JEREMY WALTNER  - EDITOR & PUBLISHER When Maria (Tschetter) Paff moved back to Freeman with her husband, Brian and their two young sons in July of 2021, they did so primarily to be closer to family. But the opportunity to enjoy the fine arts that runs so deeply through Maria’s home community was certainly part of the appeal, which is why the 40-year-old couldn’t contain her excitement following the first rehearsal of the Swiss Choral Society the third Sunday night of October.

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.

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.

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

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.

Parents, family and fans are invited to pep rally/sendoff for the state-bound Freeman Public volleyball team at 9:30 a.m. at the high school gym Wednesday, Nov. 16. The Flyers will then leave for Sioux Falls from the school’s parking lot at 9:45 a.m., via an escort from the Freeman Volunteer Fire Department.

Click here for a look at what was a thrilling night for the Freeman volleyball team. 

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER It was the summer of 1976 — Ron Baker’s first year playing amateur baseball in Freeman. The Scotland native had spent the previous seven seasons playing for his hometown team and helped lead the Highlanders to a Class B state championship the summer before.