By Sara Strong
The city of Luverne is anticipating a proposal to cut 40 percent of its Local Government Aid from the state.
LGA makes up $568,000 — or almost 60 percent — of the city’s general fund.

"That’s a lot of money, let’s not pretend that it’s not," City Administrator Matt Hylen said. "It’s a tremendous amount of money to the city."

Realizing that most small cities, various state agencies and numerous programs will lose funding this year, the Luverne City Council is still working to save some of those anticipated city cuts.

Hylen said that Luverne could be in a worse situation. Thanks to good financial planning, the city has some options to get by in the short term.

Mayor Glen Gust said LGA is an area that lobbying could be worth the effort. "It’s nice to be making contacts with legislators and they’re probably going to be overwhelmed, but a letter from the council might be good. We can tell them that we’ve already done our budget and were counting on that aid."

Councilman David Hauge said he’s sure Luverne isn’t the only funding recipient taking that approach. "Everyone’s pressuring the government to cut spending, but ‘not my spending.’"

Gust also suggested the city put off some capital improvements, or look into grants for one-time purchases or for services such as law enforcement.

Wastewater issues
The city of Luverne is in the middle of a statewide disagreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Luverne’s wastewater treatment plant was upgraded to an A class, from a B. The new designation means that it’s a more sophisticated system and requires operators with higher certifications.

Manager Al Lais is in the process of testing for a Class A license, which one employee is required to have.

In addition to the Class A issues, Luverne also has to come up with a phosphorous management plan and meet more state regulations, enforced by the MPCA.

All cities renewing permits have to make the plan. (Phosphorous comes primarily from detergents and soaps.)

A phosphorous management plan means the city has to outline how it will test for phosphorous, and if it finds too much, it will have to find the source and develop a plan to reduce it.

The plan and its implementation comes with a cost. The city of Worthington, for example, spends $200 to $300 a day just on chemicals to neutralize phosphorous in wastewater.

The MPCA has said that the phosphorous limit is three parts per million. Luverne’s is at four parts per million and hasn’t seen negative effects on plants or animals in the river.

A group of cities is considering a lawsuit asking the MPCA to better define its rules and explain the reasons for them. For instance, the MPCA is asked to show the true effects of four phosphorous parts per million in the Rock River.

City Utility Coordinator Red Arndt said, "We want to make the MPCA tell us why, make them accountable for their actions and rules. … We should be held accountable for our water, but we should know why we have to do what we need to do."

Arndt said the city’s working relationship with MPCA has been positive in the past and he wants to keep contact with its representatives.

What’s called the Total Maximum Daily Load Rule has been labeled "defective" by attorneys representing the group of Minnesota cities: It says the rules are vague in language; overbroad, including all water bodies in the state regardless of size or function; arbitrary and capricious, giving the MPCA discretion to use informal guidance materials and "professional judgment" to determine when and how rules apply; and beyond the MPCA’s regulatory authority, allowing the MPCA to regulate conditions not caused by pollutants.

Once the TMDL rules are adopted, cities who are cited for not complying with them can’t contest citations based on the rules. In the eyes of the law, the time to change the TMDL rules is before they are finalized, not after a citation.

The city of Luverne pays a few thousand dollars a year for these legal services.

By Sara Strong
In this time of budget crunches, Luverne is hopeful that $7 million in federal funding will keep the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System project afloat another year.

Luverne Utilities Coordinator Red Arndt serves on the Lewis and Clark Executive Committee and presented an update to the Luverne City Council Tuesday.

"We’re moving along, I think," Arndt said. "This is a real unique project. We’ve gotten things done that have never been done before: There are three states, six senators, three governors, 22 towns, and in Washington, D.C., the House and Senate."

For fiscal year 2003 city contributions to the system will be $36,702 if the federal amount of $7 million comes through. The state is slated to contribute $107,659, which members of the system have to make up if it doesn’t.

Even though the project is still above water, it’ll probably be behind schedule, reaching Luverne in about 2014, a few years later than first estimated.

Arndt said, "The water probably isn’t for any of us, but for our kids, because it’ll be here for 50 to 100 years."

Swimming upstream
Even though Lewis and Clark Rural Water System is without a director, it’s managing to continue through the Executive Committee.

Former Lewis and Clark director Pamela Bonrud resigned to become director of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.

Arndt reviewed the need for another water source with the council. He said, "We have shallow wells. Our deepest is 58 feet and our shallowest is 30-something, so we’re vulnerable to pollution and drought."

With IBP closing, the city of Luverne doesn’t have as great a demand as it once did, even considering water use by Gold’n Plump and Agri-Energy.

Luverne is signed up for 750,000 gallons per day from Lewis and Clark, which would give the city about three fourths of a day’s supply. The many overworked wells the city now uses could be shut off or used less.

Starting in 2004, Lewis and Clark will start getting easements on the 408 miles of land along the Missouri River it needs to run the system. Pipeline will then be laid and a treatment plant built, so Sioux Falls can get on line.

Sioux Falls will use about 40 percent of the system’s supply, and when it starts, Lewis and Clark can start generating user revenue.

Lewis and Clark is looking into creating policies on what to do with excess water once the system is completed. Members who’ve purchased a gallon allotment may be able to sell their unused excess through Lewis and Clark to other cities who need it.

Lewis and Clark was formed in the early ‘90s and isn’t allowing new memberships for the water supply.

By John Rittenhouse
Hills-Beaver Creek High School athletes posted a combined 2-6 record during the Cardinal Wrestling Tournament in Luverne Saturday.

Dusty Seachris and Kerry Fink wrestled for the Luverne-H-BC-Ellsworth squad during the event.
Seachris went 2-2 at 135 and 140 pounds for the Cardinals. Fink was 0-4 at 125.

Seachris opened the tournament by drawing a forfeit from Sioux Falls Lincoln before being pinned by Wabasso’s Chad Altermatt and Montevideo’s Leighton Reuss at 3:04 and 2:53 respectively.

Seachris bounced back in his final match to hand Worthington’s Alex Solem a 22-8 major decision setback.

Saturday was rough for Fink, who was pinned by Lincoln’s Mike Wratz (3:16) and Wabasso’s Derek Geutter (1:08) to start the tournament.

Fink wrestled better while dropping 7-5 and 4-3 decisions to Montevideo’s Tallen Wald and Worthington’s Brandon Rall respectively.

L-H-BC-E went 1-3 and placed sixth as a team during the tournament.

The Cardinals beat Lincoln 38-36 in the opener before dropping respective matches to Wabasso (63-14), Montevideo (40-34) and Worthington (39-36).

L-H-BC-E, 2-12 for the season, wrestles in Tracy tonight and in Adrian Tuesday.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne-Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth wrestling team broke into the win column during what was a busy three-event week for the Cardinals.

L-H-BC-E’s initial win came during the Deuel, S.D., Tournament, where the Cardinals went 1-3 on Saturday.

The Cardinals dropped Southwest Conference matches on the road against Worthington Thursday and Marshall Tuesday.

The 1-8 Cardinals host their own tournament Saturday.

Marshall 44,
L-H-BC-E 36
The Cards made a bid to break into the win column in SWC competition before falling by eight points to the Tigers in Marshall Thursday.

L-H-BC-E led 18-16 after Cody Jagow pinned Matt Schirmacher in 49 seconds during the heavyweight match, but the Tigers scored 28 points in the next six weight classes to put the match out of reach.

Marshall’s run consisted of pins from Jason Jeremiason (1:53 over Mike Fletcher at 103), Sam Oglesby (32 seconds over Mike Van Wyhe at 112) and Nate Boerboom (4:19 over Anthony Boyenga at 125), and a forfeit to Dallas Mahoney at 119. Tiger Steve Sik posted a 10-2 major decision win over Kerry Fink at 130 to cap the run.

L-H-BC-E ended the match by getting pins from Ruston Aaker (2:23 over Logan Derynck at 135) and Dusty Seachris (4:12 over Fred Dalle at 145), and having Justin Mann draw a forfeit at 140 to make it an eight-point difference in the end.

Canaan Petersen gave the Cards a 6-0 lead by pinning Brian Van Meveren in 3:23 at 152, but the Tigers received forfeits at 160 and 171 to take a 12-6 advantage.

Cardinal Jose Saravia tied the match at 12 by pinning John Nordin in 3:07 at 189, but Tiger Colby Bruns saddled Joel Evans with a 14-5 major decision setback to give the Tigers a 16-12 lead that was erased by Jagow’s pin.

Match wrap-up
152 (L) Petersen pins Van Meveren.
160 (M) Bruns by forfeit.
171 (M) Lutmer by forfeit.
189 (L) Saravia pins Nordin.
215 (M) Bruns m.d. Evans.
275 (L) Jagow pins Schirmacher.
103 (M) Jeremiason pins Fletcher.
112 (M) Oglesby pins Van Wyhe.
119 (M) Mohoney by forfeit.
125 (M) Boerboom pins Boyenga.
130 (M) Sik m.d. Fink.
135 (L) Aaker pins Derynck.
140 (L) Mann by forfeit.
145 (L) Seachris pins Dalle.

Deuel tourney
The Cardinals recorded their first win of the season during Saturday’s tournament in Deuel, S.D.

After losing their first three matches of the event, L-H-BC-E finished the day by beating Milbank’s junior varsity team 54-30 in the finale.

Losses to Clark (42-39), Flandreau Public (52-27) and Deuel (51-24) preceeded the victory.

Senior Canaan Petersen went a perfect 4-0 at the event for L-H-BC-E, posting wins at 152 and 160.

Along with receiving forfeits against Flandreau and Deuel, Petersen pinned Clark’s Jordan Hallberg and Milbanks’s Brandon Schmitt in 3:33 and 3:36 respectively.

Cardinal heavyweight Cody Jagow went 3-1 with two pins and one forfeit, and Kerry Fink went 3-1 at 130 and 135 with two pins and one decision victory.

Anthony Boyenga recorded a pair of pins while going 2-1 at 125.

Mike Fletcher was 2-2 (one pin and one forfeit) at 103, Joel Evans was 2-2 (two pins) at 189 and 215, Ruston Aaker was 2-2 (two pins) at 135 and 140, Dusty Seachris was 2-2 (one pin and one decision win) at 140 and 145, Justin Mann was 2-2 (one pin and one decision win) at 145 and 152, and Jeff Cronberg was 2-2 (two forfeits) at 189 and 215.

Matt Goembel was 1-3 at 160 and 171, and Aric Uithoven went 0-2 at 125 and 130.

Match wrap-ups
Clark 42, L-H-BC-E 39
112 (C) Raymer by forfeit.
119 (C) Helkenn by forfeit.
125 (L) Boyenga pins McGraw.
130 (L) Fink pins Lynch.
135 (C) Wookey by forfeit.
140 (L) Aaker pins Silkman.
145 (L) Seachris dec. Klatt.
152 (L) Mann pins Peckham.
160 (L) Petersen pins Hallberg.
171 (C) Merkel pins Goembel.
189 (C) Foster pins Cronberg.
215 (C) Jenkins pins Evans.
275 (C) Crabtree pins Jagow.
103 (L) Fletcher pins Evans.

Flandreau 52, L-H-BC-E 27
112 (F) Deutscher by forfeit.
119 (F) Sutton by forfeit.
125 (F) Reed pins Uithoven.
130 (L) Fink dec. Rydell.
135 (F) Christensen m.d. Aaker.
140 (F) Quick pins Seachris.
145 (L) Mann by forfeit.
152 (L) Petersen by forfeit.
160 (F) Severtson pins Goembel.
171 (F) Lacey by forfeit.
189 (L) Evans pins Kills-A-Hundred.
215 (F) Giegling pins Cronberg.
275 (L) Jagow pins Kneebone.
103 (F) Lueck pins Fletcher.

Deuel 51, L-H-BC-E 24
112 (D) Bolden by forfeit.
119 (D) Morrell by forfeit.
125 (D) Olson pins Boyenga.
130 (D) Hanson m.d. Fink.
135 (D) Lorenzen pins Aaker.
140 (D) Tekrony pins Seachris.
145 (D) Ashbaugh pins Mann.
152 (L) Petersen by forfeit.
171 (L) Goembel by forfeit.
189 (D) Nelson pins Evans.
215 (L) Cronberg by forfeit.
275 (L) Jagow pins Milton.
103 (D) Salanoa t..f. Fletcher.

L-H-BC-E 54, Milbank 30
112 (M) McKernan by forfeit.
119 (M) Fuller by forfeit.
125 (L) Boyenga pins Nowick.
130 (M) Crist pins Uithoven.
135 (L) Fink pins Foster.
140 (L) Aaker pins Taylor.
145 (L) Seachris pins Nowick.
152 (M) Haag pins Mann.
160 (L) Petersen pins Schmitt.
171 (M) Van Lith pins Goembel.
189 (L) Cronberg by forfeit.
215 (L) Evans pins Schwandt.
275 (L) Jagow by forfeit.
103 (L) Fletcher by forfeit.

Worthington 52,
L-H-BC-E 24
The Cardinals dropped their second conference match of the season when they fell by 28 points in Worthington Thursday.

L-H-BC-E, which gave away 24 points in forfeits during the match, dug a hole that was too deep to climb out of early in the match. Worthington scored team points in eight of the first nine weight classes to gain a commanding 40-6 lead it would never relinquish.

Worthington’s surge consisted of forfeits from Thai Hua at 119, Brad Sowles at 140 and Matt Cowdin at 160, pins from Cody Schmidt (1:29 over Anthony Boyenga at 125) and Nate Steffl (1:09 over Matt Goembel at 171), a 15-5 major decision win from Jared Langseth (15-5 over Kerry Fink at 130), and decision wins from Brandon Rall (9-7 over Ruston Aaker at 135) and Jeff Campbell (6-3 over Canaan Petersen at 152).

L-H-BC-E’s lone win during the first nine matches came from Dusty Seachris, who pinned Pat Cummings in 4:57 at 145.

After Steffl pinned Goembel at 171, the Cards scored 18 straight points with pins from Jose Saravia (2:14 over Mike Heidelberger) and Joel Evans (1:02 over Carl Zishka at 215) and Cody Jagow drawing a forfeit at heavyweight to make it a 40-24 match.

Worthington used a forfeit at 103 to Nathan Wajer and Dusty Poppema’s 1:00 pin of Mike Van Wyhe to win by 28 points in the end.

Match wrap-up
119 (W) Hua by forfeit.
125 (W) Schmidt pins Boyenga.
130 (W) Langseth m.d. Fink.
135 (W) Rall dec. Aaker.
140 (W) Sowels by forfeit.
145 (L) Seachris pins Cummings.
152 (W) Campbell dec. Petersen.
160 (W) Cowdin by forfeit.
171 (W) Steffl pins Goembel.
189 (L) Saravia pins Heidelberger.
215 (L) Evans pins Zishka.
275 (L) Jagow by forfeit.
103 (W) Wajer by forfeit.
112 (W) Poppema pins Van Wyhe.

In recognition of the work paraprofessionals do in the Hills-Beaver Creek school system, all paraprofessionals were awarded certificates of recognition and publicly thanked at the Lift-Off rally during Paraprofessional Week Monday, Jan. 13, through Friday, Jan 17. They were also given small gifts, and a potluck meal was served in their honor. "They are a very important part of our staff, and without them, our students would not be as successful as they are," wrote Elementary Administrator Jil Vaughn in an e-mail to the Crescent. "They wear many hats and graciously fulfill many tasks." The paraprofessionals at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary are Lois Leenderts (left), Heather Erickson, Barb Bos, Haley Tollefson, Wanda Hoyme, Mavis Schmidt, Amy Spykerboer and Jodi Ackerman.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Glen J. Altman, 69, rural Lismore, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003, in his home.

Services were Tuesday, Jan. 14, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lismore. Roxanne Kemper and the Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Glen Altman was born to Albert and Frances (Reker) Altman on Sept. 1, 1933, in rural Lismore. He graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School in Lismore. He entered the U.S. Army and served for two years. After returning from the service, he began farming with his father in rural Lismore.

He married Cecelia Henning on Jan. 21, 1958, at St. Adrian Catholic Church. After their marriage, the couple farmed in rural Lismore. He retired in 1993.

Mr. Altman was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lismore, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and Lismore American Legion. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Cecelia Altman, rural Lismore; four children and their spouses, Alan and Jackie Altman, and their four children, Aaron, Phillip, Autumn and Blair, Patti and David Olson and their three children, Lindsey, Melissa and Kirsten, all of Luverne, Cliff and Tammi Altman, and their three children, Heidi, Matthew and Kelsey, and Scott Altman, all of Lismore.; Gerry Hamann, Luverne, and his daughter, Hailey; and one sister, Rita (Elmer) Scheffler, Worthington.

Mr. Altman was preceded in death by his parents, and one daughter, Connie Hamann, on April 21, 1997.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian, was in charge of arrangements.

By Sara Strong
Many Luverne residents can expect a knock at their door and a request to complete a survey starting next week.
Select parts of Luverne have the chance to use up to $1.4 million to improve the structure and appearance of homes and businesses.

That opportunity came because of a Community Development Block Grant through a federal program for small cities. Luverne can get a grant and be able to turn it around to deferred loans, which can be forgiven over time.

The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership is writing the grant application that could remodel and update homes and businesses with owners paying just 34 percent of the cost up front.

Luverne Economic Development Authority Director Dan Statema said, "Educating the public is really key for the program. Survey response is essential."

Survey says…
Before any grant money can be used, city residents and property owners have to do their part by completing the surveys.

Within a month, a select group of city residents will be asked to answer a survey, and if there's a 70 percent response rate, the Housing Partnership will complete the application process.

The survey is the important first step in ensuring the process continues to the grant-writing level.

The questionnaire should be completed regardless of whether the property owner wants or qualifies for the program. Even if those receiving surveys don’t want to apply for the program, it’s important to complete them.
The target areas for the program spread outward from the Main Street and Kniss Avenue numerous blocks in all directions. North, the area continues to Barck Street; south the area continues to nearly the interstate; west the area continues to the city limits; and east to Blue Mound Avenue.

The target area is broad now, but will probably become more specific after the surveys are completed.
Survey information stays only with the Housing Partnership, so no city official or survey collector will view answers.

If approved, the grant and loan money can be used for the following improvements: exterior renovations, structural repairs, mechanical repairs and replacements, electrical system repairs, windows and doors, accessibility modifications, signage and awnings and energy improvements.

For the individual contribution to the program, people can pay for new carpeting or other improvements that don't fall under what’s eligible for grant or loan money.

Individuals must meet income guidelines during the application process. For example, an individual must earn less than $27,550 to qualify; a household of two must earn less than $31,500; a household of three must earn less than $35,400 to qualify; a household of four must earn less than $39,350; a household of five must earn less than $42,500; a household of six must earn less than $45,650 and so on.

In other business,
the LEDA:
Was updated on the status of the former Exsito building. The city is in the process of selling the food processing equipment so the building can be used for other purposes.

Leftover glass jars are also for sale. City Administrator Matt Hylen said, "If anyone is looking into doing some fall canning, we have plenty of jars and lids available."

A case of 12- or 16-ounce jars costs $2, and a case of jars with lids costs $4. The lids are the one-piece metal lids typically found on commercial jars.

Learned that the Department of Trade and Economic Development has looked at the former Continental Western Group, Tri-State Insurance building. DTED can pitch the building to businesses interested in relocating or expanding in the city.

Luverne junior post Danielle Loosbrock (45) forces Lennox guard Katie Letsche to pass the ball during Thursday’s girls’ basketball game in Luverne. Lennox handed the Cardinals their third straight setback.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne girls’ basketball team went 1-2 while playing three games in a six-day span.

The Cardinals lost home games to South Dakota opponents Lennox and Madison by 15 points Thursday and Tuesday respectively. LHS posted their third win of the year by four points in St. James Saturday.

Luverne, 3-9 overall, plays in Marshall Friday before hosting Edgerton Monday.

Madison 52,
Luverne 37
The Cardinals were unable to win back-to-back games when they entertained Madison Tuesday.

Luverne played hard the entire game, but poor shooting from the field (22 percent) proved to be too much for the hosts to overcome.

"As far as working and doing the right things, it was a pretty good ballgame for us," said Cardinal coach Jason Phelps. "The kids worked like they were crazy. They were very intense. We just had a couple of bad quarters, and we were not able to overcome them."

Madison doubled Luverne’s scoring output (10-5) in the first quarter before the Cards trimmed the difference to one point (19-18) by halftime with a 13-9 scoring advantage in the second period. Madison went on a 15-4 scoring run in the third quarter to open a 34-22 lead that swelled to 15 points at game’s end.

Maggie Kuhlman scored 13 points, produced three steals and passed for two assists for the Cards. Rachel Tofteland netted 10 points for LHS. Serena Franken collected five rebounds.

Box score
Williams 0 1 0-0 3, Kuhlman 0 4 1-2 13, Boomgaarden 1 0 0-4 2, Tofteland 2 0 6-7 10, Klosterbuer 1 0 0-0 2, Franken 2 0 0-0 4, Loosbrock 1 0 1-4 3, Stewart 0 0 0-0 0, Wynia 0 0 0-0 0.

Team statistics
Luverne: 12 of 54 field goals (22 percent), eight of 17 free throws (47 percent), 22 rebounds, 17 turnovers.

Luverne 47, SJ 43
The Cardinals snapped a three-game losing skid when they upended the Saints by four points in St. James Saturday.

LHS guard Kuhlman was able to shoot some holes in the Saints’ zone defense by canning five three-point shots during a 21-point performance. Luverne also protected the ball well as it turned the sphere over a season-low 11 times.

"They played a zone the entire game, and Maggie shot well by making five of 10 three-point shots," said Cardinal coach Phelps. "We also did a nice job of playing smart basketball, especially in the fourth quarter. We didn’t turn the ball over in the fourth quarter."

The Cards didn’t enjoy a great start to the game as SJ led 11-3 in the first quarter before Kuhlman drained a three near period’s end to make it 11-6.

Another three by Kuhlman late in the second quarter allowed LHS to climb to within three points (26-23) of the Saints at the intermission, and she made two more threes when Luverne gained a 35-32 lead in the third period. The difference was padded by one point when the fourth quarter was complete.

Kuhlman had six assists and five steals in the game. Franken charted five steals and five rebounds.

Box score
Williams 1 0 3-3 5, Kuhlman 2 5 2-4 21, Boomgaarden 2 0 2-4 6, Tofteland 1 0 4-9 6, Klosterbuer 0 0 0-0 0, Franken 1 0 0-2 2, Stewart 0 0 0-0 0, Wynia 1 0 2-5 4, Loosbrock 1 0 1-2 3.

Team statistics
Luverne: 14 of 41 field goals (34 percent), 14 of 28 free throws (50 percent), 21 rebounds, 11 turnovers.

Lennox 54, Luverne 39
The Cardinals dropped their third straight contest when they entertained Lennox, S.D., Thursday in Luverne.

Luverne played well enough to sport a one-point lead after eight minutes of play, but the Ladybirds outscored the Cards 43-27 in the final three periods to prevail by 15.

Lennox used a 5-0 run in the first quarter to take a 7-2 lead early before LHS countered with a 10-7 surge capped by a field goal from Franken with 1:05 remaining to take what would be the team’s biggest lead in the game at 12-9.

Lennox scored the final two points of the first quarter to make it a 12-11 difference heading into the second quarter.

After the teams exchanged baskets early in the second quarter, the Ladybirds put together a 12-0 run to open a 25-14 lead.

Luverne played its way into the game by mounting a 6-2 surge capped by Danielle Loosbrock’s free throw with 31 seconds remaining in the first half to make it a 27-20 game at the intermission.

Lennox expanded its lead to 13 points (33-20) by scoring the first six points of the third quarter. Luverne trimmed the difference to nine (37-28) when Rachel Tofteland scored off an offensive rebound at the 3:59 mark of the stanza, but the Ladybirds outscored the Cards 4-1 to end the quarter and take a 41-29 advantage into the fourth period.

Luverne pulled to within 10 points (43-33) with a field goal by Loosbrock with 4:39 left to play. That proved to be as close as the Cards would come to catching the Ladybirds, who outscored the hosts 13-10 in the fourth quarter to win by 15.

Franken recorded a double-double for the Cards by scoring 12 points and nabbing 10 rebounds. Tofteland led LHS with four steals, and Kuhlman charted a team-high four assists.

Box score
Williams 1 0 0-0 2, Kuhlman 1 1 1-4 6, Boomgaarden 1 0 0-1 2, Tofteland 3 1 0-0 9, Klosterbuer 0 0 0-0 0, Franken 5 0 2-5 12, Stewart 1 0 1-3 3, Wynia 1 0 0-0 2, Loosbrock 1 0 1-2 3.

Team statistics
Luverne: 13 of 53 field goals (25 percent), five of 18 free throws (28 percent), 21 rebounds, 16 turnovers.
Lennox: 23 of 52 field goals (44 percent), five of 12 free throws (42 percent), 33 rebounds, 17 turnovers.

By John Rittenhouse
Hills-Beaver Creek High School athletes Dusty Seachris and Kerry Fink had a busy week as members of the Luverne-Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth wrestling team.

Seachris and Fink joined the squad on three road trips that took them to dual meets in Worthington and Marshall Thursday and Tuesday respectively, and to the Deuel, S.D., Tournament Saturday.

Seachris won his match during Tuesday’s 44-36 loss in Marshall.

Wrestling at 145 pounds, Seachris pinned Fred Dalle 12 seconds into the third period of their match.

Fink met a different fate as he dropped a 10-2 major decision to Marshall’s Steve Sik at 130 pounds.

Fink and Seachris won a combined five matches during Saturday’s tournament in Deuel.

Fink had a great day for the Cardinals, winning three of four matches at 130 and 135.

Fink opened the tournament by pinning Clark’s Pat Lunch 57 seconds into the third period of their match at 130 pounds before posting a 3-0 win over Flandreau’’s Chad Rydell at 130.

Deuel’s Brad Hansen handed Fink an 11-2 major decision setback at 130 pounds before the Cardinal capped his day by pinning Milbank’s Tyler Foster 57 seconds into the second period of their match at 135.

Seachris split his four matches at 140 and 145 during Saturday’s tournament.

Seachris topped Clark’s Garret Klatt 7-4 at 145 to start the day before being pinned by Flandreau’s Wade Quick (2:27) and Deuel’s Brandon Tekrony (1:08) during 140-pound matches.

Seachris returned to 145 for the finale against Milbank, where he pinned Jesse Nowick 46 seconds into the second period.

Seachris also posted a victory during Thursday’s 52-24 loss in Worthington.

Wrestling at 145, Seachris pinned Pat Cummings 57 seconds into the third period of the match.

Fink came up on the short end of a 15-5 major decision against Worthington’s Jared Langseth at 130.

The 1-9 Cardinals host their own tournament in Luverne Saturday.