Family: Parents: Elena and the late Earl Roberts; sister, Jenny (29).
Father: Earl Roberts, who taught and coached cross country and track for 27 years at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, died Dec. 17, 2012.
Favorite athletes: Former Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis and shot putter Reese Hoffa.
Favorite team: Baltimore Ravens.
Other sports: Basketball, football.
Hobbies: Singing and playing piano.
Future plans: Attend South Dakota State. "I want to follow in my dad's footsteps and go into coaching."
Favorite athletic memory:"Going to State A tournament last year in basketball."
With his name etched in the record books, Daniel Roberts is now preparing to author the final chapter in a standout high school career.
The Mobridge-Pollock thrower racked up dual victories at a pair of meets last week, winning both the shot put and discus at the Eureka Legion Relays and the Central South Dakota Conference meet. His discus toss at the Eureka meet of 188 feet, nine inches is the eighth-best high school mark in the nation this season. For his efforts, Roberts is the American News Athlete of the Week.
Roberts' winning discus throw at the Eureka meet will land him on the state's all-time top 10 leaderboard again. He already owns the second-best distance in South Dakota with a toss of 192 feet, 5 inches, accomplished last season and his recent throw ranks sixth in state history. He had qualified for the state meet in both events previously this season, and even though he's been there before, he looks forward to returning.
"I am excited because the group of other men I'm throwing against is a great bunch of guys," Roberts said. "I love throwing against Mason Leiseth from Hamlin. He always motivates me to do better, and I motivate him."
Roberts, who sustained a knee injury in football in the fourth game of the season, is just rounding into shape and now has a full range of motion.
A veteran of four state meets, Roberts was second last season in the discus and third in the shot put. While he knows what to expect, the 6-1, 280-pound senior is well aware he has to bring his best effort, and cannot overlook anyone.
"It's an advantage and yet a disadvantage," Roberts said of the veteran status. "The disadvantage is there's always someone out there who is hungry as heck. They could get a personal best at the state meet. I've seen kids pull a personal best out of nowhere."
The list of throwers the Mobridge and now Mobridge-Pollock program has produced is impressive, including such names as Garrett Pfitzer, Sam Sauer and Billy Hardcastle. Being mentioned among that group humbles Roberts.
"That's a complete honor," Roberts said. "Those were a bunch of great athletes in the school system."
The rewards that Roberts is reaping are the result of hard work and dedication, said Mobridge-Pollock coach Marty Looyenga.
"Daniel is a pretty exceptional athlete," said Looyenga. "He started at a young age and has really ran with it. He is big and strong, and has put in a lot of time in the weight room, He's just kind of settled in and reached a comfort zone and is enjoying his senior year."
Looyenga noted that Roberts has earned the admiration of the underclassmen as well and is paying forward the experience and knowledge gained in younger years.
"I see him doing more at practice, taking a teaching role," Looyenga said. "He works with the underclassmen and they get a charge out of that. Other people did that with him when he was young."
Roberts loves the competitive aspect, but also appreciates the fact that he has made lifelong friends as well.
"Around here, a lot of us see each other (at meets) quite often, and we're good friends," Roberts said. "Even if the levels of ability are not the same, we still love to make each other do our best."
Among his biggest influences was his late father, who passed away last year. Earl Roberts was a long-time educator and coach whom Daniel credits with helping get him to where he is today.
"My dad was there through my whole life and was a great influence everywhere," Daniel said. "When I was growing up, I was a little guy. I started to get chubby in sixth grade and my dad got me into throws. He gave me good, positive advice and I am completely grateful to him."