The Bison Athletics
Hall of Fame Class of 2025
1994 Boys & Girls State Champions Cross Country
A Season to Remember
What makes a great team? It’s more than wins and trophies. As Coach Huddleston recalls, the 1994 Hot Springs cross-country squads stood out for their camaraderie and unwavering support. “This group clicked all season as supporters for each other,” she said. They were a unified force, urging one another on at practices and meets—and even breaking into their own songs, sung over and over, a small but telling glimpse into their team spirit.
The Athletes
The girls’ roster featured Nicky Johnson, Karla Benson (manager), VailFerree Brechtel, Belinda Maisel, Catherine Brechtel, Cristina Bergen, Nyla Schroeder, Carissa Maisel, and foreign exchange student Barbara Kreutzer.
The boys’ lineup included Chad Gackel, Wes Murdock, Jason Coleman, Kevin Couch, Shad Curtis, Jason Trimble, Rusty Caveye, Cody Hofer, and Carl Sanders.
Their success was built on standout performances at the state meet. For the girls, Nyla Schroeder claimed 2nd, VailFerree Brechtel 4th, and Catherine Brechtel 5th. Cristina Bergen placed 18th, Carissa Maisel 19th, and Belinda Maisel 23rd. On the boys’ side, Kevin Couch finished 5th, Jason Coleman 8th, and Jason Trimble 23rd. These finishes secured the rare “double team championships,” cementing their place in school history.
Leaving a Legacy
The 1994 Hot Springs boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams have etched their names into school history. They were the perfect blend of athletic talent and genuine team chemistry. Their nomination for the 2025 Bison Athletic Hall of Fame honors more than just their state titles—it celebrates a group of young athletes who understood that greatness isn’t measured only by medals, but by the strength they found in each other.
Margaret Farrell
Margaret M. Farrell’s life has been defined by athletic excellence, professional accomplishment, and unwavering service to her community — qualities that make her a deserving inductee into the Hot Springs Bison Athletics Hall of Fame.
High School Athletic Career
Born and raised in Hot Springs, Margaret distinguished herself early as a versatile, high-performing multi-sport athlete at Hot Springs High School. Over four years, she earned 11 varsity letters:
Cross Country: 3
Gymnastics: 4
Track & Field: 4
A consistent point-scorer and fierce competitor, she regularly placed — and often won — the events she entered, becoming a cornerstone of Bison athletics throughout her high school career.
Record-Setting Hurdler
Margaret’s signature events were the hurdles, where she rewrote the record books:
1978: Set the school record in the 110-yard hurdles, a record that still stands today
Captured Black Hills Conference championships in both the 110- and 180-yard hurdles, setting new conference records in each
1980: Added the 165-meter hurdles school record to her list of achievements
Broke regional meet records in the 110-yard and 180-yard hurdles (1978)
Her success carried into state competition, where she earned multiple podium finishes, including:
Second place in the 110-meter hurdles (1979)
Multiple third-place medals in subsequent state meets
Collegiate Athletics
After graduation, Margaret continued her track career at the University of Wyoming, where she competed in hurdles and earned two varsity letters before transitioning her focus fully to her academic studies.
Professional Excellence
Margaret has built an accomplished career with the U.S. Forest Service, where she serves as an Account Manager, overseeing a nationwide program that monitors ground-disturbing activities on federal lands. Her responsibilities include:
Designing program requirements
Developing training and documentation
Traveling nationwide to support and train field personnel
Her expertise and leadership have made her a respected voice within the agency.
Service to Community
Margaret’s commitment to helping others is evident beyond her professional role. She is an Advanced EMT and serves as the Assistant Director of the Keystone Ambulance Service. She also volunteers with the Custer YMCA and her local church.
Her contributions to the YMCA earned special recognition from the Custer Chamber of Commerce, honoring the positive impact she has made on the community.
A Legacy of Excellence
From record-setting hurdler to accomplished professional and dedicated community volunteer, Margaret M. Farrell embodies the drive, resilience, and service-minded spirit that define the very best of Hot Springs Bison Athletics.
Carlie Weiss
One of the Most Decorated Athletes in Hot Springs History
Carlie Weiss, a 2011 graduate of Hot Springs High School, built one of the most accomplished and well-rounded athletic careers the Bison have ever seen. A gifted multi-sport competitor, she excelled in gymnastics and volleyball, earning school records, postseason honors, and the admiration of coaches, teammates, and opponents alike.
A Record-Setting Gymnast
Carlie rewrote the Hot Springs gymnastics record book, setting school records in four of the five events:
Vault: 9.3
Floor Exercise: 9.566
Uneven Bars: 8.95
All-Around: 35.9
The only event record she didn’t own belonged to her older sister Amanda — the balance beam mark of 9.35. Carlie’s records stood for more than a decade, and her vault record of 9.3 still stands today.
A varsity gymnast for six seasons, Carlie collected more than 20 state tournament medals and closed her career with a selection to the State Gymnastics All-Tournament Team as a senior. She was a steady, dominant presence among South Dakota’s top gymnasts, delivering strong performances across all events year after year.
Volleyball Standout
Carlie’s athleticism shined just as brightly on the volleyball court. A highly skilled defensive specialist, she earned multiple All–Black Hills Conference honors and was named Team MVP her senior year.
During that standout season, she:
Set the school record with 752 digs
Led the team with 59 aces
Maintained an exceptional 96% serving percentage
Her blend of quickness, court awareness, and competitiveness made her one of the most impactful volleyball players in program history.
A Competitor from the Beginning
Carlie’s drive emerged long before high school. As an elementary student, she was a state champion AAU wrestler. And despite not playing basketball in high school due to gymnastics conflicts, her natural ability was impossible to ignore — former Girls’ Basketball Coach Kim Henningsen once described her as one of the best basketball players he had ever seen.
A Legacy of Versatility & Excellence
Whether soaring on the bars, digging impossible plays on the court, or dominating mats as a young wrestler, Carlie Weiss showcased rare versatility and relentless dedication. Her achievements and impact make her a truly deserving inductee into the Hot Springs Bison Athletic Hall of Fame.
Cassidy (Vollmer) Hodgin
A 2013 graduate of Hot Springs High School, Cassidy (Vollmer) Hodgin left an indelible mark on Bison athletics as a fierce competitor, dedicated teammate, and accomplished scholar. Nominated for the Hot Springs Bison Athletic Hall of Fame in 2025, Hodgin’s story is one of steady growth, perseverance, and championship-caliber performance — especially on the golf course.
High School Excellence
A rare six-year letter winner in girls’ golf, Cassidy’s journey from a 40th-place finish as a 7th grader to a Class A State Championship as a senior is a testament to her relentless drive. Her year-by-year climb in the state tournament speaks volumes:
7th grade — 40th individually | Team 10th
8th grade — 37th individually | Team 9th
Freshman — 11th individually | Team 5th
Sophomore — 8th individually | Team 6th
Junior — 2nd individually, Class A Girls’ Golf All-State | Team 2nd
Senior — 1st individually (Class A Medalist) | Team 3rd
While golf was her primary sport, Cassidy was also a multi-sport athlete, lettering in girls’ basketball and volleyball before choosing to become the boys’ golf team manager in her later years to deepen her commitment to the game she loved.
Her impact wasn’t limited to athletics. She maintained a GPA above 3.9, served as Student Council Vice President, earned membership in the National Honor Society, and graduated as Salutatorian of her class — embodying the balance of athletic and academic excellence.
Collegiate Career & Beyond
Cassidy continued her golf career at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where she etched her name into the program’s history books with multiple women’s golf records. She capped her collegiate career with a top-10 finish (9th place) at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships in her senior year.
Her passion for the sport extended into the community as a Golf Instructor for the Hot Springs Summer Recreation program, mentoring young golfers and passing on the lessons she had learned through years of competition.
A Legacy of Leadership and Perseverance
Cassidy believes the Hall of Fame is not just about athletic accomplishments, but about representing Hot Springs with integrity, determination, and pride. She recalls moments when she struggled with drills or technique — yet by refusing to quit, she modeled resilience for her teammates and the next generation. She carried that same spirit into college, continuing to represent her hometown at the NCAA level.
Cassidy Hodgin’s career is a story of growth, grit, and giving back — a perfect fit for the Bison Athletic Hall of Fame.
Mike Tarrell
For more than three decades, Mike Tarrell has been a cornerstone of the Hot Springs athletic community — not for personal recognition, but for the joy of watching young athletes grow, compete, and succeed. His induction into the Hot Springs Bison Athletic Hall of Fame honors a lifetime of selfless service, unwavering dedication, and a genuine love for youth sports.
A Coaching Legacy Built on Heart and Commitment
Mike's coaching career spans over 30 years, with a primary focus on basketball, guiding both boys’ and girls’ youth teams. He also dedicated several seasons to leading the high school baseball program.
What sets Mike apart is his motivation: he coached hundreds of athletes without ever having a child of his own on the team. His passion was pure — developing skills, teaching discipline, building character, and sharing in the excitement of every victory and every milestone.
His commitment didn’t end when the season did. Mike continued to follow the athletes he coached, cheering their successes long after they moved on to high school, college, or beyond.
Beyond the Bench – A Voice and Presence for the Bison
Mike’s dedication extended far beyond the sidelines. He became a familiar and enthusiastic presence at games across all sports, consistently showing up to support Hot Springs athletes.
For many years, he also served as a radio announcer for football, basketball, and volleyball — at home and on the road — bringing Bison athletics to the wider community. His voice became woven into the experience of Hot Springs sports, connecting fans to the action and amplifying school spirit.
A Legacy of Service
Mike Tarrell’s story is a reflection of what youth athletics can be at their best: a place where dedication, mentorship, and community spirit shape generations. His Hall of Fame induction celebrates not just the games he coached, but the countless lives he influenced along the way.