the Bulldogs. Dohrer was the leading scorer on Milbank=s State Class A BasketballChampionship Team his senior year. He gained honors in basketball as a second team All-
State pick as well as being named honorable mention All-State quarterback in football. Doug placed fourth in the pole vault at the State Track Meet his senior year. He also pitched and played shortstop on the Milbank American Legion baseball team.your team!
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2003Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection.
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