More than 30 Luverne Middle School students joined roughly 300 students in 17 districts from across southwest Minnesota last week for the annual Young Writers Conference in Marshall.

I cannot believe we are in the New Year already. Over the last year—four times to be precise—we have explored the vivid imagery of Hebrews 12:1-2, which describes the Christian life as a race. We have learned that we run surrounded by a "cloud of witnesses" who prove God is faithful.

St. Catherine Catholic Church

203 E. Brown St., Luverne

St. Catherine Ph. 507-283-8502; www.stscl.org

Father Joshua Miller, Pastor

The Luverne Cardinals wrestling team lost four duals at home hampered by forfeits and falls at key weights in the past week.

The H-BC boys’ basketball team jumped to a big lead into the first half to beat the Chargers 71-56 at home Thursday, Jan. 15.

H-BC scored 42 first-half points pressuring the Chargers into turning the ball over several times.

The Luverne girls’ hockey secured two team wins and improved to 13-7 with just five regular season games left before post season play.

Luverne beat Albert Lea 7-4 at home Tuesday, Jan. 13, and obliterated South Central 20-0 on the road Saturday, Jan. 17.

The Cardinal boys were handed their third hockey loss of the season Saturday, Jan. 17, when they fell 5-4 in overtime to Waseca on the road.

The Luverne gymnastics team split two meets in the past week, losing 134.225 to New Ulm at home Tuesday, Jan. 13, and beating Windom 127.200 to 110.500 on the road Monday, Jan. 19.

The Cardinals have four meets before section competition on Feb. 14.

The H-BC girls’ basketball team added two more wins to their season record in the past week after two victories on the road.

The Lady Pates beat Southwest Minnesota Christian 57-27 Tuesday, Jan. 13, and took down Adrian 74-51 Friday, Jan. 16.