Hometown Bull Rider Clinches Championship Buckle
Veblen, SD · September 3, 2026
Cooler morning air is sweeping over the section lines, just in time for the high school gym down the road to light up for tonight's volleyball opener.
The Lead
Hometown bull rider Tucker Mertens has brought home another top title to Marshall County, capturing the overall championship buckle at the seventh annual Strasburg Bull Bash. Mertens turned in stellar rides of 86 and 89.5 points on Sunday evening to outlast competitors across the Dakotas, following hot on the heels of another professional victory just across the state line in Wheaton. For neighbors who watched Mertens grow up through local 4-H arenas and Britton-Hecla athletics, his ascent reflects years of dedicated family coaching under his father, Phillip, a former fifteen-year competitor. The victory cements Mertens’ standing among the upper tier of regional riders as outdoor arenas yield to fall indoor dates. He now turns his focus toward the autumn National Federation of Professional Bullriders tour, with upcoming stops slated across the upper Midwest.
What's On Around Town
Britton: Yoga with June Britton Public Library (759 7th St), 8:30–9:30 AM Gentle morning stretching in the community room — all experience levels welcome.
Britton: Chair Pilates Britton Public Library (759 7th St), 9:30–10:30 AM Low-impact seated movement focused on joint flexibility and core strength.
Britton: Britton-Hecla vs. Webster Area Volleyball Britton-Hecla High School Gym (759 5th St), 6:00 PM The unbeaten Braves host their conference rival in early-season action.
Spotlight & Story
- Stavick Simmental
- Founded three miles south of town in 1997 by Mike and Myra Stavick, this family seedstock ranch grew from raw pasture into a 2,500-acre operation. Today, second-generation ranchers Owen and Liv help manage 300 registered cattle bearing the M\S brand.
Veblen Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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