Aberdeen, S.D. - Northern State's Sloan Johannsen (wrestling) and Abby Brooks (volleyball) are this week's South Dakota Army National Guard Athletes of the Week following their performances last weekend.
Johannsen opened his 2025-26 season with a win in the 125-pound bracket at the Jimmie Open. He tallied a 5-0 record with a pair of bonus point wins. The sophomore defeated league opponents Vargas of USF (Dec 3-0), Fernandez of UJ (TF 15-0), Provost of Mary (TF 20-3), and Faircloth of MiSU (Dec 9-3). The South Dakota native capped off his day with a 10-4 title bout decision victory over Jody Tanimoto of NDSU.
Brooks led Northern State and the NSIC averaging 2.17 blocks per set against CSP and WSU. She tallied 13 total blocks, including a weekend high nine against Winona. The graduate student broke the Northern State career assisted blocks record against the Warriors, holding 343 in her career. The South Dakota native added eight kills and one dig on the weekend. Brooks leads the NSIC in both total blocks (98) and blocks per set (1.20) this season.
About the SD Army National Guard The National Guard dates back to 1636 when Citizen-Soldiers formed militias to defend their community and country. Since its formation, the Guard has stayed true to its roots. Enlisting in the National Guard means more time at home because your service in the South Dakota Army National Guard is part-time. Get a degree with money for school, learn job skills that translate to the civilian world, make bonds that last a lifetime, and earn a sense of pride that's everlasting. When you become a Guard Soldier, your family will thank you, your country will thank you, and your future will owe you. The South Dakota Army National Guard's goal is to direct future Soldiers toward life-changing opportunities by helping individuals and families become better today than yesterday. We transform citizens into Citizen-Soldiers that have Integrity, are Innovative, Proud, Courageous, Brave, and exemplify Unity and Honor. Learn more by visiting nationalguard.com/select-your-state/SD.
