By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth Patriots wrapped up a 2-6 regular season by dropping a 12-7 football decision to Westbrook-Walnut Grove Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Hills.In what was a rematch between two teams that squared off in Westbrook Sept. 6, the recent clash was a more positive experience for the Patriots.Considering H-BC-E came up on the short end of a 34-0 tally in early September, the five-point loss to W-WG was a little easier for the Patriots to cope with."We played like we should play this time," said Patriot coach Dan Ellingson."It was a competitive game, and I felt like we should have gotten this one."Some crucial penalties on the Patriots ended up settling the issue. Both of W-WG’s scoring marches during the contests were kept alive by H-BC-E penalties.The Patriot defense forced the Chargers to punt during W-WG’s opening possession of the game. H-BC-E, however, was flagged for a running-into-the-punter penalty, giving the Chargers a new set of downs. W-WG made the Patriots pay for the mistake when Dominic Madsen scored on a 32-yard run during a fourth-and-two situation moments later to give the visitors a 6-0 lead.H-BC-E battled back to take a 7-6 lead with a drive that started in the first quarter and ended early in the second period.The 18-play march was capped by a four-yard touchdown run by Cody Rozeboom at the 11:22 mark of the second period. Adam Finke’s extra point gave the Patriots a one-point lead.H-BC-E remained in front until the third quarter, when W-WG turned its opening possession into a 12-7 lead.The drive, which was extended by two face-masking penalties by the Patriots, ended with W-WG quarterback Brian Thiessen throwing an eight-yard touchdown pass to Joe Doubler with 4:58 remaining in the quarter. The touchdown came during a third-and-goal situation.H-BC-E did have one potential scoring opportunity when it recovered a fumble on W-WG’s 30-yard line as the second half progressed, but the Patriots didn’t take advantage of the field position.Team statisticsH-BC-E: 185 rushing yards, 19 passing yards, 204 total yards, 11 first downs, seven penalties for 50 yards, zero turnovers.W-WG: 160 rushing yards, 68 passing yards, 228 total yards, nine first downs, two penalties for 15 yards, three turnovers.Individual statisticsRushing: Jon Klaassen 23-79, Finke 13-77, Jarid Hoogendoorn 4-20, Rozeboom 5-7, Kerry Fink 1-2.Passing: Finke 3-8 for 19 yards.Receiving: Rozeboom 3-19.Defense: Jason Hup nine tackles, Jason Martens nine tackles and one fumble recovery, Rozeboom seven tackles and one fumble recovery, Mitchell Leuthold seven tackles, Tom Leuthold three tackles and one fumble recovery.

By Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek school psychologist Jolene Keckler submitted her letter of resignation to the H-BC School Board on Monday.Keckler’s letter explained that she had taken a position with East Dakota Educational Cooperative in Sioux Falls. The new position will put her closer to her family during her working day."I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to work with such a kind and supportive staff over the years but I feel I want to be closer to home," she wrote in her letter.Her final day at H-BC will be Nov. 11.Keckler was hired in 2001 to work as school psychologist for the H-BC, Adrian and Ellsworth school districts.Superintendent David Deragisch presented the Board with a plan of action to accommodate Keckler’s departure from the staff. H-BC will solicit retired professionals from the area and in Sioux Falls to cover the position for the remainder of 2005. At the start of 2006, a graduate student from the University of South Dakota who is seeking a masters degree in Psychology can practice teach at H-BC, Adrian and Ellsworth.This solution will give administrators at the three school districts time to find a permanent candidate for the position.H-BC Elementary receives arts grantElementary Principal Todd Holthaus reported to the Board that the elementary school will receive a $1,000 grant from the Minnesota Arts Board.Holthaus, who applied for the grant, plans to use the money to sponsor a watercolor workshop with students in grades 3-6.A guest watercolor artist will spend a week at H-BC working with the students and creating watercolors."I look forward to seeing what they create," Holtaus said. "I think it will be a good thing for our school."Board member Gary Esselink congratulated Holthaus on getting the grant and thanked him for applying for it."I appreciate having someone willing to write grants for our students," Esselink said. "It benefits everyone involved."Snow removal bidsDeragisch asked the Board to request bids for snow removal at the high school.In the past Cargill Inc. cleared snow from parking lots on the property. After Cargill was sold to New Vision, the new company continued an informal agreement with the school for snow removal.However, New Vision isn’t staffed to provide consistent service, so the district is exploring other options. "Thanks to New Vision for their help but their time line and ours are not the same," Deragisch said.He said he felt there are people in the community interested in doing the job.The request for bids will be published and bids will be opened at the Nov. 8 Board meeting.Patriot Pride report
The Katrina donation trailer left the high school parking lot on Wednesday, Oct. 19, en route for Louisiana."A big thank you to the communities for all of the materials and help in filling the trailer — there was a tremendous response from the families and students," Deragisch said during the meeting.
One of H-BC’s stock market teams is currently in 17th place out of 526 teams. The Stock Market Game has teams of students choose stocks to purchase as potential investments. The ranking is based on the amount of return on the initial investment.
Jessica Penning and Rebecca Crawford were selected to be in the South Dakota Youth Symphony. The Symphony auditions musicians from the Tri-State Area to select the best. The SDYS performs several concerts in Sioux Falls throughout the year.
Math League competition began on Tuesday. There is a record 56 students, grades 9-12, signed up to participate.

By Lori EhdeMike Van Der Brink, rural Luverne, was honorary chairman of the 2005 Rock County Relay for Life. As a cancer survivor, his job was to serve as a spokesman for the organization that funds research for a cure. As a survivor, he was also to be an inspiration for those fighting for their lives.A benefit auction will be Saturday, Nov. 5, in the Hills American Legion Hall. The silent auction will start at 4 p.m., and food will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the live auction. To donate to the auction, call 673-2517. To have donated items picked up, call Harold Tilstra, 283-4019, or Steve Top, 920-8858.But shortly after Mike accepted the honor, his cancer returned in the form of a volleyball-sized tumor in his abdomen. It took nine-hour surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester on June 6 and aggressive treatment to beat it back.Doctors were optimistic about the process, but Mike said he was prepared, regardless of the outcome."If it goes for the worse, I know where I’m going," he said a few days prior to surgery. "I just made Kris promise to raise Kellie a Christian so I get to see her again."The outcome of that surgery hasn’t been positive.Tests showed that it was the same aggressive cancer he’d been diagnosed with nearly five years ago. It’s called leiomyosarcoma, a cancer known for spreading quickly, and requires what Van Der Brink called "extreme chemo."In a June 2 Star Herald story, he described treatment back then as "a knock-down, drag-out battle" that he hoped he’d never have to do again.Since this summer the tumor grew back to a size even larger than the one that had been removed — and it’s accompanied by many more other tumors. His options were additional surgery and chemotherapy that would likely kill him … or, essentially, give up. He chose to live out his remaining days without pain and nausea of treatment, according to his mother, Greta Van Der Brink."He’s holding his own. … He still has a positive attitude," she said Tuesday. "He’s holding his own, but he’s lost a lot of weight and he’s pale."It’s been four weeks since he left the hospital, and at the time, doctors told his wife, Kris, that he’d likely have only weeks to live."It’s a big load for her," Greta said about Kris. "Neither one of them is working anymore, and she’s at home taking care of him."Their daughter, Kelli, almost 2, goes to day care in order to maintain some semblance of routine."We’re still praying for a miracle," Greta said.Mike returned a call to the Star Herald late on Tuesday. He said he’s at ease with eternity, but he isn’t giving up yet."I’m still fighting this," he said. "I definitely couldn’t get through it without my faith and family. … It’s helping me tremendously."He said he and Kris are planning to make a video recording of Mike for Kelli to view when she gets older. It will feature Mike reading her a book and talking to her about her future.They have also purchased jewelry together for Kelli’s 16th birthday, 18th birthday and high school graduation. She’ll receive her daddy’s wedding band on her wedding day.Paying the bills …Mike works with Northwest Airlines and Kris is a massage therapist for Luverne Community Hospital, but neither of them is working right now.Meanwhile, the bills are piling up, and friends and family have been helping out."He keeps saying how appreciative he is of the prayers and support," Greta said Tuesday. "I don’t know how they’d do it without all these benefits from the community."She said area churches and groups have had soup suppers and other fund-raisers for Mike’s benefit. "All of that really helps," Greta said.The latest effort in the works is a benefit auction that will start at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in the Hills American Legion Hall.The silent auction will start at 4 p.m., and food will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the live auction, conducted by Yvette Van Der Brink of Van Der Brink Auction Service.‘Friendship Star,’ blue grass music and two roast hogsLuverne Farm Store donated two hogs to be roasted, and Tony Bosch will donate catering service to prepare it. A featured item on the auction will be a "Friendship Star" quilt donated by the Blue Mound Quilters Guild and numerous other donated items."We have everything from loads of gravel to angel food cake," Greta said about local generosity.To donate to the auction, call Yvette Van Der Brink at 673-2517. To have donated items picked up, call Harold Tilstra, 283-4019, or Steve Top, 920-8858.Carol Zwaan and her fellow band members will offer country blue grass music for a festive ambience."It should be an evening with some fun," Greta said.Mike grew up in Luverne and graduated from Luverne High School in 1987. He moved back to Luverne around 1999 and married Kris a few years later.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth Patriots wrapped up a 2-6 regular season by dropping a 12-7 football decision to Westbrook-Walnut Grove Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Hills.In what was a rematch between two teams that squared off in Westbrook Sept. 6, the recent clash was a more positive experience for the Patriots.Considering H-BC-E came up on the short end of a 34-0 tally in early September, the five-point loss to W-WG was a little easier for the Patriots to cope with."We played like we should play this time," said Patriot coach Dan Ellingson."It was a competitive game, and I felt like we should have gotten this one."Some crucial penalties on the Patriots ended up settling the issue. Both of W-WG’s scoring marches during the contests were kept alive by H-BC-E penalties.The Patriot defense forced the Chargers to punt during W-WG’s opening possession of the game. H-BC-E, however, was flagged for a running-into-the-punter penalty, giving the Chargers a new set of downs. W-WG made the Patriots pay for the mistake when Dominic Madsen scored on a 32-yard run during a fourth-and-two situation moments later to give the visitors a 6-0 lead.H-BC-E battled back to take a 7-6 lead with a drive that started in the first quarter and ended early in the second period.The 18-play march was capped by a four-yard touchdown run by Cody Rozeboom at the 11:22 mark of the second period. Adam Finke’s extra point gave the Patriots a one-point lead.H-BC-E remained in front until the third quarter, when W-WG turned its opening possession into a 12-7 lead.The drive, which was extended by two face-masking penalties by the Patriots, ended with W-WG quarterback Brian Thiessen throwing an eight-yard touchdown pass to Joe Doubler with 4:58 remaining in the quarter. The touchdown came during a third-and-goal situation.H-BC-E did have one potential scoring opportunity when it recovered a fumble on W-WG’s 30-yard line as the second half progressed, but the Patriots didn’t take advantage of the field position.Team statisticsH-BC-E: 185 rushing yards, 19 passing yards, 204 total yards, 11 first downs, seven penalties for 50 yards, zero turnovers.W-WG: 160 rushing yards, 68 passing yards, 228 total yards, nine first downs, two penalties for 15 yards, three turnovers.Individual statisticsRushing: Jon Klaassen 23-79, Finke 13-77, Jarid Hoogendoorn 4-20, Rozeboom 5-7, Kerry Fink 1-2.Passing: Finke 3-8 for 19 yards.Receiving: Rozeboom 3-19.Defense: Jason Hup nine tackles, Jason Martens nine tackles and one fumble recovery, Rozeboom seven tackles and one fumble recovery, Mitchell Leuthold seven tackles, Tom Leuthold three tackles and one fumble recovery.

By John RittenhouseThe Adrian Dragons finished a 5-3 regular season by thrashing Dawson-Boyd 54-12 during a Little Sioux Conference football game played in Adrian Wednesday, Oct. 19.Adrian scored 34 first-quarter points on the way to building a commanding 47-0 halftime lead. With the game in hand, AHS sat its regulars down during a second half in which the Blackjacks outscored the Dragons 12-7."D-B played some good games against other teams, so we didn’t think it would be quite that easy of a game for us," said AHS coach Randy Strand."Our (offensive) line did a good job up front, and we just outmanned them with our depth."The Dragons controlled play on both sides of the ball while running up a 34-0 first-quarter lead.Adrian moved the ball 57 yards in five plays with Billy Anderson scoring on a five-yard run for a 6-0 lead at the 10:42 mark of the first quarter.Dragon Cody Kontz intercepted a pass and returned it to the D-B 17-yard line moments later. Adrian scored on a one-yard plunge and Adam Diekmann added his first of five extra points to make it a 13-0 game with 7:56 remaining in the stanza.Botched snaps when D-B was attempting to punt set up Adrian’s next two touchdowns. Cody Reverts scored on a two-yard run and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Wagner to cap short drives of 35 and 24-yards respectively. When D-B did get off a punt later in the period, Anderson returned it 41 yards to the Blackjacks’ nine. Jory Haken scored three plays later on a two-yard run with 1:34 remaining, capping the 34-point first quarter.Adrian marched 60 yards in nine plays with Reverts tossing a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Lonneman, making it a 40-0 game early in the second quarter.After Adrian’s Alex Suedkamp blocked a punt later in the period, Clint Metz capped a two-play series with a one-yard plunge with 3:20 remaining in a first half that ended with AHS sporting a 47-0 lead.Adrian scored its final seven points of the game with its first possession of the second half. Haken scored on a six-yard run at 8:48 of the third quarter.D-B’s Ryan Bjerkeset returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Jacob Nehring scored on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter for the Blackjacks.Team statisticsAdrian 363 rushing yards, 91 passing yards, 454 total yards, 17 first downs, 10 penalties for 82 yards, three turnovers.D-B: seven rushing yards, 134 passing yards, 141 total yards, seven first downs, two penalties for 10 yards, three turnovers.Individual statisticsRushing: Anderson 12-83, Reverts 7-73, Haken 8-90, Metz 2-6, Brandon Diekmann 8-30, Jesse Brake 6-38, Wagner 1-1, Joey Bertrand 4-23, Reid Strand 2-6, Brett Nowotny 1-7, Matt Gades 3-6, Preston Engelkes 1-1.Passing: Reverts 7-8 for 76 yards, Strand 2-3 for 15 yards.Receiving: Kontz 2-29, Lonneman 3-21, Wagner 1-11, Gades 2-15, Anderson 1-15.Defense: Will Lutmer seven tackles and one sack, Glen Kruger nine tackles and one sack, Kontz two interceptions, Zach Reker one fumble recovery.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne Cardinals opened play in the South Section 3AA Volleyball Tournament Monday by posting an opening-round victory in Jackson.Eighth-seeded LHS squared off against No. 9 Lake Crystal-Welcome-Memorial in a match that would send one team to Friday’s quarterfinals.The Cardinals extended their season by outscoring the Knights 75-39 during a 3-0 victory.Luverne advances to Friday’s quarterfinals in Windom, where it takes on top-seeded Jackson County Central at (approximately) 7:30 p.m. The 7-18-2 Cardinals entertained JCC for a Southwest Conference match Oct. 6. The Huskies swept LHS in three games.The Cards had little trouble in disposing of the Knights during Monday’s match in Jackson. LC-W-M sported early leads in all three games, but Luverne won all three by comfortable margins.After trailing by two points in Game 1, the Cards forged in front 9-5 when Maggie Kuhlman delivered a service point. The Knights rallied to gain a 12-11 edge. LHS countered with an 11-0 run capped by an ace block by Meghan Cronberg to take a 22-12 lead that led to a 25-17 victory.LC-W-M sported a 5-4 lead in the second game before Luverne put together a 21-5 run that ended with Chelsea Park serving the final point of a 25-10 win.The Knights scored the first point of the third game only to be outscored 25-11 the rest of the way by LHS, which received a match-ending service ace from Brittany Vogt.Erin Hoiland (17 of 18 with eight aces and 14 points), Dinah Xaphakdy (13 of 14 with 13 points and one ace), Park (15 of 17 with 12 points and five aces) and Vogt (seven of eight with two aces and four points) served well for the Cards.Cronberg, who recorded five blocks along with Hoiland, led LHS with seven kills. Park and Kuhlman added four and three kills respectively.Xaphakdy and Park contributed eight and five set assists to the cause.

By John RittenhouseLuverne Cardinal football fans will not experience an extended playoff run this fall.Six days after a solid 6-2 regular season came to an end, the Cardinals made an early exit from the Section 3AA Playoffs after falling to Minnesota Valley Lutheran during Tuesday’s quarterfinal-round game played in Luverne.In what has to be considered a minor upset, fifth-seeded MVL scored six points with a long offensive drive in the first half of the game. The Chargers iced the contest by turning two of Luverne’s five turnovers in the game into 14 points late in the fourth quarter to secure a 20-0 victory.Luverne, the section’s fourth seed, completes the season with a 6-3 record after having a five-game winning streak snapped.MVL advances to Saturday’s semifinals.Both teams played great defense in the early stages of the game as the teams exchanged punts two times each in the first six minutes of play.The Chargers, however, scored what proved to be the game-winning points with their third offensive possession.Taking over on its own 21-yard line, MVL advanced the ball 79 yards in eight plays with Ryan Timm scoring on a seven-yard run at the 3:10 mark of the first quarter. When MVL’s extra-point attempt failed, the Chargers sported a 6-0 lead.Luverne continued to struggle on offense as the first half progressed, but the Cardinal defense kept the game close with two key stands. LHS stopped MVL on downs at the Luverne 19 early in the second quarter, and Cardinal defensive back Jake Clark intercepted a pass on Luverne’s 19 with 2:12 remaining in the first half.The LHS offense showed some life by moving the ball from the 19 to MVL’s four in 12 plays, but the scoring threat ended when Charger David Nass intercepted a third-and-goal pass with 20 seconds remaining in the second period.The Luverne defense came up with two more key stops in the second half to keep the Cardinals in the game. MVL lost the ball on downs on Luverne’s 18 at the 2:27 mark of the third quarter, and the Chargers missed a 30-yard field goal attempt with 7:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.Luverne’s offense took over on its own 20 after the missed field goal and picked up one first down before being forced to punt. When the punter had trouble handling the snap, he was tackled by a MVL defender on the LHS 19. Four plays later, Charger quarterback Greg Hozhuetter scored on a seven-yard run. When Luke Beilke carried in the ensuing two-point conversion, MVL had a 14-0 advantage with 3:50 left to play.Five plays into Luverne’s next offensive possession, Nass picked off his second pass of the game and returned it 35 yards to the LHS 17. Six plays later, Phil Holz scored on a one-yard plunge to cap MVL’s 20-0 victory.Team statisticsLuverne: 128 rushing yards, 80 passing yards, 208 total yards, 11 first downs, four penalties, five turnovers.MVL: 230 rushing yards, 20 passing yards, 250 total yards, 12 first downs, one penalty, one turnover.Individual statisticsRushing: Derek Elbers 10-36, Nick Heronimus 9-21, Ben Nath 9-49, Chris Ashby 7-22.Passing: Heronimus 5-25 for 80 yards.Receiving: Clark 2-25, Mike Kunstle 2-47, Nath 1-8.Defense: Clark one interception.

Stop downtown for Halloween treatsLuverne merchants are once again offering an alternative or addition to the neighborhood door-to-door trick-or-treating.Next Monday, October 31, participating Luverne merchants will be providing Halloween candy at their businesses from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.The business trick-or-treat event was first organized by the Chamber in 2002 and was an immediate hit with local parents. This will be the third year for the event. It wasn’t held last year because Halloween was on Sunday.In its first two years the "Business Halloween" has attracted between 500-600 kids.In the October 24th issue of the Luverne Announcer you can find an ad listing all the participating merchants.Merchants handing out treats will also have orange posters in their windows.Luverne among towns profiled in ‘Daughters of the Game’A new book profiling girls high school basketball from 1891 to 1942 is now available, and Luverne is one of the teams profiled, according to a recent press release we received.According to the release, and much to my surprise, interscholastic girls basketball programs flourished from 1891 to 1942, but state and national organizations then urged schools to drop the program in favor of recreational level programs for all girls.In some areas girls participated in various forms of tournaments, receiving trophies, individual medals and school letters.Much of that memorabilia survived the decades and is still in family archives and scrapbooks around the state.How to save with rising heat costsWhether you want to blame it on Katrina, Rita and Wilma or just the big bad energy companies taking advantage of the situation, fuel prices are probably going to go up this winter.The U.S. Department of Energy expects the cost of heating fuels to continue to rise throughout the heating season.One of their estimates puts the increase at 71 percent over the cost of last year’s heating bill.According to the Comfort Institute, that could raise annual home and water heating bills for most homeowners $500 to $800. For many, the bill could be more than $1,000.Although the price of fuel may be out of your control, there are a few things you can do around the house to control those expenses.
Have your duct system tested for leaks. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), gaps, joints and disconnections in the typical home’s duct system are more significant than those around doors and windows.
Get a "blower door" test. Originally designed by the DOE, it pinpoints where your home’s worst air leaks are.
Close your fireplace damper. You might be surprised how many people forget to close it after burning wood.
Replace your furnace filters. Most systems need this done every month.
Have your heating system cleaned and tuned. It reduces the chances of breakdowns and improves safety.
Install a programmable set-back thermostat. Turning down your thermostat 8 degrees for 8 hours a day will save you 8 percent on your home heating cost.
Consider replacing your heating system. If your system is more than 12 years old, it probably wastes 35 percent of your fuel bill.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Among others, today is a date members of the Adrian High School cross country program have had circled on the calendars for a long time.Adrian will serve as the host school for the Section 3A Cross Country Championships at the Adrian Area Country Club this afternoon. The varsity boys run at 4 p.m. with the girls’ race to follow at 4:45.As AHS Doug Petersen recalls, this is one of four dates the Dragons have been awaiting for nearly one year."I remember telling the kids during last year’s cross country banquet that there were so many days before practice begins in August, so many days before the Red Rock Conference meet, so many days before the section meet, and so many days before the state meet," he said. "This is a big day for us because one of the goals these kids have had all along is to make it to state."If the Dragons get the job and send both teams to state, which could very well happen, it will be the perfect reward for a group of athletes and a coaching staff that worked hard and made a number of sacrifices to reach a common goal.Petersen started to feel good about his 2005 teams late last season when both squads placed fourth at the 2004 section meet. When a number of the program members approached him for advice on what it would take to get better, his response was swift."I told them if they want to take it to the next level, they will have to put in a lot of miles during the summer," he said.At the time, Petersen was asking the kids to make a commitment to the program. The coach wanted his athletes to sacrifice some of their free time in the summer to become better runners.As a sign of good faith, Petersen sacrificed his membership at the AACC to implement a summer running program that has helped lift the AHS girls to the No. 1-ranking and the AHS boys to the No. 3-ranking in the state’s coaches’ poll."I hung up the golf clubs for one year," he said. "I think I took them out twice this season. I told the kids this commitment I was going to make. Then I asked them, "What are you going to give me?"From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Dragons gave their coach sweat equity.In the summer program Petersen laid out, the kids had a choice of reaching one of three mileage levels. The first level was to run 300 miles, the second 400 miles and the third 500 miles. To add incentive to the runners, Petersen said he would take any of them on a trip to Custer, S.D., for a five-day retreat from July 20-24, if the kids had reached half of their mileage levels they had set for themselves for the summer.The retreat featured the opportunity for the runners to compete in a 5K run which was a part of Custer’s Gold Discovery Days celebration, and the carrot dangled in front of the athletes was big enough to capture their attention."We took 22 kids to Custer, where we did some camping, running, swimming and sight-seeing and had team meetings for five days," Petersen said. "We needed the kids to have a good running base before taking them to workout in the high altitudes (of Western South Dakota), so we needed them to be at or near their preset mileage goals for the summer."The commitment the kids made to Petersen persisted throughout the summer, as two runners reached the 500-mile mark, nine reached the 400-mile mark and the rest of them ran near 300 miles or more.Their hard work paid off during a successful regular season, which was highlighted by both teams winning RRC titles during the same year for the first time in school history.It was after the RRC meet that Petersen witnessed the ultimate act of personal sacrifice.Petersen wanted to reward junior Dustin Lonneman, a five-year member of the program, with a spot on the varsity team for today’s section race. Lonneman had been a fixture in the varsity lineup early in the season, but sophomore Jack Albertson passed him on the team’s depth chart as the season progressed.The day after watching Albertson help the boys win the RRC title, Lonneman approached Albertson in practice and told the younger athlete that he should run with the varsity team at the section meet."For a kid to do that… That’s a pretty big thing," Petersen said. "After seeing that, I know it will be something I’ll remember when I’m 85 and telling old cross country stories. In essence, that’s what our team has been all about this year."