Sauk Centre Herald 11-23-2023

Herald Sauk Centre

NUMBER 26 • VOLUME 157

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023

WWW.STAR-PUB.COM

City employment in 2024 Sauk Centre updates pay, personnel policies

BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER

PHOTO

BY BEN SONNEK

Lateshia Harden arrives at the Sauk Centre Police Department Nov. 13 in Sauk Centre.

Harden has been working as a full-time officer with the SCPD since Nov. 6.

Inspired to serve

Harden joins SCPD as full-time officer

they’re super devastated, but it doesn’t mean they’re actually bad people.”

Born and raised in St. Cloud, Harden It was a good experience with police graduated high school in 2007. She was not officers that inspired Lateshia Harden to join interested in a law enforcement career until their ranks, and after a few years of service the summer of her senior year, when her father in Long Prairie, she has taken on a full-time died in an accident on the Lake Wobegon position with the Sauk Centre Police Depart- Trail. Law enforcement was the first to break ment. While her job means dealing with tough the news to her, and while it was a terrible situations, her favorite part of being in law moment in life, Harden was impressed with enforcement for the past few years has been how professional the officers were to her as a working with people. young adult.

“I’m a people person, so I love interacting “It was just so powerful,” Harden said. with people,” Harden said. “You see the worst “I thought, ‘You know what, I think I could in people sometimes. It doesn’t necessarily make a difference in someone else’s life too. mean they’re bad people. … Everybody has … I think I have the potential to make a diftheir bad days, everybody can have a day ference and make a positive impact on someBY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER

Welcomed in Sauk Centre

body else and my community.’”

After graduation, Harden took a year of general courses before deciding to pursue a law enforcement career. She received her two-year degree from Alexandria Technical and Community College in 2011 and moved to the northwestern Stearns County area in 2013. She joined the Todd County Sheriff’s Office as a correctional officer for three years and was also employed with the Long Prairie Police Department.

Harden applied to the SCPD when a couple of part-time patrol positions opened in the late summer.

As wages and employment policies change across the state, the city of Sauk Centre is adjusting their policies as well to stay competitive.

The Sauk Centre City Council approved the proposed 2024 wages for the Sauk Centre Ambulance Service during their regular meeting Nov. 15 at Sauk Centre City Hall. In 2023, drivers and emergency medical responders were paid $13.25 per hour regardless of years served. Emergency medical technicians pay rates range from $13.92 per hour for probationary EMTs to $20.79 per hour for EMTs with 15 years or more of service; there would also be a $30 bonus for transfers of 50 or more loaded miles. The rates for director, assistant director and training coordinator were, respectively, $24.41, $23.53 and $22.29 per hour.

“We were getting beat out by places such as McDonald’s for our EMTs, so we’re trying to give a little more money to keep our EMTs wanting to show up for calls,” said city administrator Vicki Willer.

“We ran some numbers on our billing, and we’re confident (updated) rates can be covered for our existing budget.”

Under the 2024 wages, drivers and EMRs will start at $15.11 per hour at 1-5 years, progressing up to $19.61 per hour for 15 years and up. The EMT pay rate will start at $15.87 per hour for probationary EMTs, progressing up to $23.70 per hour for 15 years and up, and there will be a

Harden page 2

City council page 3

Knights flip for fundraisers

Abreu, Cestari enjoying Minnesotan experience

BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER

Isabela Abreu

Giulia Cestari

ST R

Publications The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

Editor’s note: Sauk Centre High School has welcomed four foreign exchange students for the 2023-24 school year: Isabela Abreu from Brazil, Ingmar Berghahn from Germany, Tilde Borreby from Denmark and Giulia Cestari from Italy.

Berghahn and Borreby’s stories were presented in the Nov. 16 Sauk Centre Herald, and this week will feature Abreu and Cestari.

Isabela Abreu When Abreu, a junior from Florianópolis in Brazil’s Santa Catarina state, learned her exchange student program would be sending her to Sauk Centre, she thought there would not be much to do because the town is in a rural area.

When she arrived Sept. 4, she saw the city as a nice, quiet community. She has been busy since then, though, with many activities and other pastimes.

Abreu visited Minneapolis and the Mall of America early in her stay, and she has also been to area cities and Iowa since then.

Exchange Students page 4

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PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

Knights of Columbus members (from left) Vince Primus, Dan Krousey, Duane Vornbrook, Tom Langer and Curt Kampsen serve food to attendees during their breakfast Nov. 19 at Holy Family School. There was 325 people that took in the breakfast.

OBITUARIES none

PUBLIC NOTICES • Mortgage Foreclosure - 6 • Assumed Name - Shane’s Gifts - pg. 6 • City of Sauk Centre Winter Parking Rules Notice - pg. 6 • City of Sauk Centre Notice - pg. 6 • Birchdale Township Notice - pg. 7

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Page 2 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK CENTRE HERALD

NEWS

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

Deer hunting

Milan Elyas Dodin

Elyas Dodin and Islam Awawdah, of Sartell, are happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Milan Elyas Dodin, Nov. 13, 2023, at CentraCare-Sauk Centre Hospital in Sauk Centre.

She weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 21 inches long.

Welcoming her home were sisters Raedh Dodin, 7, and Yara Dodin, 5.

Grandparent is Ahmad Dodin, of Sartell.

success stories

Evan Wolbeck

Milan Elyas Dodin Great-grandparent is Mariam Dodin, of Sartell.

Sauk Centre

How many years have you been deer hunting? I have been hunting for a total of eight years.

Tell us the story of how you got your deer this year. I was sitting in my enclosed stand and was watching a fawn run around in the open, and before you knew it, a monster 12-point buck poked his head out of the woods. I didn’t hesitate; I turned and took my shot.

ACTION A APPLIANCE SERVICE

How many points does your deer have? I got a 12-point buck this year.

How many days did you hunt this year? That was probably the fourth time I got out in the stand.

Mark Roberg (320) 808-7552

What is your favorite aspect of hunting? I enjoy being in the woods. It’s very relaxing and peaceful. I just love watching wildlife do their thing.

H47-1B-MT

What is your best hunting story? I’d say this year would be the best hunting experience I have had. I put a lot of time and dedication into building a big insulated deer

stand for the season. I got done with work early that day, and let’s just say it was a good day to get done early.

Santa & His Reindeer DECEMBER 9TH, 10 AM-1PM

YARMON FORD

Jeremy Sunderman

640 DIEKMANN DR., PAYNESVILLE, MN 56362

Sauk Centre

How many years have you been deer hunting? I have been hunting for 33 years.

Tell us the story of how you got your deer this year.

My deer story really boils down to being at the right place at the right time. I wasn’t in my stand for more than 15 minutes on Saturday night of the opener, and it walked right to me.

How many points does your deer have? It was a 10-pointer.

How many days did you hunt this year? I went out for six days of regular deer hunting this year. I also hunt deer during bow hunting and muzzleloader season, so I hunt throughout the fall.

What is your favorite aspect of hunting? My favorite thing about hunting is spending time with my family and friends. It is getting to be less about hunting for me and more about what we are having to eat and how much I’m going to win in the card game.

Hunters page 4

Harden from front

(320) 243-4235 www.yarmonford.com

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Milk Will Be Served

Grade: 12 Accomplishment: Played Lucas Beineke in the Sauk Centre play ‘Addams Family’.

F I V E G E N E R AT I O N S

She was approved as a part-time officer by the Sauk Centre City Council Sept. 6, and when Branton Stowell resigned from the SCPD, she was advanced to his fulltime officer position Nov. 1. Her first day of full-time service was Nov. 6.

The Sauk Centre community was what attracted Harden to a position with the SCPD. “The police department here is fantastic,” Harden said. “They’re very knowledgeable (and) outgoing and have a good rapport as a department themselves, as well as with their community.”

Harden’s family are all supportive of her law enforcement career.

“They’re constantly asking me what I did today,” Harden said. “They have such a positive outlook that I’m there and I’m able to help out.”

Harden has a hobby farm with chickens, cows, yaks and goats. She maintains a garden and makes soap and lotion with the goat milk.

“I love doing anything outside,” Harden said. “Most of the time, when I do stuff, it’s all outside, whatever it may be.”

As an officer, Harden aims to make a positive impact in the Sauk Centre community, and with the reception she has received from the department, she is well on her way to doing so.

PHOTO SUBMITTED “The police department has been very open,” Harden Delphine Kostreba (front, from left), Waylon Wiedner and Samantha Wiedner; (back, from left) Carol Blattenbauer and said. “They’ve accepted me with open arms. It’s been a Scott Blattenbauer gather as a five-generation family. very good experience so far, and I definitely enjoy it.”

Zach Klimek

Parents: John and Mary Klimek

What is your best hunting story? It would have to be this year’s hunt because I got my deer so quick, and it was the biggest deer I have shot.

Streeter

What did you enjoy most about being part of the play? There was a feeling I had never felt before at the performances. It made me feel accomplished and happy that I joined.

What is your favorite Streeter tradition? tradition?Tractor Tractor Day! It is so fun when we get out of class to look at the tractors.

What did you enjoy about your role as Lucas? I enjoyed his few lines while still getting to be a main character. It was the perfect role for my first musical.

What SC teacher/coach has made an impact on your life? Our archery coach, Jeff Schuster, has a heart the size of an elephant. I hope to be as caring for others as him someday.

What other activities are you involved in at school? Golf, Archery, Football, One Act Play.

Why do you feel it’s important to be involved in school What are three words that describe your personality? activities? It is super awesome when you make new friend- Comical, Clumsy, Considerate. ships from having a common interest. Joining the musical brought me to many new people I now call friends.

Dinner and a movie: What’s on the menu and big screen? Jimmy Dip and The Lorax.

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How do you try to make a difference at school? I don’t try. I simply be myself and strive to be my best self and the Lord impacts others through me.

What has been your favorite class to date? Pottery.

I’ve only had it for two days, but I know it is about to be awesome.

Pride “We’re here to help.”

423 Main Street South • P.O. Box 266 Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Member FDIC

320-352-5771

24-Hour ATM available in our drive-up

firststatebanksc.com

Saluting great accomplishments in the Sauk Centre High School

SAUK CENTRE HERALD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 | Page 3

NEWS

Jessica Isenbart with the SCAS from a probationary EMT to EMT Level 1.

— Approved the appointment of $34.30 bonus for transfers of 50 or tributions; instead of the city paying Jeff Peters to the public works’ fullmore loaded miles. The ambulance 100% of the insurance premium for time maintenance position and Joe director rate will be $27.83 per those with single coverage and 85% Hoppe to public works on part-time, hour, the assistant director rate will for those with family coverage, it as-needed basis. be $26.62 per hour and the training will pay 100% of insurance premi— Authorized the execution of coordinator rate will be $25.31 per ums for the employee and 85% for closing documents for the sale of hour. dependents.

Lot 3, Block 3 in the Authors AddiAdditionally, with the recent — With the city’s wage scale for tion development. The council also part-time Advanced Life Support labor agreements either completed approved a $750,000 interfund loan licensure for the department, the or underway, the non-union wage from the hospital fund with a 10council approved a paramedic pay scales are set to be consistent with year term and 2% interest rate, with rate along with the adoption of a job the union scales to stay in complipayback coming as lots are sold and description for both a paramedic and ance with the Pay Equity Act. Addi- special assessments are collected. a Registered Nurse. The pay rates for tionally, the city’s personnel policy — Approved the removal of the paramedic-RN, applicable when has been updated to comply with the $14,614.25 in bad debts from unpaid they are conducting ALS duties, state’s newly enacted Sick and Safe invoices. ranged from $60 for 1-2 years of ser- Time Leave legislation, allowing — Approved the final plat of vice up to $75 for six or more years employees who are less than fullGolf View Estates. of service. For Basic Life Support time to earn sick leave at a rate of — Approved the transfer of an calls or transfers, they will receive one hour for every 30 hours worked, on-sale, off-sale liquor license of a wage of $23.70 per hour, same as to a maximum of 48 hours per year. Pied Piper Limited Liability Compaan EMT with 15 or more years of Other city council news: ny, doing business as The Bear Trap. service.

— According to the SCPD’s — Approved signing a petition The Sauk Centre Police Depart- monthly reports for the last two indicating interest in a proposed ment, formerly represented by the months, the department handled 867 bike trail, starting at the junction Teamsters, is now represented by calls in September, 143 less than of Interstate 94 and Highway 4 and Law Enforcement Labor Services.

August but 100 more than Septemtraveling south along Highway 4, The department’s existing Teamsters ber 2022. In October, the department crossing Highway 55 and continuing contract was imported into the LELS handled 959 calls, up 92 from Sepalong Kandiyohi County Road 6 to agreement, and the council approved tember and 106 from October 2022. the intersection of the Glacial Lakes changes to the agreement as per the — Sauk Centre Public Works Trail. The petition seeks to have the recommendation of the city’s perhas received Christmas decorations trail included in the Stearns County sonnel committee, including paying for Sinclair Lewis Park, which they Parks, Trails and Recreation Masabout 50 cents more per hour in shift are working on assembling in time ter Plan; other cities asked to join differential for overnight shifts, adfor the Holiday Kickoff Saturday, the petition include Albany, Avon, justing time paid for off-duty care of Nov. 25. The replica fountain statue Brooten, Cold Spring, Collegeville, K-9 unit, paying overtime to an infor the park has also shipped and is Elrosa, Freeport, Greenwald, Holdhouse training officer while conduct- on its way to Sauk Centre. ingford, Lake Henry, Meire Grove, ing training, providing an additional — The Sauk Centre Planning Melrose, New Munich, Paynesville, stipend to an officer assigned as Commission reported issuing nine Richmond, Roscoe, St. Cloud, St. investigator, awarding compensation building permits in October for a Joseph and Waite Park. time to an officer while working as a value of $192,950, bringing the total — Approved gambling permits Field Training Officer, adding June- value of the year as of that month up for the Sauk Centre Lions Club for teenth and the day after Thanksgiv- to $5,578,396.97. a raffle at Sauk Centre American ing as holidays and adjusting salaries — Following a presentation Legion Post 67 Feb. 28, 2024, and by 7%, 5% and 3% for 2024, 2025 from Mark Maloney with Minnefor the Sauk Centre Sno-Cleats for and 2026. sota National Agency, the council a raffle at their clubhouse March 13, Other council-approved changapproved waiving the monetary 2024. es to the city’s personnel policies limits on municipal tort liability and The next city council meeting include the following: purchasing excess liability coverage, will be at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, — The council approved chang- same as they have done in previous Dec. 6, at Sauk Centre City Hall. ing the city of Sauk Centre’s Beneyears. fits Guide in regard to insurance con— Approved the advancement of

City council from front

According to the lights while police pursued criminal complaint, a him, according to court patrol officer observed a documents filed in Stearns ST. CLOUD — A black Chevy Camaro drive County.

Sauk Centre man through a stop sign shortly Rangel is has been accused after 12:30 a.m. at Pine accused of driving of strangling the Street South and First Street while intoxicated mother of his child South. The officer attemptand using a vehicle during a Nov. 14 ed a traffic stop, but when without the ownaltercation. the officer exited the squad, er’s permission.

He Ethan Mithe vehicle drove away. The faces felony theft chael Nathe, 18, officer pursued the driver, and felony fl eeing is charged with later identified as Rangel, a peace offi cer in felony domestic until the vehicle appeared a motor vehicle Ethan Nathe assault and two trapped in front of a row of charges as well misdemeanor bushes. as three others: a assault charges, Rangel fought with gross misdemeanor according to a offi cers while being arrested charge for refuscriminal complaint and refused to take a preing to submit to filed in Stearns liminary breath test, asking a test for driving County. If convictto speak with an attorney while intoxicated ed, Nathe faces a but then failing to call one, and misdemeanors maximum sentence the complaint said. charges for driving of three years Law enforcement while intoxicated imprisonment and interviewed the owner of and obstructing the a $5,000 fine.

Maudy Rangel legal process. the vehicle who was an According to court documents, law enforcement was dispatched to a Sauk Centre home shortly after 1 a.m. Nov. Join Us in Worship 14 after a report that Nathe had allegedly strangled and assaulted a woman in the BELGRADE BROOTEN hours prior. The two had ST. FRANCIS DE SALES ST. DONATUS been arguing when Nathe CATHOLIC CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH pushed on the woman’s 541 Martin Ave. | PO Box 69 301 Eastern Ave. windpipe and restricted her 320-254-8218 320-254-8218 breathing, the complaint parishesontheprairie.org/parishes parishesontheprairie.org/parishes said. The woman called two people to come pick her up ELROSA WEST UNION from the home.

The complaint said the STS. PETER AND PAUL ST. ALEXIUS child was present at the CATHOLIC CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH time of the alleged assault.

302 State St. 11 Oak St. S Law enforcement 320-254-8218 320-352-2563 interviewed the two people, parishesontheprairie.org/parishes parishesontheprairie.org/parishes who corroborated a portion of the assault, and providSAUK CENTRE ed investigators with text message communication EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS that further documented the GOOD SAMARITAN CATHOLIC CHURCH incident and timeline.

529 Main St. S Ash St. and 7th St. Nathe was arrested 320-352-6882 320-352-2196 goodsamaritansaukcentre.org parishesontheprairie.org/parishes Nov. 14 and booked into the Stearns County Jail. He FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH ST. PAUL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH is due in court for an initial 124 4th St. N 304 Sinclair Lewis Ave. hearing Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Western Stearns DFL Group: Meets every third Tuesday of the month, 6 p.m. potluck, 6:30 p.m. meeting. Location may vary, so please call 320282-8312 for location. New members welcome!

Sauk Centre History Museum and Research Center: Museum hours are Sunday and Monday - closed, Tuesday 1-5 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday 1-5 p.m., Friday 12-4 p.m. and Saturday research can be arranged by contacting the museum. Located in the Sinclair Lewis Library building at 430 Main Street. Any questions, call 320-351-8777.

Mental Health Crisis Line: 320-253-5555 or 800-635-8008. Crisis Response Team for Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties.

AA Meetings: Thursdays, 11 a.m. at United Church of Christ in Sauk Centre. For more information, call 320-429-1620. AA and Al-Anon 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays in Sauk Centre at United Church of Christ. Back to Basics Meeting, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Tutti Fruitti in Sauk Centre. For more information, call 218-240-1076. Wednesdays Big Book Meeting at 7 p.m., Civic Center, Melrose. For more information, call 320-241-3909.

NA Meetings: Mondays at 7 p.m. at River of Life Church, Sauk Centre, and Fridays at 11 a.m. at Eagle’s Healing Nest Chapel, Sauk Centre.

Alzheimer’s Support Group: First Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m. at Alternative Senior Care, 418 10th Street South, Sauk Centre. Cristina Rodriguez, Care Navigator/Dementia Educator from D-CAN, is offering a support group. This service is on a donation-only basis and funded by Central MN Council on Aging as part of the Older Americans Act Program.

If anyone wants to sign up for the support group or one-to-one coaching, they need to contact Cristina directly at (320) 640-6724.

www.mnnationalagency.com info@mnnationalagency.com Sauk Centre

Long Prairie

320.527.0050

320.732.6612

131 12th Street South Sauk Centre, MN 56378 NOW

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acquaintance of Rangel but said Rangel did not have permission to take the vehicle because he had been drinking.

Rangel is scheduled for an omnibus hearing Dec. 12.

Medicare Open Enrollment Dates 10/15/2023-12/7/2023 Individual Market Open Enrollment 11/1/2023-12/15/2023

Mark T. Maloney Agency Manager

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 6 organizations which offer 58 products in your area. Please contact medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Journaling the weekly happenings at

Holy Family School

The fourth graders at HFS were curious to find out what were some of the favorite Thanksgiving foods among their friends and families. Each student surveyed 20 people as to what was their favorite Thanksgiving food. The choices were: turkey, ham, stuffing, corn, squash, potatoes, cranberries, bread, salad, pie and other. Data was collected, recorded, and presented in a bar graph in the main hallway. It was determined that potatoes were the favorite, with stuffing coming in at a close second.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

Allie Thooft adds her survey results to the bar graph.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

231 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre | 320.352.6535

320-352-2196

faithbc.org

parishesontheprairie.org/parishes

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 304 Elm St. S 320-352-3623

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 504 Elm St. S 320-352-2827

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 620 5th St. S 320-352-2030

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH 316 Maple St. 320-352-3447

flcsauk.com

Little Sauk Legion Auxiliary Unit 417 Meeting: Second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Little Sauk Legion, Little Sauk.

saukcentreumc.org

LTD

H20-tfn-RB

ST. CLOUD — A Sauk Centre man allegedly led police on a high-speed and reckless chase through Sauk Centre Nov. 12.

Maudy Martin Rangel, 59, drove 3.5 miles through Sauk Centre while, at times, driving over 100 mph and failing to stop for multiple stop signs or red

Pins and Needles Quilters Monthly Meeting: Second Tuesday of the month, 7-9 p.m. at the Sauk Centre Senior Center, 321 Fourth Street N., Sauk Centre. Goal is to promote the art of quilt making at all skill levels by discussion, lessons, and show and tell of your projects at our meetings.

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Sauk Centre man jailed for assault

Sauk Centre driver charged with theft, fleeing police

Sauk Centre Senior Organization Meeting: Third Tuesday each month, 2 p.m. at the Sauk Centre Senior Center, Sauk Centre.

Mark Maloney can help you with health insurance and enrollment!

CRIME & SAFETY

320-352-5356

What’s H A P P E N I N G

Certified Public Accountant

www.facebook.com/ zionlutheransaukcentre

If you would like parishioners to see your church here, please contact Robin at 320-351-7837

320-352-6171 • PolipnickInsurance.com

Klaphake Farms

SAUK CENTRE HERALD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 | Page 5

OPINION 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.

The Thanksgiving ball

Thanksgiving lists For Thanksgiving this year, I want to wish “feels like” 39 in no time a very happy birthday to a woman who inspires – good food in abundance me every time I have the good fortune to see – freeways to get there fast her. In her mid 80s, she still loves life and is – country roads to make a person slow dedicated to serving others in whatever capacidown ty she is able. She is friendly and charitable but – an amazing small town to call home not the least bit afraid to tell it like it is.

– a good book What is this “it”? It could be any discus– beauty in nature sion on religion, politics, family or even the – people who inspire me quality of food being served up each day. Not Random Reflections There are hundreds of things that could that she complains, mind you. She is grateful be included on my list, but I’ll pause at that Part II to have a meal on the table; she figures her one.

We all need people who inspire us, beby Diane Leukam mom and mine probably used the same statecause this life was never meant to be easy. If it ment when telling us to eat all our food as kids. seems easy now, we might as well be prepared for things I’m not sure how this young-at-heart lady sustains to change at some point. Adversity is a given. such a positive attitude. Maybe it’s a matter of finding We run into people every day who carry heavy bursomething good in each day. dens we don’t even know about, requiring much internal Thanksgiving is obviously the perfect time to seek out strength, courage and perseverance. It is said we should the things for which we are grateful. We hear it every year be kind, because everyone we meet is fighting a battle. and the older we get, the more it can sound repetitious and Some have much more difficult, ongoing battles and they mundane. It doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty are just exhausted.

A priest I knew would tell people during difficult of blessings we can count, over and above the obvious times, “God has a plan for you and this isn’t it.” In casual constants on the list like faith, family, friends and good conversation, he would always talk about how on this health.

Here’s an additional list of 10 things just off the top of side of Heaven, every one of us is broken. I believe that is true, but it doesn’t always define us. Our birthday girl my head: – hot running water, because I know how fortunate has been through more than I could ever imagine and just keeps right on going. To describe her as having strength we are to have this resource would be understatement.

– the ability to see color Getting back to being thankful, faith, family and – the sound of a strong wind in fall, the one I know friends really do top my list, right beside all of you. That is bringing winter. It’s not that I love winter most, but that particular wind is so distinct. We had it last Thursday may in fact be repetitious, but it’s never mundane.

Happy Thanksgiving. when the temperature dropped from almost 60 degrees to

Dashing through the snow We are already into late fall and early difficult to both see and prepare for. If you are winter, and you wouldn’t know it based on the driving in these types of conditions, be sure to weather. I am not one for snow and cold, so drive slowly and leave extra time planned into I will take this as long as I can. However, we your trip to make it there safely. It is important are in Minnesota, and since the weather will to avoid sudden turns or changes in speed as change, and we will see winter driving condithis can cause a loss of control. Again, leave tions, I wanted to provide winter driving tips. plenty of room between you and other traffic so The holidays are quickly approaching, and you have time to react to unexpected events. that means traveling to grandma’s house for If you find yourself starting to skid or in a Thanksgiving or attending Christmas gatherskid, the best thing to do is let off the gas and County Sheriff ings with family and friends, and of course, brake, look and steer in the direction you want

by Steve Soyka driving to get there. the car to go, and when it starts to head in that First, let’s talk about winter rain condidirection or straightens out, gently increase tions. Road conditions get slippery as winter rain falls and your speed. Don’t overreact or overcorrect the steering mixes with the summer oil and chemicals left behind on wheel as this can cause you to skid more erratically. our roadways. Make sure to drive for the conditions presLastly, when traveling in the winter months, it is iment, which means slowing down, avoiding using cruise portant to make sure you have properly inflated tires with control and leaving some distance between you and the good tread depth. You should also pack a winter survival vehicle in front of you. kit for your car. Online resources will provide you with As temperatures change the rain to snow and ice, tips on what to put in a kit. the driving conditions change also. The snow and ice I hope everyone has a happy holiday season and safe make the roads go from slippery to slick. This can be true travels. even as things melt. Black ice can form, and this can be

Stacked family responsibilities I grew up on a dairy farm about six miles in building a strong work ethic and being able west of Sauk Centre. My parents had a 76-cow to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes dairy that kept us all busy and provided for. with contributing to one’s family. Without the We all contributed with our twice-a-day chores dairy farm chores from my childhood, my huswithout being asked. At least the way I rememband and I would have to find a different way ber it. for our kids to contribute to our family. With As a child, my responsibilities landed in our house heated primarily with wood in the washing the dishes, feeding the cats and helpwinter, it was not hard to figure out where they ing with the calves and cows. The responsibilicould contribute. ty was not solely on my shoulders, but was still Every fall my husband begins hauling important in contributing to help the family. I fallen trees out of our woods to prepare for Tuff Lessons loved the sense of accomplishment that workwinter.

As the logs get cut, my kids and I begin

by Amanda Thooft ing on my family farm gave me. All of us were to start splitting and stacking them. I find this needed to make sure that all of the animals to be a kind of fun family bonding session. I were cared for. may be the only one in my family with this frame of mind.

In seventh grade I joined basketball for one year and My kids get to test their strength to see how big of a log one year only. I never rejoined the following year. I knew they can lift and run the splitter and feel like the incrediI was putting the responsibility of my chores on someone ble Hulk, cracking logs in half. We stack log after log of else while I was at basketball. My family did not ask me firewood, with some pep talks mixed in. to quit sports, but I knew I did not love basketball enough Once we near completion for the day, I begin to see to be putting my responsibilities on someone else. While that sense of accomplishment in my children’s faces that I some of you may see this as losing out on all of the things used to feel after the farm chores were done for the night. that sports can teach you, I saw it as easing off to conMaybe while stacking all of this wood with my family, my centrate on getting my farm work done and helping my kids will feel that sense of accomplishment from contribfamily, my team, where I was needed. uting to our family, like I did.

Now, please don’t misunderstand, sports and school Maybe my kids will take nothing from this and we are activities are important in a child’s life, but now that I am warm for the winter. raising children of my own, I see the benefits it had for me

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I’m betting most of you readers don’t associate kickballs with kickball because they are famous for being used in dodgeball games. Those who have experienced them in that context surely recall the millisecond warning gust of wind, the loud “bink” noise and the rubberlike smell that haunts Ultra Sonnek your dreams for weeks. While I

by Ben Sonnek clearly share your pain — literally, as I’m sure some dodgeball hits from decades ago are what have caused our long-term muscle pain — it may surprise you to learn how I associate kickballs with kickball, but not just any type of kickball.

Indeed, I am thinking of Sonnek family kickball.

It has been some time since my last game, but my thoughts turn to it around every Thanksgiving, not to mention other major family gathering holidays, like Mother’s Day. Without many relatives on my mother’s side of the family, most of these holidays were spent with my dad’s parents, as aunts, uncles and over a dozen cousins gathered in their Easton farmhouse. We kids would usually be all over the farm, running between barns, climbing on hay bales and doing any number of things that’ll make good column topics some other day. There were always two things that would bring us all together, though, the first of which was dinner.

The second thing was kickball.

Everybody participated, with grandma and grandpa spectating. The lawn inside the driveway loop in front of the house formed the ball diamond, with trees serving as bases. There wasn’t much unusual about the game — basically baseball with feet. It was the location itself that made the competition interesting by adding unusual terrain as well as different rules. If you kicked the ball into the house, you were out. If you kicked it into grandma’s garden, you were out. If you kicked it into the grandparents, you would be unceremoniously executed and used as potato fertilizer.

If you kicked it to the dog … well, that tended to end the game, because whenever Spud caught the ball, she’d sink her teeth into it and run off. Even if you got the ball back, it’d need some patching before it could be used for anything more than a floppy hat. Punctures could also happen if you kicked the ball into a tree, if the ball didn’t get stuck up there altogether; games would also be called off to get the ball down again.

Now that I think of it, I don’t remember any games that ended because anyone won or lost. It’d be the dog, a tree or dinner which brought a grinding halt to the activity.

For simplicity’s sake, teams were almost always girls versus boys, and in spite of all the chivalry instilled in us by our parents, we boys weren’t known for holding back. Once, one of the older cousins started an “X chromosome. X chromosome” chant to cheer on our side; I submitted a suggestion, and it turned into “X-extra large. X-extra large.” Hey, it was a fair assessment of our clothing sizes.

Oh, and let us not forget how the ruthlessness ran both ways. I mean, there was one time an aunt bowled over her own son to make it to first base — although, in her defense, he was standing on the base line.

Not being the most athletic kid, a good chunk of my sport-based memories are from Sonnek family kickball games. I remember catching one ball because it crashed into the tree I was stationed under, and all I had to do was open my arms and let the ball fall into them for the out. Later that inning, a cousin missed a ball because it came in too high and bounced off his hands, but it was OK because I’d run in behind him to snag it before it hit the ground.

You don’t typically see that kind of teamwork in catching a pop fly in baseball.

Like I said before, it’s been a while since the last game, what with us cousins graduated and gone our separate ways. Still, I like to think it won’t be long before the family sport makes a resurgence; after all, this year will end with me and each of my siblings having children of our own, totaling six grandchildren for my parents. Five of those kids are boys, so it’d make for a pretty unbalanced game, and it’d be a little embarrassing to see young Ivy steamroll over the rest of her cousins. I’m not worried about my parents’ dogs, though. The little yippy ones are more in danger of being mistaken for the ball.

Life Hacks

By Missy Traeger How to use common, everyday items to help with household problems.

When you are going to the beach, put your phone in a zipper sandwich bag. You’ll still be able to use the touch screen but your phone won’t get wet or sandy.

Staff Mark Klaphake ...................... General Manager ......................................mark@saukherald.com Joyce Frericks ........................ Publisher ......................................................... joyce@saukherald.co Missy Traeger ........................ Sales Manager/Marketing ....................missy@saukherald.com Natasha Barber ..................... Managing Editor ................................. natasha@saukherald.com Nancy Powell......................... Manager ......................................................nancy.p@dairystar.com Tim Vos .................................... Manager ............................................................tim.v@star-pub.com Amanda Thooft .................... Production Mgr./Page Layout ........amanda@saukherald.com Karen Knoblach .................... Graphic Design/Proofing ....................... karen.k@star-pub.com Maddy Peterson ................... Graphic Design ...........................................maddy@star-pub.com Cheyenne Middendorf ...... Graphic Design ..................................... cheyenne@star-pub.com Annika Gunderson .............. Graphic Design ............................................annika@star-pub.com Ben Sonnek............................ Co-Editor ..................................................... ben.s@saukherald.com

Carol Moorman .................... Co-Editor ...................................................... carol.m@star-pub.com Herman Lensing................... Reporter ........................................ herman@melrosebeacon.com Evan Michealson .................. Reporter ....................................................... evan.m@star-pub.com Jaime Ostendorf .................. Marketing ........................................................jaime@star-pub.com Neil Maidl ............................... Marketing .......................................................neil.m@star-pub.com Robin Brunette ..................... Inside Sales Representative ................. robin@saukherald.com Amy McChesney .................. Bookkeeping ......................................amy.m@star-pub.com.com Gretchen Jennissen ............ Bookkeeping .............................................office@saukherald.com Lorie Swedenburg ............... Receptionist/Circulation .........................lorie@saukherald.com Logan Thomas ...................... Sign Design ............................................... logan@saukherald.com Jill Borgerding....................... Office assistant..................................................jill.b@star-pub.com Kathy Banke ........................... Bookkeeping Mike Imdieke......................... Bookkeeping

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The deadline for most news in The Sauk Centre Herald is noon Monday. Exceptions are obituaries, which have a deadline of 10 a.m. Tuesday. The deadline for advertisements in The Sauk Centre Herald is noon Tuesdays, and in the Shopper noon Wednesdays and Classy Canary is noon Wednesdays.

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Periodicals postage pending at Sauk Centre, MN THE SAUK CENTRE HERALD (USPS 482-220) is published weekly on Thursdays by Star Publications, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN. 56378.

Second-class postage paid at Sauk Centre, MN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE SAUK CENTRE HERALD, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378

Page 6 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK CENTRE HERALD

PUBLIC NOTICES/NEWS W AY B A C K W H E N

BREAK SUDOKU

100 years ago • Nov. 22, 1923 Fischer family uninjured in car rollover Mrs. Fred Fischer and children, of Sauk Centre, were driving to Sauk Centre on noon Monday in a Ford being driven by Carl Fischer, returning from a weekend visit with relatives in Litchfield. As they were rounding a corner, a radius rod gave way and the car overturned in a ditch with all of the occupants under it. The car’s roof was badly damaged, but miraculously, nobody was injured in the accident, with the children attending school as usual that afternoon.

50 years ago • Nov. 21, 1973 School plans for winter fuel shortages The probability of a winter fuel shortage has prompted local school officials to put several fuel conservation programs into effect, and at the request of the State Department of Education, they are developing strategies in the event of complete fuel exhaustion. The measures include setting thermostats to 68 degrees in classrooms and lower in corridors, and temperatures will be reduced even further during holidays and snow days, except in rooms being used by staff for essential work. Superintendent Solberg said he tried several times to get fuel oil bids with no results, and they were only able to receive about 60% of their gasoline requirements through bidding.

25 years ago • Nov. 25, 1998 Drag strip proposed at airport At Wednesday’s city council meeting, the council considered a proposal from individuals, asking the city to sell back land near the Sauk Centre Municipal Airport for a drag strip at the northwest end of the runway. Council members agreed city clerk Joe Heinen should research the proposal by going over airport zoning rules, maps and clear zone restrictions. The council also discussed the airport layout plan which has been in progress since 1994, the primary purpose of which was to find an acceptable location for a proposed hangar to replace the old hanger which is in poor condition.

10 years ago • Nov. 21, 2013 St. Michael’s Foundation has successful year At CentraCare-Sauk Centre’s Nov. 14 report to the community, Mark Kranz, chair of the St. Michael’s Foundation, reported numerous highlights the foundation had in 2013. In October, they celebrated a milestone when they met the $1 million mark in donations to the hospital since 2006, recognizing it with their first-ever thank-you event Oct. 10. The donations funded important improvements including expansions to radiology services, a finished and furnished second operating room, digital mammography equipment, digital storage for all medical images, anesthesia equipment and long-range strategic planning that led to the CentraCare merger.

T H A N K YO U

CROSSWORD

Thank you Thank you for all the donations for the Christmas figurines in the park. How great is it to live in a city where people really care about making our town a place to stop, see all our wonderful decorations and make the holiday time fun for the children.

The Community Legacies Foundation received donations to replace figurines that had died and also add new displays.

Thank you to Community Connections: The gingerbread house; MBC Drainage: Santa in the dump truck and elf excavator; Tree Top Nursery: Decorations for around the gingerbread house – lollipops, gingerbread boy and girl and candy cane; Gwen and Mark Kranz: Santa bringing in the tree; Gradatim Club: Deer, snowflake and snowman; Susan Hartigan and Andrea Kerfeld: Snowmen; Friends of The Library: Santa checking list. Thank you also to Felling Trailer,

Mark and Shirley Roberg and Darron and Ashley Nelson for their monetary donations. A special thank you to Ben Clink and his crew who assemble, make frames and place figures in the park.

We appreciate all of you who continue to make our city shine. Enjoy the light show in the park.

Don’t forget this Saturday is Christmas in the Park. Santa will be there taking pictures with your children. The hockey association will be selling hot dogs and Community Legacies will be serving hot chocolate and s’mores. At 5:30 p.m., we will be lighting up the tree in front of the park. Come and enjoy and remember to thank these sponsors who have lit up our Sinclair Lewis Park.

Pamela Borgmann, president, Community Legacies Foundation, Inc. H-47-1B

PUBLIC NOTICES

Herald Sauk Centre

MISSY TRAEGER

CALL

Sales Manager

522 Sinclair Lewis Avenue Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Office: 320-352-6577 • Cell: 320-291-9899 Fax: 320-352-5647

missy@saukherald.com

City of Sauk Centre Notice of Winter Parking Rules Winter Parking Rules will go into effect on December 1 and remain in effect until

a.m. to 7:00 a.m. during these times.

People parking in violation If you have any questions, of these rules are subject to please call City Hall at 320ticket and tow.

352-2203.

Please make provisions H-46-3B for alternate parking locations

March 31. During this period no on-street parking is permitted from Midnight until 7:00 a.m. on all streets except the downtown district where no parking is permitted from 2:00

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S GIVEN that default has Stearns Minnesota OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE occurred in the conditions of the Property Address: 1017 10 1/2 to pay the debt secured by said REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS following described mortgage: Ave S, Saint Cloud, MN 56301 mortgage and taxes, if any, on IF A JUDICIAL ORDER DATE OF MORTGAGE: June Tax Parcel ID Number: said premises and the costs IS ENTERED UNDER 11, 2021 85.50882.0000 and disbursements, including MINNESOTA STATUTES, 582.032, ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF attorney fees allowed by law, SECTION AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: PROPERTY: LOT 5, BLOCK subject to redemption within DETERMINING, AMONG $142,373.00 9, SOUTH SIDE PARK six (6) months from the date of OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGOR(S): Christopher ADDITION TO ST. CLOUD, said sale by the mortgagor(s), MORTGAGED PREMISES Allen, a single man STEARNS COUNTY, their personal representatives or ARE IMPROVED WITH A MORTGAGEE: Mortgage MINNESOTA. assigns.

RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Electronic Registration TOGETHER WITH AN If the Mortgage is not reinstated OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as EASEMENT FOR INGRESS under Minn. Stat. §580.30 or ARE NOT PROPERTY nominee for AND EGRESS OVER AND the property is not redeemed USED IN AGRICULTURAL Everett Financial, Inc. dba ACROSS THE SOUTH 30 under Minn. Stat. §580.23, PRODUCTION, AND ARE Supreme Lending, its successors FEET OF THE WEST 25 the Mortgagor must vacate the ABANDONED. and assigns FEET OF LOT 4, BLOCK property on or before 11:59 p.m. DATED: October 30, 2023 MORTGAGEE: U.S. Bank DATE AND PLACE OF 9, SOUTH SIDE PARK on June 19, 2024, or the next National Association RECORDING: ADDITION TO ST. CLOUD. business day if June 19, 2024, Wilford, Geske & Cook, P.A. Recorded: August 3, 2021, AMOUNT DUE AND falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Attorneys for Mortgagee Stearns County Recorder CLAIMED TO BE DUE legal holiday.

Document Number: A1610085 AS OF DATE OF NOTICE: Mortgagor(s) released from 7616 Currell Boulevard, Suite 200 ASSIGNMENTS OF $142,412.33 financial obligation: NONE Woodbury, MN 55125 MORTGAGE: THAT all pre-foreclosure THIS COMMUNICATION IS (651) 209-3300 And assigned to: U.S. Bank requirements have been FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR File Number: 053762-F1 National Association complied with; that no action or ATTEMPTING TO H-44-6B Dated: July 18, 2023 proceeding has been instituted COLLECT A DEBT. ANY Recorded: July 18, 2023, at law or otherwise to recover INFORMATION OBTAINED Stearns County Recorder the debt secured by said WILL BE USED FOR THAT Document Number: A1656593 mortgage, or any part thereof; PURPOSE. Transaction Agent: Mortgage that this is registered property; THE RIGHT TO Electronic Registration PURSUANT to the power of VERIFICATION OF THE Systems, Inc. sale contained in said mortgage, DEBT AND IDENTITY OF Contact Transaction Agent Mortgage the above-described property THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR Annette Hinnenkamp Identification Number: will be sold by the Sheriff of WITHIN THE TIME Memorial Consultant 100307110021315002 said county as follows: PROVIDED BY LAW IS Sauk Centre, Melrose & L e n d e r / B r o k e r / M o r t g a g e DATE AND TIME OF SALE: NOT AFFECTED BY THIS Surrounding Areas Originator: Everett Financial, December 19, 2023, at 10:00 ACTION. Inc. dba Supreme Lending AM THE TIME ALLOWED BY 320-248-0560 Residential Mortgage Servicer: PLACE OF SALE: County LAW FOR REDEMPTION 1710 Pebble Lake Rd • Fergus Falls 218-736-3228 • 800-664-2549 U.S. Bank National Association Sheriff`s office, Law BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE Fergus Falls Monument Company COUNTY IN WHICH Enforcement Center, 807 MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL

LOOKING FOR OBITS? • www.pattonschad.com

See our online Obituaries and Guestbook

Monuments

H47-1B-MT

SPONSORED BY:

A DV E R T I S E I N T H E

City of Sauk Centre Notice of Proposed Total Budget and Property Taxes The Sauk Centre city council will hold a public hearing on its budget and on the amount of property taxes it is proposing to collect to pay for the costs of services the city will provide in 2024.

All Sauk Centre city residents are invited to attend the public hearing of the city council to express their opinions on the budget and on the proposed amount of 2024 property taxes. The hearing will be held on: Wednesday, December 6, at 6:30 p.m.

Sauk Centre City Hall 320 Oak Street South Sauk Centre If the discussion of the budget cannot be completed, a time and place for continuing the discussion will be announced at the hearing. You are also invited to send your written comments to: City of Sauk Centre City Administrator 320 Oak Street S, Sauk Centre, MN 56378 H-47-1B

H1-tfnb-MT

This Week’s Puzzle Solutions:

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: Shane’s Gifts.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS: 149 19 1/2 Ave N., Saint Cloud, MN 56303 USA. NAMEHOLDER(S): SMW Services Inc., 149 19 1/2 Ave N., Saint Cloud, MN 56303 USA. By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. /s/ Shane M Wold 11/07/2023 H-46-2P

SAUK CENTRE HERALD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 | Page 9

SPORTS

North Stars to test Howling opponents with tenacity

hysteria

Prairie Centre boys hockey boasts talent at several levels

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

The Prairie Centre North Stars boys hockey team has never been so diverse.

Tasked with replacing several valuable seniors, the team has elevated a wave of younger talent, with freshmen and even eighth graders perhaps ready to contribute for the North Stars this season.

The roster’s wide range of experience and perspectives has added a sense of anticipation to an already-exciting start to the winter.

“The energy the guys have been bringing, it’s infectious,” said Chad Wehrman, head coach. “The coaches and I, we love being out there.”

Prairie Centre is taking a balanced approach for the 2023-24 season, a natural step after losing the program’s all-time leading scorer and one of the top-scoring players in state history in Eli Fletcher. No one player can replicate that production, but the North Stars still expect to maintain a similar level of play all-around.

“All of the guys now, they sort of get to get out of the shadow and now it’s their turn,” Wehrman said.

“We don’t need anyone to score 45. What we need is for the returning guys to score six more goals than f last year.”

The North Stars have skilled forwards who can contribute to the team’s aggregate scoring. James Rieland returns for his sophomore season after setting a new program single-season assists record a year ago, while seniors Jesse Williams and Zac Bick both can win puck battles and create opportunities for the team.

Critical leadership will also be seen from seniors Dylan Gruenes, Asher Cebulla and Zack Larson, along with junior defenseman Caiden Frerichs and junior forward Aiken Lambrecht.

“We have five seniors and quite a few juniors who played significant minutes last year,” Wehrman said.

“They’re still the core leadership and they’ll do a great job.”

One major obstacle outside of the roster shakeup is defensive depth. Frerichs and Gruenes offer experience at the defenseman position, but otherwise, there is a lot to figure out by the blue line and on their own end of the ice.

“We’ll have to work on the D zone, that’s gonna catch some guys,” Wehrman said. “That’s a system thing that we can teach throughout the year.”

Another noticeable

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

The Prairie Centre boys hockey senior class consists of Jesse Williams (from left), Zac Bick, Dylan Gruenes and Zack Larson. The North Stars will look for increased production from their veteran playmakers as the 2023-24 winter campaign begins. Not pictured: Asher Cebulla.

aspect of this year’s North Stars team is their size, or lack thereof. They don’t have the size and physicality that often lends benefit in puck battles against the boards or on the forecheck. However, Prairie Centre is leaning into this in a sense, preaching tenacity and a willingness to scrape out positive plays despite adversity.

“We’re going to be the smallest team we see all year, but they push back and play physical and do a good job there,” Wehrman said. “I like their compete level.”

Hopefully for Wehrman, his team’s desire to succeed leads to an uptick in the win column and even the opportunity to host a home playoff game. But that is a long time from now, as Prairie Centre first focuses on rounding into shape before their season opener against Northern Lakes Tuesday, Nov. 28.

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE Senior Jesse Williams handles the puck for the Prairie Centre “We’re more of a ‘journey, not the destination’ type North Stars during their home scrimmage Nov. 18 against River Lakes. Williams is one of five seniors on the team. of group,” Wehrman said.

Volleyball awards

As strange as it feels to write, the Minnesota Timberwolves might be the best professional sports team in Minnesota right now.

Through their first 13 games, the Wolves have posted a 10-3 record, enough to catapult one of

BY EVAN MICHEALSON the NBA’s long-maligned Winning with worth franchises into the top spot in the Western Conference.

And they have done so in convincing fashion, defeating the widely-expected top two teams in the league in the reigning champion Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics.

As a longtime fan, it is beyond weird to be experiencing a Wolves team this good. I was too young and not really into basketball when Minnesota captivated the entire state with a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2004, and the only playoff basketball the team has seen since then has come in rare spurts, and never lasting more than a first-round playoff exit.

However, this year’s Wolves team feels different, in the best way possible. Previous Minnesota teams, even while featuring promising players and the foundational pieces necessary to compete, lacked a critical component of discipline. Untimely fouls and horrific collapses at critical junctures were all too common in previous seasons. Not so with this year’s bunch, who outside of a miserable second half against Atlanta have stayed fairly consistent through their games this season.

This consistency is especially present on the defensive end, where the Wolves have hung their hats so far in the early goings of the season. Rudy Gobert, who has been a punching bag for NBA analysts and media for being a limited player, has displayed the incredible defensive instincts underneath the net that won him three Defensive Player of the Year awards in Utah. Jaden McDaniels, in only his fourth season, is already one of the better, if not the best, perimeter defenders in the entire league, giving the opposition’s best player a tough challenge each and every night. Anthony Edwards, Kyle Anderson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Mike Conley all show tenacity on defense every night and even Karl-Anthony Towns has played stout defense when called upon.

What puts this Wolves team in rarified air from a franchise standpoint is the standout play of Edwards, who has shown significant progression as an overall player from season to season and is now proving to be a surefire superstar. The 22-year-old is averaging 26 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game and is shooting nearly 39% from 3-point range on nearly seven attempts per contest. He also seems to play his best when it matters most, already showing out with highlight-reel heroics in the aforementioned overtime win over Boston and several other fourth-quarter runs since.

One cannot also forget about fan favorite Naz Reid off the bench and the overall depth this team possess.

Co-owner Alex Rodriguez said on the Bally Sports North broadcast earlier this season that Minnesota is a basketball state. With the way the Wolves are performing right now and the way Target Center and the entire state is responding to it, it is hard to argue with that.

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Several members of the Sauk Centre volleyball team including (front, from left) manager Lexi Groetsch, Raya Sebek, April Klaphake and Kenzie Ritter; (back, from left) Brooke Rieland, Nevaeh Hartmann, Isie Kolbo, Cierra Kortan, Tory Jennissen and Maddy Schuster were recognized for their achievements at the team banquet Nov. 20 at Diamond Point. Hartmann, Groetsch, Kolbo, Ritter, Sebek and Klaphake were named academic allstate. Jennissen was named to the all-section team. Schuster was named to the all-conference team and was voted the team’s most valuable player.

Sebek was named all-section, all-conference and the teams best defensive player. Rieland earned all-section, honorable mention all-conference and was named the team’s best offensive player. Kortan was named to the allconference team.

Junior Elly Herickhoff was voted the volleyball teams most improved player.

No panic for Prairie Centre in comeback effort Kyra Swanson found the back of the net in the closing minutes to give Prairie Cennext thing you know, it’s a tre their fourth goal of the

BY EVAN MICHEALSON them.” turnover and it’s going the STAFF WRITER contest.

After stumbling to a other way.”

“The score wasn’t the season-opening loss, Prairie The Dragons, with greatest, but our girls really Centre got off to a much bet- incredible depth on all four With his team staring came out and played better down a 5-1 deficit in the sec- ter start in their second game lines and a persistent offenpositioning and skated hard,” of the winter campaign. sive attack, peppered the ond intermission of a game Pine City Area struck first 3 Prairie Centre net with shots Wright said. “They felt more against the Pine City Area comfortable after one game minutes and 53 seconds into and built a lead from there.

Dragons Nov. 16, Prairie under their belt.” the game but the Blue Devils Pine City Area scored twice Centre girls hockey head Next up for the Blue in the first period, tallied coach David Wright told his found a quick equalizer one Devils is their first conminute later, with Natasha three goals in the second team to go out and win the ference showdown of the Ludwig blocking a shot from period and buried five more third period. a Pine City defenseman on in the final 20 minutes for the season, a Mid-State battle The Blue Devils rose against Detroit Lakes at 6 the penalty kill and skating win. to that challenge, stringing the puck down the length Prairie Centre, however, p.m. Nov. 30 at Todd County together three goals and of the ice for a shorthanded developed scoring chances showing determination in a Expo Arena in Long Prairie. breakaway goal. in the third period and made PCA 2 3 5-10 10-4 defeat at Sauk Centre “Every time you’re PC 1 0 3-4 the most of them. Ludwig Civic Arena in Sauk Centre.

First period: 2. Ludwig 4:53. Third shorthanded, the other team notched her second goal “The game might have period: 9. Ludwig (Katelyn Jones) sits back and think they have of the game to make it 7-2 been out of hand on the 9:47. 10. Diedrich (Ludwig, Madan advantage, which they and less than two minutes, scoreboard, but they never die Koltes) 11:23. 12. Swanson do,” Wright said. “They may- Dalelyn Diedrich registered a (Diedrich, Ludwig) 15:01. Goalie: played that way,” Wright be don’t backcheck as hard power-play score.

Kennedy Lemke 49 of 59. said. “We’re very proud of

think they have control Blue Devils fall to Pine City Area orin their offensive zone and

Border

BATTLE MELROSE

4

SAUK CENTRE

VS Streeters

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.

Page 10 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK CENTRE HERALD

SPORTS

Heading toward the top

Sauk Centre girls basketball aims high in tough section

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Centre girls basketball season ended as tough as it possibly could in March, as the Streeters watched a 41-34 second-half lead evaporate in a Section 6AA championship loss to the Albany Huskies.

Having come so close, Sauk Centre returns to the court for the 2023-24 campaign with eyes of maintaining that level of competition.

“We feel like we’re in a spot where, even in a tough conference and tough section, we feel we belong toward the top,” said Scott Bergman, head coach. “Whether we can get all the way to the top remains to be seen, but we feel like we’re in the mix.”

An immediate challenge loomed large when the Streeters returned to practices Nov. 13: replacing the production of last year’s seniors. All-State center Jenna Gapinski-Vogt and incredible defenders Heidi Lieser and Torry Kerfeld all played significant minutes in the starting lineup a year ago, giving this year’s group an immediate new-look identity.

Upperclassmen Emily Peters and Avery Rieland, who each saw time on the court a year ago, should play huge roles for the Streeters this winter, while fellow seniors Ava Friedrichs and

Karli Gustafson; juniors Maddy Schuster and Sienna Klaphake; sophomores Elly Herickhoff and Nya Thieschafer; and freshmen Kahlen Suelflow and Jenna Riley all provide upside for a Streeters team with depth.

“It gives us competitive practices,” Bergman said.

“We’ve got 12, 13 girls who can really get after each other, and that’s really going to make us better.”

And while Sauk Centre lost key members, it maintained key pieces who are capable of taking over games.

Junior guard Cierra Kortan, who passed the 1,000-point mark as a sophomore in 2022, provides the rare ability to pull up and shoot from way beyond the 3-point arc, along with enough speed and ballhandling to drive into the paint. Additionally, junior forward Tory Jennissen and her 6-foot, 3-inch frame and strong instincts make her a force on both ends of the court.

“When you talk about Cierra and Tory, it’s inside-outside,” Bergman said.

“We have a prolific 3-point shooter in Cierra and in Tory, we have someone we have a lot of confidence getting the ball to and letting her go to work” Sauk Centre has the shooting capabilities and mix of forwards and guards to be an efficient offense, but

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHAELSON

Sauk Centre’s girls basketball senior class consists of Karli Gustafson (from left), Avery Rieland, Ava Friedrichs and Emily Peters.

The Streeters have a strong mix of offensive and defensive players to give the team versatility and balance heading into the winter season.

the team’s identity revolves around its defense, led now

by Peters and Schuster and their noticeable intensity when matched up against the other team’s best playmakers.

“Thinking back to last year and our routine, especially early to midseason, was bringing Maddy and Emily first off the bench,” Bergman said. “When that happened, we got better defensively.

Insert them into the starting lineup right away, along with Tory protecting the rim underneath, and defense is going to be a strength of ours.”

With a strong, hungry group of competitors who

have no problem playing at halfcourt or quickly working down the court, this versatile Streeters girls hoops team is ready to earn everything they hope to accomplish this season.

“We focus on the things we can control and one of our core values is we want to outwork people,” Bergman said. “We want to work hard every day to get better.”

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Sauk Centre junior Tory Jennissen (right) battles a KMS player for position during the Sauk Centre scrimmage Nov. 18. Jennissen is one of the teams returning starters.

Streeter SCOREBOARD 10 YEARS AGO Six Mainstreeters competed at the Class 1A state swimming and diving meet. Alyssa Kohorst, Julie Bushard, Hanna Waldhart and Tiana Molitor earned All-State medals in the 200 freestyle relay race. Molitor competed in four events, including the relay, and became only the second Mainstreeter to earn three All-State medals in one season. She joined previous three-medal Mainstreeter Megan Rieland (class of 2010) in achieving the honor.

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Junior Maddy Schuster pushes the ball upcourt during the Streeters scrimmage Nov. 18 in Sauk Centre. The girls open their regular season Nov. 28 at St. Cloud Cathedral.

Quote of the week Sauk Centre girls swimming and diving head coach James Schreiner on the program’s state performances: “They were super excited to make it down to state and they should be, that’s no small accomplishment, but they also came back and said, ‘We’ve got more to do here.’ They really internalized it and said, ‘It’s not enough to make it there. We want to go to state and show that we belong there.’”

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Prairie Centre’s James Rieland (right) tries to stuff the puck in the net during their scrimmage Nov. 18 in Sauk Centre.

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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.

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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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#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

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We CONGRATULATE the All Star Volleyball Players on a great season!

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