The Scouting Report: A weekly digest

Northern State’s Olympian, breaking gavels, Dell Rapids veteran, American Legion orator

Northern State University graduate Dakotah Lindwurm wasn’t an elite high school runner during her time at St. Francis High School in Minnesota. Indeed, she was more interested in hockey, where she played goalie, while also running cross country.

She was a walk-on at Northern State, where she blossomed into a Division II All-American.

But even that level of success didn’t suggest what would come next. Lindwurm, who graduated from Northern in 2017, qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team in the marathon for this summer’s games in Paris. She finished third in February in Orlando at the U.S. Olympic Trials, posting a time of 2:25:31.

Rolling out the ‘orange carpet’

Her career since high school has seen a steady trajectory upward. After graduating from Northern, she continued to run professionally, winning the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota in 2021 and 2022.

Following her qualifying run, she spoke with Citius Mag.

“I was just all business in those last couple of miles,” she recounted. “You never want to celebrate too early and be caught. So I just felt like I just needed to get to the finish line, touch the finish line, and then celebrate. I don't feel like it is real yet. I don't know that it will until I'm back home and into my routine. But I keep getting little reminders that I am now going to be on an Olympic team, and I almost break down in tears every time.”

When it comes to smashing the gavel, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden may have met his match in Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns.

Rhoden, who presides over the state Senate, has busted a couple of gavels during his tenure, including one that was a gift from Gov. Kristi Noem. Rhoden runs a tight show in the Senate, not afraid to use his gavel when there are disruptions on the floor or gallery.

The busted gavels prompted some gifts this year. One was a new hickory gavel from Lake Area Technical College alumni. Another was an aluminum gavel from South Dakota House Speaker Hugh Bartels, which, if used, might break the podium.

Wells Fargo’s exodus from South Dakota continues

Dept. of Health will create educational video on state's abortion laws