Watertown's Sam Mooney, Aberdeen golfers & Northern State athletes honored
Here's some recent sports briefs for Watertown and Aberdeen: Softball Sam Mooney of Watertown is one of three South Dakotans to receive the 2026 James Farrell Award of Excellence, one of USA Softball's highest honors for national championship hosts. Mooney is a USA Softball South Dakota men's slowpitch commissioner. Rick Graff and Dave Nielsen of Sioux Falls People for Youth also received the honor during the 95th USA Softball Council Meeting. The award recognizes tournament hosts who demonstrate outstanding leadership, hospitality and excellence in conducting USA Softball National Championship. Mooney was recognized for hosting the Men's Northern D National Championship in August at Watertown's PREMIER Softball Complex. Graff and Nielsen were honored for hosting the Northern A and B Girls Fastpitch National Championships this summer in Sioux Falls. Junior Golf Aberdeen Junior Golf Aberdeen has announced that Claire Crawford and Grayson Rehder has been selected as the recipients of 2026 Dean Shortridge Scholarship. Junior Golf Aberdeen annually awards two $1,500 educational scholarships to area high school seniors who have demonstrated involvement in golf and intend to purse education at a two or four-year institution. Crawford, a 2026 Aberdeen Roncalli High School graduate, played golf and basketball and received a number
