When Mackenzie Casey was younger, he set a goal that some day he would go to college and play Division-I basketball. Now, the Jackrabbit junior guard is the perfect example of what having goals and sticking to them can achieve.

Casey, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and graduate of Red Cloud High School, has become a role model for his friends and family on the Pine Ridge Reservation and across South Dakota. But his work ethic is something that every South Dakotan should learn from and aspire to.

For Casey and his friends in Wounded Knee, basketball was not just something that passed the time; it was a way of life. Casey was always looking forward to the next five-on-five tournament or the next pick-up game at the nearest basketball court.

“I started in second grade and I fell in love with the game,” Casey said.

Other students on the reservation dream to play college ball, but not many Pine Ridge graduates even finish college, said Maurice Twiss, head of special programs for Shannon County School District.

“Mackenzie has become a very positive role model,” Twiss said.

Casey’s influence reaches all American Indians throughout South Dakota, but especially in Pine Ridge. Even though Casey is a bit shy about his hometown fame, he does not deny his effect.

“It makes me feel good to be a role model for children on the reservation,” Casey said.

Tom Casey, Casey’s father, said his son’s hard work has shown students that by setting goals and avoiding drugs and alcohol, they can succeed. Tom Casey also acknowledges that Casey is held to certain standards, not only by himself, but by the whole Pine Ridge population.

“Mackenzie can’t quit; people rely on him,” Tom Casey said.

On top of these added pressures, Casey had to move away from his support system and deal with the cultural differences that followed. One difference is the style of play between reservation and college basketball.

“On the res, there is no structure, no set plays, but in college there is more structure,” Casey said.

“You have to worry about the shot clock, the next play, the defense and offense of the other team-it’s not like street ball.”

Basketball is priority in Casey’s life, but he understands the importance of receiving a good education.

“I’m going to have to rely on my education to support my family, so it is real important and it’s a big part of my life,” he said.

That is a rule his father set when Casey was in high school.

“In our house, if you didn’t go to school you had better be on your death bed,” Tom Casey said.

Casey’s coach notices his hard work on and off the court. SDSU’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach Scott Nagy said Casey never gets down and he is always supportive of his teammates.

“He is one of the best players I’ve ever coached,” Nagy said.

But there are moments Casey feels like quitting, and every time he starts to give up, he thinks of all the youth on the reservation.

“If I would have quit and went back home, I just would have been another statistic,” Casey said.

“I want to show the youth on the reservation that it is possible.”

Casey’s father is another motivation during the hard times. Tom Casey is busy with his job as business manager and development director for KILI Radio on the Pine Ridge Reservation, but still makes time for Casey’s basketball games. Last year he attended 21 of the 31 games, sometimes driving as far as Illinois and Kentucky to watch his son play.

He enjoys watching Casey play and he understands how important it is for him to show his support.

“I think he is a good young man who wants do to the right thing,” Tom said. “I have total confidence in him.”

This summer Casey will preparefor next season by lifting and working on his shooting and ball handling. His senior-year goals are simple: To be a better player and help his team.

“I want to help my team get a lot more wins,” Casey said. “I would like for us to make it to the National Invitation Tournament.”

Casey said basketball is what he knows best and that it will always be a part of his life. In the future, he hopes to continue being a role model for youth and share his love and knowledge of the game by coaching basketball.

#1.883728:3833462147.jpg:casey.jn.jpg:Junior guard Mackenzie Casey devotes his life to playing basketball for the blue and yellow.:

Off the field, Jackrabbit quarterback Andy Kardoes is a soft-spoken horticulture major who has a predilection for video games. On the field, this 6-foot-3-inch senior turns on his competitive side, showing South Dakota State University fans, teammates and coaches that he has what it takes to be a great leader.

“I had no idea how hard [being a student athlete] was going to be,” Kardoes said.

Along with the rest of his teammates, he must divide his time between watching film, studying and four-and-a-half hours of practice every day.

“You learn to make use of your time,” he said.

During the season, Kardoes is forced to cut out one of his favorite activities – video games.

“It’s been tough, but worth it,” he said.

That sacrifice has paid off in particular instances, like when the Jacks beat University of California-Davis during the Oct. 28 game.

Kardoes said he would never forget throwing the winning touchdown pass to his best friend and roommate, wide receiver Dusty Snyders.

“Hobo Day of my senior year will be something I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Kardoes.

He also said he will never forget coming back against California Polytechnic University, when the Jacks trailed by 22 points in the fourth quarter.

“That was unbelievable.”

Even though Kardoes has catalogued sprains and back injuries. He played through all of the pain and managed to miss only three games last season.

“It’s frustrating when your body doesn’t let you do what you want it to do,” he said.

The Jackrabbit football team is glad to have him back and in good health.

“He is an unbelievable leader,” said Head Football Coach John Stiegelmeier. “He leads with his effort and his words.”

Micah Johnson, senior wide receiver, agrees.

“In the huddles, he makes sure we know that we can do it. It’s a good feeling when your quarterback believes in you.”

Now that he is a senior, Kardoes believes he has grown up a lot from when he first started to play for the Jacks.

“Coach Stiegelmeier expects the seniors to be the leaders of the team,” he said.

As a leader, Kardoes tries to assist his team as much as possible. He tries to keep the play moving and keep his teammates motivated, even when they get down on themselves.

“I think if you mess up, you should keep going, because the next one is an opportunity to make it better,” he said.

In his previous seasons, Kardoes dealt with seniors who got down on their teammates.

“When that happens, things just start to crumble,” he said.

Crumbling is something the Jacks cannot afford to do, especially with the tough competition they now face.

“With Division I, we have to play to our best every week,” said Kardoes.

Stiegelmeier has seen Kardoes embrace the transition to Division I with ease.

“The schools we play now, like Montana and Georgia Southern, are great competition. They really test you. A great athlete like Andy rises up to those tests,” he said.

Of course, Kardoes, like any athlete, is not perfect. As a quarterback, he has to juggle many responsibilities, which opens the door for a few slip-ups.

“Sometimes in practice, I’ll get up under the wrong guy, like a guard, and put my hands on his butt. He’ll be like, ‘what are you doin’,” said Kardoes, with a laugh.

Both Snyders and Johnson have known Kardoes since they were freshman living in the dorms.

“We weren’t too mature. And we definitely had our fun,” Snyders said.

Johnson said Kardoes is a fairly quiet and laid-back guy when he is off the field. Snyders agreed, except for when it comes to video games.

“He is extremely competitive,” said Snyders. “I think he has broken five or six PlayStation controllers because he can’t stand losing.”

Kardoes carries that must-win attitude to the field. Through his career at SDSU, he has overcome many obstacles and brought the varsity football team through some remarkable victories. His coaches and teammates have watched him mature into a quarterback who understands his role as a leader on the field, and a friend off the field.

Hunter College of New York City evicted a student from the residence halls for attempted suicide in 2004, according to an Associated Press article in September.

The student called 911 after overdosing on Tylenol. Following her recovery, the 19-year-old returned to her room to find that her lock had been changed. According to Hunter College, the student breached her housing contract by attempting to commit suicide.

The report said that other schools in the United States have also implemented policies that keep suicidal students from entering residential halls.

But some of SDSU’s students said Hunter College was out of line.

“It was probably more disruptive to change her living situation than to not let her go back,” said Heather Youngberg.

Kyra Anderson agrees.

“Students should be allowed to live their normal life after trying to commit suicide.”

Paul Honermann said the college should have taken more action to help the student instead of barring her from the dorms.

“The school should have been more compassionate,” Honermann said.

Fortunately, SDSU has a different approach to college suicide. Doug Wermedal, assistant dean of Student Affairs, said SDSU does not have any rules that force students to leave the dorms if they are suicidal.

“The notion that there is a one-size-fits-all policy is ludicrous. Every situation is different,” Wermedal said.

SDSU works with the student and his or her family to decide what is the best solution for the student. Many students cannot deal with the pressures of school while having suicidal thoughts but some students find that it is more helpful to stay in school and live life as normal.

“A person who needs long term extended care can still be a student while at school. Students are amazingly strong,” Wermedal said.

Darci Nichols, staff counselor at SDSU, agrees that returning to normal activities can be helpful to students that have attempted to commit suicide.

“Each case brings forth a different set of circumstances, however, it can be healing to resume classes once symptoms have resolved and emotional stability has returned,” she said.

Nichols also said that it is important for friends and family members to offer emotional support to students after an attempted suicide.

“This involves understanding, patience, affection and encouragement,” she said.

She suggests engaging the student in conversation and activities. If you are met with opposition than “be gently insistent” and tell the student that he or she will feel better with help and time.

Even though South Dakota has a very different atmosphere from New York City, SDSU students are still susceptible to suicidal thoughts. Stress of school, loss of high-school friends and exposure to drugs and alcohol are just a few reasons that students commit suicide.

“When the stress becomes unmanageable, students may be looking for a way out of what feels hopeless to them,” said Nichols.

Statistics show that suicide rates are highest for college students between the ages of 18 and 21. Also, more females attempt suicide while more males accomplish suicide.

If you are thinking about hurting or killing yourself, find help immediately. Make sure to tell a close friend, academic or resident advisor or a member of the staff at Student Health and Counseling Services. The number for student counseling services is 688-6146. If you know of someone who is suicidal, the best possible action to take is to help him or her get counseling at Student Health or another professional counseling service. You may need to accompany them to the office or call a counselor and schedule and appointment for them.

You can find other information about suicide on the web at www.save.org or www.afsp.org, or on the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Twins use sisterly love as support on and off the field.

They share a passion for competition and a dedication to one of the world’s most popular sports. They share a common goal to play to the best of their abilities and provide support for each other and their teammates. They also share DNA.

Kerstyn and Kellyn Farrell grew up playing soccer together in Littleton, Colo. Now the twin sisters have brought their love for the game to South Dakota State’s varsity women’s soccer team. Both sophomores have already made an impact on the ever-improving soccer team.

Their similarities in looks mirror their comparable playing styles.

“Both play similar and move the same way,” said senior defender teammate Karoline Brause.

Head Coach Lang Wedemeyer agrees the Farrells are very fast and versatile. “Both girls can play any position, which really helps the team,” he said.

But even though they both work hard on the field and have equal athletic ability, off the field, they have very different personalities.

“We balance each other out,” Kellyn said. “She’s kind of the shy one and I’m the loud one.”

Their differences became even more obvious after they shared a dorm room their freshman year at SDSU. Kerstyn realized how laidback her sister was, especially about cleaning.

“I got stuck with most of the cleaning, which was really frustrating,” she said.

Like all sisters, they get into fights, but they agree that it does not affect their playing on the field.

Kellyn admitted they used to have problems when they were younger, but as they have grown older, they have learned to let go of their disputes before they start a game.

“We try not to bring anything on the field or take anything that happens off the field,” said Kellyn.

Kerstyn said, “If we have a fight, it won’t affect if I play the ball to her or not.”

Because they are sisters, they have a definite chemistry that is hard to match with other teammates.

“We basically know what each other is going to do a lot of the time, but we still surprise each other,” said Kerstyn.

Kellyn agreed with her sister, but dispelled any myth that they have psychic abilities.

They have been playing together ever since their dad showed them how to kick a soccer ball when they were three years old, so it is only natural they can read one another’s moves.

“I know how she plays. I know what she’ll do, how she’ll pass it and where she’ll play it,” said Kellyn.

Because they are sisters, they tend to be harder on each other. Kellyn confessed that at times, she can be a little too harsh with her sister.

Kerstyn said, “We play really hard against each other and we are pretty competitive when we have to play one another.”

Even though they fight like all normal sisters and enjoy sisterly competition, they both consider themselves best friends.

“She will always back me up, and I will always back her up,” said Kerstyn.

Teammates Brause and Jenn Davis have noticed the love-hate relationship the twins share, but say that it does not affect the way they play.

“They are both amazing players and they know the game well,” Brause said. “They bring a lot of heart and soul into the game.”

Both girls work hard and do what they can to improve their skills. This past summer they had the chance to play on the Colorado Rush club team, which won first place in the Amateur Athletic Union national championship.

Unfortunately, Kellyn suffered a sprained ankle, but was still there to support the team and her sister.

They both felt it was one of the best experiences of their lives and it was a great honor to be part of a team that had the ability and determination to win such an amazing title. Even though they are now national champions, the Farrells are still willing to work hard for SDSU’s soccer team.

“We want our team to do well and have other teams respect us as a good Division-I team,” said Kerstyn.

“We want to change what people think of us,” said Kellyn. “We want to send a message that says ‘Hey, we’re here.’”

Coach Wedemeyer has seen the girls’ confidence improve since last season and is glad to have their quickness and ability. Their teammates also agree that they have progressed in handling and passing the ball.

“[Kerstyn] has made a lot of improvements as an outside defender and Kellyn keeps working hard to be a threat up front,” Brause said.

#1.884165:197575869.jpg:twins(B1).jpg:Soccer sisters’ skillful play and close connection create havoc for opponents.:

She began running the streets of Brookings as a kid. Although she has always been a Jackrabbit fan, she did not always plan to attend SDSU. Now, through hard work and perseverance, Becka Mansheim is one of the greatest female runners in SDSU’s history.

The official slogan for South Dakota State’s athletic program is “Passionate. Relentless. Champions.” In order to be an athlete at SDSU, one must be determined, persistent and driven.

Senior cross-country and track and field runner Becka Mansheim certainly has all those qualities. Her career at SDSU is filled with many accomplishments, from setting school records to earning titles such as track athlete of the meet at the Division-I Independent Championships. Even though she is talented and motivated, Mansheim is a humble South Dakota girl who grew up right here in Brookings.

In high school, Mansheim was a Jackrabbit fan, but she never thought she would end up at South Dakota State University.

“SDSU was probably last on my list,” she said.

After looking at other schools, she decided to give SDSU a chance because of its nursing program. She was attracted by the amount of traveling that runners got to do compared to other schools, and was actively recruited in high school by then cross-country coach Paul Danger.

“His enthusiasm is what got me here more than anything else, and in the end, it just felt right,” she said.

Mansheim started running competitively in the seventh and eighth grades, but her love of running first stemmed from her father.

“When I was in elementary school, I would go running with my dad in the mornings on his two-mile route.”

She was also inspired by her older siblings who participated in sports.

Mansheim likes running because there is always room for improvement.

“It is something that makes you feel good … and there is also that good feeling you get after having a great race.”

Rod DeHaven, SDSU’s cross-country coach, has seen Mansheim grow as a runner and believes that she has all of the qualities of a good athlete.

“She is very determined both athletically and in school. She has common sense and is very grounded. She knows that she needs to keep working harder and has done so for the past three years.”

In turn, Mansheim believes that DeHaven has been a great coach and has used his knowledge and experience to bring the cross-country team to the Division-I level.

Mansheim plans to keep running competitively after she graduates in May, but right now she is focusing on winning more meets and doing the best she can for her team. Last weekend, Mansheim placed 73rd in the Roy Griak Invitational in St. Paul, Minn. Mansheim will compete again in the SDSU Classic at Edgebrook Golf course on Saturday, Sept. 30.

#1.884249:1684405236.jpg:Image: An Unbroken Stride:Becka Mansheim stretches before going for a run.:
#1.884248:600146212.jpg:Image: An Unbroken Stride:Becka Mansheim practices in preparation for the SDSU Classic Invitational on September 30.:

“My dream is to become famous ? I don’t think that will happen,” says South Dakota State University student Micah Wetzel.

Many students would disagree with Wetzel, especially after his recent performance at the Cavorts talent show, which won him third place and roaring applause from the audience.

Despite his obvious humility, Wetzel plans to continue performing and writing music. Wetzel has a very original sound that grabs the attention of anyone who listens. He delivers his emotional lyrics with a smooth voice and mellow acoustic that makes for a style that is engaging, yet soothing.

Wetzel’s favorite musicians and main influences are Dave Mathews Band and Howie Day.

“They make me want to perform,” he says.

He even watches their music videos before going on stage.

“It gets me pumped up,” he says.

Wetzel got his start in music by playing the trumpet in the high-school and middle-school bands at Rochester, Minn. Surprisingly, he didn’t start playing the guitar and singing until his senior year. With the help of a few friends, Wetzel learned to play the guitar by listening to the radio for songs he liked, and then looking up the tabs on the Internet. The first thing he ever learned was a song by Metallica.

“I thought it was the coolest thing that I could play some song I enjoyed and heard on the radio,” Wetzel says.

Now Wetzel creates his own songs, but he says the process he takes to write music is different from that of most musicians.

“I don’t think I’ve spent literally more than 45 minutes on a song,” says Wetzel.

As soon as a melody comes to him, Wetzel memorizes it on the spot and proceeds to write the lyrics until the song is finished.

His favorite tune that he has written so far is “A Story Told.”

“It’s about happy endings,” says Wetzel.

More specifically, the song is about life and how everyone has an idea of what theirs should be like. Then they realize that life might not happen the way they planned. This is something that everyone, including Wetzel, can relate to.

“I had mine all set of what I wanted to be, and it didn’t turn out,” Wetzel says.

Wetzel originally came to SDSU as a wildlife and fisheries major, but soon switched to business economics. His plan right now is to manage a music store and play gigs on the side.

Wetzel doesn’t believe that he will become famous, but it is still something he is willing to strive for.

“I play songs in my room and close my eyes and pretend that everyone is singing along to my songs. But regardless of what happens, I still just want to be able to enjoy it,” says Wetzel.

He recently finished his EP (extended play album), and is now working on booking himself for more shows.

He will perform Dec. 1 at the Main Street Pub at 9 p.m. and Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. at the City Cafe in Rochester, Minn. For more information and show listings, go to Wetzel’s Web site at www.micahwetzel.com.

The seventh Annual Student Part-Time Job Fair was a success with 35 employer tables and more than 600 students attending.

The job fair can be a great place for students to connect with employers. Some of the businesses featured at the fair were Daktronics, CAPITAL Card Services, McDonald’s and more.

The job fair can help all students, especially freshmen and sophomores who are unfamiliar with the Brookings job market.

“It helps those who don’t know the community of Brookings and gives them a chance to do some networking,” said Susan Fredrikson, employment development director of the Career and Academic Planning (CAP) Center, which sponsored the event.

“All of our part-time employees are college students at South Dakota State. We recently hired ten students form the fair and we’re still looking,” Alex Kahler, owner and president of Biogenetic Services, Inc. said.

Students who did not get a chance to attend the job fair should not lose hope. The job market for students in Brookings is still high and there are plenty of places that offer employment help including: Staff Search Recruiters, Availability Employment Services, CAP Center and the Department of Labor.

“There are many job opportunities if you are willing to be flexible and creative,” said Nancy Jo Popowski, employment representative for the Department of Labor. The Department of Labor has an on-campus office located in Medary Commons.

“When a student comes into our office, we make sure the student is registered at our Web site (www.sdsjobs.org),” said Popowski. “We then match the student to employers’ needs … It is an easy and simple process.”

There are all kinds of jobs available, including work-study positions, part-time positions and temporary positions.

“If they (students) are still looking, the more the merrier. Stop in and see us,” said Popowski.

For more job information log onto http://careercenter.sdstate.edu.