On Sunday, Sept. 18, Palisades Lutheran Church had a Celebration for Doreen Rollag, who has been their organist for the last 70 years! Rollag will also celebrate her 97th Birthday on Sept. 30, 2022. Congrats Doreen!
“I was honored and I’m very proud to be part of the Palisades Lutheran Church family,” said Doreen Rollag. “I was just so grateful to everyone, that I can’t really express it, other than to say thank you all.”
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Homecoming Royalty for 2022 was announced, congratulations to this year's court! We've got the full schedule of events for next week's festivities. Plus, Doreen Rollag has been playing organ at Palisades Lutheran for 70 years, we've got a local beard contest winner, and three Garretson students got top honors at the 2022 State Fair in FFA.
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GHS Homecoming court royalty this year are, front; Anna Jones, Logan Bly, Raegen Altman, Grace Hove, and Rebekah Roth. Middle are Preston Bohl and Sam Schleuter. In back are Carson Clark, Matthew Gilbert, and Hunter Abraham.
Homecoming Royalty for 2022 was announced, congratulations to this year's court! We've got the full schedule of events for next week's festivities. Plus, Doreen Rollag has been playing organ at Palisades Lutheran for 70 years, we've got a local beard contest winner, and three Garretson students got top honors at the 2022 State Fair in FFA.
The Garretson Cross Country team hosted the Jesse James Invite on Tuesday, September 6 at River Ridge Golf Course, and followed that race with another one in Luverne on Saturday.
Noah Schotzko and Sebastian Deyoung. (Photos by Mallory Zell)
"Thanks to everyone who came out and watched, especially those that helped us put on a top notch meet," said Coach Jason Bohl.
Garretson ran only Junior Varsity athletes, who all performed well.
Eliza Potter
In boys, Noah Schotzko placed 14th with a run time of 17:25:22 on the 4,000-meter course, while Nathanial Roberts was 39th, Sebastian Deyoung was 45th, and Talon Miller was 53rd out of 82 youth participants.
In girls, Eliza Potter placed 18th out of 52 participants with a run time of 21:26.88. Emma Hanson was not far behind, placing 22nd with a run time of 21:49.52.
On Saturday, the team headed to Luverne for the Bruce Gluf Classic, going for their second race of the week.
"The kids have been working hard and are improving with each race they run," said Coach Bohl.
Schotzko hit a time of 17:06.10, placing 11th overall in JV. Potter finished with a time of 21:10.30, also finishing 11th. Deyoung placed 14th with a time of 17:10.09, Roberts finished 25th with a time of 18:41.60. Miller placed 10th out of 35 participants in the 3,200-meter middle school event with a time of 14:59.02. Hanson took 9th overall in a crowd of 26 with a run time of 15:48.12 in the 3,200-meter middle school event.
Their next race is today (Thursday) in Chamberlain, and in Alcester on Monday.
Sebastian DeyoungNathanial Roberts
UPDATE 9-15-22: Nathaniel Roberts was accidentally labeled as Talon Miller. Finishing places and times were updated to reflect actual times as those on Athletic.net were incorrect.
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Enjoy this free article! The Gazette is proud to present the local news of Garretson, South Dakota, giving its subscribers news of interest, school coverage, and local/statewide government coverage. Your support of the Gazette and its advertisers ensures this coverage will continue into the future. Consider getting your subscription today! E-edition subscribers get access to their issues sooner than anyone else, both on this site and in your email inbox.
The Blue Dragon soccer team stayed on the home field Saturday as they faced off with Dakota Valley. Despite attempting to give the Panthers a solid kick, the rival team took home the win 0-2, bringing the season score to 2-6.
The ladies in blue again brought the ball to their home field on Tuesday, taking on Vermillion (results 0-5). They will be taking the game to Hartford today (Thursday) to face West Central for the second time this season, and will get their chance for revenge against the Trojans.
Garretson Blue Dragon Varsity Football traveled to Alcester on 9-9-2020. Final Score was Garretson 17, Alcester-Hudson 32. Alcester-Hudson came to the game with a 3-0 record this season so far. Now they’re 4-0.
“Alcester-Hudson is a good team,” said Blue Dragon Head coach Jerry Weiland. “Giving up the opening kickoff for a touchdown put us in a hole.”
Garretson did move the ball well, gaining 259 yards in 45 plays when compared to the 277 yards gained by Alcester-Hudson with 44 plays. Garretson had three turnovers, two fumbles and one pass intercepted, however, with 7 penalties that netted them 50 yards of loss. That was the key to the Blue Dragon’s loss this game.
“The Blue Dragons proved they had the ability to move the ball and to stop Alcester,” said Weiland. “All aspects of the game had shortcomings were from penalties and turnovers, to missed assignments.”
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom out there. Carson Clark, Hunter Abraham and Blaine Trower consistently moved the ball forward, with Clark and Trower making each making a good pass. We’ve also still got good kicking going on the field and with our end zone game.
“Jenna Van Holland started Garretson’s scoring with a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter,” said Weiland. “Hunter Abraham and Carson Clark ran for touchdowns with 4 and 21 yards respectively and Van Holland added the extra points on both those touchdowns!”
Garretson will not have a game this week due to a bye week and will set themselves up to face Parkston in the next game on Sept, 23rd.
Last week, the Garretson Blue Dragon Volleyball team participated in the Big East Conference Tournament, bracketing against Beresford, McCook County/Montrose, and Baltic. Despite winning against Beresford in three sets, the team had more difficulty with the next two teams, losing in four sets to MCM and in five to rival Baltic.
Anna Jones (center)
The Lady Dragons faced off with Beresford and MCM on Thursday, September 8 in the Dragon's Lair. Despite allowing Beresford to lead for a bit in the first set, Garretson rallied and pulled ahead, winning 25-18. They then reminded the Watchdogs why they had the upper hand, as they went on to win the second set 25-19 and the third set 25-21.
Moving into the next round of the conference tournament that same evening, the Dragons took on MCM, who had just beat Sioux Valley 3-1.
Despite allowing MCM to get an early lead in the first set, the Dragons soon placed more balls in the Cougars' court, pulling ahead to 19-9 and taking the first set 25-13.
Unfortunately, they lost their steam while MCM rallied, and the Cougars took the lead at the beginning of the second set while Garretson netted zero, 4-0. Later in the game, the Dragons were able to snag back the ball and went on a 10-point run while holding MCM to 20 points, but MCM kept the lead and pulled ahead, ultimately winning the set 20-25.
Logan Bly
The third set saw much the same, with MCM taking the lead early and keeping it with solid just-inside-the-line attacks. Garretson kept up the pressure, and though trailing, stayed close on the Cougars' heels. Halfway through the set, the two teams were tied 14-14. The Dragons pulled slightly ahead but couldn't seem to stay as the Cougars placed a few more solid plays into the Dragon's court. They didn't let the Cougars take the win easily however, making moves that impressed the fans. Unfortunately, they just couldn't get past the Cougars' defenses, losing the third set 21-25.
In set four, the two teams stayed nearly tied for much of the set. At 17-19, it looked as though Garretson might be able to prevail, but MCM found a hole in the center of the court and exploited it while the Dragons knocked a few balls out of bounds, allowing the Cougars to have the lead. A final out-of-bounds ball gave MCM the win, with a set score of 20-25.
Leading the game in kills was Kaylin Koch with 13, closely followed by Logan Bly (11), Aleah Wagner (9), and Anna Jones (9). Wagner, Koch, and Sydney Olson each had two aces, while Wagner also led in digs with 16. Grace Hove continued to slay with assists, acquiring 34 more to add to her tally.
Moving into the consolation round to vie for third place, Garretson headed to Chester on Saturday to face off with Baltic. The bitter rivals had only recently beaten the Dragons in three sets, and Garretson was looking for some payback.
The Dragons nearly took the Bulldogs' hide as they snapped up the win in sets two and four and forced extra points in sets two and three, but Baltic managed to eke out the extra three points needed for the win in set five.
In all, the set scores were 21-25, 26-24, 26-28, 25-23, and 12-15, giving Garretson fourth place in the Big East Tournament.
The Lady Dragons next played Flandreau on Tuesday (results not available at press time), and will play in Elkton against Elkton-Lake Benton on Saturday. They'll be back on the home court Tuesday, September 20 to take on Dell Rapids, with JV starting at 6:00 p.m. and Varsity beginning around 7:15 p.m.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting announced today that it is hosting a series of debates and political forums in the lead-up to the 2022 elections. All programs will be broadcast live on SDPB1-TV, and streamed live on SD.net and the SDnet app. The programs will repeat on SDPB Radio the following weekday at noon Central, 11:00 a.m. Mountain. Jackie Hendry will serve as host and debate moderator.
The candidates for South Dakota’s at-large member of the U.S. House will meet in a debate Thursday, Oct. 20 at 8:00 p.m. Central Time. Candidates for office include incumbent Dusty Johnson (R) and Collin Duprel (L).
The candidates for South Dakota Governor will meet in a debate Monday, October 24 at 8:00 p.m. Central Time. Candidates for the Governor’s office include incumbent Kristi Noem (R), Jamie Smith (D), and Tracey Quint (L).
On Thursday, October 27, SDPB will present an hour-long program that reviews candidates for the Public Utilities Commission, incumbent Chris Nelson (R) and Jeff Barth (D); candidates for South Dakota Secretary of State, Tom Cool (D) and Monae Johnson (R); and measures that have been placed on the ballot through public initiative.
United States Senate candidates will debate Friday, November 4 at 8:00 p.m. Central Time. This debate is presented in partnership with Dakota News Now. Candidates include incumbent John Thune (R), Brian Bengs (D), and Tamara Lesnar (L).
Jill Whalen comes to Garretson and immediately gets involved
by Marieke Salomon, staff writer, GHS Blue Ink
Photo by Marieke Salomon, Blue Ink
The Garretson School District not only has two new principals, but also a few new teachers, one of whom is the Blue Dragons’ new soccer assistant coach too.
Ms. Whalen taught at an elementary school in Minnesota for a few years before coming back to South Dakota.
She was so kind to answer some questions about her professional life but also about her private life.
1. What made you decide to become an elementary teacher?
I have always enjoyed working with young students to teach them new things in fun and interesting ways.
2. Have you worked somewhere else before you came to Garretson?
Yes. I worked for the past seven years in Crystal, Minnesota as a Kindergarten teacher and before Minnesota, I taught 1st Grade in Presho, South Dakota, and coached volleyball for five years.
3. How do you like it so far?
I have enjoyed living in Garretson, getting to know my neighbors and colleagues, teaching my 1st Grade class, and coaching the soccer team. Everyone has been so kind, helpful, and welcoming!
4. What was the best thing you experienced so far?
I have had the most fun coaching soccer. It has been exciting to see our team's improvements throughout the season.
5. Do you prefer dogs or cats?
I prefer dogs. I have a five-month-old black lab named Ace and he's pretty great!
6. Where are you from?
I was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and lived in Canistota until I was about 10 years old. Then we moved to Gregory, South Dakota, and lived there until I graduated high school.
7. Where did you go to college?
I attended Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska.
8. What are your hobbies?
I like to golf, fish, walk my dog, read, and spend as much time outdoors as possible when the weather is nice.
9. Have you played soccer in high school or college?
I did not play soccer in high school; my school did not offer soccer as a sport. I participated in volleyball, basketball, and track in high school and continued to play volleyball in college.
10. How is it for you to coach a soccer team even though you never played it yourself?
I have always enjoyed coaching any sport even if I have a limited amount of knowledge. My understanding of soccer was very limited, but I have learned a lot about the game and am thankful for the opportunity to coach some great student-athletes in the process!
11. What made you want to coach?
My dad was a football coach for many years, and he seemed to have more fun coaching than he ever did playing a sport. He encouraged me to try coaching and I have had the greatest experiences since the beginning of my career. Watching my teams find success and work together to accomplish a goal is extremely fun.
12. What is your favorite food?
I have many favorite foods but pasta is my favorite.
Aside from Whalen being found in her first-grade classroom or out on the soccer field, she has quickly become involved in other Garretson activities as well, including line judging at last night’s Big East Conference Volleyball tournament.
Welcome to the Garretson School District Ms. Whalen!
