A family’s athletic history can be traced back from generation to generation, and sometimes on multiple different levels of competition. Some are at the high school level, some at the college level, and some even professionally.

For Aberdeen Christian senior Abe Kretchman, the multi-generation athletic history is a combination of high school and college athletic success.

It all started with his grandfather, Jim Kretchman, who was longtime member of Northern State in multiple capacities.

“He was a teacher there, athletic director, (and) coach,” Abe Kretchman said. “He also played football there. He was one of the only All-Americans to come out of Northern.”

A 1952 Faulkton graduate and 1956 Northern graduate, the elder Kretchman spent 32 years as a coach and athletic director at Northern State, including two years as an assistant football, wrestling, and track coach, and 12 years as the head football coach. He was also the athletic director from 1981-1999. In his first season as the head football coach in 1969, Kretchman led the Wolves to an undefeated season. He also held the school’s career rushing record for almost 45 years. The younger Kretchman is honored to know the influence his grandfather had on the community for many years.

“It feels really good. The name gets known a lot,” Kretchman said. “You hear people talking about it. I’ll meet a ton of older gentlemen out during track meets that are like ‘Oh, you’re Coach Kretchman’s grandson’ and so I get to meet a lot of people.”

Kretchman says his grandfather is someone who has helped him during his high school career in meaningful ways.

“He’s really someone I can look up to,” Kretchman said. “We played the same position in football, and we can really connect with that. He’s given me a lot of advice. He’s always been an inspiration just to do the right thing, keep working hard, and give it your all.”

Although his grandfather’s legacy is widely known, the Kretchman family’s athletic history does not stop there. Kretchman’s father, Jeff, also played football and ran track, while one of his aunts also ran track. His other aunt was a cheerleader. Kretchman noted that his family has played a major role in his high school sports career.

“They’ve been pretty supportive throughout the whole time,” Kretchman said. “Sometimes they’re like ‘You’re working too hard,’ but then you remind them you gotta put in the work. They’ve been really supportive though.”

Kretchman has participated and excelled in several sports during his high school career, including football (through a cooperative with Aberdeen Roncalli), basketball, track, and trapshooting. He says football has been his favorite sport to play.

“I guess it’s the one I most enjoy and I’m the best at,” Kretchman said. “A lot of fun memories from playing football.”

During his high school sports career, Kretchman says he has learned several lessons that he can take with him throughout his life.

“My grandpa always told me to just do the best you can and give God the glory for everything. So, I’ve been trying to do that,” Kretchman said. “Just working really hard on and off the field, or off the track as well. Keeping a good mindset is really good.”

In track and field, Kretchman takes part in the long jump, triple jump, 200-meter dash, 400- meter dash, and even some relays. Last season, Kretchman helped his team place fifth at the state meet in the 4×100-meter relay, while also placing fifth in the triple jump and eighth in the long jump. With just a few weeks left in his track career, Kretchman has several goals he wants to obtain before the season ends.

“In long jump, I want to get 21 feet, triple jump I want to get 42 (feet), and our relays are not doing so hot this year, but we’re still gonna try to make it to state again,” Kretchman said. “PR in the 200 and thinking about getting the 400 record just for the heck of it.”

Aberdeen Christian track coach Sam Bjorkman said the most impressive thing about Kretchman on the track is his ability to weather the storms emotionally.

“He rides the ups and downs really well I think,” Bjorkman said. “He knows it’s not always gonna be his best day, but (he’s) still calm, cool, and collected.”

Bjorkman said he will miss Kretchman just as much as the rest of the seniors, and knows he has made an impact on the track program.

“His ability to just go from laughing and joking and relational engagement to ‘Ok, I’m locked in,’ I definitely appreciate that, just from a performance aspect,” Bjorkman said. “From a personal aspect, he’s also just very personable.”

After he graduates and his track season is complete, Kretchman plans on attending Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He plans on studying biology and competing in football and possibly track and field.

Kretchman says it has meant a lot being an Aberdeen Christian Knight. So, what will he remember the most about his time at Aberdeen Christian?

“I would say how welcoming the community is here,” Kretchman said. “Everything here has been really nice. You never really hear anything (about) bullying here or anything like that. The teachers have been really nice. Of course, there’s problems here and there, but that comes with every school. But, you know, I’d really just say… a lot of nice people here.”