For the second season in a row, Freeman High School seniors Kate Miller and Erin Uecker have been selected to the Cornbelt Conference First Team. They are joined by Viborg-Hurley’s Coral Mason (MVP), Kate Connor and Piper Thompson of Howard, and Annalyse Weber of Hanson. Freeman junior Cami Fransen was named to the third team and junior Ashlin Jacobsen was the Flyers’ honorable mention.

Marion-Freeman head wrestling coach Chris Sayler visits with his team at the conclusion of practice Monday evening, Dec. 21 inside The Hanger — the Rebels' new practice facility that is part of the Freeman Public campus. Wrestlers have been practicing since last week and will open their season at Kimball on Saturday, Dec. 3. Girls basketball practices are also underway — the first day was Monday — while boys basketball begins next week. Watch The Courier for more information on the upcoming seasons at Freeman Academy/Marion, Freeman Public and Menno.

The "Have a nice day" sign that greets passers-by in front of the home of Dr. Dennis Epp is pictured on the Monday morning before Thanksgiving. 

Toys are assembled under a Christmas tree at the front of The Courier office as part of the newspaper's Toy Box Toy Drive for the Bethany Food Pantry. Children's items are being collected through the month for distribution at the local food pantry the first two Fridays of December. Gifts can range from toys to games to clothing and may be dropped off a the Main Street office during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

When the Freeman High School girls volleyball team stepped foot on the Class B volleyball court at the Sanford Premier Center late Thursday morning, they did so as the No. 8 seed. A little more than 48 hours later, early Saturday afternoon, the Flyers walked off the same court in the same arena in the same position — eighth.

Scenes like this have been a full display inside the Danny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls since the all-class State Volleyball Tournament began on Thursday, Nov. 17. This photo was taken during the national anthem just prior to the start of Friday's consolation round that included Freeman against Northwestern (center court), as well as the Class A (top) and Class AA matches. All three classes have been playing simultaneously since action began.  Today's final Class B matches include: For seventh place: Freeman vs. Colman-Egan (11:30 a.m.)

Twenty-five: That’s the number of kills posted by Northwestern standout Ella Haven. Four: That’s the number of aces the senior had.

The Freeman volleyball team takes the court at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls on the 30 minutes leading up to their match against Northwestern Friday morning. The No. 8 Flyers are gunning for a spot in the consolation championship on Saturday after their 3-1 loss to top-see Warner on Thursday. Northwestern is the No. 4 seed. 

In February of 1998, when South Dakota high school volleyball was still played in the winter and sets were played to 15 in a best-of-three format, No. 8-seed Freeman High School knocked off No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian in the opening round of the Class B state tournament. 

Amanda Mettler smiles for a photo behind the Salem Home sign that anchors the corner of the assisted living facility that will be merged with Freeman Regional Health Services by the end of the year. Mettler, who has been the director of social services at FRHS the past 13 years, now takes on the title of FRHS Senior Living Assistant Administrator and will split her time between both health care facilities. Read more about her new role in the Nov. 16 edition of The Courier.