Jim Lutgens
Spikers struggle against Medford
SEEING DOUBLE — The Panthers’ Maddie Wagner (1) and Marnie Wagner (2) go up for a block against Medford. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
ON THE ATTACK — Sophia Fischer of NRHEG spikes while teammates Gretchen Ramaker, Abby Wacholz and Marnie Wagner look on against Medford.
Prior to last week, the NRHEG High School volleyball team was looking very good. But that was not the case as the Panthers hosted Medford Thursday, Sept. 17.
The visitors swept, winning 25-14, 25-12, 25-10. It dropped NRHEG to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
“We struggled across the board tonight,” said coach Onika Peterson. “Our passing was off, which caused our setters to scramble.”
Which caused all sorts of problems for the Panthers, who never could get on track.
“Tonight was one of those nights nothing seemed to be going our way,” said Peterson, who’s confident her squad will bounce back.
Fleming 11th at Maple River
It was a wet and difficult course, but that didn’t bother Josh Fleming.
The NRHEG junior made the most of it at the Maple River Invitational Thursday, Sept. 17, leading the Panther boys’ cross country team with an 11th-place overall finish.
“Josh took time off from last week and made the award stand,” said NRHEG coach Mike Weber.
His time of for the course was 20:14.
Following for the Panthers were Zach Mely, 25th, 21:25; Ben Lewer, 31st, 21:47; Braden Routh, 50th, 24:06; Jorey Fischer, 54th, 24:47; Orin Mely, 56th, 25:22; and Aaron Seath, 57th, 26:33.
Sandra Lee Becker (Walberg), 74
Sandra “Sandy” Lee Becker, 74, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at the home of her granddaughter in Bothell, WA.
Sandy was born in Monango, ND on April 19, 1941, the only child of the late Harry Feather and Ella (Goodrich) Feather. She graduated from Aberdeen, SD high school in 1959. She married James Walberg on August 13, 1960. She had three children with Jim and they divorced in 1975. She was married to Gerald “Jerry” Becker of Dell Rapids, SD from September 15, 1984 until his death in 2009.
Sandy was a loving, devoted mother, grandmother and very special great grandmother. She cherished every moment she could spend with her family and be with her grandchildren.
‘Colorful Coffee’ Sept. 30 at library
Everyone’s invited to the New Richland Public Library Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to noon for “Colorful Coffee.”
They wll have markers, coloring pencils and plenty of different coloring sheets to choose from, specifically made for adults! Let your creativity flow while chatting with friends and enjoying a cup of coffee.
Fall Festival set for Sunday
The Church of All Saints in New Richland will host its annual Fall Festival Sunday, Sept. 27.
Polka mass is set for 10 a.m., with turkey dinner from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be family fun under the big tent from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a silent auction, Bingo, raffle, country store, cherished items table and outdoor games. The event is handicap accessible.
Admission is $8.50 for adults, $5 for children and preschool free. Take-out meals are available. For more information call (507) 465-8381.
Coronation 2015
Nafe, Altermatt wear the crowns
Above, Jessica Nafe is crowned 2015 NRHEG Homecoming Queen by King Michael Altermatt as Abby Christopherson looks on Monday night in the high school gymnasium in New Richland. Below, Altermatt, Dempsey Tucker and Palmer Peterson react after Altermatt's crowning. The Panthers face LeSueur-Henderson Friday at 7 p.m. in the Homecoming football game. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
Glen C. Himrich, 90
Glen C. Himrich, 90, died Sunday, September 20, 2015 at Golden Living Centers-Whitewater, St. Charles, MN.
Glen Coolidge Himrich was born December 13, 1924 to Edward and Emily (Sattler) Himrich in Selby, SD. Glen graduated from Selby South Dakota High School. He attended the University of Minnesota and graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in Pharmacy. Glen served in the Army in Alaska during the Korean War. He married Donna Rae Burnette on May 30, 1959 in Blooming Prairie, MN. Glen worked as a Pharmacist and owned Himrich Rexall Drug in Rochester. He also worked at Eagle Drug, the pharmacy in Olmsted Medical Clinic, Ruffalo Drug, Rochester Methodist Hospital and Held Drug in New Richland, MN. He retired in 1995. Glen enjoyed golf; accomplishing a hole in one, hunting, fishing, he was an accomplished marksman, travel, the Twins, and reading.
‘Little is huge’
Speaker leaves students spellbound
SPELLBOUND STUDENTS — Tasha Schuh, a quadriplegic from Ellsworth, Wis., held the interest of NRHEG students on the first day of school. (Submitted photo)
By MARK DOMEIER
Contributing Writer
Sixteen feet is a long way to fall. Falling that far and landing on your head on a concrete floor is often a tragic fall; survival odds are long.
Yet, that’s just what Tasha Schuh of Ellsworth, Wis., did in 1997. While working on a production of The Wizard of Oz at her high school in Red Wing, Minn., Schuh fell through a trapdoor, breaking her neck, fracturing her skull, and crushing her spinal cord. She was in a coma for eight days and wasn’t given much chance to live.
Yet there she was in front of the NRHEG student body on the first day of school, speaking about her life experiences and how to deal with adversity. “Yes I can,” was a phrase she taught students to say in sign language, a phrase she has used as a mantra often during her recovery and subsequent embarkation on a career as an inspirational speaker.
Schlaak selected MVP at Denver
Anna Schlaak continues to tear it up for the Concordia University volleyball team.
The 2012 NRHEG graduate captured tournament MVP honors as the No. 4 ranked Golden Bears finished second in the Colorado Premier Challenge Gold Championship Sunday in Denver, Colo. Concordia came up just short in the finals, falling in five games to No. 13 ranked Ferris State.
Schlaak, coming off a school record performance a week earlier, was dominant at Denver, totaling 20 kills in the finals and 60 for the match.
Schlaak was named Concordia’s Athlete of the Week for the second straight week.
Panthers roll past GFW, 41-6
Peterson, Jongbloedt lead the way
GIVING CHASE — NRHEG running back Perry Peterson (22) tries to elude the grasp of GFW’s Mitchell Schroeder during the Panthers’ big 41-6 victory at New Richland Friday, Sept. 11. Also giving chase for the Thunderbirds: Matt Henderson (77), Rafael Herrera (86), Angelo Metzger (28) and Brady Roiger (14). (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Some folks expected a lop-sided result as the NRHEG High School football team hosted winless Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop.
They got it.
The Panthers, fresh off a 13-7 loss to unbeaten WEM, scored early and often and cruised to an easy 41-6 triumph at New Richland Friday, Sept. 11.
“We came out of the gate strong,” said NRHEG coach Dan Stork, whose team improved to 3-1.
The Panthers needed only 12 plays to build a 21-0 first-quarter advantage, getting two touchdown runs by junior Jason Jongbloedt and one from sophomore Perry Peterson. Palmer Peterson threw a five-yard touchdown pass to John Cole to make it 28-0 at halftime.