Jay Elsen
Sioux Falls
Director of Community Relations - @usd/@usd_siouxfalls | Sports Broadcaster 🎙️| Contact: jayelsenpxp@gmail.com
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Jay Elsen
SD Class B Boys Basketball State Tournament Preview
White River vs. 8) Viborg-Hurley White River has qualified for their 19th straight state tournament. They haven’t played Viborg-Hurley yet this year. Two of the best players in the tournament will get this kicked off. Nick Hanson and Nic Marshall have been great this year! For White River, they’ve been solid on both sides of the ball Nic Marshall has exploded with 26.2 ppg this year and with the addition of Jordan Uhlir they’ve been tough to guard.
SD Class AA Boys Basketball State Tournament Preview
The Class AA boys state basketball tournament begins March 14 at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. No one has been more consistent than Mitchell this year, but everyone agrees that this tournament is wide open. Let's take a look at the quarterfinal matchups! 1) Mitchell vs. 8) Jefferson The Mitchell Kernels come in as the top dogs in this tourney, this is their best regular season since 1985. Mitchell and Jefferson faced off back on January 30 and Mitchell took it to the Cavs.
Blog | Midco Sports
SD Class AA Girls Basketball State Tournament Preview Filed Under Basketball | Varsity Sports | SD High School Read More SD Class A Girls State Tournament Preview Filed Under Basketball | Varsity Sports | SD High School Read More SD Class B Girls State Tournament Preview Filed Under Basketball | Varsity Sports | SD High School Read More Check out the Top 3 Plays of the Day from each day of the NSIC Men's and Women's tournaments.
SD Class AA Girls Basketball State Tournament Preview
The girls basketball AA State tournament is set to begin Thursday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls! O'Gorman has gone wire to wire in the polls at number one by going undefeated. All the home teams won in the SoDak 16 to make a very strong field. Here is a look at the matchups. Noon CT PPG OPP O’Gorman 21-0 58.6 30.4 Coach Kent Kolsrud "We are excited--good group coming back. Have some veteran experience.
SD Class A Girls State Tournament Preview
The Class A state tournament is set to start Thursday in Brookings at Dacotah Bank Center in Brookings. The stars will be all over the court throughout the tournament including 3 SDSU commits and several other future college basketball players. Here is a look at the matchups. 12:00 PPG OPP Sisseton 21-1 68.3 38.3 Coach Sara Lincoln "They all want the same thing at the end of the day and they show up to make sure that the job gets done. Even when we win, they know there is still more work to be done.
SD Class B Girls State Tournament Preview
The Class B tournament will be held in Rapid City in Summit Arena at the Monument. There are plenty of contenders and the rankings throughout the year have reflected that. Harding County is the only unbeaten team although Arlington, Centerville, and Warner are all unbeaten against Class B competition this year as well. Ethan spent the most time at number one in the polls and Wall and Lyman spent almost all year in the top five. Here's a breakdown of the action that starts up on Thursday.
2024 NSIC Tournament Top 3 Plays of the Day
Home Blog 2024 03 2024 NSIC Tournament Top 3 Plays of the Day Check out the Top 3 Plays of the Day from each day of the NSIC Men's and Women's tournaments. Women's Quarterfinals - Day 1 3. Megan Zander with the steal and score 2. Lexie Schneider wouldn't be denied 1. Joey Batt ➡ Natalie Bremer Men's Quarterfinals - Day 1 3. Josh Brown finds Lincoln Meister 2. Drew Blair at the buzzer 1. Dylan Peeters: block. Kyreese Willingham: slam Filed Under Basketball | NSIC | Tourney HQ
Best of 2023: The Summit League
The 2023 Summit League tournament was filled with unforgettable moments and incredible games. Midco Sports® was there for it all. We're looking back at the best of the best. Scroll down and relive the dunks, the highlights and the wins before the teams arrive back in Sioux Falls, SD, for the 2024 men's and women's tournaments. Women's Semifinals - Day 4 3. Jackrabbit Connection – Paige Meyer finds Myah Selland underneath for two! 2. Roo Power – Manna Mensah hits a tough shot + goes to the line! 1.
Best of 2023: NSIC Tourney HQ
The 2023 NSIC tournament was filled with unforgettable moments and incredible games. Midco Sports® was there for it all. We're looking back at the best of the best. Scroll down and relive the dunks, the highlights and the wins before the teams arrive back in Sioux Falls, SD, for the 2024 men's and women's tournaments. Women's Championship 3. Corner Three – Maesyn Thiesen finds Taya Hakamaki for the corner! 2. MVP Reverse – Brooke Olson shows off those Tourney MVP skills! 1.
2023 Midco Sports South Dakota High School Volleyball Players of the Year and Honorable Mentions
What a memorable season in South Dakota volleyball! All three defending champs spent most of the season at number one in the polls. They all came into the state touranment as #1 seeds. Harrisburg completed an unlikely undefeated season without a single senior. Sioux Falls Christian won their 7th straight state title and nine of the last ten in Class A. And Warner went five sets with Chester in a classic match for the B title.
2023 Midco Sports North Dakota High School Volleyball Players of the Year and Honorable Mentions
It was deja vu at the 2023 North Dakota high school state volleyball tournament with not one, but two repeat state champions! Despite finishing with the fifth best record in the Eastern Dakota Conference in the regular season, West Fargo Sheyenne swept both the EDC tournament and state tournament titles to close out the year. One week after defeating Shanley 3-2 for the EDC tournament title, the Mustangs took down the Deacons again for the Class A state championship in four sets.
SD Class AA State Volleyball Tournament Preview
Class AA No one has gotten them yet. The Tigers have reached an unlikely 28-0 record heading into the state tournament. And they’ve done that without a single senior on the roster. They’ve been tested several times and always come out on top. Give a ton of credit to their 8th grade setter Josalyn Samuels who has taken the pressure off the team by running an efficient offense.
SD Class B State Volleyball Preview
South Dakota Class B Volleyball State Tournament 2023 Class B has been dominated by the defending champs from Warner. They have put together an impressive 37-0 mark with wins over Class A and Class AA powers as well as fierce Class B competition. They played the first part of the season without the reigning Class B player of the year, Ava Nilsson. Since she’s been back they’ve been even better. They are the heavy favorite to repeat as champions.
SD Class A State Volleyball Tournament Preview
South Dakota Class A Volleyball State Tournament 2023 Sioux Falls Christian has won 8 of the last 9 state titles. They once again come in as favorites with the number one seed. There is not going to be anything easy about winning it all in this class this year. They have four losses sprinkled through the season, to 29-1 Hinton (IA), 34-0 Warner twice and 27-0 Harrisburg. None of those losses came to Class A teams. The team is doing it the way they always do, with teamwork.
2023 South Dakota High School Football Championship Previews
The 2023 South Dakota High School football championships are upon us. I'll break down each game with stats plus analysis from anonymous coaches from across the state. These coaches give great insight into the pivotal keys to the game and what are the most important things to watch for. Championship Schedule Class 9B 10:00 AM CT #1 Avon (9-2) vs. #2 Faulkton Area (10-1) Class 9A 2:00 PM CT #1 Warner (11-0) vs. #7 Deubrook Area (8-3) Class 9AA 7:00 PM CT #1 Parkston (11-0) vs.
Augustana Hockey Games to be Broadcast on Midco Sports
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana University and Midco Sports have announced a multi-year agreement to broadcast Augustana hockey home games beginning with the inaugural season. Eleven of the Vikings’ 15 home contests will be produced and carried on Midco Sports or Midco Sports Two. The agreement begins with the home opening weekend Saturday and Sunday against Bowling Green in the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.
2023 ND High School Volleyball Season Preview
1. Northern Cass The Jaguars are coming off their first state title since 2013 and I’m wondering if they might make it happen again. A lot of people will look at the five starters they lost from last season and question if they might take a step back, but I still like what they have up front with 6’3” senior MH Josie Jensen (331 kills, 141 blocks, 299 digs) and fellow senior OH Ellie Lucas (181 kills, 61 aces, 70 blocks). Those two should be fun to watch at the net.
2023 SD High School Football Class 11AAA Season Preview
Class 11AAA Lincoln has finished strong the last three seasons but not strong enough to make it to the championship game. This season they feature 8 returning starters on offense and 5 on defense as they try to take that next step. “They seem to understand that having a couple of good players isn't going to be enough to achieve the goals they have set for themselves,” said Head Coach Jared Fredenburg.
2023 SD High School Football Class 11AA Preview
Jandy’s Top 5 in Class 11AA The headline in Pierre is the opportunity to break the record for most consecutive football championships in the playoff era. Pierre has won six straight titles all under the guidance of Head Coach Steve Steele, “We will be very athletic, and have some real speed at some key positions,” said Steele. Cade Kaiser is taking snaps in this new-look Govs offense.
2023 ND High School AAA Football Season Preview
How will Class AAA football follow up one of the most exciting and unpredictable seasons in big school history? A 0-5 team reaching the Dakota Bowl was one surprise, while Shanley delivered another by winning the big school title just four years after their move back up to the state’s highest level. The Class produced a goldmine of college talent and entering this year I expect some new stars to shine! Read up on who I feel will be in the chase for the hardware this fall. 1.
2023 ND High School Class AA Football Season Preview
This class should be the most competitive of all at the top. You could mix up my top four teams and put them in any order and I’d be fine with it. Each team has their own set of great strengths paired with some question marks. North is a veteran group but needs to be better defensively. Will the return of some injured players help South’s offense match its dominant defense? Jamestown has the championship pedigree, but last year’s senior class will be tough to replace.
2023 SD High School Football Class 11A Preview
Jandy’s Preseason Top 5 Class 11A Dell Rapids is the defending state champs and they're going to rely on an offense with some key guys back. Dells comes in with some leaders from last year's title team including their quarterback Jack Henry who has verballed to SDSU. Coach Jordan Huska is excited for that but even more importantly they have some consistency up front too.
Tommie Football to be streamed on Midco Sports Plus
Home Blog 2023 08 Tommie Football to be streamed on Midco Sports Plus ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of St. Thomas football will have a new streaming home in 2023. On Monday, Director of Athletics Dr. Phil Esten announced the department will partner with Midco Sports to live stream all home football games through Midco Sports Plus and the Midco Sports Plus App as the Tommies look to defend their 2022 Pioneer Football League (PFL) Championship.
2023 ND High School Class A Football Season Preview
There are plenty of unique storylines to get folks fired up about the season ahead in Class A. First off, the division has changed its name back along with the rest of the classes. Farewell to “11B” after just two seasons. Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison is coming off a perfect season and looks like the favorite, but the Aggies have a new head coach. Region 1 looks strong again, but can they break through and earn the title?
2023 SD High School Class 11B Football Season Preview
This class has the most teams of any in South Dakota and the competition is fierce. Last season Elk Point-Jefferson broke through to beat Winner in the championship game. Who will it be this season? Here's how I voted in the preseason media poll. 1. Winner Last season Winner found their way to the championship game like they have the three years prior. They have been a powerhouse program for a long time. This season they have four offensive starters and five on defense to contend for a title.
2023 SD High School 9-Man Football Season Preview
Each season I preview each of the 7 classes of football in South Dakota High School football as we prepare for the season opener on August 18! Let’s start with Class 9AA. Wall comes in as the defending champions we’ll get to them in a bit. Here’s a look at how I voted in the inaugural media poll this season. 1. Howard The Tigers are coming off a 9-1 season following a state title in 2021 in Class 9A.
2023 ND High School 9-Man Football Season Preview
A new look 9-man class helps usher in the 2023 ND high school football season. The division is moving from eight regions to four this year, which in many cases has created some stronger schedules across the board. The past two state champs make my top five with 2022 champ New Salem-Almont returning some standouts from last year and 2021 champ LaMoure-Litchville-Marion hoping to reload following the departure of a decorated senior class.
Summit League unveils an expansion of media rights through agreements with CBS Sports and Midco
2024 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship Finals to Air on CBS Sports Network SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Summit League announced new three-year media rights agreements with CBS Sports and Midco Thursday that will provide expanded national linear distribution on CBS Sports Network, as well as a direct-to-consumer branded digital network through Midco.
NSIC Completes Media Rights Agreement With Midco Sports
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The NSIC completed a media rights agreement with Midco Sports for the 2024 NSIC Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournaments. The agreement will have the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship rounds air exclusively on Midco Sports and streamed on Midco Sports Plus. The 12-team NSIC Men’s & Women's Basketball Tournament quarterfinals, semifinals, and championships are set to take place March 2-5, 2024 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
JT Rock Heads to Iowa State
JT Rock won’t become an adult until next March, but he made a grown-up decision last week. This 17-year-old 7-footer is no longer a future Cylclone. He is a Cylclone. JT Reclassified forgoing his senior year of high school enroll at Iowa State University this fall. Rock averaged 18 and 10 as a junior at SF Lincoln with almost 4 blocks per game. He had a chance to become the all-time leading scorer at his high school and would have been the favorite to win a state title next season.
JT Rock Heads to Iowa State
JT Rock won’t become an adult until next March, but he made a grown-up decision last week. This 17-year-old 7-footer is no longer a future Cylclone. He is a Cylclone. JT Reclassified forgoing his senior year of high school enroll at Iowa State University this fall. Rock averaged 18 and 10 as a junior at SF Lincoln with almost 4 blocks per game. He had a chance to become the all-time leading scorer at his high school and would have been the favorite to win a state title next season.
Platinum Champions 2023
Midco Sports is proud to present the best of the best in high school track and field in the Dakotas, your 2023 #PLATINUM Champions! For context, the Platinum Awards were established in 2015 to recognize the top individual performance in each event contested in North and South Dakota during the season. It doesn’t matter if that performance occurred in a tune-up meet in March or on the final weekend of the season; as long as it happened during a sanctioned meet, it counts.
SD High School Softball State Tournament Preview
Getting ready for the state tournaments in softball this week, June 1-3. We’ll talk about the matchups and teams that are getting set to play in Aberdeen. CLASS AA The tournament will be held at Koehler Hall of Fame field in Aberdeen. It’s a beautiful stadium on the campus of Northern State. 1 LINCOLN vs. 8 YANKTON 10:00 AM PREVIOUS MATCHUP: Lincoln won 5-4 on 5/16 4 Jefferson vs. 5 Washington 12:30 PM PREVIOUS MATCHUP: Jefferson won 14-2 (5/2), 10-4 (4/13) 2 Harrisburg vs.
South Dakota High School State Track Meet Preview 2023
It’s nearly here. For three days over Memorial Day weekend, the best high school athletes in South Dakota will converge on Howard Wood Field to compete for individual and team championships at the 2023 SDHSAA State Track and Field Championships.
The Dakota Dozen: 2023 Edition
Track and field in the Dakotas is never a straightforward proposition. Thanks to our always unpredictable “spring” weather – and I’m using that term loosely – conditions are seldom ideal to compete in, given the constant high winds and random April snowstorms. But even though Mother Nature continues to limit the opportunities for our area’s athletes to perform, she hasn’t been able to cap the elite-level talent that continues to emerge from this region.
2023 ND Class B Baseball Season Preview
This year’s preseason top five for Class B boys baseball has a lot of programs with terrific multi-sport athletes. We’ve seen these schools competing for state titles across various other sports even dating back to last spring. That should make for a very competitive field once we reach this year’s state tournament in Minot. Will Thompson make it back-to-back or do one of these other contenders rise to the top? My top five teams are below along with bubble teams.
2023 ND Class B Softball Season Preview
Goliath wears red in North Dakota Class B softball. Central Cass is seeking a 5th consecutive state championship and the Squirrels have the talent returning to accomplish that rare feat. But there are teams in my top five that had chances against Central Cass last year. Will we see the dynasty continue or a new program reach the top? My top five teams are below along with bubble teams.
2023 ND Class A Softball Season Preview
After seeing the west dominate at state in 2022, will we see the rise of the east in 2023? It was an all WDA final four last year with Legacy, Bismarck, Dickinson and Jamestown picking up quarterfinal wins at state. Of course, it was the Demons eventually clinching the program’s first state crown with a 7-6 win over Dickinson on the final day of the season. That makes it two straight years now that the state championship game has featured two WDA teams.
2023 ND Class A Baseball Season Preview
We’ve had back-to-back seasons of Sheyenne defeating Shanley for the Class A state baseball title. What are the odds that we see a 3-peat? Pretty good, actually, as both squads return some great talent. I give Shanley a slight edge in the preview below because their lineup is stacked, but Sheyenne pitcher Casey Clemenson is as good as it gets on the mound. Out west, I think Minot and Dickinson will be in contention. My top five teams are below along with bubble teams.
South Dakota High School Baseball Preview 2023
The start of the spring season is always affected by weather, the 2023 season isn't any different. However the snow is melting and teams are starting to hit the fields. Some teams already have some games under their belts. Here's an overview of what to expect this spring in Class A and B. Here are the inital Midco Sports Rankings for each class: Class A 1. Washington The Warriors are not the overwhelming top team, but they have the most solid roster heading into the season.
SD Class AA State Tournament Preview
The Class AA State Touranment always seems to have the most parity. Last season the 8 seed beat the one seed in the opening game. This year the same type of mentality exists. Each team has at least 3 losses and has their strengths and weaknesses. The Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls will host what should be an electric three days of basketball. Below are team capsules and at the bottom is a look at the leaders in this tournament. Washington Warriors Seed:1 Record: 18-3 Big Wins: Consecutive wins vs.
SD Class A Girls Basketball State Tournament Preview
St. Thomas More Cavaliers won't be at the state touranment to defend their title. In fact several contenders throughout the season didn't make this exclusive field. Vermillion, Tea Area, Florence/Henry and more were defeated on the way to Watertown. There are still several great teams remaining and could make for one of the most exciting touranments around. Here are the team capsules and the tournament leaders at the end of the article.
SD Girls Class B Basketball State Tournament Preview
The 2023 Class B state tournament is set and it's going to be crazy. Last season the #8 seed ran the table to take home the championship. Several coaches told me the same could happen this year. Much of the season it's been Viborg-Hurley at the top of the poll but it is Wolsey-Wessington that has earned the top seed. Ethan has surprised several by having an outstanding year. The rest of the teams are hungry to prove that they're playing their best down the stretch.
Best of 2023: NSIC Tourney HQ
The 2023 NSIC tournament is filled with unforgettable moments and incredible games. Midco Sports® was there for it all. We're looking back at the best of the best. PLAYS OF THE DAY WOMEN'S TOP 3 VIDEO Women's Quarterfinals - Day 1 3. O-Glass Gem – Brooke Olson tips the rebound to herself for the bucket! 2. Batt Attack – Joey Batt with her patented steal and score! 1. Triple Team and One – Brooke Olson will not be denied under the rim! VIDEO Women's Quarterfinals - Day 2 3.
Meet the Team Behind the Scenes
The best teams are made up of the best players. And at Midco Sports, we have a stellar lineup working hard to bring you the coverage of the NSIC and Summit League men’s and women’s conference tournaments. Meet a few of our key team members behind the scenes. John Brendle Job: Production Technology Manager First tournament with Midco Sports: 2020 Your Tourney HQ role: My role covers the technology used to showcase the entire event.
Best of 2022: Summit League Tourney HQ
You couldn't have written it any better. It was incredible few days in Sioux Falls during the Summit League 2022 men's and women's tournaments. The USD women took home the trophy over in-state rivals SDSU, while the SDSU men prevailed over NDSU. But every team left it all on the court for Midco Sports® to capture. Scroll down and take in the highlights and best moments to get excited for all the 2023 action coming your way.
Best of 2022: NSIC Tourney HQ
The 2022 NSIC tournament was filled with unforgettable moments and incredible games. Midco Sports® was there for it all. We're looking back at the best of the best. Scroll down and relive the dunks, the highlights and the wins before the teams arrive back in Sioux Falls, SD, for the 2023 men's and women's tournaments. Plays of the Day Quarterfinals 3️⃣ Minnesota Duluth's Austin Andrews finds Jack Middleton for two. 2️⃣ St. Cloud State's guard Tori Wortz with the rejection.
Inside The NCHC: Midseason Awards
Now that each of the eight teams in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference have played exactly half of their 24 league games this season, it’s a good time to look at who’s stood out and project who’s in line for postseason accolades at year’s end.
2022-23 ND Class B Boys Basketball Season Preview
The defending state champions from Four Winds-Minnewaukan have the roster to make a push for a repeat. Who will be the Indians biggest threat? Will we see a different team from region one take charge after Kindred graduated a talented senior class? Region two has a bunch of serious contenders and don't count out the private schools from out west. As you'll read below I feel that both Shiloh Christian and Bishop Ryan will be right in the mix come tournament time.
2022-23 South Dakota Boys Basketball Season Preview
These are not the state's official rankings, just how I voted for the Preseason Basketball Rankings in the South Dakota Media poll.Good luck to all the teams and players. Class B BOYS 1. Aberdeen Christian Aberdeen Christian is coming off a 21-5 season where they qualified for the state tournament with a lot of talent back on the court. They didn’t have a single senior. Malek Wieker, Ethan Russell, Jackson Isakson, Andrew Brennan and Kaden Clark make up a powerful senior starting five.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jay
Contact Jay, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack