INCOMING JACKS AWARDED SPIRIT OF SU

Two incoming Jackrabbits were surprised by the South Dakota High School Athletics Association Tuesday with the Spirit of Su Award. Men's basketball's Cooper Cornemann and softball's Emma Osmundson were recognized by coaches and members of the SDHSAA for their excellence in academics, athletics, leadership and community service.

The award is named in honor of SuAnne Big Crow, a Pine Ridge star who died in a car accident in 1992 on her way to the Miss Basketball Banquet following her senior season. One male and female basketball player who best exemplify the life and achievements of Big Crow. Winners are typically recognized at halftime of state high school championship games, but with the cancellation of the tournament the SDHSAA elected to surprise winners in-person this week. Cornemann and Osmundson received Native American star quilts that includes colors and symbolism of all races living together in beautiful harmony, as was SuAnne's dream.

"There's certainly a lot of people that deserve the award, so to be chosen and recognized is really cool," Cornemann said. "I've had a lot of people reach out and congratulate me. That's been special, because it's an award that isn't just about what you've done on the basketball court, but also about what you've done for your team and your community."

"Receiving the award is quite an honor because it recognizes players beyond their basketball ability," Osmundson said. "It is about displaying the qualities of SuAnne Big Crow on and off the court. Those are the things that I can only thank my parents, coaches, teachers and teammates for teaching me."

Cornemann served as a captain for the Yankton Bucks last season, being named to the 2020 Argus Leader Second Five Team and All-State First Team this spring. Cornemann was selected to the 2019 All-State Tournament and, and en route to 2020 All-ESD First Team honors, shot 50 percent from the field with averages of 15 points, four rebounds and 3.4 assists per game as a senior. He is the second Cornemann to win the Spirit of Su, joining his sister Ketty, who won the award in 2006 before a successful career as a Jackrabbit.

Although the award is given for success on the hardwood, Osmundson will wear the yellow and blue on the softball field at South Dakota State. Osmundson was a two-time All-State and All-Conference selection in basketball and helped the Lincoln Patriots to a runner-up finish at the 2019 state tournament. On the diamond, she batted .629 with 36 runs batted in, 11 doubles, five triples and five home runs as a senior, closing her career as a four-time Class A All-State First Team pick (and 2019 state champion). The Sioux Falls product carries a 4.27 grade point average in her final semester.

Both winners are set to enroll as freshman at South Dakota State this fall.

-GoJacks.com-

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INCOMING JACKS AWARDED SPIRIT OF SU

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