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Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Number 47 • Volume 134
Learning, growing together
PHOTOS BY CAROL MOORMAN AND SUBMITTED
George Bieniek talks about Edward Klepaida Nov. 7 while working on a puzzle at Tranquility Place in Albany where Bieniek lives. As a sixth grader growing up in rural ATKINSON TO TALK Holdingford, Bieniek met Klepaida before he left ABOUT SPACE for the military, serving in Korea. (Below) Edward MISSIONS BOOK Klepaida was in theATArmy and deployed to MELROSE LIBRARY Korea. He was killed in action while serving his country pg. 6in Chowan, North Korea.
Melrose researching policing options ... pg. 3 Hiltner happy to carry on legacy ... pg. 7 ‘A Team’ has first baby boy in 2017 ... pg. 16 Gymnasts scoring with the best ... pg. 10
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
CentraCare-Melrose President Jenn Tschida is ready for another busy work day Nov. 8 standing near the clinic entrance in Melrose. She has worked at the medical campus 29 years and became president Oct. 15.
Tschida named new CentraCare-Melrose president
COMMUNITY COVERAGE 127 YEARS
BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER 400 Block update
Jenn Tschida has worked at the Melrose medical campus since she was 15 when she was a candy striper at Pine Villa Nursing Home, when the facility was owned by the city of Melrose. On Oct. 15, this rural Spring Hill woman began her new role as CentraCare-Melrose president. “Jenn has served in this interim position for the past six months, and we’re excited for her to continue in this role as president,” said Bryan Bauck, executive director-Rural Health Western Region. “Her leadership skills and experience have been a valuable asset, and she has earned the trust, respect and confidence of the campus and community.” Before becoming president, Tschida was senior director of ambulatory services, included As the sun was starting to rise which Monday, Commercial operational oversight strategic direction forwere the inContractors Companyand workers from Melrose campus. side the Lisa’s On Main building working on securing Tschida credit herBYparents, Ronnie the west wall.is quick to PHOTO CAROL MOORMAN and Erma Bertram, of Freeport, with an upbringing that led her where she is in her career. “I’m one of those people, if I’m given a task, I will do it,” she said Nov. 8 sitting in her office. “I look at my parents and how they raised us to be, and I know I have a lot of their same characteristics.” As a young child, Tschida knew she wanted to be a nurse.
Tschida page 3
Avon council approves fire hall asbestos testing quote Sartell-based cooperative will complete work
Sharing an
untold story Bieniek grateful to Klepaida, his hero, protector BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
G
eorge Bieniek and his five brothers, Andrew, Aloys, Blaise, John and Thomas, were all veterans. Like George, Andrew, Blaise, Thomas and John were all in the Army. Aloys was in the Navy. And they all returned home safe and sound to rural Holdingford.
When Veterans Day rolls around each year, Bieniek’s thoughts go toward another veteran, one who didn’t return home — Edward Klepaida, of Elmdale. “He was my hero,” Bieniek, 89, said Nov. 7 while working on a puzzle at Tranquility Place in Albany, where he is a resident. Bieniek shared the story he had never told anyone before — about Klepaida who was his hero in more ways than one. Bieniek was in sixth grade when Klepaida was visiting his sister, Rose, who lived next door to the
Bienieks’ family farm. “Edward was on leave and visiting family before he left for war,” Bieniek said. Bieniek drove his bike to country school every day and there was a “mean dog” that caused him to peddle his bike fast downhill so the dog couldn’t get him. For five days, Klepaida was on the road, watching for the dog when the Bieniek boys were going to and coming from school.
Untold story page 3
Borstad thankful for his life Melrose emergency personnel awarded life-saving pins
BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER
The city of Avon has hired a Sartell-base service cooperative to complete fire hall asbestos testing. Council members approved a $1,092 quote from Resource Training & Solutions earlier this month. Public Works Foreman Chuck Pelkey said Nov. 6 during a city council meeting at Avon City Hall in Avon the pre-demolition asbestos inspection and hazardous material survey would include an extra cost of $21 per layer if roofing samples were needed at the city fire hall. Avon city leaders want to issue a maximum of $2.58 million in general obligation bonds for a new fire hall. That amount and a capital improvement plan for the project were approved Sept. 11 by council. The city is proposing issuance of the bonds later this year once bids for the fire hall project are received. Current plans call for expanding the current public safety facility at 140 Stratford St. E. by roughly 8,500 square feet.
Asbestos page 4
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BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
Bryan Borstad is especially thankful this Thanksgiving. “Without these guys, I would be dead,” he said Nov. 16, looking around the Melrose City Council chambers at Melrose police, fire and ambulance department members who saved his life Oct. 5 and received life-saving awards. Borstad was working at Melrose Metalworks Inc. when he collapsed. “Sam Sullivan was working by me and tried to help me and called 911 right away,” he said, about what he was told.
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
Melrose Ambulance Service members Gina Eggert (front, from left), Will Stone and Julie Ulbricht; Melrose Police Chief Craig Maus; Bryan Borstad and Melrose Fire Rescue members Mckahl Long, Hallie Feldewerd, Joe Woeste and Tom Budde; (back, from left) fire rescue members Angel Vargas and Joe Finken gather Nov. 16 in the Melrose City Center council chambers in Melrose. Each first responder received a certificate and life-saving pin for saving Borstad’s life Oct. 5.
“I don’t remember going to work that day,” Borstad said. “I don’t remember anything.” Mckahl Long, who works at Melrose Metalworks and is also a Melrose firefighter and on the fire
rescue crew, was first on the scene. He was working in a building when his pager went off. “I didn’t get good reception with the pager and went out the door and heard it was at Melrose
Metalworks Inc., and I knew it wasn’t me, so I had to figure out who it was,” Long said.
Borstad page 3
PUBLIC NOTICES Albany Area School Advertisement for Bids............................ pg. 7 City of Avon Public Hearing Notices (2) .................................. pg. 7 City of Albany Planning Commission Vacancy ........................ pg. 7 City of Albany Public Hearing Proposed Property Taxes .......... pg. 7 Meire Grove Cooperative Notice of Special Meeting................ pg. 7 City of Melrose Public Hearing ............................................... pg. 7 City of Melrose Ord. No. 11-16-2023 Cannabis Regulation ..... pg. 7 Holdingford School Board Briefs............................................. pg. 7 Summons............................................................................... pg. 7
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NEWS
Page 2 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | THE STAR POST
Santa sighting is Nov. 24 in Melrose Melrose kicks off the holidays this week
Dedication day
New Munich veterans memorial ‘amazing’
BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER
Santa will make his annual visit to Melrose Friday, Nov. 24, when children can visit with him from 1-4 p.m. at Coborn’s-Melrose. The Melrose Area Holiday Kickoff, which dates back to 1998, will include day-long activities Nov. 24 and an evening parade followed by fireworks. The week started with a search for Santa’s elves. From Nov. 20-22, people were invited to search for elves at participating businesses, take photos with the elves and tag the chamber’s website for a chance to win Rosy bucks. “My hope is that we can bring new traffic into these businesses,” said Joelene Wieling, chamber executive director. “We have business throughout our town that many people may not have ever stepped foot into, and this is one way for them to do so.” A medallion hunt will start at noon, Nov. 24, with the winner receiving Rosy bucks. In the afternoon Melrose Girl Scouts will be at Kraemer Lumber offering crafts for children, and Melrose Bowl will also offer crafts and games. The Melrose City Center will be a flurry of activities with a craft and vendor sale, Melrose Area Women of Today cookie sale, bingo at the senior center in the lower level of the city center and music and activities in the library. Horse and carriage rides, tractor rides and Polar Express rides will be available throughout the late afternoon and early evening at various locations. There will be a live animal Nativity starting at 4 p.m. at the bike shelter, along the Lake Wobegon Trail near Coborn’s, with a lighting of the military tank at 5:30 p.m. A jingle run will start at 7:15 p.m., followed by a parade at 7:30 p.m., starting near Park View Care Center and traveling down main street. Fireworks will light up the sky at the conclusion of the holiday kickoff. Wieling is excited to be involved with the holiday kickoff, something she has done with her family since 2016 when they dressed up as Grinch characters. “That’s where the joy of this event became more and more evident, and it made me want to be part of the holiday kickoff every year since,” she said. “I love seeing the smiles on the young and old, and there is just something special about celebrating with our town this time of year.”
BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
The Brickweg sisters, Mary and Amy, returned to their hometown of New Munich for a special dedication at 11 a.m., Nov. 11. And they weren’t alone. The New Munich Area Veterans Memorial was surrounded by people, including veterans, residents, visitors and even hunters dressed in blaze orange. PHOTOS BY CAROL MOORMAN The dedication of the Dan Krueger (center) taps a bell after reading the name of a New Munich veteran killed in action new veterans memorial in during the Nov. 11 dedication of the New Munich Area Veterans Memorial in the city park in the city park was fittingly New Munich. Five New Munich men died while serving their country and their names are on held on Veterans Day. The the monument. 30-minute program was emceed by Steve Worms, a Krueger read the names of Benolken in World War II, Klein read the names of vetmember of the New Munich five New Munich veterans Elmer Sand in the Korean erans, living and deceased, Area Veterans Committee killed in action — Leo War and Wilfred Poepping their service branches and who organized the memori- Olmscheid and Frank Wol- in the Vietnam War — tap- dates on pavers around the al, including Tom Neal, Dan beck in World War I, Joseph ping a bell after each name. memorial, and Johnson read Krueger, Dave Johnson, names of veterans whose Gary and Paula Burr, Gary pavers will be put in place Feldewerd, Ann Klein and in the future. Josh Poepping. Attendees remained After a large contingent after the dedication looking of Melrose Area Honor at the names on the pavers Guard members presented and visiting. the colors, Feldewerd and The Brickweg sisters Poepping raised the Ameragreed the memorial is a ican flag. The Rev. Daniel nice tribute to individuals Walz led the dedication who served their country with a prayer followed by in the military, including speakers, including New their brother, Jim, who has Munich Mayor Kurt Thela paver in place and their en, State Rep. Paul Anderdad, Frank, who will have a son and Stearns County paver in the future. Commissioner Steve Notch, “This is amazing,” Rep. each applauding the efforts Anderson said. that went into the memorial. Veteran Gary Feldewerd (left) salutes after he and fellow veteran Josh Poepping (right) raised the American flag to start a New Munich Area Veterans Memorial dedication Nov. 11 at the city park in New Munich. Both are members of the New Munich Area Veterans Committee that spearheaded the memorial project.
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OPINION
THE STAR POST | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | Page 5
The views expressed by our columnists are the opinions and thoughts of the author and do not reflect the opinions and views of newspaper staff and ownership.
Deer hunting was less than expected
Sharing a meal together
Dinner went like clockwork. We all gathThis hour was the highlight of my week. ered around the table and always at 4:30 p.m. I’m sure the food was excellent, but I didn’t Regardless of evening plans, sports practices or really notice. Hallie and Porter talked about competitions or motivation to prepare dinner, their classes, their jobs and their holiday food was on the table at 4:30, even though plans. They asked Katelyn about her senior Mom would have preferred a later dinner hour. year in high school, about her dance season Dad came into the house from afternoon chores and about her college plans next year. I was and farm work at 4:25, washed up and helped thankful the restaurant was only half full. I Mom get the last dishes to the table. At 4:50, didn’t need to feel guilty about sitting long. he left the table for milking, and we, kids, I treasured having both my children at the helped Mom clear the table and wash the dishsame table. It was good having Hallie’s boyThe Farmers Daughter friend join us too. es. If we had practice after school, we heated By Sonya Hoffarth leftovers after practice. Katelyn’s senior year is a quarter over. And we always ate dinner at the table. In Time slips away so quickly. She’ll be my 18 years living at home, we never brought our plates graduated and on her own college adventures too soon. to the living room, never in front of the television. Even I’ve prohibited the phrase “empty nesters” from Ryan’s for an informal, frozen pizza Sunday evening dinner, vocabulary. I’m just not ready to even think about eating Mom would call us to the table. We might use only napdinner without either of our girls every day. But I have kins to limit the dishes needing to be washed, but we ate been purposeful about appreciating this last year of dinner together at the table. I didn’t realize, when I moved out at with Katelyn. We try to make her favorite dishes. And 18, the majority of dinners I would share with my parents sometimes Hallie will join us via FaceTime. and siblings were behind me, even if I added up every Last Friday my sisters, parents and I planned to meet meal from the day I moved out to today. for dinner at Boulder Tap House. I had looked forward The majority of meals we get with our parents are to these dinner plans all week, but as the dinner hour behind us before we even realize we should appreciate approached, I couldn’t deny anymore that I was sick. I them. didn’t want to expose my family to illness, especially so I enjoyed Mom’s dinners, to be sure. Especially her close to the Thanksgiving holiday. I skipped our dinner soups, butter dips and homemade pizza. I never grumplans and was much sadder than was probably warranted, bled about coming to the table, never even thought about but I couldn’t help thinking this was one dinner together I wanting to eat dinner in front of the television. It wasn’t missed, that I would never get back. an option that even occurred to my siblings and me. HowThere’s something about sharing a meal. About all ever, I certainly didn’t realize how much I should have those hours around the table. As I prepare my Thanksgivappreciated dinner with my parents. ing feast, the turkey marinating in the fridge, the potaTwo weeks ago, we visited our oldest daughter Hallie toes ready to be peeled, the pumpkin pie and cranberry at North Dakota State University in Fargo. We took her conserve, I’m looking forward to my entire family around grocery shopping, stocked her pantry and fridge and the dinner table. I will be sure to appreciate all of us, my browsed Scheels. I was looking forward to dinner. I didn’t daughters, my parents, my siblings and their families, care where we went or what we ate, I just wanted all of around the same table. I will be grateful for one more us around the table for a good hour or so. Hallie’s lovely dinner together. boyfriend joined us, and they picked Olive Garden. Happy Thanksgiving.
Advice, observations from the past Few cultures or societies have been deout most farms had a car and most had chickens void of people giving advice or commentators and were concerned about chicken lice. The car on what is going on around them. could be used in solving the lice problem. Social media is pretty much continuing “Just attach a rubber hose to the exhaust a tradition that is as old as communication. pipe of your motor and put the other end in the A century ago newspapers filled that niche. chicken house – with the chickens out, of course. Advice and comments from the past give us … Let the motor run for about 10 minutes and insight into what some people were concerned bingo. Bug, lice, mites and other vermin are about. gone.” November 1923 Albany Enterprise issues A Peek at the Past Not all advice was for agriculture, and some contained suggestions on a variety of subjects. by Herman Lensing of it questioned the wisdom of doing some In the Nov. 1, 1923, paper, there was a things because, “That’s the way we do it.” Occasuggestion to get rid of wild onion or garlic. “Late fall sionally, the advice verged on the iconoclastic. The Nov. plowing, followed by an intertilled crop the following 15, 1923, issue asked people to consider breaking with a year, will get rid of wild onion or garlic. Corn in check Thanksgiving tradition. rows is a good crop to plant.” The article added having “There is more tradition than good sense in putting “sheep eat the tops of the onion and grazing for a few pumpkin pie and plum pudding on top of a roast turkey years often kills it out” or “coal-tar creosote oil applied to dinner,” the article stated. “Why not serve fruit ice or jelly each plant at the rate of about four thimblefuls is effective instead and have the pies and pudding at some meal when in killing both the plant and ungerminated bulbs.” they would be more appreciated?” A week later came advice for spring actions to stop Some observations were humorous. A Nov. 15, 1923, Hessian fly or barley midge infestations. The insects lay issue wondered if the increase in automobiles affected eggs on the leaves of grain crops and the hatched maggots another industry. “Perhaps the fact that the United States would damage the plant and the crop. It was recommend- used more perfume than any other country in the world is ed crops be planted after the flies had laid their eggs, deto be attributed to the necessity for neutralizing the gasopriving the maggots of food. “By a concerted late sowing line smell,” was one observation. of this crop, a county can smash by starvation that fall One of the more insightful observations may have brood of the fly. Without a fall brood, there is no spring been timed because it was near an election day. The Nov. brood.” 1, 1923, issue contained a piece of filler copy that obInsects of another kind were touched on in a different served, “It is unwise to judge a man by the criticism of his Nov. 1, 1923, article, which suggested using modern tech- enemies. Only his friends can properly denounce him.” nology when dealing with chicken lice. The article pointed This is advice to be remembered today.
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Reports from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources suggest the deer harvest from this year’s gun season is down about 22% from last year. Fewer deer per hunter and fewer deer overall were taken this season. Although we as a group did OK with five Ink on My Hands bucks taken out of nine by Kevin Zierden hunters, I have heard from others in the area that weren’t as lucky. And as for myself, I hunted parts of five days total and saw one deer, a monster 10-pointer that was out of range. For all of us, the does and fawns that are normally spotted from our stands were noticeably absent this year. Although they are not the deer of choice for many hunters, seeing them around helps keep the toes and fingers warm, the heart beating and preserves hope for the bucks to follow. It’s easy to spend a lot of time imagining a successful deer hunt when the view from the stand is hollow. I talked a lot about how my stand just inside the woods looked so promising this year with its trails and deer signs all around it. There were years I would see deer from that stand soon after I got myself comfortable. Worst case scenario is that I would at least hear deer moving around in the vicinity of the stand. I was certain this year would be no different, but after a full day of no movement or sightings, I started to question its location and how promising it really was. As much as I hate to do it because of the history of the stand, I did not spend each morning there. Instead, I moved around to other unoccupied stands hoping to improve my luck. Each new stand provides a new opportunity. Since my stand is in the woods, I don’t get to see the moon and stars shining bright in the latenight sky. I haven’t noticed in a while how Venus dazzles next to a crescent moon. I miss seeing silhouettes or shadows moving across the light brush of the meadow. In the woods, I look straight ahead and maybe a little to the right and left of me along the trails. On the tripod in the middle of the meadow, I struggle to position my chair just right so I can see most of my surroundings. Even with that, I was told I missed out on seeing one buck passing by right along the woods. I sat for a while in five different stands this season, and in each stand I imagined how the deer would make their mistake. Sometimes they would simply be trying to walk through and would come into range. That is often how I have gotten deer in the past. They were probably just going from one location to another, maybe following a doe, maybe looking for one. I am always surprised when this happens because it is seldom anticipated. Mostly, out of the blue, a deer will appear. In good standing, I usually am ready. Sometimes, they do arrive with trumpets blaring. They are not the quiet ones, either snorting, snapping twigs, rustling through the tall grass or busting through branches in a hurry to get somewhere or get away from something. These guys are not usually looking for you. It’s the other way around. And over a trail where the travel is easy is pretty much always a good place to be. If the deer harvest is indeed down over 20% from last year, it is exactly the same for me. Like last year, I got a doe with my crossbow before gun season and like last year, I never fired my gun at a deer. I am on a three-year drought from my gun stand in the woods after getting a deer eight years in a row. Hopefully, it is a cycle that I have to go through and one that the deer have adjusted to. I know from all the hours spent in the stand there are things that I could possibly do to improve my odds so next year is not a repeat of this one. I am expecting to do better.
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SPORTS
Page 8 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | THE STAR POST
Border
BATTLE 4
The Sauk Centre and Melrose Lions are doing a Border Battle between Sauk Centre and Melrose high school sports. Each time one beats the other they will get a point. The winner gets a donation to their school’s booster club or a scholarship from the other club.
Council approves 19 bid divisions for clubhouse renovation BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER
Bid results for the Albany Golf Club’s clubhouse renovation and improvement project contained a strong slate of area bidders. City leaders approved a total bid package worth $1.29 million earlier this month. Jason Arnzen, with Arnzen Construction Management Services, is serving as the independent contractor for the clubhouse project. He presented tabulated bid documents at the Albany council’s Nov. 1 meeting at Albany City Hall in Albany. “We had one bid for every package,” Arnzen said, referring to the project’s bid divisions. The demolition phase of
ALBANY BOWLING CENTER Monday Afternoon Ladies League Nov. 13 Team standings CWI 60-36 K&S Pharmacy 45-51 Teals Liquor 44-52 The Legion 43-53 Team high series The Legion 1541 CWI 1371 K&S Pharmacy 1321 Teals Liquor 1187 Team high game The Legion 548 CWI 468 K&S Pharmacy 454 Teals Liquor 409 Individual high series Karen Brendal 461 Jean Warner 443 Sharon Timp 427 Individual high game Karen Brendal 180 Mas Goebel 166 Jean Warner 163 Split Monetta Watry 4-7-8-10 Nov. 6 Team standings CWI K&S Pharmacy Teals Liquor The Legion Team high series The Legion CWI K&S Pharmacy Teals Liquor Team high game The Legion CWI K&S Pharmacy Teals Liquor Individual high series Sharon Timp Teri Stepaniak Karen Brendal Individual high game Sharon Timp Doreen Stiedl Kari Ward Splits Lori Locken Loretta Panek Sharon Timp Kari Ward Thursday Early • Nov. 16 Team standings A.M.P.S. Rookies Bar Morning Star Resort The Filthy Casuals Interstate Service Center Rubber Ducky Albany American Legion Bowl Movement Gary’s Dairy St. Joe Meat Market J&B Truck Repair Men Brian Heidgerken Dennis Rakotz Jason Kirchner, Jr. 234 Paul Mareck Cody Towle Gary Rakotz Nate Walker Women Melissa Lommel Debbie Merten Renee Schneider Katelyn Rakotz
Scan ME
pre-construction started Nov. 6. Arnzen Construction will serve as the city’s purchasing agent. Dustin Tomoson, with Ringdahl Associates in Alexandria, managed the Albany Golf Club bidding process. Bid contractors include Beuning Masonry, Inc., Melrose; St. Rosa Lumber, St. Rosa; Intex Insulating, Cold Spring; Roof 1, Freeport; Mid Central Door Co., Waite Park; East Side Glass Co., St. Cloud; Hennen Floor Covering, Freeport; Grandview Painting, Avon; St. Cloud Acoustics, St. Joseph; St. Cloud Refrigeration, St. Cloud; Arrow Lift, Blaine; Precise Heating & Refrigeration, St. Joseph; Freeport Electric, Freeport; and Kotzer Excavating, Albany. Arnzen said the project will have two addendums to the bids opened and reviewed Oct. 30. One addendum will be mailed to all bidders to clarify if their submitted bids included sales tax.
The second addendum is related to kitchen renovations estimated at plus or minus $225,000. Interim city administrator Tom Schneider asked Arnzen for a general project schedule and timeline. “We’ll be ordering things like the elevator and other products ahead of time,” Arnzen said. “We want to do whatever we can to try and get this project done by April 2024. We are going to push as hard as we can, but there are some unknowns at this point as far as the lead times on projects. The goal is spring.” Mayor Tom Kasner asked for an estimate on the demolition work. Arnzen said he was planning on about a week to complete to get all of the sheet rock removed inside the building and open up the wall cavities. During discussion Nov. 1, Schneider asked Arnzen for a ballpark figure regarding the kitchen renovation. “There are coolers and a lot of new kitchen equipment going in,” Arnzen said. “Basically, the only thing they are saving in the kitchen is the range hood. That
put us over the top. We need three-phase power, and that’s a pretty good-sized expense. The architect figured another $200,000 to $250,000.” Schneider said the bid figures will come down slightly because the city project has tax exempt status. “The materials will be ordered,” Schneider said. “The architect is working to make sure the bidders revise their numbers.” Councilor Keith Heitzman made a motion, seconded by councilor Adam Rushmeyer, to approve the low bids from contractors. The motion passed 4-0 with councilor John Harlander abstaining. Council members also approved a construction management services agreement with Arnzen Nov. 1. Schneider said city attorney Susan Dege had drafted the agreement and recommended council approval. Rushmeyer made a motion, seconded by councilor Alan Amdahl, to authorize Kasner to execute the construction agreement on behalf of the city. The motion passed 4-0, with Harlander abstaining.
Albany student-athletes sign letters of intent
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PHOTO BY MIKE KOSIK
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Albany’s latest group of collegiate letters of intent signees are Callie Holthaus (front, from left), Olivia Goebel and Sophia Anderson; (back, from left) Carter Schwalbe, Kylan Gerads and Alyssa Sand. Holthaus will attend the University of Minnesota-Crookston and will join the soccer team; Goebel, University of St. Thomas for cross-country and track and field; Anderson, College of St. Benedict for golf; Schwalbe, Southwest Minnesota State University for cross-country and track and field; Gerads, St. Cloud State University for basketball; and Alyssa Sand, University of St. Thomas for basketball.
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Several Huskies to compete at next level
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BY MIKE KOSIK & EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITERS
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Six Albany Area High School student-athletes recently signed letters of intent, continuing their athletic careers after they graduate from high school. Callie Holthaus will be attending the University of Minnesota-Crookston as a member of the girls soccer team, becoming the first Huskie to play collegiately since the arrival of a varsity program. Olivia Goebel, who won the 3,200-meter run at the 2022 Class A Minnesota State High School League State Track and Field Championships and took second at state in Class AA cross-country in 2021, is joining Division I’s University of St. Thomas to compete in cross-country and track and field at the next level. Also heading to St. Thomas to participate in Division I athletics is Alyssa Sand, who after guiding the Huskies girls
basketball to three straight state tournament appearances will look for more success as part of the Tommies women’s basketball squad. Sand’s teammate, Kylan Gerads, who has completed a formidable 1-2 punch at the forward position for Albany, will remain close to the area for the next stop in her journey, as she signed on to play women’s basketball for St. Cloud State University. Carter Schwalbe, who made it to state twice in cross-country and track and field for the Huskies, will bring that high level of competition in those sports to Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. Sophia Anderson, meanwhile, will hit the golf course for collegiate meets for the College of St. Benedict women’s golf team. Anderson is coming off an exciting All-State junior campaign that saw her take 37th at the Class AA Minnesota State High School League Girls Golf State Meet in June.
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THE STAR POST | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | Page 9
Drossel leaves legacy of wins, leading by example
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Senior ends career as Melrose’s most decorated swimmer
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Hallie Drossel wears her state medals Nov. 20 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. Drossel’s state accomplishments include two championship medals and one silver medal.
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Hallie Drossel (front) and Mound Westonka/Holy Family’s Catherine Dueck stay close in the 100-yard breaststroke race at the Minnesota State High School League Class A Girls Swimming and Diving State Meet Nov. 18 at Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. Drossel earned the silver medal in the race.
Drossel has been part of Lady Dutchmen swimming lineups since her seventh grade season. It was her family that started her on the road to being one of the best swimmers in state. The youngest child of Lori and Justin Drossel and the sister of Wyatt and Gracie, she was attending swim meets well before she was in junior high school. “My sister is five years older than me, and I watched her,” Drossel said. “I fell in love with swimming watching her. We got to swim together my seventh grade year, her senior year.” That seventh grade year showed she had potential to be a strong swimmer. Dros-
sel found she not only liked being in the pool but liked being in the program. More than her successes were the people she worked with. “I loved the team and how supportive the coaches are,” she said. “It’s fun to swim with all the team members, and there have been a lot of different girls.” Drossel’s teammates and others saw she was good, particularly in the 100 breaststroke. To some degree, she focused on that race. “My sister swam that too, and I had a natural ability to do it,” she said. The coaches saw Drossel could do well and saw that more than just physical talent was bringing in her
Silver medalist Hallie Drossel (center) is flanked by Hutchinson bronze medalist Madilyn Gehrke (left) and champion Catherine Dueck of Mound Westonka/Holy Family Nov. 18 at Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. The trio were standing on the award podium following the 100 breaststroke championship race.
good times. “She has a great attention to detail both in practice and in meets, so she does so many things right,” Meyer said. “She also has a great competitive attitude that helps her rise to her best in the most important races but also always be mentally ready to race.” The 100 breaststroke has guides on how the strokes can be made and then kicks can be used. Drossel constantly worked on improving that technique, whether with the Lady Dutchmen, on her own or when swimming with a club in Alexandria. “I am in the pool three hours a day Monday, Wednesday and Friday and in the weight room,” she said. “On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, I spend about two hours in the pool.” The work paid off. In Drossel’s ninth grade year, she recorded the fastest Class A times in the state in the 100 breaststroke and finished the 2020 season as the No. 1 seed in the state — and at the same time learned a lesson that has stuck with her. That year, the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown cut back on practices and meets. “The COVID year there were no invites and sections were held in small pods,” Meyer said. “I knew she was going times very few swimmers were going that year and then when she had a really nice swim at sections, I knew she could potentially have the fastest section meet time in the state that year, which she did.” But Drossel has no medal saying so; the pandemic canceled the state meet that season. “At first, I looked at it like, ‘Oh, I missed out on that,’” she said. “It taught me a lot, like you can’t take things for granted and every day in the pool, you have to work hard for it.” That she did. When the 2021 season ended, Drossel was on top of the podium at state, and she repeated as state champion in 2022. This season, she came in second.
Drossel page 10
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Purple PRIDE What do you enjoy most about being part of the basketball team? Playing with my best friends and making memories on and off the court with all of them. Tell us about the most memorable game you have been part of. Winning the state championship game in 2021 at Target Center during COVID-19.
Kylan Gerads Parents: Bob and Shanna Gerads Accomplishment: Returning senior starter on the Albany Area High School girls basketball team that took second in state last year
What other activities are you involved in at school? Soccer, Captains and Leaders and Letter Club. What life lesson has being involved in activities taught you? To always work my hardest in everything I do and never let myself slack off. What are two goals you would like to accomplish during the school year? Make it back to the state tournament and win the state tournament.
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What is something you’ve learned in class recently? How to take a good picture in photograph class. Which teacher or coach has been most influential in your life? Coach Schwenzfeier because he has taught me many things to help me be a better athlete and work hard. Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know? Winter is my favorite season. For dinner and a movie, what’s on the menu and big screen? Barbecue chicken wings with fries and “Hannah Montana: The Movie.”
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Hallie Drossel stepped off the podium at the Minnesota State High School League Class A Girls Swimming and Diving State Meet Nov. 18 at Jean K. Freeman in Minneapolis as the silver medalist in the 100-yard breaststroke. That medal, along with two previous state championships in the event and numerous other medals from state, section and conference meets, makes her the most decorated swimmer in Melrose Area High School history. “She has got every color ribbon from state except the maroon for a sixth place,” said Nathan Meyer, head coach. “It’s pretty impressive how many state medals she has won.” Besides the second place, she won a third-place medal in the 200 individual medley. In relays, she competed with the 12th-place 200 medley relay and with the 200 freestyle relay in preliminaries. “I’m happy with how I did,” Drossel said. “I gave it my all.” Drossel finished the 100 breaststroke race at 1:04.13, dropping .23 of a second from her 1:04.36 preliminary time the day before. Mound Westonka/Holy Family’s Catherine Dueck finished at 1:02.99 to take first. From the start, the race was between Drossel and Dueck. For a time, it appeared Drossel might take Kthe race, but on the turns, ,Dueck kept ahead. a The duo had raced ; .against each other in the k200 individual medley, .where Dueck took first at 2:03.22, and Drossel third at 2:09.48. They also raced against each other in the 200 medley relay, with both swimming the breaststroke leg.
2023 ALL AREA
ALL ST RLl GiRlS VoLlEyBa
CoAcH YEAR 2023
of the
Brian
HINES Hines heads Huskies to success Albany leader named Coach of the Year to Rocori in its season-opening tournament’s championship
match, fell 2-0 to Chatfield and Rush City in the Class AA Showcase in Burnsville and finally dropped a back-and-forth 3-1 section championship match to eventual state champion When Brian Hines took the Albany Huskies volleyball Pequot Lakes. Quite simply, the Huskies were never out of a team to summer tournaments, he quickly realized the roster in contest. front of him was one that could go very far in 2023. “It was a team mindset of they were never satisfied,” The Huskies were one of the most exciting programs to watch during the fall season, picking up big-time wins time and time again and going undefeated in Granite Ridge Conference play on their way to a 26-4 record and a Section 6AA championship appearance. Off the back of this success, Hines has been voted the Star Publications All-Area Volleyball Team Coach of the Year. “It’s always a huge honor to be recognized by your peers, and I always look up to a lot of the other coaches in the area and how they go about their business and the team they put on the floor,” Hines said. Albany’s four losses were reflective of their consistency throughout the season, as the team dropped a close match BY EVAN MICHEALSON | STAFF WRITER
PlAyEr
of the
YEAR Hannah
KLEIN
#8
6’0” JUNIOR OUTSIDE HITTER FROM ALBANY Parents: Craig and Michelle Klein
Career accomplishments: Starter on varsity (2021-current); three-time letter winner (2021, 2022, 2023); Most Improved Player (2021); Granite Ridge Conference Honorable Mention (2022); Granite Ridge Conference team champions (2021, 2023); Granite Ridge Conference Academic team champions (2022); three-time Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic GOLD Award (2021, 2022, 2023); Kandi Elite Volleyball Club (2022-current); PrepDig Players To Get To Know ASAP (2022); Top-three outside hitter and top-nine overall in PrepDig Rankings of 2025 Graduates (2023); Breakdown Elite 35 MN Underclassmen (2022); Breakdown Top 75 MN Juniors (2023); invited to and was MVP of Jordan Thompson Camp (July 2023); AVCA Phenom List (2023); Class AA Showcase All-Tournament Team (2023); All-Granite Ridge Conference (2023); All Granite Ridge Conference MVP (2023); All Section 6AA (2023); Minnesota Coaches Association All-State 2023 statistics: Sets played: 86; Hitting: 425 kills, 1075 attempts, 170 errors, 0.237 hitting eff.; Serving: 287-for-303 (94.7%), 40 aces; Set assists: 24; Serve receive: 251 receptions, 18 errors, 1.98 rating (3.0 scale); Blocks: three solo, 33 assists; Digs: 278
Hines said. “We had quite a few more team meetings this year, and they were always establishing new goals and different things. It was really fun as a coach.” For Hines, the recognition is not something he can accept on his own; the Coach of the Year honors come as a result of a full team effort from the season’s start to its conclusion and includes the Huskies faithful outside of the locker room. “It’s an honor to have something like this happen, but it’s reflective of the players first and foremost, the community, administration and everybody at Albany,” Hines said.
320-845-2747
New position, no problem Albany’s Klein named Player of the Year BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER
and media as the Star Publications All-Area Volleyball Team Player of the Year. Change is not always “My whole team was easy, but for Hannah Klein, really helpful for me to it unlocked her as a volley- get to this point,” Klein ball player. said. “Without my team, I Transitioning from the wouldn’t be able to do what middle to outside before I do.” the 2023 fall season began, Klein was already a Klein became a two-way recognizable presence in force for the Huskies, lead- front of the net, capable of ing by example all through- firing deadly shots at differout the campaign in guiding ent angles for kills. HowevAlbany to a Section 6AA er, what put the junior over championship appearance. the top was her evolution After this incredible as an overall playmaker for run, Klein has received the Huskies. She learned acclaim from area coaches back-row technique at an
in-depth level, something she had never done before. It paid off, as Klein posted 425 kills, 278 digs and 251 serve receptions. “I felt like this position was a little more natural for me,” Klein said. However, it was not all on the shoulders of Klein, who credits her team’s overall attitude for Albany’s special 26-4 season. “We came to practice excited and wanting to practice,” she said. “…We all wanted it so bad that it pushed us.”
(2023); team captain (2023); Team Offensive Player the court from a defensive standpoint, leading of the Year (2022, 2023); Team Most Valuable Player our team with 278 digs on the season. Hannah (2023); South Dakota State University commit. also had a dominant jump serve with 40 aces on 94.7% serving. She is a great serve receive passer Coach’s comments: Hannah is one of the top-10 as well with 251 attempts and a 1.98 serve replayers in the state in Class AA volleyball. With her ceive rating. Hannah would just shut down the 6’0” frame and athletic ability, she can just jump opponent’s right-side attack with 36 ace blocks. over people and put the ball straight down. Han- With her overall stats, she was honored as one of nah had one of the most prolific seasons in Albany the top players in Class AA as a MNVBCA All State volleyball history. With 425 kills (third most in a player. Hannah has committed to South Dakota season all-time) and 4.94 kills per set (third most in State University and is the first D1 commit in Ala season all time), she absolutely dominated this bany’s school history. As a captain, she has a great season from the outside position. Hannah had five balance of focus and fun for her team. Hannah matches of 20 kills or more and thirteen matchknows what is needed to motivate her teames with 10 or more digs. She was everywhere on mates to keep everyone at their best. Sunday - Thursday: 10 am - 9 pm Friday and Saturday: 10 am - 10 pm
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Page 2B | NOVEMBER 22 & 23, 2023 | THE STAR POST & SAUK CENTRE HERALD
FiRsT
TEAM #18
5’2” SENIOR LIBERO FROM SAUK CENTRE Parents: Justin and Sheyanne Sebek
#2
5’6” JUNIOR SETTER FROM ALBANY Parents: Pete and Jen Ehresmann
school history with 9.5 (2023); All-Granite Ridge Conference (2023); Granite Ridge Conference team champions (2023); All-Section 6AA (2023); Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association All-State (2023).
Coach’s comments: Ellery is a great athlete to have at the setting position. She is so smart on her decision making and very deceptive on her jump sets. Ellery ran one of the most prolific offenses in school history with 816 set assists (second-most in a season in school history) on 2,074 attempts, averaging an astounding 9.5 assists per set (second-most in a season in school history). Not only can she make any set from anywhere, her defense was outstanding this season as well. Ellery also was one of our top servers with 42 aces on the season. With her overall stats, Ellery was honored as one of Career accomplishments : Starter on varsity, played all 86 the top 18 players in Class AA as a MNVBCA All-State player. sets and ran 5-1 offense (2023); two-time letter winner (2022, Ellery is such a great leader for our team and is willing to put 2023); second-most set assists in a season in school history the extra work in and out of practice to help her teammates with 816 (2023); fourth-most set assists per set in a season in be at their best.
Ellery Ehresmann
2023 statistics: Sets played: 86; Setting: 816 assists (second-most in a season in school history), 2,074 attempts, 35 errors, 9.5 assists per set (second-most in a season in school history); Hitting: 72 kills, 224 attempts, 15 errors, 0.254 hitting efficiency; Serving: 285-for-329 (86.6%), 42 aces; Blocks: 10; Digs: 194
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Raya Sebek Career accomplishments: Voted most valuable defensive player on the team (2022); All Conference, Section 6AA All-Tournament Team and voted most valuable defensive player of the team (2023).
Coach’s comments: Raya worked hard in the offseason and it showed. She was a very consistent and confident libero this year. She led the team in digs and serving percentage. Raya was one of our captains, but more importantly, she was a positive leader both on and off the court.
5’9” SENIOR MIDDLE HITTER FROM BBE Parents: Boyd and Annette Fischer
5’7” JUNIOR LIBERO FROM ALBANY Parents: Ron and Tammy Lauer
#20
#4
2023 statistics: Digs: 378 ; Serving percentage: 95% ; Ace Serves: 34
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5’9” SENIOR OUTSIDE HITTER/ SETTER FROM HOLDINGFORD Parent: Lisa Hohbein
#16
Makenna Hohbein Career accomplishments: First Team All-Central Minnesota Conference; CMC Player of the Year; Academic All-State; All-Conference Academic; Spotlight on Scholarship; letter winner; team captain; Section 6AA All-Tournament; holds school records in career kills,
most kills in a single match, career digs and career aces. Coach’s comments: Makenna is an outstanding player and an all-around athlete. She is our go-to hitter and has shattered multiple school records this year. She is one athlete who will be hard to replace.
2023 statistics: Kills: 316 ; Set assists: 261; Blocks: 14; Digs: 351; Serving percentage: 86.6%; Aces: 34
Holdingford American Legion
Career accomplishments: Started on varsity for two years (2022, 2023); twotime letter winner (2022, 2023); team captain (2023); Granite Ridge Conference Honorable Mention (2023); Team Defensive Player of the Year (2023); All-Section 6AA Team (2023). Coach’s comments: Paige will sacrifice her body to keep any ball off the floor. She is so consistent
on serve receive with a 1.94 rating. Paige not only saved so many opponents’ attacks with outstanding digs, but she ran our outof-system offense from the left back position. She did a phenomenal job of giving the hitters a hittable ball this season with her precision pass-setting. As a captain, Paige is a strong leader and gives everything for her team.
2023 statistics: Sets played: 86; Serving: 329-for-345 (95.4%), 31 aces; Serve receive: 368 receptions, 25 errors, 1.94 rating (3.0 scale); Digs: 247; Setting: 91 assists, 279 attempts, two errors
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Career accomplishments: 2023 All-State; 2023 CMC All-Conference First Team; 2023 All-Conference Academic; 2022 CMC All-Conference First Team; 2022 All-Conference Academic; 2021 CMC All-Conference Second Team. Coach’s comments: Brooklyn was one of our starters for the third year in a row. The last two seasons, she played all six rotations. This
is rare for a middle hitter, but she worked hard and improved her skills defensively. She is a smart player who sees the court well and uses that to score points for the team. Brooklyn is able to hit anywhere on the net and has many different shots that she is able to utilize to keep the defense on their toes. Brooklyn was a captain this year and she stepped up as a leader on and off the court.
2023 statistics: Kills: 382; Hitting Percentage: 0.283; Set assists: 45; Digs: 149; Blocks: 35; Aces: 50; Serving percentage: 90%
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5’10” SENIOR SETTER FROM MELROSE Parents: Jeff and Autumn Nelson
#20
Ria Nelson Career accomplishments: Two-time West Central AllConference; West Central Conference Most Valuable
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Setter; two-time All-Section 6AA; led our team in set assists (surpassed 1,000 set assists for career); team MVP; team captain. Coach’s comments: Ria is a true leader by example, and she has led our 5-1 offense for two years. She truly has to work to get to every ball and set up all of our attackers and has helped all five of our hitters to hit around 0.2. She has surpassed 1,000 assists and would be well on her way to 1,000 digs and much more if I had her for longer. She truly does it all. We didn’t have a hitter that was our “go-to,” it really depended on the game, so being able to locate our successful hitters each match was a valuable part of her game. Not only that, but she has many digs, aces and blocks and gives us at least three kills a match – either by dumping or turning and swinging. Other teams truly have to prepare for her offensive mentality, which isn’t true for all setters.
2023 statistics: Games played: 27; Sets played: 85; Serving: 279-for-301 (93%); Aces: 25; Set assists: 646; Hitting percentage: 0.19 ; Kills: 85; Digs: 265; Blocks: 61
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THE STAR POST & SAUK CENTRE HERALD | NOVEMBER 22 & 23, 2023 | Page 3B
SeCoNdT E A M #15
#16
#13
Cierra Kortan
Kylie Weller
Maddy Mitchell
5’9” JUNIOR SETTER/ OUTSIDE HITTER FROM SAUK CENTRE
5’5” JUNIOR SETTER FROM BBE Parents: Gregg and Brenda Weller
2023 statistics: Kills: 39; Hitting percentage: 0.225; Set assists: 589; Digs: 75; Blocks: six; Aces: 38; Serving 2023 statistics: Kills: 221; Digs: 225; Serving percentage: percentage: 93.3% 94%; Aces: 44 Parents: Jason and Michelle Kortan
5’6” SENIOR OUTSIDE HITTER/SETTER FROM HOLDINGFORD Parents: Luke and Lisa Mitchell 2023 statistics: Kills: 176; Set assists: 342; Blocks: 6; Digs: 243; Serving percentage: 94.5%; Aces: 33
#5
Kaylee Ellering
Maddy Schuster
5’9” SENIOR OUTSIDE HITTER FROM MELROSE
5’5” JUNIOR OUTSIDE HITTER FROM SAUK CENTRE
Parents: Cory and June Ellering
Parents: Jeff and Kim Schuster
2023 statistics: Games played: 27; Sets played: 85; Serving: 2023 statistics: Kills: 122; Digs: 300 (second on the 201-for-224 (96%); Aces: 18; Set assists: 28; Hitting percentage: team); Serving percentage: 91%; Aces: 40 0.17; Kills: 190; Digs: 328; Blocks: 23; Serve receive: 1.95
Brynn Panek
#10
#19
Tory Jennissen
#7
5’10” SOPHOMORE MIDDLE HITTER FROM ALBANY
6’3” JUNIOR MIDDLE HITTER FROM SAUK CENTRE
Parents: Ryan and Jen Panek 2023 statistics: Sets played: 86; Hitting: 218 kills, 494 attempts, 76 errors, 0.287 hitting efficiency; Serving: 194-for-238 (81.5%), 36 aces; Set assists: 11 on 46 attempts; Serve receive: 19 receptions, four errors; Blocks: seven solo, 31 assists; Digs: 49
Parents: Don and Kary Jennissen 2023 statistics: Kills: 150 ; Blocks: 70
The Star Publications All Star Girls Volleyball Team is decided by participating coaches and local members of the media. Coaches nominate their players, and then the coaches and members of the local media vote for a first team, a second team, and a player and coach of the year.
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HoNoRaBlE M E N T I O N #28 #6
#12
#8
#9
#25
Ava Hagerty
Avery Birch
Ava Hines
Kacey Fischer
Gabby Bruns
5’8” JUNIOR DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST FROM ALBANY
5’10” SOPHOMORE OUTSIDE HITTER FROM BBE
5’6” SOPHOMORE LIBERO FROM HOLDINGFORD
Parents: Brian and Bobbi Hines Parents: Boyce and Steph Fischer Parents: Paul and Melissa Bruns 2023 statistics: Sets played: 85; Serving: 420-for-441 2023 statistics: Kills: 292; Hitting percentage: 0.252; 2023 statistics: Kills: 11; Set assists: 42; Digs: 306; (95.2%), 55 aces (No. 7 all-time in a season in Albany history); Set assists: 3; Digs: 164; Blocks: 20; Aces: 73; Serving Serving percentage: 91%; Aces: 54 Serve receive: 292 receptions, 17 errors, 1.76 rating (3.0 scale); percentage: 86.9% Digs: 189; Setting: nine assists, 41 attempts, one error
5’8” FRESHMAN MIDDLE 6’0” SENIOR RIGHT-SIDE HITTER FROM HOLDINGFORD HITTER FROM MELROSE Parents: Brian and Tammy Hagerty Parents: Jeff and Lynn Birch 2023 statistics: Kills: 54; Set assists: 6; Blocks: 36; Digs: 2023 statistics: Games played: 27; Sets played: 85 22; Serving percentage: 81.5%; Aces: 15 Serving: 128-for-138 (92.8%); Aces: 15; Set assists: five; Hitting percentage: 0.19; Kills: 201; Digs: 50; Blocks: 44
#16
#2
#10
#18
Alea Berscheit
April Klaphake
Brooke Rieland
Addy Pilarski
5’11” SENIOR MIDDLE HITTER FROM MELROSE
5’3” SENIOR SETTER FROM SAUK CENTRE
Parents: Jeremy and Tracy Berscheit Parents: Mark and Jenny Klaphake 2023 statistics: Games played: 27; Sets played: 85; Serving: 253-for- 2023 statistics: Assists: 364; Digs: 106; Serving percentage: 95%; 267 (95%); Aces: 23; Set assists: nine; Hitting percentage: 0.18; Kills: Aces: 28 101; Digs: 75; Blocks: 90
5’10” SENIOR MIDDLE HITTER FROM 5’11” JUNIOR MIDDLE HITTER FROM SAUK CENTRE HOLDINGFORD Parents: Shawn and Claire Rieland 2023 statistics: Kills: 159; Serving percentage: 93%; Blocks: 38; Digs: 72
Parents: Jeff and Trina Pilarski 2023 statistics: Kills: 84; Set assists: 18; Blocks: 28; Digs: 57; Serving percentage: 98.2%; Aces: 16
Established in 1975
“Customer Service Is Our Priority”
Drainage LLC. D Jason Marthaler 320-249-6062 • Howard Marthaler 320-250-2984
Ditching • Tiling • Excavating Ag Waste Systems 1800 2nd St. S. • Sauk Centre, MN
DOUG LEGATT Professional movers for your home or business
(320) 250-2855 wehaulforyou.com doug@wehaulforyou.com
USDOT 11444430 MNDOT 3754475
BELGRADE • BROOTEN • ELROSA
JAGUARS Independent School District #2364
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We CONGRATULATE the All Star Volleyball Players on a great season!
Stearns, Kandiyohi and Pope Counties | Box 339 • Belgrade, MN 56312 320-254-2244 • Fax 320-254-3785