Ben Burns
Sports Anchor/ Reporter
Rapid City, South Dakota
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Previously, Ben served as a news producer at CBS 58 in Milwaukee and WFRV in Green Bay.
Before moving to Rapid City, Ben had lived in Wisconsin his entire life.
As a child, Ben became an avid fan of the National Football League, specifically the Green Bay Packers. His other favorite teams include the Dallas Mavericks, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Marquette Golden Eagles.
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Plus Barrel Racing and Pole Bending from the Prospector Challenge
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Pine Ridge volleyball player signs to play at Northern Vermont-Johnson
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Some of the state’s top barrel racers were at the Central States Fairgrounds this weekend with the hopes of making a name for themselves and their horses on the track. Ben Burns breaks down some of Sunday’s top racers.
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At South Dakota Mines, Hardrocker Esports has welcomed young gamers to their practice facility through their Grubby High School League. Ben Burns breaks down the final day of the league’s 2022-23 season and why esports continues to grow around the world.
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Simeon Birnbaum has cemented himself in the history books as arguably the greatest distance runner in South Dakota high school history. Ben Burns breaks down Birnbaum’s reaction, along with his goals as an athlete in the coming years.
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Lacrosse isn’t very popular in Western South Dakota, but a Rapid City organization is giving kids a chance to make a name for themselves in the sport. Ben Burns spoke to two head coaches of the Black Hills Shock to learn more about Black Hills Lacrosse and what the sport can do for young athletes.
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The third and final day of the SDHSAA Track and Field Championships featured some of the state’s best athletes putting on a show at Howard Wood Field. Ben Burns highlights some of Saturday’s local champions.
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Wyatt Larson and Allison Kahler win individual titles
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After splitting a doubleheader with Cheyenne Post 6 on Saturday, the Post 22 Hardhats went down to the wire with the Sixers in an intense game three of their series. Plus, a flurry of runs in the fourth inning wasn’t enough for Post 320 as they hosted Watertown Post 17. Ben Burns has highlights from both matchups.
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RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - The Post 22 Hardhats and Post 320 Stars added to their respective win columns Saturday as they hosted teams in a pair of doubleheaders. Plus, the Rapid City Central softball team celebrated its seniors by collecting 12 runs in their regular season finale. Ben Burns breaks down those highlights.
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RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - The Rapid City Marshals were unable to get a win on the board in 2023 as they once again fell on their home turf in Saturday’s regular season finale. Ben Burns breaks down the first-half highlights.
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On the third day of the Prospector Challenge, barrel racers saddled up for a chance to earn some cold hard cash. Ben Burns highlights some of the day’s top racers.
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The Rapid City Marshals had their best shot yet at getting their first win of the season, but were unable to finish the job as they took another loss to the Southwest Kansas Storm. Ben Burns breaks down the first-half highlights.
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The Douglas volleyball team will have a busy summer getting ready for the upcoming season. However, before that could happen, head coach Sarah Tucker and several of her players gave kids a chance to learn about volleyball whilst having fun. Ben Burns has a recap of the Little Patriots Volleyball Clinic.
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After competing for the Rapid City Stevens Raiders, Arell Lopez, Hope Bryant and Sophie Brehm are all furthering their educations and athletic careers following high school graduation. Ben Burns spoke with the seniors after singing their National Letters of Intent.
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Hill City distance runner Luke Rupert often has to race against some of the top high school athletes in South Dakota, but he’s able to hold his own and exceed expectations. Ben Burns spoke to the junior about his mindset during races and the mental fortitude it takes to run long distances.
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The Rapid City Christian track and field team have one of the pole vaulters in the state in Chase Maher, who’s preparing to defend his state title from last year. Ben Burns spoke to the junior about why he’s a perfect fit for pole vaulting.
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After playing multiple out-of-state teams in their first two and a half weeks of the season, the Post 22 Hardhats faced their first South Dakota team on Tuesday at Fitzgerald Stadium. Ben Burns breaks down highlights from their doubleheader against Spearfish Post 164.
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After testing the waters at Southern Hills Golf Course on Thursday, teams returned to Hot Springs Monday morning for the Black Hills Conference Meet. Ben Burns breaks down highlights from the top group of the day.
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In their third-straight Sunday playing at McKeague Field, the St. Thomas More baseball team looked strong at the plate against PGDCWL and Lead-Deadwood. Ben Burns has highlights from both of the Cavaliers’ games.
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Rugby is not a mainstream sport in the United States, but a club in Rapid City is hoping to grow its popularity in Western South Dakota. Ben Burns learned more about Black Hills Rugby and what they’re doing to grow the local rugby community.
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Playing for a team with a losing record can be difficult, but Rapid City Marshals Wide Receiver Kevin Chism is keeping a positive attitude. Ben Burns spoke with the indoor football player about why he decided to return to Rapid City for another year at Summit Arena.
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With about a month to go in the high school golf season, local girls teed off in Hot Springs for the Black Hills Pre-Conference Meet. Meanwhile, the Rapid City Central baseball team is in the win column following Thursday night’s doubleheader against Douglas. Ben Burns breaks down those highlight
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Hundreds of cornhole players took to Rushmore Hall over the weekend to compete in the American Cornhole League Open and Shootout. Ben Burns spoke to a pro in the ACL to learn more about the cornhole community.
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After finishing his college career at the University of South Dakota, Mason Archambault made a homecoming to Rapid City to participate in the Lakota All-Star Game. Ben Burns has highlights of his performance.
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Local high school golfers teed off in Sturgis on Friday as regional competition heats up on the course. Plus, a South Dakota Mines student-athlete has claimed a conference title in day one of the RMAC Track & Field Championships. Ben Burns breaks it down.
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After losing their first four games against Gillette, the Post 320 Stars entered the win column Friday night against Spearfish Post 164. Ben Burns has the details.
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The Post 22 Hardhats have picked up right where they left off from last season as they captured three straight wins against Fargo Post 400. Plus, St. Thomas More had a lightning-fast start to their game against Douglas at McKeague Field. Ben Burns breaks down highlights from both games.
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The Black Hills State softball team has had a tough time coming across wins in 2023, but there have been at least two players that have had standout seasons with the Yellow Jackets. Ben Burns spoke to Ashlynn Pauwels and Gianna Haley to learn more about what makes them integral parts of the team.
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The Post 22 Hardhats have started the 2023 season on a high note as they defeated Fargo Post 400 on opening night. Plus, the Douglas Patriots earned their first win of the season against Rapid City Central. Ben Burns has highlights from both games.
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The South Dakota Mines football team culminated their spring season with their annual spring game at O’Harra Stadium. Ben Burns has highlights of the first half, which features both new and familiar faces on the field.
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BHSU and SD Mines track athletes deliver top performances
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Plus Black Hills State's Joel Scott headed to Colorado State
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The Belle Fourche high school baseball team struggled in Sunday afternoon’s game against Winner-Colome, but were able to get back on track in the evening against Hot Springs. Ben Burns has the details.
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In their second-straight day playing on their home field this season, the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets weren’t able to get a win in front of their home fans against Chadron State. Ben Burns breaks down the highlights from game one of their Sunday doubleheader.
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The Post 320 Stars have entered a new era as head coach Lane Hovde takes over in the dugout. Ben Burns breaks down the highlights from their season opener against Gillette Post 42.
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After being eliminated from playoff contention Friday night, the Rapid City Rush played free and loose in their final game of the regular season against the Idaho Steelheads. Ben Burns has the highlights from a high-scoring first period.
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High school track and field athletes battled their opponents and strong winds at Friday’s Rapid City Track-O-Rama at O’Harra Stadium. Ben Burns breaks down the performances of some of the day’s top finishers.
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The Rapid City Rush’s playoff hopes ended Friday night with just one game to go in the regular season. Ben Burns breaks down the first-period highlights from their penultimate matchup against the Idaho Steelheads.
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With the ECHL regular season in its final week, it’s all-hands-on-deck for the Rapid City Rush. That includes Jimmy Soper, who was acquired in a key midseason trade from the Norfolk Admirals. Ben Burns has more on what’s made Soper a difference-maker these last two months.
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The Rapid City Marshals can’t appear to catch a break this season as they suffered their fifth straight loss of the season. Ben Burns breaks down the highlights from the first half.
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Plus Black Hills State softball team drops doubleheader to Colorado Christian
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Plus BHSU softball team drops doubleheader to Colorado Christian
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Mohammed ready to deliver a big season for the Douglas track and field team
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