National Signing Day at Rapid City Stevens: Part 1

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Last week, 11 student-athletes from Rapid City Stevens signed letters of intent to compete at the next level.

Six of those seniors plan to compete in collegiate cross country and track including one of the top runners in the country.

Here is part one of the signing class from Rapid City Stevens.

The rest of the student-athletes who signed last week will air on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

 

Simeon Birnbaum, University of Oregon, Cross Country and Track

Simeon Birnbaum signed a letter of intent to compete in cross country and track and field at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

The Stevens senior is a two-time state cross country champion.

Plus, he’s won seven state track titles.

Last summer at the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle, Birnbaum made history by becoming just the 17th high schooler to run a sub four-minute mile.

“At the end of the day, I just chose Oregon because of the people,” said Simeon Birnbaum. “I think it will hold the most opportunity with my future teammate Connor Burns and the new head coach Jerry Schumacher.”

 

Sean Kilpatrick, King University, Cross Country and Track

Meanwhile, Sean Kilpatrick is heading down south to compete in cross country and track and field next year.

He signed with King University in Bristol, TN.

The Stevens senior finished 25th at the State ‘AA’ cross country meet in 2021.

But last fall at the state cross country meet, he moved all the way up to 9th place.

“I did a visit down to King and I really loved the team spirit down there,” said Sean Kilpatrick. “They’re very welcoming and they’re awesome people to be around with. I love their accounting program that they had down there and just a really great area.”

 

Brionna Holso, University of Portland, Cross Country and Track

Brionna Holso plans to take her talents to the Division I level.

The Stevens senior put pen to paper last week and will compete in cross country and track at the University of Portland.

She finished third last fall at the state cross country meet.

Plus, Holso placed in four different events last spring at the state track meet.

“A lot of it was just kind of going to the University,” said Brionna Holso. “Feeling it out. See how I fit in there. Test out like the coaching and the training and the location was a big thing for me. So I got there and everything just felt right. I knew after going to my other visits, that that’s where I was suppose to go.”

 

Sierra Hopp, Black Hills State University, Cross Country and Track

Also last week, Sierra Hopp signed a letter of intent to join the cross country and track teams at Black Hills State University in Spearfish.

Hopp placed 13th at the state cross country meet last fall, her best finish during her high school career.

She was also a member of the Stevens 4 by 800 meter relay team that placed sixth at the state track meet last spring.

“So I chose Black Hills State because I really wanted to study photography and they have a really good photography program there,” said Sierra Hopp. “I also really liked the team and the coach. They were all super nice and helpful.”

 

 

Hailey Oswald, Dakota Wesleyan University, Track and Field

Meanwhile, Hailey Oswald plans to compete in track and field next year at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell.

The sprinter plans to compete in the 100, 200 and 400 for the Tigers.

Oswald plans to major in nursing.

“I chose DWU because I love the atmosphere they had there,” said Hailey Oswald. “It was such a family. It felt like another home there and it made me excited to pursue my career there.”

 

 

Lucia Vidas, Chadron State College, Cross Country and Track

Lucia Vidas signed a letter of intent to compete in cross country and track and field at Chadron State College.

Vidas was also a member of the Stevens 4 by 800 meter relay team that finished 6th at the 2022 state track meet.

Vidas plans to study physical education.

“There was other schools I was looking at,” said Lucia Vidas. “But this one was just closer to home and affordable for me. I really liked all the coaches and it felt welcomed.”