A look back at some of the sports happenings during the week of March 24-30:

Last year on March 28, 2023: The first-ever South Dakota high school girls’ fast-pitch softball game was played. Inside. In Iowa. Dell Rapids defeated Beresford 11-1 inside the Dordt dome in Sioux Center, IA. With snow on the ground across much of South Dakota, some of South Dakota’s 51 teams were still able to play outdoors later in the day on the state’s first opening day for the sport which will conclude June 1-3 with the state tournaments for classes AA, A and B in Aberdeen.

10 years ago on March 29, 2014: The Aberdeen Wings ended their regular season with 11 wins in a row, having won 16 of their last 20 games. Last year, the junior hockey team closed the season by winning 15 of 20.

20 years ago on March 24, 2004: The Class B boys’ and girls’ basketball state champions each defeated the Class A champion during the regular season. Class A girls’ champion Sisseton lost only once during the year, to Class B champion Mt. Vernon. The Class A boys’ champion Chester lost only twice, once to B champion Dell Rapids St. Mary.

30 years ago on March 26, 1994: Northern State junior Eric Kline led the Argus Leader’s First Five as the Sioux Falls newspaper named its annual South Dakota college men’s basketball all-state teams. Kline and NSU senior Kevin Burckhard (second team) led the Wolves to a 34-2 season and a NAIA national runner-up finish.

40 years ago on March 29, 1984: Rapid City Central twin brothers Darrell and Darrick Bren shared the city’s Male Athlete of the Year award. Both are standouts in football, wrestling and baseball. At this winter’s State A wrestling tourney, each won a state title with Darrick finishing 102-21-4 in his career and Darrell 99-22-2.

50 years ago on March 30, 1974: Watertown native and Indiana star runner Steve Heidenreich ran an indoor mile of 4:01.5 for the Hoosiers. It is the fastest mile ever by a South Dakota native.