HOWARD, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -Luke Koepsell is a man of all “sports seasons” at Howard….

….and as a result the Tiger football, basketball and baseball programs have made all kinds of history.

Zach Borg has more on our Karl’s TV and Appliance Athlete of the Week.

STORY

Like almost any seven or eight year old, Luke Koepsell was impressionable back in 2014, and he never forgot what it was like seeing his hometown Howard Tigers win the 9A State Football Championship over Wolsey-

“I was here watching it. I remember watching it. I remember Luke Loudenburg, all those guys, just idols for us. We’re kind of used to winning in Howard. Not to be cocky or anything but it feels good to win and we don’t like losing!” Koepsell says.

It’s something Luke remained hungry for when it became his time to play for football, basketball and baseball teams.

“The culture that has been set by past players, coaches, working in the weight room, working in practice. Competitiveness and hard work (is what I’m all about).” Luke says.

Koepsell and the Tigers have certainly been well fed.

An All-State selection in all three sports, Koepsell averaged more than 15 points and 7 rebounds per game last winter to help lead the Tigers to their first State B Basketball title in 50 years.

Then in the spring for the baseball team he hit .480 while striking out 35 batters in 29 innings with an earned run average below one to help Howard reach the state championship game for the first time in program history.

“He’s just a machine. Such a great kid and he’s got a great family. And again all sports help each other out and whether it’s in big moments or big games, they’ve been in them. And I think that makes it so when you get out here the nerves are gone and you know hot to play in a big game.” Howard Head Coach Pat Ruml says.

In what would prove to be his final football season with Luke committing to play college baseball at Dakota Wesleyan, he hauled in 26 passes for nearly 400 yards and nine touchdowns offensively while holding down the defensive line with 69 tackles and six sacks.

And Koepsell saved his best for last, the 9A State Championship game against, ironically, Wolsey-Wessington. Four Catches, 100 yards, two touchdowns, seven tackles and a sack earned him both MVP Lineman and Joe Robbie Game MVP honors, helping the Tigers finish a perfect season

“It was a great game! My quarterback Carson Hinker was putting it on the money so I didn’t do much!” Luke says.

And leave a lasting impression in Howard.

Zach Borg, Dakota News Now Sports.

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