The Luverne Cardinals cross country team traveled to St. James and Willmar last week to compete against a range of schools across the region.
Coach Pete Janiszeski said he’s been pleased with his runners’ progress.
“The kids are improving and coming into their own heading into the final few meets of the season,” he said. “They performed well in both meets.”
 
St. James Invitational
The Cardinals went to St. James Tuesday, Sept. 28, for the sixth meet of the year and came home with team titles for both the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams.
Luverne also had two individual varsity champions in Camden Janiszeski and Tenley Nelson as well as champion junior high girl Khloe Visker and junior high boy Marcus Papik.
Girls: Nelson finished first in varsity girls with a 5k time of 19:25.42 and Jenna DeBates came in third with a time of 19:42.75.
Kayla Bloemendaal finished sixth with a time of 21:30.67 and Grace Ingebretson finished seventh with a time of 21:39.78.
Other girls varsity times were: Kianna Winter, 23:15.15; Ella Schmuck, 23:23.64; Tiana Lais, 23:25.44; Brynn Boyenga, 26:22.79; Andrea Luitjens, 30:30.04.
Boys: Camden Janiszeski placed first with a time of 17:26.71. Owen Janiszeski came in close behind to place second with a time of 17:42.51.
Other boys varsity times were: Griffen Jarchow, 18:22.64; Leif Ingebretson, 20:12.13; Ryan Fick, 20:17.83; Kaleb Hemme, 20:48.50; Camden Hoven, 21:05.23; Zach Brown, 22:05.71; Ethan Rahm, 22.20.94; Logan Ommen, 22:45.01; Eli McLendon, 23:12.74.
Here’s a look at other results from St. James:
Junior high girls 1,700 meter: Khloe Visker, 1st (7:09.07); Mariah Knorr, 3rd (7:39.05); Olivia Lund, 6th (8:26.39); Maddy Schepel, 11th (9:49.32)
Junior high boys 1,700 meter: Marcus Papik, 1st (6:51.90); Riley Ripka, 17th (10:16.95)
 
Willmar Glacial Lakes Invitational Oct. 2
Luverne traveled to Willmar on Saturday, Oct. 2, to participate in the Willmar Glacial Lakes Invitational.
Coach Janiszeski said Luverne held up well against tough competition on a difficult course.
“In Willmar many kids had season or all-time best performances on a challenging course,” he said. “It has been fun this week to watch their confidence grow.”
Luverne’s varsity girls team overall placed fifth behind Hopkins, Willmar, Marshall and Perham.
Varsity boys placed sixth overall behind Hopkins, Perham, Willmar, Sartell and Totino Grace.
Individually, varsity runner Tenley Nelson placed fourth with a 5k time of 19:14.3 and Jenna DeBates placed seventh with a time of 19:41.2.
Other girls varsity times were: Kayla Bloemendaal, 21:34.4; Ella Schmuck, 21:49.9; Tiana Lais, 22:31.2 and Khloe Visker, 23:01.6.
Camden Janiszeski placed 14th in the boys varsity 5k with a time of 17:22.2 and Owen Janiszeski placed 16th with a time of 17:44.2.
Other boys varsity times were: Sage Viessman, 18:59.6; Leif Ingebretson, 19:13.2, and Camden Hoven, 19:36.1.
Other results from Willmar are as follows.
Junior varsity boys 5k: Zach Brown, 27th (21:36.2); Eli McLendon, 35th (22:03.7)
Junior varsity girls 5k: Andrea Luitjens, 46th (28:33.2)
Middle school girls, 3,200: Mariah Knorr, 10th (14:14.2); Olivia Lund, 26th (15:48.2)
Middle school boys, 3,200: Marcus Papik, 7th (12:54.2); Riley Ripka, 32nd (17:09.6)

The Luverne Cardinals football team extended its winning streak to three games after defeating the Worthington Trojans Friday night in Worthington.
Luverne dominated the Trojans on both sides of the ball in the first half, taking a 23-0 lead into halftime.
The Cardinals were able to tack on one more touchdown in the second half and hold the Trojans scoreless as they cruised to a 29-0 victory.  
Luverne coach Todd Oye said he was impressed with his team’s defense. “Our defense has improved each week,” he said. “And because of that we were able to earn the shutout tonight.”
The Cardinal defense set the tone in the game’s first possession, and Luverne never looked back.
Facing a fourth and 19 from their own 37-yard line, the Trojans lined up to punt, but the snap flew over the head of the Worthington kicker who fell on the ball at the four-yard line where Luverne took over on downs.
It took the Cardinals only two plays to get in the end zone from there. After a short run on first down, Luverne senior Braydon Ripka ran through the Trojan defense for a three-yard touchdown score.
The Cardinals completed the two-point conversion after Luverne quarterback Casey Sehr found teammate Gannon Ahrendt on the right side of the Trojan end zone giving the Cardinals an 8-0 lead with 9:10 to go in the first quarter. 
After forcing the Trojans to punt, the Cardinals took over at their own 45-yard line on the next possession. Sehr connected with Ahrendt again for an 18-yard reception on first down. 
Three plays later Sehr found sophomore tight end Conner Connell over the middle for a 16-yard gain which brought the Cardinals to the Trojan 19-yard line.
Luverne would need only one play to punch it in from there as senior running back Ashton Sandbulte avoided tackles from multiple Trojan defenders and broke free up the left side of the field for the touchdown run.
The Cardinals’ two-point conversion was successful once again as Sehr lofted a ball up to Ahrendt in the back of the end zone, giving the Cardinals a 16-0 lead with 3:38 to go in the first quarter.
The teams traded possessions much of the second quarter before Luverne was able to mount one more scoring drive before halftime. 
The Cardinals’ drive started at the Worthington 42-yard line with 3:17 to go in the half. 
Sandbulte got the drive started with an impressive 27-yard run up the right side of the field, and the Cardinals got one more first down run from Sandbulte three plays later to get the ball to the Trojan 4-yard line. 
Sehr then found Ahrendt in the back of the end zone to finish off the drive. After sophomore, Patrick Kroski’s, extra point kick was good, the Cardinals had a 23-0 lead with 1:19 to go in the second quarter. 
Luverne was able to stop the Trojans’ offense on their next possession and took the 23-0 lead into halftime.
Sehr sparked the Cardinals on the other side of the ball to start the second half as he intercepted a pass with 9:57 to go in the third quarter.
This gave the Cardinals excellent field position as they took over at the Trojan 30-yard line. 
After an 11-yard run from Sandbulte for first down, the Cardinals lost yardage on the next two plays after back-to-back penalties.
Facing second and 23, the Cardinals got a big play from Ahrendt who hauled in a 28-yard reception on a pass from Sehr to bring the Cardinals to the Worthington four-yard line.
Sandbulte ran in the game’s final touchdown from there, and after a missed extra point Luverne held a 29-0 lead with 8:22 to go in the third quarter. 
The Cardinal defense continued its strong play the remainder of the game, and the Luverne offense was content running the ball much of the second half to kill the clock. 
Coach Oye said he was pleased with the effort of his team. “This was a good team win against a division and section opponent,” he said.  “This puts us at 2-0 in the division and the section.”
The Cardinals will now focus on their next opponent, the Pipestone Arrows, in a rivalry game at 7 p.m. Friday night at home. 
“Playing an undefeated Pipestone for the Battle Axe is a great challenge and opportunity for our team,” said coach Oye.
 
Team Statistics:
Luverne: 181 rushing yards, 100 passing yards, 281 total yards, 16 first downs, 8 penalties for 75 yards, 0 turnovers.
Worthington: 24 rushing yards, 118 passing yards, 142 total yards, 12 first downs, 9 penalties for 80 yards, 1 turnover.
 
Individual Statistics:
Rushing: Ashton Sandbulte 15-130 (2 TD’s), Braydon Ripka 7-22 (1 TD)
Passing: Casey Sehr 10-15 for 100 yards (1 TD)
Receiving: Gannon Ahrendt 5-56 (1 TD), Connor Connell 2-16
Defense: Jamie McCarthy 4.5 tackles, Ashton Sandbulte 4 tackles, Nathaniel Cole-Kraty 3.5 tackles

The Luverne volleyball team took on Worthington at home Tuesday, Sept. 28, with a boisterous crowd of fans, young and old, from both sides of the net. The energy seemed to magnify with each game of the five-game battle, with Luverne emerging as the victor at 3-2.
Luverne dominated Game 1 of the match establishing a five-point lead with Elise Ferrell delivering a couple of ace serves and her teammates, Trista Baustian and Kamryn Van Batavia, delivering set assists and kills.
Worthington called a time-out to slow Luverne's momentum, but Van Batavia delivered a surprising tap over the net to put another point on the board after the break. 
The Cardinals continued their run with Baustian assisting Christina Wagner for a kill, and Macy Stratton executing a dig to Baustian who assisted Morgan Ahrendt on a kill. 
Luverne further divided the point spread with a series of textbook volleyball plays: Anja Jarchow passed to Reghan Bork who assisted Ferrell on one of her powerful kills. Then, Wagner and Ferrell executed a block to put Luverne up by eight.
Ferrell dug up a pass to Baustian who put it over the net. Baustian, back at work, passed to Bork who set for Macy Stratton’s back row attack, and Luverne was up by 10. Luverne went on to win Game 1 by a score of 25-13.
Worthington woke up for Game 2 with a quick five-point lead. Luverne then rattled the Trojans with a blow by Stratton, Bork and Ferrell and then Stratton, Bork and Wagner for successive kills.
 Bork then assisted Baustian on a kill to bring Luverne within two points.  
A series of errors by both teams and a play by Wagner to Ferrell to Ahrendt for the kill tied the teams.
Worthington put up some excellent blocks and delivered wicked kills to keep the Cardinals at bay. Worthington won Game 2 by 20-25.
Both teams were fired up for Game 3. Luverne took the lead with a couple of plays led by Stratton executing digs to the setters, Baustian and Bork, to aid Ferrell and Baustian, respectively, to score. 
Worthington caught up and took the lead by six points.  Luverne slowly got some momentum back when Wagner and Baustian went up for a block on defense, and later, the duo paired up on offense for a point.
Then, Stratton delivered a few ace serves to put Luverne even with Worthington. After that, it was oscillating points until the score was tied at 24.
Needing two points to win, Ferrell sent a ball over the net that Worthington couldn’t return, and she delivered a light serve that the Trojans sent out of bounds. Luverne won Game 3 at 26-24.
Game 4 proved to be no less exciting.
Luverne started with the first point on the board but slipped behind Worthington on a series of Cardinal errors. 
Luverne battled back with a win in Game 5, 15-12 and won the match.
The Cardinals were scheduled to meet Jackson on the road Tuesday and Martin County West at home Thursday this week.
 
Stat Highlights
Team serving percentage was 97% (103-106)
Serves:  Christina Wagner 21/21 with 2 aces; Macy Stratton 22/22 wtih 2 aces
Set assists:  Reghan Bork 23; Trista Baustian 17
Blocks:  Morgan Ahrendt 2 solos & 4 assists; Elise Ferrell 2 solos & 6 assists
Attacks:  Elise Ferrell 15; Kamryn Van Batavia 11

The Luverne Cardinals girls tennis team started Section 3A tournament action on Monday, Oct. 4, with a 7-0 victory over Yellow Medicine East at home.
Luverne earned the No. 1 seed in Section 3A, and will travel to Gustavas Adolphus College in St. Peter on Wednesday, Oct. 6, for the semifinals and finals.
In the semifinals, the Cardinals will face Benson/KMS Coop at 9 a.m.
The winner of that match will meet the winner of MACA/WCA and Montevideo in the section finals.
The finals are scheduled to start at approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
Luverne’s season tennis record stands at eight wins and six losses on the season.

The Luverne Cardinals earned another volleyball win at St. James Thursday night, Sept. 30, against the Saints.
Luverne started slow against St. James, allowing the Saints to take the lead, but not for long. 
Kamryn Van Batavia tied the game at 5 with a kill, and after that, the game was dominated by the Cardinals.  Elise Ferrell surprised the Saints with a light serve over the net to put Luverne up by three. 
Later, Macy Stratton executed a dig to Trista Baustian who set for a Ferrell kill, which increased the lead by six.  Christina Wagner put a powerful attack through the Saints block to put Luverne up by 10.  Shortly thereafter, Wagner delivered a serve just on the inside edge of the court to win Game 1 25-14. 
Luverne carried that momentum into Game 2.
Reghan Bork started with an ace serve and then set to Anja Jarchow who put it over for the point. Macy Stratton served a run of points, which included two aces, to put Luverne up by six. 
Christina Wagner furthered the spread with a kill, a block and kill on another play, and Morgan Ahrendt contributed a light placement into the Saints hole. 
Later, Grace Sandbulte sent over a ball that the Saints returned with a double hit that drew a whistle. Then on defense, Sandbulte and Jarchow put up a block to increase Luverne’s lead by 13. 
Nearing the end of Game 2, Maddie Schmuck put the ball over on the inside edge of the Saints’ side to put the game at 24-9. A Saints error gave Luverne the win at 25-10 for Game 2.
The Cardinals started Game 3 cheering, "We Got the Spirit,” but the Saints didn’t go down without a fight, allowing Luverne to lead by only four points or less the entire game.
A kill by Jarchow and four kills by Ferrell, assisted by the duo Bork and Baustian, put Luverne in an early lead.
The Saints slowly came within two points by a series of Cardinal errors, but a kill by Elizabeth Wagner assisted by Baustian increased the Cardinal lead to three points.
An ace serve by the Saints and a serve landing on the inside edge of the Cardinals side put St. James ahead by one. 
Continuing the battle, Morgan Gonnerman executed a dig to Bork, who placed the ball into the Saints hole. Baustian executed a strong block and later worked with Bork and Ferrell to help deliver additional points.
Down by two, Bork and Morgan Ahrendt put up a block, and then Ferrell attacked on another play to tie the game at 21. 
The plays continued like that, each team alternating on their points. Luverne was first at 25 when Bork put the ball into the Saints hole, but the Saints came back with a kill to tie the game. 
Then, Stratton came through with a dig to Baustian who set for a Ferrell kill, putting Luverne up by one, but an error by both teams and a return on the inside edge of the Saints court by Christina Wagner tied the teams at 27. 
Jarchow earned a point by putting the ball into the Saints hole. Luverne won Game 3 when the Saints returned the ball into the net, 29-27.
"It was a fun match against St. James,” coach Sarah DeBeer said. “The girls took control early and then just had fun. My favorite part was Game 2 when all seven seniors played key roles in winning that game."
 
Stat Highlights
Serves:  Elise Ferrell 14/14 with 2 aces; Macy Stratton 19/19 with 2 aces
Set Assists:  Reghan Bork 14; Trista Baustian 20
Blocks:  Morgan Ahrendt 2 solos and 2 assists; Elizabeth Wagner 1 solo and 3 assists
Attacks:  Elise Ferrell 15; Trista Baustian 5

When I came home way after sunset a few days back, I asked my gal Cindy Scott why I was always so beat every night. I knew the answer, but she added that if I ever stopped long enough to let my engine cool off, it might help.
The past two months were great, and the upcoming two months are going to be great, but it means a lot more nights coming home beat.
Opening Pheasant Hunting weekend starts Oct. 16, and I am hosting a ladies-only mentor hunt in my county. There will be six inexperienced female hunters partnered with six veteran lady guides
The following week my local Pheasants Forever Chapter is hosting a Veterans Appreciation hunt, with 15 veterans from all over the United States in town.
The following weekend I am helping a friend with his extended family in town with my dogs and property to let them chase roosters.
The next two weekends after that are firearms deer season and the best part of the pheasant hunting season following that.
All of this happens in the fall.  I wish winter lasted three days and fall lasted six months.
There was a moment a few Saturdays ago that was different when a friend invited me to go duck hunting with him on one of his private wetlands.
I am not much of a duck hunter but I do buy a license every year, so I said sure.  I was just going to sit on a bucket and see if anything would fly over my head. No duck boats, no decoys, no trailers full of gear. Just a dog and a cup of coffee.
We got there in the dark and I set up my gear, which consisted of a brown 5-gallon pail, one box of shells, one thermos and one coffee cup and my 5-year-old Labrador, Raider.
The place was just alive. I could not see anything, but the sights and sounds made me feel like I was in an IMAX theater.
Ducks were communicating, pheasants were crowing and the frogs all made for a pretty neat nature choir. Meanwhile the sun peaked over the horizon and the colors of fall came alive.
There had not been a frost yet, but the leaves on the trees were just starting their fall dance. The starting shooting hours for waterfowl in Minnesota are a half hour before sunrise.
I had my phone but never checked to see exactly what time that would be. The exit began and I had ducks flying overhead in groups of about four or five. My five of this size made their way out to feed.
It was then that the wetland eruption started. Big groups of both ducks and geese had decided it was time to go eat. There was lots of noise and the sound of wings, and in about five minutes all of the ducks had left the area I was in. 
It was about 15 minutes later that I heard the sound of gunshots in the distance. My partner had bagged a duck, so I knew it was legal shooting time.
As I sat there taking in the sights and sounds, I was amazed at the number of frogs I heard and saw. I would have figured in a drought year they would have been reduced due to not enough water. This was certainly not the case.
I had my back to a small shrub, and over the course of about 90 minutes I had about a half dozen little songbirds land in that tree no more than 4-6 feet away. They seemed to be saying hello and wishing me a good morning. They would leave and a different batch would take their place.
I could not identify the species of these birds but that in no way diminished the splendor of their visit.
As the dog sat quietly beside me and I watched the steam roll off my coffee cup, I could only wonder what the folks who never get to experience a morning like this would think if they ever had the opportunity to do so.
We as a species are drawn to the outdoors, but many people get sidetracked by electronic devices or sports that include many different shaped balls. I am sure they enjoy those activities as well, but I don’t think anyone ever could or would say that an hour in the tall grass with the sights and smells of fall was not worth their time.
I never shot a duck and I never fired the gun, and still I had a very quality outing.
These are the down times between helping others get engaged in the outdoors, protecting and improving public lands, helping others train their dogs and advocating for the “up plug the device” lifestyle.
I hope I can live a while longer because there is still a lot of work to do.
 
Scott Rall, Worthington, is a habitat conservationist, avid hunting and fishing enthusiast and is president of Nobles County Pheasants Forever. He can be reached at scottarall@gmail.com. or on Twitter @habitat champion.

LEDA sets industrial lot sale public hearing for Oct. 11
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
LUVERNE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a public hearing has been called and will be held for the Luverne Economic Development Authority, on Monday, the 11th of October, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers in the City Office Building at 305 East Luverne Street, Luverne, Minnesota, to consider public input regarding the sale of Lot 1, Mayes Second Addition, in the City of Luverne, Rock 
County, Minnesota to Backdraft Manufacturing, LLC. 
Citizens are encouraged to attend the hearing, ask questions, and/or give comments.  Any citizen may also submit written questions or comments prior to the hearing by addressing them to the Economic Development Director, PO Box 659, Luverne, MN  56156-0659.  
Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the Economic Development Director, PO Box 659, Luverne, MN (507-449-5033). 
BY ORDER OF THE LUVERNE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Patrick Baustian, President
Luverne Economic Development Authority
305 E. Luverne St.
Luverne, MN 56156
Phone: 507-449-2388
(09-30)