DODGE COUNTY SPRING PREVIEW SPORTS PUBLICATION - 2019 by Dodge County ADvantage

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

SPORTS

SPRING PREVIEW APRIL 2019

TRITON

DODGE CENTER • BYRON • KASSON-MANTORVILLE • HAYFIELD

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

K-M Baseball

New faces hope to boost KoMets

By Chris Schad The Kasson-Mantorville baseball team is coming off a solid 2018 season where they went 11-11 and wound up with a 9-7 record in a jam-packed season. While the KoMets fully expect to have better weather in advance of their season opener on April 1 against Goodhue, they also expect to have a much different look than they had a year ago. Ten seniors have departed the team from the last time K-M took the field and while

the KoMets will have some new faces, head coach Matt Franke is excited to see where this team can fit in in the HVL and Section 1AAA picture this year. “I certainly don’t think we are in a bad spot,” Franke said. The section is always hard with Austin, Winona, Red Wing and Northfield, but it’s not a rebuild type year for us. We will have some younger guys stepping in and I’m kind of excited to see where they fit in.” Many of the KoMets young players have spent the summer getting reps in legion ball and while they have gained experience,

they should be a nice complement to to the core that K-M already has. Returning for the KoMets will be All-Conference selections Matt Winkle and Easton Knoll, who should add power and speed to the lineup while Devin Knudson and Peyton Wilke should anchor the rotation after leading the team in ERA last year. “We’re looking to use those four as our starting spots and then we’ll use guys that don’t have much experience, but are ready to step in,” Franke said. “We’ve kind of relied on some of the young kids this summer, so a lot of our sophomores and freshmen have been getting a lot of reps.” Along with some fresh faces, the KoMets also plan on being a faster team that takes the extra base and puts pressure on the defense. With an aggressive style, Franke figures his team can take an extra step from a year ago and climb toward the top of the HVL standings. “I think we’ll be pretty fast,” Franke said. “We’ve been focusing on base running and trying to get that extra base when we can. It will help us be a little more toward the top of the [HVL] this year and if we do that, I think we can make a run in both the conference and the section.”

K-M Sof tball

K-M hopes to learn from last season By Chris Schad The 2018 Kasson-Mantorville softball team was a tale of two seasons. In the first half, the KoMets looked like a team that could compete with anyone as their stellar pitching, defense and timely hitting helped earn K-M a 6-2 record in the opening weeks of the season. After that initial burst, things turned the wrong direction for K-M as their troubles on the field seemed to snowball. They would lose nine of their final 10 games to

finish with a record of 7-11 on the season and have a quick exit out of the Section 1AAA Tournament. That finish is still fresh in the KoMets’ minds this spring and they feel as if they have learned from their mistakes. “Hopefully they learned just to keep playing,” K-M head coach Paul Mann said. “Each at-bat is a new at-bat. Each pitch is a new pitch. In a lot of those cases, we kind of shot ourself in the foot last year. With a young pitching staff, a lot of balls got put into play and we have to make sure we support them and make the plays when we

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can make them.” A majority of that core that experienced the fall last year will return this spring. Twoyear starter Morgan Ness and returning All-Conference selection Meredith Wright will help add experience for K-M while Kayla and Malia Schubert as well as Lauren Alexander hope to navigate the ups and downs to help out young pitchers Catiera Thome and Libby Matson. “They’re all going to be pretty important to us,” Mann said. “We’ll kind of lean on them to get started and they’ve been around a

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really good season two years ago and a season that kind of turned south at the end. We’ll rely on them to not let history repeat itself when we get into a little funk.” In order to do that, the KoMets will have to battle some tough competition as the HVL continues to look as strong as ever with perennial power ZumbrotaMazeppa as well as upstarts Byron and Pine Island. Even outside of the conference, the KoMets will have to face strong section competition such as Winona, Albert Lea, Austin, Red Wing and Northfield in order to make a run.

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“History shows that the HVL is a very tough conference,” Mann said. “Last year, I was hoping we would stay in that upper tier, but we weren’t able to do that. On the other side of that, none of the teams we play in the HVL are in our section, so we have a couple of non-conference games against section opponents. They’ll give us a good challenge too, so our schedule will be tough.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

K-M Golf

K-M searches for depth beyond talented core By Chris Schad As a majority of high school coThe Kasson-Mantorville golf team will have several talented golfers that should keep the KoMets toward the top of the HVL for both the boys and girls team this season. While K-M is optimistic about its chances this spring, they also know that they will need depth to compete with some of the top teams in the Hiawatha Valley League and Section 1AA.

“Teamwise, we’ll have to all play well at the same time if we want to compete,” K-M head coach Jeff Bernards said of his team. “We don’t know what we’re going to get for a fifth or sixth score, so it will be interesting to see who can step up and help us out.” As far as the four-golfer lineup goes, the KoMets should be pretty strong on the girls side. The quartet of Molly Sorenson, Ashley Johnson, Annabel Smith and Elizabeth Fagerlind provides a solid core for K-M while Fagerlind, who advanced

to state for the first time last spring, and Johnson, who fell in a playoff to go to state at the Section 1AA Championship, will look to take another step forward. “It’s a solid group for us,” Bernards said of the girls. “We had a couple ladies behind them that didn’t come out this year and that hurts our depth, so we’ll have to find a fifth or sixth score, but all four of them have played a lot of varsity golf over the years.” On the boys side, the KoMets will also have four returning starters

from a year ago. Jack Sorensen, Jack Nelson, Dylan Yanke and Tyler Upham all gained experience playing on varsity last year and are looking to improve and fight their way toward the top of the HVL this season. “They’re very similar to the girls,” Bernards said. “They have four boys who have seen a lot varsity action, but after those four it’s really wide open. We might have a ninth grader or two and maybe even a seventh or eighth grader to help round us out.” On both sides, the KoMets will

have to compete against strong competition in the HVL and Section 1AA. On the girls side, Lake City remains the favorite, but Bernards feels like his team can push them while also being the best of the rest. The boys will also have hopes to finish in the top half while competing with Lourdes, Stewartville and Byron. “It’s really anybody’s game,” Bernards said. “Everyone is chasing Lake City and Lourdes, but after that it could go a lot of different directions.”

K-M Tr ack

K-M track looks to keep growing By Chris Schad The Kasson-Mantorville track and field team has been making steady improvement over the past couple of seasons. With the program sending one representative to state in 2017 and two last season, the KoMets are beginning to lay a foundation to push through even more talented athletes this spring. Although they may not have the numbers that they had in previous seasons, head coach Jared Pittman likes the makeup of the group he has and is looking forward to seeing the

program take another step forward in 2019. “In general, we want to keep the main goal of growing and letting the kids have fun,” Pittman said. “We want to do our best to have each kid improve throughout the season and keep that attitude of growth over the course of the year.” K-M’s strength will be on the girls side where the KoMets have several athletes including a talented group of seniors. Kinsey Koebele will look to continue to stand out in sprints while Brooke Gullickson, Sophie Gossard (distance) and Kelli Schnieder (sprinter/jumper) will also have key roles in

helping lead this team. “We have a lot of pretty good seniors this year,” Pittman said. “I think we’ll have some good leadership and I think the girls will be pretty strong.” The boys side will also have some talented athletes, but will look to gain experience throughout the year. While there are several juniors that will have a leadership role, the KoMets will have plenty of freshmen and sophomores who will be making their varsity debut this season, which will make the theme of growth even more important. “We’ll be very young,” Pittman said. “The

juniors we have are great, but there’s just not that many of them. We’ll have some certain areas that are strong, but we’re going to have some weaknesses in others.” Looking to compete in a talented Section 1AA field that includes some of the larger schools from the metro area, the KoMets will look to keep improving and hopefully see success come June.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

TRITON

Trit o n Sof tball

Teamwork helps Triton seek improvement

By Chris Schad If there is one thing that the Triton softball team will have as a strength this upcoming season, it will be their team chemistry. The Cobras have been a group that have played together for a long time and first-year coach Emily Postlewait believes that camaraderie will play a key part in how the Cobras will fare this spring. “Our team supports each other, which is great,” Postlewait said. “You can have awesome athletes on your team, but if they can’t come together and play

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together, then you don’t have anything.” At the front of the roster will be a key group of seniors as Kiara Boeck, Colleen West, Allie Hallaway will contribute in the field and offensively for the Cobras. Meanwhile, McKenna Meyers will also play a key role for the Cobras on the mound as she replaces Tatyanna Bond. “Their bats have been looking great,” Postlewait said. “I think with a little more improvement in our bats, we’ll be great this year. We’re working on our communication and we can be a great fielding team, too. We have some spots open on the field and so it will be different than in the past.”

To improve on the past, the Cobras will have to put the pieces together to compete in a tough HVL conference that includes defending conference champion Rochester Lourdes, defending Class AA champion Zumbrota-Mazeppa and Stewartville. Despite the tough field, Postlewait believes that the bond this team has formed will help propel the Cobras on the diamond. “These girls have played together for a long time,” Postlewait said. “I just ask them to try to do better than they’ve done before. We have an older team this year and I can’t wait to see the great things that they bring.”

Tr it o n Baseball

Cobras look to build off of sub-section title By Chris Schad Last spring, the Triton baseball team pulled off a remarkable turnaround season. After winning justthree games in 2017, the Cobras broke through going 14-7 and capturing the Section 1AA West Championship. The subsection title was impressive, but it was also the product of years of hard work thanks to former head coach Mike Ellingson and a group of players that had taken years of lessons on how to play at the varsity level. “I know it appears to be an overnight fix, but it was a lot of work that Coach Ellingson and his staff put in righting the ship,” Triton head coach Shane VanBeek said. “I think this

year is going to be a continuation of that with the kids we have coming up.” Part of the reason for the Cobras’ optimism stems from the development of a junior varsity team. With numbers in the program increasing over the past couple of years, many of the current players on the team received reps and learned lessons at the JV level while many players from last year’s team had to learn on the fly. That preparation for the time they hit the varsity level should pay dividends as the Cobras look to build off a successful season a year ago. “We have a little more strength in our lower levels,” VanBeek said. “Kids are more prepared for the varsity game. Of course, it’s

a big step up to the varsity level, but we hope all of the reps and time they had preparing helps.” Part of the product of that rebuild are four returning starters from last year’s team. Catcher Drew Kelly was an all-conference selection and the senior has been behind the plate since his freshman season. The Cobras will also field plenty of talent on the mound as Derek Lilledahl, Isaak Knutson and Colt Kelly all hope to provide a steady rotation for Triton. “We really feel comfortable with our rotation,” VanBeek said. “We’re bringing back Derek, but we’re also bringing back seven or eight kids that have pitched in competitive baseball games in the past. It’s a nice situation

to be sitting in heading into varsity baseball.” The Cobras will hope to rely on their leadership while taking on a rough Hiawatha Valley League. With perennial power Rochester Lourdes leading the way, Triton still has its sights on another successful year and possibly another step forward in 2019. “It’s a very tough conference in all sports and it’s no different in baseball,” VanBeek said. “I hope that we are competitive each and every single game and I think that we can compete with everyone, squad out some wins and be there at the end.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

TRITON

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

Trit o n Golf Triton golf uses experience as a strength

By Chris Schad For years, the Triton golf team has been learning lessons out on the course. While some lessons have resulted in success, others have been a test in adversity as they look to compete in a loaded Section 1AA field. Despite the challenges, the Cobras have continued to grow and this spring, they look to take a step forward on both the boys and girls teams. “It’s nice to have a group that you don’t have to explain every single detail to,” Triton head coach Joe Hansen said. “We haven’t had that experience in recent years, so having it is going to help a lot this year.” When it comes to experience, the trio of the Triton girls golf team has plenty of it. Shelby Maloney will return for her senior season and attempt to return to state as she did in her sophomore year back in 2017. Meanwhile, Mikayla Courteau and Courtney Streiff are also standouts for the Cobras that advanced to the second day of sections last season. With a strong core in place, the trio has become leaders of the entire group — including the boys — as they head into their senior seasons. “They’ve all matured,” Hansen said of the girls. “You can just see their leadership skills grow. Even in discussions about rules and stuff like that, they speak with a little more confidence. They trust themselves a little more in the game and it’s nice to have a strong

TRITON

core of seniors that has been there and done that.” The boys side will also have experience and perhaps a little bit of depth heading into this spring. Noah Woxland, Rhylan Petersen, Logan Krupa and Kaleb Strom all return this season while Abe Myer and Jude Gussie will also be competing for spots. Whichever

throughout the season. While reaching the state tournament is the dream goal, the team also wants to keep improving and put itself in position for a solid year. “The goals are just to get better and improve every day,” Hansen said. “If we continue to focus on that, the rest will end up happening for us.”

combination the Cobras trot out, Hansen expects they’ll be much improved this season. “I’d love to see them take a step forward and advance to the second day of sections,” Hansen said. “Sometimes you see a big leap from junior year to senior year and we’re hoping for that leap with this group.” Overall, the Cobras will have a tall task

Trit o n Tr ack

Triton’s competitiveness fuels desire to win By Chris Schad On paper, the Triton track and field team may not have the plethora of talent that other schools may have. With the Cobras competing against larger schools such as KassonMantorville, Byron and others, that strength in numbers for other teams can put Triton at a disadvantage — especially in the strong field that Section 1A possesses. While the Cobras may not have strength in numbers, their competitiveness makes up for it. As Triton marches into the 2019 season, they’ll rely on their desire to win on and off the track that will not only show up during meets, but in practice as well.

“I think for all kids having good competition makes them better,” Triton head coach Kim Swanson said. “I see that in kids that are in similar events that are pushing each other in practice to get better. They compete against the same kids multiple times over the season and it’s fun to see that competitive spirit kick in.” One of the most competitive athletes on the team is senior Nell Graham. Coming off a season in which she qualified in the high jump as well as the 400 and 800 meter runs, Graham is looking to do even more this season as she prepares to become a potential decathlete next year at North Dakota State. The girls team will also have a couple of key athletes outside of Graham as Kendra

Petersohn will look to give the Cobras a leg up in the hurdles and sprints and Chloe Staub will look to improve in both the triple jump and high jump. “With the ladies, our numbers are a little bit smaller, but we have a lot of great athletes in some key events,” Swanson said. “I just look for our kids to come in with great attitudes and so far, they are doing just that.” On the boys side, there are plenty of strengths that should help improve their team score throughout the year. Speedster Fernando Bugarin is expected to return from a football injury to take part in the 100 meter relay and other athletes such as Anthony Avery, Dylan Mass and Trace Sackett also figure to play key roles.

“I think we’ve definitely have some good strengths,” Swanson said of the boys team. “We have a lot of kids in different events that can contribute in our team scores this season.” Overall, it will be tough for the Cobras to get past a rugged Section 1 field, but Swanson believes it will only make her team better as the year goes on. “Our section is very competitive,” Swanson said. “I think that our top kids will be very competitive and I think we’ll see good things. The sky is the limit in terms of where they can get this season and I’m excited to see what they can do.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

By r o n Baseball

Byron baseball will lean on senior class By Chris Schad Entering his first season as the head coach of the Byron baseball team, Ryan Hanson’s expectations are simple. He hopes to create an aggressive team that is willing to get runs by any means possible and one that works hard in order to get the job done on the diamond. “My expectations are to come in and have them learn how to run the bases aggressively,” Hanson said. “We also want to play solid defense and get every extra run that we can through hard work.” In most cases when a team develops the blue-collar attitude that Hanson would like to establish with the Bears, there is a strong senior class in place. Fortunately, that’s exactly what Byron will have entering the 2019 season. Leading the way will be pitcher Keegan Kuhn, who was solid on the mound last season. The Bears will also have infielder Mason Prigge and outfielder/first baseman

and pitcher Collin Hucke as they look to improve on their 8-13 record from a season ago. “We have a very strong returning senior class,” Hanson said. “They have a passion for the the game and a desire to finish their high school playing days on top.” Hanson believes that the leadership and experience that this senior class (which also includes catcher Dalton Johnson, pitcher Jake Thalacker, outfielders Nate Jacobs and Conner Strain and infielders Carter Johnson, Luke Blazing and Jacob Bishop) provides will be one of the strengths of his team and that will hopefully lead them to the top of the Hiwatha Valley League. To accomplish that goal, the Bears will battle top teams such as defending champion Rochester Lourdes as well as Triton, Lake City and Hayfield that all finished toward the top a year ago. Despite the challenge, the battle-tested Bears should be ready to make an impact this spring.

By r o n Sof tball

Byron leans on seniors to build off last season By Chris Schad The Byron softball team had a strong finish to the 2018 season. After being a .500 team the previous year, the Bears rebounded in a big way finishing 7-3 over their final 10 games and even knocked out perennial Class AA power Zumbrota-Mazeppa to find their way to Todd Park. While the Bears’ run would end in the

following game against Chatfield, the foundation has been set for future success. As Byron enters this spring with optimism, they look to lean on their group of seniors to help maintain and possibly compete in a tough Hiawatha Valley League. “We have five seniors that are doing a great job of leading the team right now,” Byron head coach Jacob Harmon said. “It’s always awesome seeing the girls take control of their team. Our seniors will be the heart of our

team throughout the season.” Leading the way as returning starters for the Bears will be Taylor O’Donnell, Ashley Marolt and Alex Green. Fellow seniors Abby Stringer and Allison More will also have a key role for Byron as they look to battle their way toward the top of the HVL. That will be a tall task for Byron as the HVL contains many of the top teams in the state, let alone their section. While Z-M will be looking for some revenge, the Bears will also

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have to deal with Rochester Lourdes, KassonMantorville and an upstart Pine Island team which should all bring a unique challenge throughout the season. Despite the tough draw, Harmon’s expectations for this year’s Bears. “We will strive to be in the mix,” Harmon said. “It’s a very competitive HVL conference, but we have the talent to compete.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

Byron Golf

Bears sift through the unknown By Chris Schad The Byron boys golf team will have plenty of question marks entering the 2019 season. While there are plenty of golfers in the program, they’ll have a

learning curve looking to compete at the varsity level and will look to improve as the season goes along. “We are pretty young,” Byron boys golf coach Mike Nelson said. “Honestly, we are not sure who will take our roster spots, so it will be

an interesting spring. Plus, it will be complicated by the weather. The Bears return four letter winners from the 2018 season in seniors Quin Truax and Jett Smith, sophomore Ozzy Krause and freshman Kole Forsthoffer.

Expectations remain the same for Byron By Chris Schad Within the Byron golf program, there is plenty of youth ready to make an impact. As the girls opened practice last week, there are plenty of new faces for a team that lost three all-conference and one allstate golfer from a year ago. However, with a team that has advanced to the second day of sections in 15 of 18 seasons of Chad Rolandson’s tenure as head coach, he has made it clear that his expectations remain the same. “I told them despite how young we are, our

expectations are not going to change,” Rolandson said. “Our goal is to make the section final as a team and we have plenty of talent to help us do that.” The Bears will return three golfers from last year as sophomores Abby Jones, Annika Anderson and Hannah Gettman will return. Although they are young from a class status, all three have experience in big tournaments and should provide a big boost for Byron. “They’ve all played in the section final before this season,” Rolandson said of the trio. “They know what it takes to play at a high level

and get to where we have been in the past.” From there, the Bears have plenty of young faces which has required the Bears to have three separate schedules to make sure the girls get the repetitions necessary to stay on their development. In the early session, Rolandson has liked what he has seen and hopes it provides depth for the program. “They’re a very coachable group,” Rolandson said of his team. “They’re in here and willing to learn and I think that will mean great things for us this season.

Byron Track Byron’s track and field teams not short on depth By Chris Schad The Byron track and field team has established itself as one of the top programs in the area over the past couple of years. For the girls, they’ve captured the HVL title for seven straight years and figure to be in the mix for an eighth this spring. For the boys, they’ve succeeded off producing quality field athletes along with a crew of sprinters that can’t be taken lightly. Together, the Bears are a fearsome team that could be in the mix on both sides this season. On the girls side, they return a plethora of talent as they look to also win the Section 1A meet for the fourth straight year and the Class AA True Team meet for the third straight season. Leading the way for the Bears will be seniors Taylor Kreitinger and Kirsten Nelson and junior Payton Sampson all who were both all-conference and allstate selections a year ago. In addition to the top end talent, the Bears have a strong core of leaders as captains Ella Page (sr.), Hannah Higgins (sr.), Paige Coleman (jr.) and Teagan Boyer return along with all-HVL performers Annika Johnson (jr.), all-state sophomore Katie Lambrecht, and all-HVL freshman Olivia Amundson. “We have a solid balance across pretty much every

event,” Byron girls track and field coach Charro Coleman said. “We have some spots to shore up with the graduation of some very talented ladies over the past couple years, but we have some very strong, talented ladies ready to step up.” On the boys side, the strength lies in the field where the Bears have seen Titus Christofferson excel in the long jump and triple jump, Dylan Olive in the pole vault and Hayven Iverson in the shot put and discus. In addition, the Bears will also feature some speedsters on the track as sprinter Jake Chilson (100m, 200m, 400m), hurdler Lucas Birch (110m, 300 meter) and distance runner Andy Lambrecht (800m, 1600m) should also provide some points. “The strength of our team has always been in the field and this year is no different,” Byron boys track and field coach Brandon Vogden said. “We believe we have a strong group of sprinters and distance runners this year, but we have always been known to score points in the field events.” Both programs should have plenty of depth this season as over 80 athletes went out for both the boys and girls programs this spring. That kind of depth and talent should keep the Bears in the mix for more accolades this season.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

B y r o n Sof tball

Byron leans on seniors

to build off last season By Chris Schad The Byron softball team had a strong finish to the 2018 season. After being a .500 team the previous year, the Bears rebounded in a big way finishing 7-3 over their final 10 games and even knocked out perennial Class AA power Zumbrota-Mazeppa to find their way to Todd Park. While the Bears’ run would end in the

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

Hayfield Baseball

Hayfield Softball

Returning Vikings look to take the next step By Chris Schad The Hayfield baseball team is coming off a stellar 2018 season as the Vikings went 14-8 and finished second in the HVL Blue Division with an 11-5 record. This season, the Vikings will be moving from the HVL to the Gopher Conference, but the expectations remain the same. The Vikings would not only like to be in the mix for a title in their new conference, but take another step forward in Section 1A. “We are looking forward to the new matchups in the Gopher Conference,”

Hayfield head coach Kasey Krekling said. “We also had the opportunity to travel to Florida this spring, so we got some of the rust out and should be game ready when the fields are playable here in Minnesota.” The strength of this year’s Vikings should be an abundance of experience. Hayfield graduates just one senior from last year’s team and has the bulk of their lineup intact. Returning from last year will be all-conference selections Masson Tapp (SS), Easton Fritcher (CF/P), Luke Dudycha (1B/P), Brady Nelson (2B/P), Jake Risius (C/P) and Kolby Tapp (OF). “Our biggest strength

is that we have a lot of experience returning at almost every position,” Krekling said. “We have good depth at pitching and our lineup has guys that have power potential.” For the Vikings to build off their success, they’ll have to battle W-E-M and Maple River along with Blooming Prairie and United South Central, who gave the Vikings a quick exit in last year’s Section 1A playoffs. Still, with that experience left in their minds, the Vikings have plenty to make a run at a conference and section title in 2019.

Hayfield looks to continue its dominance in the Gopher Conference By Chris Schad The Hayfield softball team has established itself as a powerhouse in recent seasons. In each of the past four seasons, the Vikings have made a trip to the state tournament and have put together an impressive season record together despite playing in the iron tough Hiawatha Valley League. As the Vikings come off a 14-9 (7-4 HVL) record from a year ago, they now find themselves in new territory

as they’ll enter the Gopher Conference, which saw Maple River took home the title a year ago, but also had solid challengers in W-E-M, Bethlehem Academy and Blooming Prairie. “This will be our first time playing in the Gopher,” Hayfield head coach Jana Wagner said of her expectations in the new conference. “We’re not quite sure how we’ll stack up.” On paper, the Vikings should be considered favorites in their new surroundings. They

return a good chunk of their core from a season ago and pitcher Kaitlyn Hendrickson, catcher Jenna Jacobson and outfielder Jaelynn Therring figure to lead the way as the Vikings hope to punch their fifth straight trip to the state tournament. “Their enthusiasm for the sport is tremendous,” Wagner said. “They have a willingness to improve themselves which makes our team stronger.”

Hayfield Track

Hayfield looks to make its mark as a team By Chris Schad The Hayfield track and field team is in a bit of a transition period right now. The Vikings had a talented group last spring, but are now looking to replace that talent after losing 15 athletes to graduation last June. While the numbers are a bit staggering at first glance, Hayfield head coach Jana Wagner believes that their team atmosphere and a desire to improve can help her team have a successful season. “Having 15 athletes graduate

from a small town is kind of a big hit,” Wagner said. “But, we have a handful of new ones coming out so that is great. It’s only been a week of practice so far, but the team is showing a great work ethic. They seem dedicated and are working very hard.” Despite their lack in size, the Vikings have several quality athletes that expect to thrive this spring. Abby Stasko’s junior season came to a rough ending as she pulled a hamstring at the HVL Championship meet, but will be back to give it her all in her senior year.

Junior Lila Gronseth also hopes to make a major impact as she finished fifth in the section meet in the shot put, ran in the 300 meter hurdles and placed fifth in the section for discus. As Wagner described her as a talented athlete, she also revealed that she’ll try pole vaulting this season in order to help the team. Freshman Grace Walker and Madison Johnston round out the group for the girls, who lost eight out of the 15 graduating seniors, but feel their team can withstand that loss thanks to their talent. On the boys side, they have

Hayfield Golf Leadership hopes to carry young Vikings on the course By Chris Schad The Hayfield golf team will have plenty of new faces this season as it looks for success in its first year in the Gopher conference. In all, the Vikings will have five first-time golfers on the team, but will also have some familiar faces that have some solid experience in their years on varsity. For the boys, Hayfield will return Keegan Bronson, who

qualified for state as an eighth grader last spring. Now a freshman, he will look to build off his 59th place finish at the tournament and make a repeat trip this year. The Vikings will also have junior Ethan Koski, who has three years of varsity experience under his belt. In addition, the girls team will have a ton of new faces as Hayfield seeks to establish its program. While most of the learning will happen on the course, Hayfield

head coach Kevin Bronson believes his group has a lot of potential and works hard to succeed on the course. This will be the first year for Hayfield in the Gopher Conference and while head coach Kevin Bronson isn’t quite sure where his team will stack up with its new competition, it should be an interesting year for the Vikings on the course.

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had several athletes that have already gotten off to a great start this season. Alex Heins won the shot put in his first two events of the year while Steele Tebay is a talented freshman that should have an impact in multiple events. In addition to sprinter Cameron Thoe, who is quick out of the blocks and continues to improve, the Vikings should have a sold stable of athletes to work with. On both sides, the Vikings feel that they are heading into a Gopher Conference that should help its athletes better showcase themselves throughout the year.

Although the field is a relative unknown to them, their team atmosphere and willingness to do things together should serve as a benefit throughout the season. “We always emphasize the team aspect in Hayfield,” Wagner said. We start as a team, we end as a team and our practices are everybody together in both genders based on events. I think the Vikings will put up a great fight and succeed this year. They want to show the schools [in the Gopher Conference] what the Vikings are made up of.”

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

TRITON SPORTS SCHEDULES

HAYFIELD SPORTS SCHEDULES

BASEBALL SCHEDULE

DATE Apr. 1 Apr. 4 Apr. 8 Apr. 11 Apr. 15 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 29 Apr. 30 May 2 May 6 May 10 May 13

TIME OPPONENT 5 p.m. at Pine Island 5 p.m. at Lourdes 5 p.m. vs. Cannon Falls 5 p.m. at K-W 5 p.m. at Z-M 5 p.m. vs. K-M 5 p.m. at Byron 3:45 pm. vs. Goodhue (DH) 5 p.m. at Stewartville 5 p.m. vs. Lake City 5 p.m. vs. K-W 5 p.m. at Cannon Falls 5 p.m. vs. Z-M

DATE Apr. 1 Apr. 4 Apr. 8 Apr. 9 Apr. 11 Apr. 15 Apr. 16 Apr. 18 Apr. 22 Apr. 25 Apr. 26 Apr. 29 Apr. 30 May 3 May 7 May 10 May 11 May 13 May 16 May 17

SOFTBALL SCHEDULE DATE Apr. 1 Apr. 2 Apr. 13 Apr. 15 Apr. 18 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 30 May 2 May 6 May 10 May 11 May 13 May 14 May 16

TIME OPPONENT 4:30 p.m. at Hayfield 5 p.m. at Byron 1 p.m. at St. Clair 5 p.m. vs. Goodhue 5 p.m. at Lourdes 4:30 p.m. vs. Lake City (DH) 5 p.m. at Z-M 5 p.m. at Stewartville 5 p.m. at Cannon Falls 5 p.m. vs. K-M 4:30 p.m. at Blooming Prairie 9 a.m. Glenville-Emmons 5 p.m. at K-W 5 p.m. at Medford 5 p.m. vs. Pine Island

SOFTBALL SCHEDULE DATE Apr. 1 Apr. 4 Apr. 5 Apr. 8 Apr. 11 Apr. 15 Apr. 18 Apr. 22 Apr. 29 Apr. 30 May 3 May 7 May 10 May 11 May 14 May 16 May 17

GOLF SCHEDULE DATE Apr. 9 Apr. 16 Apr. 22 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 25 Apr. 29 Apr. 30 May 2 May 6 May 6 May 14 May 16 May 20 May 23 May 23

TIME OPPONENT 12 p.m. Girls Stewartville Invite 12 p.m. Z-M Invitational 11 a.m. Boys Somerby Invitational 1 p.m. Triton Invitational 2:30 p.m. Girls HVL at Frontenac 3:30 p.m. Boys Somerby Invitational 2:30 p.m. Boys HVL at Frontenac 1 p.m. Triton Invitational 2:30 p.m. Girls HVL at Willow Creek 12 p.m. Girls Somerby Invitational 2:30 p.m. Boys HVL at Dodge Country Club 2:30 p.m. Boys HVL at Lake City 2:30 p.m. Girls HVL at Pine Island 11 a.m. Girls at Cannon Falls 8 a.m. Boys HVL Championship 1 p.m. Girls HVL Championship

TIME OPPONENT 4:30 p.m. vs. Triton 4:30 p.m. vs. W-E-M 4:30 p.m. at K-W 4:30 p.m. vs. USC 5 p.m. at Medford 5 p.m. at Maple River 5 p.m. at Bethlehem Academy 5 p.m. at NRHEG 4:30 p.m. at W-E-M 5 p.m. at USC 4:30 p.m. vs. Medford 4:30 p.m. at Byron 4:30 p.m. vs. Bethlehem Academy 8:30 a.m. Hayfield Invitational 4:30 p.m. vs. NRHEG 4:30 p.m. at Blooming Prairie 4:30 p.m. vs. Maple River

TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE DATE Mar. 23 Mar. 28 Apr. 2 Apr. 9 Apr. 16 Apr. 25 Apr. 30 May 17

TIME OPPONENT 9 a.m. MSU Invitational 5 p.m. RCTC Invitational 4:30 p.m. Triton No Frills Meet 4:30 p.m. Hayfield Invitational 4:30 p.m. Stewartville Invitational 4:30 p.m. Hayfield Invitational 4:30 p.m. St. Charles Invitational 4:30 p.m. Triton Invitational

GOLF SCHEDULE

TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE DATE Mar. 25 Apr. 2 Apr. 9 Apr. 16 Apr. 18 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 May 2 May 7 May 11 May 17 May 23

TIME OPPONENT 4:30 p.m. vs. Schaeffer Academy 5 p.m. at W-E-M 5 p.m. at USC 4:30 p.m. vs. Southland 4:30 p.m. vs. Medford 4:30 p.m. vs. Maple River 4:30 p.m. at Triton 5 p.m. vs. Bethlehem Academy 4:15 p.m. vs. NRHEG 5 p.m. at Blooming Prairie 4:30 p.m. at J-W-P 4:30 p.m. vs. W-E-M 4:30 p.m. vs. USC 5 p.m. at Medford 4:30 p.m. at Martin Luther 5 p.m. at Bethlehem Academy 1 p.m. at Lyle-Pacelli 5 p.m. at NRHEG 6:30 p.m. vs. Blooming Prairie 5 p.m. at Maple River

DATE Apr. 6 Apr. 9 Apr. 12 Apr. 16 Apr. 18 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 27 Apr. 30 May 2 May 7 May 9 May 14 May 16 May 16

TIME OPPONENT TBD Early Bird Invite 4:30 p.m. No Frills Meet 4:30 p.m. Stewartville Invitational 4:30 p.m. Stewartville Invitational 4:30 p.m. Triton Invitational 4:30 p.m. Medford Invitational 4:30 p.m. Hayfield Invitational 4:15 p.m. Lake City Invitational 1 p.m. Section 1A True Team 10:30 a.m. HVL Championships 4:30 p.m. Triton Invitational TBD Subsection 1A Championship

TIME OPPONENT 9 a.m. Boys Hayfield Invitational 4:30 p.m. Boys Hayfield Invitational 4:30 p.m. Girls Maple River Invitational 4:30 p.m. Boys Blooming Prairie Invitational 4:30 p.m. Girls NRHEG Invitational 1 p.m. Triton Invitational 4:30 p.m. Girls Blooming Prairie Invitational 10 a.m. Blooming Prairie Invitational 4:30 p.m. Boys Hayfield Invitational 4:30 p.m. Girls Hayfield Invitational 4:30 p.m. Boys NRHEG Invitational 4:30 p.m. Girls USC Invitational 4:30 p.m. Faribault Invitational 10 a.m. Boys Gopher Conference 10 a.m. Girls Gopher Conference

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

KASSON SPORTS SCHEDULES

BYRON SPORTS SCHEDULES

BASEBALL SCHEDULE

DATE Apr. 1 Apr. 8 Apr. 10 Apr. 15 Apr. 18 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 27 Apr. 30 May 2 May 4 May 6 May 7 May 10 May 13 May 14 May 16-17

DATE Apr. 1 Apr. 4 Apr. 6 Apr. 8 Apr. 12 Apr. 15 Apr. 18 Apr. 25 Apr. 27 Apr. 30 May 2 May 6 May 10 May 14 May 17 May 18

TIME OPPONENT 5 p.m. vs. Goodhue 5 p.m. at Stewartville 5 p.m. vs. Lourdes 5 p.m. vs. Pine Island 5 p.m. at Byron 5 p.m. at Triton 7 p.m. vs. K-W 11 a.m. at Lake City (DH) 5 p.m. vs. Z-M 5 p.m. at Cannon Falls 12 p.m. at Austin 5 p.m. at Lourdes 7 p.m. vs. Winona 7 p.m. vs. Stewartville 5 p.m. at Pine Island 6 p.m. vs. Byron TBD Delano Wood Bat Tournament

TIME OPPONENT 5 p.m. at Cannon Falls 5 p.m. vs. K-W 1 p.m. at Winona 5 p.m. at Lourdes 4:30 p.m. at Lake City (DH) 5 p.m. at Stewartville 5 p.m. vs. K-M 5 p.m. vs. Triton 11 a.m. at Pine Island 5 p.m. vs. Goodhue 5 p.m. at Z-M 4:45 p.m. vs. Lewiston-Altura 5 p.m. vs. Lourdes 6 p.m. at K-M 5 p.m. vs. NRHEG 11 a.m. vs. New Life Academy of Woodbury

SOFTBALL SCHEDULE SOFTBALL SCHEDULE DATE APR. 2 APR. 9 APR. 11 APR. 15 APR. 16 APR. 18 APR. 22 APR. 25 APR. 29 APR. 30 MAY 2 MAY 6 MAY 11 MAY 13 MAY 16 MAY 17 MAY 17

TIME 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 5 P.M. 9 A.M. 5 P.M. 4 P.M. 4:30 P.M. 6:30 P.M.

DATE Apr. 2 Apr. 8 Apr. 11 Apr. 12 Apr. 13 Apr. 22 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 27 Apr. 29 May 2 May 6 May 7 May 10 May 11 May 13

OPPONENT VS. AUSTIN (DH) VS. ALBERT LEA AT GOODHUE AT NORTHFIELD VS. K-W AT STEWARTVILLE AT ROCHESTER JM AT PINE ISLAND AT ST. CHARLES AT LAKE CITY VS. BYRON AT TRITON OKABENA SHOWCASE VS. CANNON FALLS AT Z-M VS. ROCHESTER CENTURY VS. RED WING

TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE DATE Mar. 23 Mar. 28 Apr. 2 Apr. 9 Apr. 12 Apr. 16 Apr. 25 May 2 May 7 May 11 May 14 May 17 May 18 May 21 May 28 May 30 Jun. 7 Jun. 8

GOLF SCHEDULE DATE APR. 9 APR. 12 APR. 16 APR. 18 APR. 19 APR. 22 APR. 23 APR. 25 APR. 25 APR. 29 APR. 30 MAY 2 MAY 6 MAY 6 MAY 8 MAY 8 MAY 14 MAY 16 MAY 20 MAY 23 MAY 23

TIME 12 P.M. 1 P.M. 12 P.M. 12 P.M. 9:30 A.M. 11 A.M. 1 P.M. 2 P.M. 2:30 P.M. 2:30 P.M. 1 P.M. 2:30 P.M. 12 P.M. 2:30 P.M. 12 P.M. 2 P.M. 2:30 P.M. 2:30 P.M. 11 A.M. 8 A.M. 1 P.M.

OPPONENT GIRLS STEWARTVILLE INVITE GIRLS FRONTENAC Z-M INVITATIONAL STEWARTVILLE SHATTUCK ST. MARY’S BYRON INVITATIONAL GIRLS LAKE CITY BOYS DUAL AT BYRON GIRLS HVL AT LAKE CITY BOYS HVL AT LAKE CITY TRITON INVITATIONAL GIRLS HVL WILLOW CREEK GIRLS HVL SOMERBY BOYS HVL DODGE COUNTRY CLUB BOYS MAYO INVITATIONAL GIRLS LAKE CITY BOYS HVL AT LAKE CITY GIRLS HVL AT PINE ISLAND CANNON FALLS BOYS HVL CHAMPIONSHIP GIRLS HVL CHAMPIONSHIP

TIME 4:30 P.M. 4:30 P.M. 10 A.M. 4:30 P.M. 4 P.M. 4:30 P.M. 4:30 P.M. 2:30 P.M. 10:30 A.M. 4:30 P.M. 5:30 P.M. 4 P.M.

OPPONENT TRITON NO FRILLS MEET AT BYRON MEET CANNON FALLS INVITATIONAL STEWARTVILLE INVITATIONAL CHUCK RAMTHUN HAYFIELD INVITATIONAL BYRON INVITATIONAL CLASS AA TRUE TEAM MEET HVL CHAMPIONSHIP PINE ISLAND INVITATIONAL K-M INVITATIONAL NEW PRAGUE INVITATIONAL

SALES/OFFICE SUPPORT The Steele County Times in Blooming Prairie is seeking an energetic person to take on the role of inside sales and light office work.

DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT

DATE Apr. 9 Apr. 12 Apr. 22 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 25 Apr. 29 May 2 May 2 May 6 May 6 May 8 May 8 May 13 May 14 May 16 May 18 May 20 May 20 May 23 May 23 May 28 Cleaners at Work May 30 Jun. 11 Jun. 12 DODGE COUNTY SECOND FRONT PAGE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2017

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then I either have the custodial staff do it, center being used throughout the BY MAGEN RADKE I hire someone to do it, or I do it myself,” summer, the staff has to keep up with the DCI STUDENT INTERN he said. flow of people,” he said. “I never broke a Williams is in The custodial staff comes in almost J Williams, head of operations charge of every every day to clean up the school. If the and maintenance at the Kassonsweat worrying building, and bathrooms were used, they clean them; if Mantorville School District, has each building a garbage can wasn’t emptied, they empty worked for the school for 14 years. about the staff. has different them. There is one thing that he and the Each school goes through the same custodial staff have to tackle every Nothing is left needs and demands each process of cleaning. The only exception is year that many people don’t usually undone.” summer. He made when is comes to the Community acknowledge. works to meet all Education Center. The Getting ready for the next school year. JJ Williams of them. Project Kids program runs Once the children are set free for the Along with throughout the summer. summer and after the teachers have K-M’s head of operations keeping up With hundreds of kids packed up all their belongings, the and maintenance with the flow going through the building custodial staff gets to work. of people, the grounds staff has to keep each day, the Community “Once everyone’s gone home, they start up with Mother Nature. Mowing the Education Center is the tearing down the rooms,” Williams said. lawn, and taking care of other natural only part of the elementary “They take out all the furniture and then occurrences throughout the summer are school that doesn’t go clean it top to bottom. They replace old Williams among other things they do. through a complete scrubceiling tiles and clean the walls. Then Making the schools look presentable on down. they clean and wax the floor.” the outside and theTraditional inside is their main “The custodians go through that part The process is long, according to goal, and getting the of the building every day,” Williams said. Williams, and the first two months of the Helpschool Buttonsback in order for the next school year is just a small “They have to keep up with the kids, so summer are spent cleaning each room part of the they clean up everyday after Project Kids individually. At custodial Home staff’s job. “They are always ready. They’ve never gets done.” “After they’re done they move the date,” Car Williams said. “They missedIn a start It’s not just cleaning that the staff everything back into the rooms slowly, he are a top-notch group of people. They gets done during the summer. Certain said. “Each room essentially takes 8 to 10 On athey Walk know what have to get done and replacements and requests also have to hours per room.” when it needs to be done. be met. Even after cleaning each room, their OnofVacation “Part my job is to make sure that “I work alongside the principals,” work is far from done. The first two weeks everything is done for the next school Williams said, “and each year when of August are spent cleaning practically At Ithe Park year, but never broke a sweat worrying school gets out there are always requests everything else within the individual STAFF PHOTOS: MAGEN RADKE about the staff,” he said. “Nothing is left from each principal.” schools. Shopping undone.” For example, he was in charge of The bleachers, the lockers, the walls, all PHOTOS ABOVE: In June, hallways are full of furniture from H Help ellp st students tud dthe dent entbathrooms s buil b build uil ild d ma m math hs skills kiill lls As the new school year looms just replacing all the drinking fountains at the the• furniture, -th everything classrooms in order to clean the rooms. As August progresses, around the corner, many kids are also elementary school this summer. is cleaned, to bottom. less clutter can be found in the hallways. • Serve top 5+ hours, every school day Traditional begrudgingly getting ready for school He also hires contractors to do things “After everything is slowly moved • Receive student loan and tuition helphefor yourself, Help Buttons themselves. When you do eventually go and the staff are not licensed to do. back into the rooms, the custodians give Chairs will soon come down for students in the art room. your treatment child or grandchild back to school, remember to thank the Williams also tries to meet the the same to the hallways,” At Home Orderstaff Now Receive a work FREEthey Lockbox! • Full-time receive freethe health insurance custodial for&all the hard demands of teachers. If something needs Williams said. positions “They clean the walls, Getting set up for the new school year can take a while for did throughout the summer to make fixing in a classroom or the teacher wants floors and all the lockers too.” everyone. Supplies still need toIn bethe unpacked, Car and desks need sure you can learn in a clean and healthy something moved, then he is in charge of He said the school becomes more active to be set up for upcoming students. environment. it. and used during August. On a Walk and supplies lay out as the walls in the room dry. “If a teacher wants a bookcase moved, Service availability and access/coverage on the AT&T network is not available everywhere “With sports, lessons, and the fitness Painting readingandmath.net

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TIME OPPONENT 12 p.m. Girls Stewartville Invitational 1 p.m. Girls Frontenac Invitational 11 a.m. Boys Somerby Invitational 1 p.m. Lake City Invitational 2 p.m. Boys Somerby Invitational 2:30 p.m. Girls HVL Match at Frontenac 2:30 p.m. Boys HVL Match at Frontenac 2:30 p.m. Girls HVL Match at Willow Creek 3:30 p.m. Boys Dual at Lourdes 12 p.m. Girls Somerby Invitational 2:30 p.m. Boys HVL Match at Dodge Country 12 p.m. Boys Mayo Invitational 2 p.m. Girls Jewel Invitational 3:20 p.m. Girls Dual at Lourdes 2:30 p.m. Boys HVL Match at Lake City 2:30 p.m. Girls HVL Match at Lake City 1 p.m. Boys Owatonna Invite 11 a.m. Girls Cannon Falls Invitational 2 p.m. Boys Jewel Invitational 8 a.m. Boys HVL Championship 1 p.m. Girls HVL Championship TBD Section 1A Championship TBD Section 1A Championship TBD State Meet TBD State Meet

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TIME OPPONENT TBD Stout Invitational 5 p.m. Rochester Invitational 4:30 p.m. No Frills Meet 4:30 p.m. Dual vs. K-M 4 p.m. P-E-M Invitational 4:30 p.m. Stewartville Invitational 4:30 p.m. Stewartville Invitational 4:30 p.m. Byron Invitational 2:30 p.m. Section 1AA True Team Meet TBD HVL Championship 4:30 p.m. Pine Island Invitational 5 p.m. K-M Invitational TBD State True Team Meet TBD Subsection Championship TBD Section 1A Meet TBD Section Championship TBD State Meet TBD State Meet

GOLF SCHEDULE

TRACK & FIELD DATE APR. 2 APR. 9 APR. 13 APR. 16 APR. 23 APR. 25 MAY 2 MAY 7 MAY 11 MAY 14 MAY 17 MAY 21

TIME OPPONENT 5 p.m. vs. Triton 5 p.m. at Chatfield 5 p.m. at K-W 3 p.m. Woodside Invitational 8 a.m. Woodside Invitational 5 p.m. at Goodhue 5 p.m. vs. Stewartville 5 p.m. at Lourdes 9 a.m. at Lourdes Invitational 5 p.m. vs. Pine Island 5 p.m. at K-M 5 p.m. vs. Cannon Falls 4:30 p.m. vs. Hayfield 5 p.m. vs. Lake City 10 a.m. at P-E-M 5 p.m. at Z-M

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Your newspaper has agreed to participate in the Minnesota Display Ad Network program by running these ads in the main news section of your newspaper (not the classified section of your newspaper). At times, advertisers may request a specific• section. However, the decision is ultimately up to each Residential newspaper. Ads may need to be decreased/increased slightly in size to fit your column sizes. Please • Commercial do not bill for these ads. If you have questions, please call MNA at 800/279-2979. Thank you. • Agricultural

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