A look back at some of the sports happenings during the week of Dec. 29, 2024-Jan. 4, 2025:

Last year on Jan. 4, 2024: Known for his starring role in the 1970s TV series “Starsky and Hutch” and his No. 1 hit “Don’t Give Up On Us,” David Soul died at age 80. Born as David Richard Solberg in Chicago in 1943, Solberg spent time growing up in South Dakota and was a 1961 Sioux Falls Washington graduate. Solberg also attended Augustana for a couple of years, and was a star athlete, talented musician and youth leader in his church during his time in Sioux Falls.

10 years ago on Jan. 3, 2015: Northeast South Dakota continued its streak of Miss Rodeo South Dakota queens with today’s coronation of Sisseton High School graduate Kendra Peterson. The last four queens have been from northeastern South Dakota: Langford graduate Melynda Sletten in 2014; Hecla’s Kristina Maddocks in 2013; and Sisseton’s Courtney Peterson (not related to Kendra) in 2012.

20 years ago on Dec. 29, 2004: Former Minnesota Twins star Kent Hrbek was in Aberdeen filming his TV show “Kent Hrbek Outdoors.” Hrbek has been hunting in South Dakota regularly since 1982.

30 years ago on Jan. 1, 1995: Not only was Redfield’s John Decker named as one of eight regional girls’ basketball coaches of the year, but Redfield’s Tom Cameron also won the honor for assistant coaches.

40 years ago on Jan. 4, 1985: Huron native Rod Merriam scored 47 points to pace Sioux Falls College over South Dakota Tech 111-99 for the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Tournament championship. It was a school record as Ron Krayl scored 45 for the Cougars in 1967.

50 years ago on Dec. 29, 1974: Kurt Seibel of Vermillion won the Punt, Pass and Kick national championship for 12-year-olds. His name will appear on the PP&K display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton (OH).