DELL RAPIDS — Dell Rapids’ Kirti Pickard joins a small list of girls to play high school football.

The senior kicker is in her second season on the Dell Rapids football team, but her journey to the gridiron goes all the way back to 2021 when she watched her sister, Miriam, try out for the team and never missed a kick all season.

“When I played soccer a few years ago, one of the girls on our soccer team tried out for the football team and she did so well,” Pickard said. “And then my sister that same year also tried out and she played her senior year.”

Pickard played on the Garretson Blue Dragons soccer team, which co-oped with Dell Rapids, up until her junior year when she made the switch.

“I was like ‘Oh, that could be kind of cool, why don’t I try that out.’ and then I talked to the coach and went from there,” Pickard said.

But it still took some convincing internally to try out for the team. Pickard initially talked to the coaches before her sophomore year, but ultimately stayed with soccer for one more season.

Kirti Pickard runs off the field after a PAT during Dell Rapids' 36-7 win over Milbank on Sept. 19, 2025, in Dell Rapids. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

Before her junior year, Pickard reached out to newly crowned head coach Derek Genzlinger for a tryout.

“I was super nervous about doing it so I was like, I’ll just keep waiting,” Pickard said. “And then my junior year rolled around and it was like, you know what, I don’t want fear to stop me from doing something I really want to do.”

Genzlinger quickly gave the OK to Pickard and she kicked all of last season, which was an experience like no other.

“It was like being on cloud nine, it was so cool,” Pickard said. “Just watching my classmates and my teammates give me so much support and I just felt really cared for even if I miss the kicks. I still felt supported and I have my community behind me.”

Pickard says the team has welcomed her from the start and allowed her to handle the kicking duties for two years now.

“They’ve always made me feel like I’m a valued member,” said Pickard. “Huge shoutout to my line especially. Our long snapper, Carson Maeschen, he’s always the one who will always make sure everyone is on track and nothing gets through the line. But my line especially, I can’t give them enough praise. They’re so awesome and make me feel very secure when kicking.”

Kirti Pickard celebrates an extra-point attempt with teammates during Dell Rapids' 36-7 win over Milbank on Sept. 19, 2025, in Dell Rapids. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

Genzlinger says the team is happy to have her be part of the team and watch her succeed, including Friday’s win over Milbank where she booted through two extra-points, missing a third one after a penalty back them up.

“They’ve been really supportive of her and they’re happy to see her succeed just like everybody else,” Genzlinger said. “She’s one of us and it doesn’t matter what else happens. They’re always super excited for her to do good things.

“She works really, really hard at it. She doesn’t leave early or anything like that, she’s really dedicated to it and we’re really happy to have her.”

Pickard also stressed the importance of kicking, and while a small part of the game, its impact is more mental than physical.

“I think even with kicking, as small as it is, with just being a sport, I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons.

“One of the things that I remember that I always say after I make or miss is ‘Own it’. It’s a big thing I try to remember, is own my actions whether they’re good or bad, but sit in that feeling and then proceed with humility and confidence knowing that God has given me these gifts and I need to use them well and honor the platform he has given me.”