BY JEREMY WALTNER Collin Helma burst onto South Dakota’s track scene out of nowhere three years ago. So fast was his speed that even older, stronger and more seasoned runners couldn’t keep up with the freshman, who won the 400 at state and was a key member on the Flyers’ winning 400-, 800- and 1600-meter relay teams. The Flyers won the state championship that year. Oh, and Helma was named the Class B MVP.

JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER The Freeman Academy/Marion track team is just one meet into the season so it’s too early for coach Suzanne Koerner to fully assess what all the Bearcats will bring to the track this spring, but she knows that the team will have runners to watch.

JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER Track and field fans from Menno will have their first chance to watch the Wolves from the comfort of their home facility when the Menno Relays comes to town next Thursday, April 15. And there’s a pretty good chance they will like what they see.

An informational session for all who are interested in the upcoming season at Freeman’s Valley View Golf Course will be hosted at the Valley View Clubhouse on Friday evening, April 16, at 7 p.m. This gathering is for all who are interested in the local golf course — past members, potential members, and anyone who loves golf! All are welcome as this will be a time to have questions answered by board members and an opportunity for finding out more about the upcoming golf season.

The 2020-21 Cornbelt Conference all-conference teams were announced earlier this week, with Viborg-Hurley senior Gradee Sherman named the Cornbelt MVP. Sherman was named to the All-Conference First Team, along with Canistota’s Tyce Ortman and Chase Merrill and Howard’s Sam Aslesen and Tisyn Spader. All are seniors. Members of the Second Team are Viborg-Hurley’s Eli Boomgarden, Hanson’s Riley Ferry and Noah Price, Bridgwater-Emery’s Rylee Schultz and Howard’s Jace Sifore.

Menno senior Morgan Edelman was named to the Cornbelt Conference All-Conference First Team for her play on the basketball court during the 2020-21 season and was also honored with the Cornbelt Conference MVP. Her classmate, Jesse Munkvold, was named to the second team, as was Freeman Public senior Rijjy Peterson. Both were third-team selections last year. This is Edelman’s fifth all-conference selection and fourth time on the first team. The all-conference teams were announced Tuesday, March 16. Hanson was the Cornbelt champion with a 7-0 record.

This is the document that Freeman Public, Freeman Academy and Marion are discussing regarding a sports cooperative starting this fall.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER A tough basketball season for the Freeman High School boys came to an end at Gayville-Volin last week Monday, March 1 as the No. 11 Flyers lost to the No. 6 Raiders 58-39. The loss sent Freeman home winless on the season at 0-21 while Gayville-Volin moved to 9-12. Head coach Mitch Johnson knows it was a tough year for the Flyers, who have won just five games the past three seasons, but also believes that better days are ahead.

JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER The Freeman Academy/Marion boys saved their best game of the season for the biggest game of their lives and nearly upset top-seed and Class B’s No. 5 team in the process. Facing Viborg-Hurley Friday night, March 5 in third and final round of the Region 5B Tournament at Freeman Public, the No. 3-seed Bearcats took the Cougars to overtime, only to fall short in the final four-minute frame. Viborg-Hurley survived FA/Marion 66-59 to advance to the SoDak 16 with a 16-5 record. The Bearcats finish their season 15-7.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER When Menno’s boys basketball team walked off its home court following a 65-54 loss to Centerville in the first round of the Region 5B Boys Basketball Tournament last week Monday, March 1, the Wolves said goodbye to four seniors — Brady Fergen, Levi Bender, Josh Heckenlaible and Caden Fischer. First-year head coach Kory Foss only had one season with the quartet of guys, but he’s glad he at least got that.