Four area boys’ soccer players received South Dakota all-state honors Thursday.
Mitchell senior Dylan Weitzman and Mitchell Christian/Mount Vernon senior Phillip Millar were each named to the second team, while Mitchell senior Cole Carlson and freshman Kelby Escobin were selected as honorable mentions. Selections are made by South Dakota high school coaches.
“We were still in the building stage this year so I am really proud to have three guys make all-state,” first-year Mitchell soccer coach Jason Wear said.
“Their accomplishments have nothing to do with me; it is all about what they did on the field. There were a lot of kids on the ballot and to have three of them be mine is something to be proud of.”
Weitzman was the Kernels starting center back. Wear said he was very vital to Mitchell, which finished 2-9-2, adding that Weitzman’s presence on the field earned him the second-team nod.
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Millar, MC/MV’s only all-state selection this year did whatever his squad needed him to do to help them win. Millar, a Mount Vernon native played multiple positions and recorded four goals and four assists at a number of positions, while making 26 saves as a goalkeeper.
MC/MV finished with a record of 2-9-1. Millar’s primary position was forward, but he also saw some time at goalkeeper.
“Being the only senior for us, Phil provided a lot of leadership and set an example for the younger players,” MC/MV soccer coach Bob Lemon said. “He was also a field general, who played a lot of different roles for us. I think it is an honor for any athlete to make all-state, it is great that Phil’s abilities were recognized.”
Escobin, who played midfield for Mitchell this season, tallied three goals and two assists this season for the Kernels. Wear said Escobin has a bright future and he expects him to be a leader next year.
Carlson, Mitchell’s goalkeeper was also a bright spot for the Kernels. The senior averaged 15 saves a game. Wear believes he could have been a second-team or first team all-state goalkeeper if Mitchell won more games this season.
Here is a list of the complete boys’ soccer all-state team:
1st team all-state
Lee Wynja Junior Sioux Falls Christian;Collin Fligge Senior Sioux Falls Christian; Matthew Scott Junior Sioux Falls Christian; Miah Wills Senior Aberdeen Central; Matt Deboer Senior Aberdeen Central; Landon Larson Junior Groton Area; Luca Kother Junior Groton Area; Cooper Hansen Senior Tea Area; Quinten Lardy Senior Tea Area; Brendan Branick Senior Sioux Falls O’Gorman; Nathan Wedel Senior James Valley Christian;
2nd team all-state
Branston Meier Sophomore Aberdeen Central; Ryan Sabers Senior Tea Area; Connor Bergh Senior Sioux Falls O’Gorman; Alex Waldner Senior James Valley Christian; Tommy Patton Senior St. Thomas More; Jacob Henderson Senior St. Thomas More; Griffin Schroeder Senior St. Thomas More; Evan Kelly Junior Harrisburg; Dylan Weitzman Senior Mitchell; Gabriel Eisenbeis Senior Freeman Academy; Phillip Millar Senior Mitchell Christian;
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Honorable mention
Paul Eide Sophmore Sioux Falls Christian; Matt Baumgarnter Senior Aberdeen Central; Grant Patronik Senior Aberdeen Central; Lucas Sternhagen Junior Groton Area; Chance Strom Junior Groton Area; John Jarding Senior Sioux Falls O’Gorman; Zach Peltier Senior Sioux Falls O’Gorman; Andrew Ulvestad Senior James Valley Christian; Dan Duffy Senior St. Thomas More; Aaron Hanson Junior Harrisburg; Sam Hanson Junior Harrisburg; Cole Carlson Senior Mitchell; Kelby Escobin Freshman Mitchell.
