MITCHELL - A Wagner High School wrestler is one of four athletes from around the nation to be nominated for an ESPY award from ESPN, the cable television sports network after he made an inspirational comeback from injury.

Last year, Ryan Kocer had his left leg amputated below the knee after a farm accident.

Kocer, who was a three-time state champion wrestler, returned to the mat after the amputation and won fourth place in the 152-pound division at the South Dakota Class B state wrestling tournament.

Wrestlers cannot compete with a prosthesis but they may wrestle with just one leg.

He said he is "really excited" about the nomination in the category "Best Male Athlete with a Disability."

The awards will be made July 16, and the ceremony airs on July 20.

Rooks shines at all-state basketball competition

Little Wound junior Kanisha Rooks recently competed in the USA Junior National all-state high school basketball competition in Sioux Falls. She was joined by Jones County's Mary Volmer and Phillip's Kenzy Piney.

There were 37 girls at the competition divided into four teams

Rooks was selected as the MVP for the girls division and has been invited to participate in the USA Junior Nationals International Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, July 21-27.

The USA Junior Nationals provides one of the top amateur competitions in the United States and offers its program to all athletes who have a high talent level in basketball and want to develop their skills further.

SDSU golf tournament and auction set for July 18

SPEARFISH - The 27th annual South Dakota State Alumni West River Golf Tournament and Auction will be held Friday, July 18 at the Spearfish Canyon Country Club.

Registration and a putting contest will be held at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start beginning at 1 p.m.

A social hour will start at 6 p.m. at the First Gold Hotel and Casino in Deadwood with the auction to follow at 7 p.m.

West River SDSU alumni have given over $100,000 to clubs and organizations over the years.

Dave Strain, Bob Ehrke, Doug Peterson and Dixie Serr, all of Rapid City, are original members.

Costs vary from $35 for the banquet only to $140 for couple's golf with the banquet.

Golf fees includes 18-hole green fees, cart and banquet ticket.

The golf tourney will be a Dakota Scramble (four-person best ball event).

For more information, contact Doug Peterson at 605-399-0990.

SDSM&T individual skill camp starts July 27

RAPID CITY - The South Dakota School of Mines Individual Skill Camp will be July 27-30 for boys in grades 5-12.

The camp is designed to assist players in advanced development of offensive skills with a supplementation of defensive work. Fundamentals, team play and sportsmanship will be stressed.

Camp will begin on July 27 at 3 p.m. and conclude at noon on July 30. Three sessions will be held each day. The cost is $225 for overnight campers and $165 for non-campers.

Mail registration forms to camp coordinator Eric Glenn at Hardrocker Individual Skill Camp, 501 East St. Joseph Street, Rapid City SD 57701. For further information, call Coach Glenn at 605-355-3024.