Dan Hanson
Dan was a three-year letter winner and started on offense as a Receiver/Tight End, on defense as a Defensive Back, and as the Kick/Punt Returner. He helped lead the team to a 9-0 record and a third-place state ranking in 1974. He was named All-Conference and All-State after his senior season as he led the team in return and receiving yards.
On the basketball court, Dan was a three-year letter winner and was a starting guard in his Junior and Senior seasons. In his Junior year, the Lynx went 19-4, winning the Big Eight Conference and the Section III Championships. The team went on to finish fourth at the State Tournament.
On the track, he lettered all four years of high school as a 220 and 440-yard specialist in individual events and on relay teams. He competed at the State Track and Field Meet all four years. As a senior, Dan won Big Eight Conference titles in the 220 and 440 and was on two second-place relay teams. At the Region Eight and State Meets, he medaled in both individual events.
Dan had the opportunity to play collegiate football, but passed on that to concentrate on earning his Chemistry Degree from SDSU.
His favorite Lynx memories include the final football game of the 1974 season where the #3 rated Class A undefeated, Lynx played #1 rated Class B undefeated Garretson and won 7-6. Garretson scored late and attempted a two-point conversion. After a fumbled snap, Dan was able to tackle the ball carrier at the one-yard line and secure the victory. He also remembers the Section Three Basketball Championship game when the Lynx beat O’Gorman to go to the State Tournament – Dan was 6 for 6 from the free throw line in the last two minutes to help the team win – in front of 5,000 fans at the Sioux Falls Arena.
