Strong winds made an already tough course even more challenging, but Luverne, A-E and Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth athletes made impacts during different races during the meet.

A-E was the lone area program to field complete teams in both varsity races.

The Harrier girls scored 75 points to place third behind Southwest Star Concept-Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster (27) and Murray County Central (49) in the team competition. The A-E boys had 53 points, placing second to MCC (22).

Sarah Kruger led A-E's girls by placing seventh in 18:11.

Krissi Thier (12th in 18:54), Ashley Diller (14th in 19:02), Kelly Banck (15th in 19:07) and Lacey Heitkamp (17th in 19:29) contributed to the team tally. Chelsea Heitkamp placed 18th in 20:06 without influencing the scorng.

Jason Eickhoff paced the Harrier boys by finishing fifth in 19:45.

Wade Ulmer (10th in 20:25), Paul Honermann (11th in 20:26), Todd Alberty (13th in 20:59) and Jake Salter (14th in 21:01) helped A-E's team cause.

James Matthiesen and Josh Markl finished 19th and 20th with respective 22:39 and 23:06 times without influencing the scoring.

Luverne and H-BC-E used a combination of five runners in the varsity events.

Cardinal Hannah Dietrich and Patriot Brad Haak turned in strong performances by placing second in their respective varsity runs. Dietrich was timed at 17:32, and Haak completed his race in 19:22.

Luverne's Jesse Kuhlman and Tony Kopp placed 12th and 18th in the varsity race with times of 20:44 and 21:37.

H-BC-E's Nathan Fick was 17th in 21:26.

Here is a look at the rest of the individual results from the meet.

Junior high boys

H-BC-E: Tyler Bush, first, 5:43; Kale Wiertzema, sixth, 6:39; Travis Broesder, eighth, 6:45; Kerry Fink, ninth; 6:49; Derek Haak, 12th, 7:21; Justin Hinks, 18th, 11:13.

Luverne: Nick Otten, second, 6:08; Ruston Aaker, third, 6:18; Travis Halfman, 13th, 7:36; Michael Nelson, 15th, 7:48.

Adrian: Brandon Bullerman, fifth, 6:33; Joey Bullerman, seventh, 7:03; Marcus Uithoven, 17th, 9:03; Aldon Vassler, 19th, 7:03.

Junior high girls

Luverne: Sadie Dietrich, first, 6:53; Victoria Arends, second, 7:17; Amanda Saum, third, 7:22; Jessica Willers, ninth, 7:53; Breanna Studer, 12th, 8:21; Michelle Riddle, 16th, 8:58.

H-BC-E: Melinda Feucht, fourth, 7:24; Kari Roozenboom, 10th, 7:54; Amanda Tilstra, 13th, 8:21; Kilee Baker, 15th, 9:38.

Adrian: Samantha Ferguson, fifth, 7:30; Erika Fransen, sixth, 7:38; Abbey Henning, eighth, 7:45; Jenny Weiss, 14th, 19:45.

Junior varsity boys

H-BC-E: Matt Buck, third, 16:19.

Luverne: Kevin Klay, 15th, 21:35.

Adrian: Derek Vastenhout, fifth, 16:35; Kelly Seeman, 12th, 19:42; Paul Poppen, 13th, 19:45; Jesse Vande Kieft, 14th, 19:45.

Junior varsity girls

Adrian: Lindsay Loosbrock, sixth, 16:35; Sarah Wolf, seventh, 22:03; Jessica Lynn, eighth, 22:10.

Youth character and leadership development

The grant request itemizes the least amount of money for the third part of Luverne's VIP project, but it's an equally important priority in the scope of improving Luverne's overall community health.

The proposal specifically seeks to expand on Rock County's current mentoring program, Big Buddies, and establishes new student-parent-faculty leadership projects.

Blandin Community Investment Partnership

The Blandin Foundation was established in 1985 for the purpose of strengthening rural communities.

The Blandin Community Investment Partnership is an offshoot of the Blandin Community Leadership Training Program that 24 Luverne residents went through in October 1998.

The new Investment Partnership, in only its second year, helps communities identify needs and weaknesses and provides grant money for qualifying programs or projects that would improve the overall well-being of a rural town.

Luverne is one of only eight communities so far to be accepted in the BCIP program.

In the case of Luverne's $760,000 VIP project, Blandin's share, if the grant is approved, would be $128,000 or 16 percent of the project's total cost.

According to Chamber Director Dave Smith, who compiled the formal grant, projects that show support from other local entities stand a better chance of being approved.

He said most of the remaining funding for the VIP project has already been committed, either verbally or in writing.

Smith submitted the grant Thursday, Aug. 31, and a decision won't be made until late December.

"This is the end result of a year's worth of work," he said.

"Everyone wasn't directly involved with the process all the way through, but all the people who had input in the beginning influenced the outcome. It was their ideas, comments and suggestions that brought this thing together."

Editor's note: This story serves as an introduction to Luverne's VIP project. Watch the Star Herald in coming weeks for more details on each of the three priorities identified in the grant request.

By Lori Ehde

It's been more than a year since the Blandin Foundation offered Luverne a chance at free money to improve the health of its community.

Since last summer, residents have been looking at possible projects that would qualify for the Blandin cash.

After countless brain-storming meetings and input from hundreds of individuals, three community projects have been identified in a grant request through the Blandin Community Investment Partnership.

The grant request incorporates all three proposals into a $760,000 project named "Luverne VIP: Vision, Involvement and Promise."

Economic development

Residents in the past year identified economic development as one major priority, particularly looking to tourism, agribusiness and high-tech opportunities as ways to improve Luverne's economic diversity.

Since local leaders are already well on their way to improving agribusiness and technology, the grant request focuses on funding requests for prairie tourism projects.

Specifically, funding is requested to expand on the current bike path, looping it around the north side of the Blue Mounds, with a prairie resource learning center strategically located somewhere on this loop.

Day care center and after-school program

The second major community priority identified in the process was the need for a community day care center.

With the renovation of the former elementary school to apartments, the developer, Dunham Companies, Sioux Falls, has already donated free space for a day care center on the lower level.

The grant request specifically asks for one-time funding of indoor and outdoor playground equipment.

As part of the day care funding request, the need for an after-school program is also identified. Parents and students have identified access to computers, tutoring, board games and swimming lessons as possible components in an after-school program.

By John Rittenhouse

Luverne ran its volleyball record to 2-0 after turning in a dominating home performance against Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster Thursday.

The Cardinals limited the Raiders to two points in each of the matches' three games while outscoring their opponents 45-6 during a convincing 3-0 victory.

Luverne coach Mary Jo Graphenteen thought her team made some progress compared with the first match of the season, which always is a positive sign.

"We took a step ahead. They didn't pass the ball very well, and that allowed us to get going. We did some things we needed to do, like keeping the ball in play and not being afraid to hit it hard, and we didn't have any unforced errors. When you play against a team like that, you want to look your best. I think we did that," she said.

Luverne got off to a good start in the opening game by scoring the first eight points.

Missy Boomgaarden served a five-point run featuring an ace, two kills by Tracey Scheidt and another kill by Susan Remme to start the match. Brooke Lundgren served a point and another ace, and Boomgaarden capped the 8-0 rally with a kill.

The score was 10-2 when Boomgaarden served two points and an ace, Remme provided a kill and Emmy Bush served another point to cap a 15-2 win.

The Raiders led 2-1 in Game 2 before the Cards scored 14 consecutive points to take the game.

Lisa Mulder served a six-point run featuring an ace, a kill by Boomgaarden and a block by Remme. Boomgaarden served a four-point run that consisted of two aces, a kill and an ace tip by Scheidt. Another block by Remme and a service point by Lundgren made it 13-2 before Abbey Franken closed out a 15-2 win with a pair of ace serves.

The Cards trailed 1-0 in the third game before stringing together 13 straight points.

Scheidt served four straight aces during a six-point run that included a kill by Franken. Lundgren served the next seven points with Franken and Emily Kuhlman adding one kill each.

After SV-RL-B snapped Luverne's run with a point to make it 13-2, Franken served a pair of aces to put the match away.

Boomgaarden was 12 of 13 with 12 points and four aces at the service line. Lundgren, who had 18 set assists, was 12 of 12 with 11 points. Mulder was 10 of 11 with nine points.

Remme and Scheidt led the Cards at the net with seven and five kills respectively.

By Sara Quam

After next Tuesday's primary, Luverne voters will learn their final choices for the South Ward Alderman seat.

Incumbent Alexander "Alex" Frick and challengers David Hauge and David Cook are listed on the Sept. 12 primary ballot. The South Ward City Council seat is the only local item on the primary because more than two candidates filed in that ward.

The ballot will also include U.S. senators, U.S. representatives, state senators and state representatives.

The theme for new City Council candidates has been a steady cry for change.

To that, Frick said, "Change is not inherently good; it could be a change for the worse."

He said that he's enjoyed his time on the council and in his two years of voting, he would not change one vote.

Frick said he realizes the use of tax increment financing has been a top issue for many in the city. "You can't be a one-issue candidate because that issue is not going to come up again," Frick said, referring to the Jubilee expansion project.

Popular opinion influencing councilmen is not a wise way to run the city, Frick said. "We're elected to make decisions based on facts as they're presented. We're not elected to stick our finger in the air and see which way the wind is blowing," Frick said.

"We need someone who looks into facts, uses common sense and good judgment and votes on that regardless of popularity."

As a homeowner and business owner, Frick said he is able to fully appreciate taxpayer concerns. To Frick, objectivity is key in this elected position. He has been to state-sponsored educational seminars for council members that have helped him more fully understand all levels of city operation and decision making.

Frick indicated that if he is eliminated in the primary vote, he won't likely run for the office again.

By John Rittenhouse

The Adrian football team opened the 2000 season in impressive fashion Thursday by rolling to a 27-8 road win in Fulda Thursday.

The defending Little Sioux Conference champions were expected to be tested by an improved Fulda team, but it was the Dragons who made a statement.

First-year starting quarterback Mark Kroon threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and the AHS defense forced the Raiders to punt without registering a first down in six of their eight offensive possessions of the game.

"It was a good start for us," said Dragon coach Randy Strand. "We still have a few bugs to work out, but we'll be OK."

After losing most of its players who played the skilled positions on offense to graduation last season, Adrian entered the 2000 season with something to prove on that side of the line of scrimmage.

It didn't take long for the Dragons to serve notice that they will be able to move the ball. After receiving the opening kick, AHS put together a long drive that chewed 7:32 off the clock before Kroon scored on a three-yard run with 4:28 remaining in the opening quarter. A successful Kroon-to-Seth Bullerman conversion pass followed the touchdown.

"We took the opening drive and put it in the end zone. It was a typical Adrian drive, sixteen plays, 80 yards," Strand said.

The Adrian defense also made a good debut when Joey Anderson picked off a Fulda pass to end the Raiders' opening possession and give the offense good field position at the Raider 20-yard line.

Five plays later, Bullerman scored on a three-yard plunge. The pass for a conversion was incomplete, leaving the Dragons with a 14-0 cushion at the 1:14 mark of the first quarter.

Adrian increased its lead to 21-0 with another long drive with its fourth possession of the game.

The Dragons marched 80 yards in six plays, including a 46-yard run by Bullerman. Kroon hooked up with Brad Lonneman for a 20-yard scoring pass to cap the drive, and Levi Bullerman added the extra point to make with 1:36 left to play in the first half.

Adrian made a bid to put the game away early with a good drive to start the second half, but the possession ended on downs on the Raider four.

Fulda, however, fumbled moments later, and Dragon Jared Henriksen recovered the ball on the nine.

Kroon tossed a five-yard scoring pass to Seth Bullerman two plays later to make it a 27-0 game with six seconds left in the third quarter.

Fulda scored eight points in the fourth quarter, but the game had been settled by then.

Adrian yielded its first points of the season when a bad snap from center sailed over the head of Anderson, the Dragons' punter. Anderson ran the ball down at his own two-yard line and wisely threw the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

After receiving the ensuing free kick, Fulda put together a 57-yard scoring drive capped by Brent Winter's one-yard run.

Fulda's scoring drive was its best possession against an Adrian defense that limited the Raiders to three first downs and 88 total yards in the game.

"We played really well defensively. They were supposed to be the air-it-out team of our conference. We snuffed that out by intercepting their first two passes," Strand offered.

Adrian makes its home debut against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton tomorrow night.

Team statistics

Adrian: 205 rushing yards, 90 passing yards, 295 total yards, 12 first downs, zero turnovers, two penalties for 10 yards.

Fulda: 81 rushing yards, seven passing yards, 88 total yards, three first downs, three turnovers, eight penalties for 55 yards.

Individual statistics

Rushing: Tyler Bullerman 19-66, Kroon 11-47, S.Bullerman 6-68, Henriksen 7-15, Dusty Henning 2-1, Nate Bullerman 3-8.

Passing: Kroon 7-14 for 90 yards.

Receiving: Lonneman 2-36, S.Bullerman 2-13. Travis Rupp 1-26, T.Bullerman 1-12, Henriksen 1-3.

Defense: Lonneman eight tackles and one sack, Henriksen seven tackles and one fumble recovery, Nick Voss seven tackles, Kroon one interception, Anderson one interception, N.Bullerman one sack.

To the Editor:

Another big day for us (Norwegians!) is just on the horizon. On Sept. 16 we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the AGDERLAG. We were organized in Minneapolis in 1925, with the first actual meeting at Luverne for three days in June 1926. Since then the lag has met in various places throughout the Midwest - including Chicago - until the past few conventions when the Blue Mound Inn has become the ideal and favorite place.

Do the initials "H.T.T." mean anything? If you've seen them on Agderlag posters and read between the initials, you've read "HOME TOWN TALENT." Four academics with area roots will be at the 6 p.m. banquet at the Inn. All are descendants of Norwegian immigrants. At 1:30 p.m. a Main Street businessman from Luverne will both speak and sing. Of course we'll have a "kaffe" time and "goodies!"

We are humbly proud that the southern part of Norway, which encompasses the Agder area much like our Tri-State area, has produced many prominent names including Hubert H. Humphrey and Federal Judge Sigurd Anderson. My sister, Lily Tofteland Hartmann, introduced me to the word, JANTELOVEN, and what it means: the modesty of being Norwegian. Lily's research discovered that the word did not emerge until 1936; there are 10 laws of JANTE. Norwegian culture and genealogical interest has sustained the Agderlag for 75 years, as well as many other lags. All who are interested are invited to attend the banquet and/or the afternoon program at the Inn, 2 miles north of Luverne on Highway 75. (A Norwegian I.D. is NOT necessary!) Tickets are available at Renfro Variety or call at 507-283-4205; Torleif Thompson at 283-8977; Ralph Sunde at 283-9407; and other Norwegians in the area. Come and enjoy lefsa, rommegr¯t, krumkaker, and a roast beef dinner with us on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Rosa Tofteland Johnson

Secretary for Agderlaget

Luverne

By John Rittenhouse

One of the most famous athletes Luverne has ever produced came back to her hometown for a short visit last week.

Jerilyn Britz, who made a name for herself as a member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, returned home to visit her mother, Alice, and some of her many area friends.

Britz, who now lives in Orlando, Fla., says she usually comes home to Luverne on a monthly basis during the summer months each year, but the cold Minnesota climate limits her trips to the Midwest to once each winter.

As is customary with her summer visits, Britz got the chance to play the game that made her famous at the Luverne Country Club.

"I enjoy going out and playing the Luverne course. It still is one of my most favorite golf courses to play. I prefer its country setting rather than the courses that are surrounded by housing developments," she said.

A new job has limited the number of appearances Britz has made at LPGA events the past two years.

Britz has become a golf instructor at the VIP Academy, working with players at Academy sites in Orlando, Tampa and Port St. Lucie.

She said she works with players on a one-to-one basis for three hours each morning. After having lunch with the student, she then takes them out on the links in the afternoon and works on course strategy with her pupils.

"It's an all-year-long type of job, so I haven't been playing a lot of competitive golf myself. I was a school teacher for eight years and have a master's degree in education, so teaching is something that comes naturally to me. It wasn't my intention to stop playing more LPGA events. I just wasn't making enough putts to make any money at it," she said.

There was a three-year stretch when Britz made most of her putts, and that's when she emerged as one of the LPGA's top players.

She joined the tour in 1974 and gained prominence by winning the 1979 U.S. Women's Open and placing second in the LPGA Championship the same season. Those efforts led to Britz being named Golf Digest's Most Improved Player in 1979.

Britz won the tour's Mary Kay Classic in 1980 and placed second at the LPGA Championship again in 1981.

Although Britz said it would be hard for her to compete with the younger LPGA players of today, she still can match up well with players her own age.

During an event staged in Green Bay, Wis., that was put together by some former opponents, Britz placed 21st overall. She finished fourth in the category for players 55 years of age or older.

"At 57, it would be tough for me to compete against the 30-year-olds on tour. If it was arm wrestling or a foot race, then I might be able to," said Britz, who finished fifth in a physically-challenging event named the Women's Superstars Competition in 1980.

Although there is no seniors' competition for the LPGA at this point, she hopes the organization does put one together some day.

If not, she'll remain in golf instruction and continue making her trips back home to Luverne from Florida.

By John Rittenhouse

Two teams from the Star Herald coverage area met in Hills Thursday for the opening volleyball match of the season for both squads.

The Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots made their debut by hosting Tri-County Conference rival Ellsworth.

H-BC got the best of the Panthers by posting a 3-0 victory.

"We played well for the first game of the season," said first-year Patriot coach Nicole Fey. "We still have some things to fine-tune, but I was happy with the way we played for the first time."

H-BC won the match by posting 15-11 victories over the Panthers in Games 1 and 3 with a 15-7 victory coming in between.

Although the Panthers came up on the short end of the scores, Ellsworth coach Ryan Nielsen was pleased with his team's initial performance of the campaign.

"For the first game of the year, we did all right. All the games were well fought out; they just got the edge each time. We had some girls who were playing new positions. We had some mental breakdowns, but that was to be expected. Once we overcome our mistakes we'll be OK," he said.

Connie Lewis had a good match for the Panthers that included recording five kills and five blocks.

Jamie Arp led the Patriots in serving by completing all 11 of her attempts and recording five aces. Tonya Leenderts was 11 of 13 with three aces.

Shanna Tilstra was 14 of 20 spiking with nine kills to pace H-BC. Erin Boeve was 11 of 14 with seven kills and Becky Broesder nine of 11 with three kills.

LaDonna Sandstede (47 of 51) and Brittney Olson did the setting for the winners.