by Coach Ralph Kroetch

It was 95 degrees and a searing, cloudless day that efforted many racers at the Western Great Plains Conference cross country meet in Philip on Thursday, September 25.

For the boys' varsity race, Philip's roster was sophomore Zane Pekron and freshmen Kelvin Ferguson, William Coyle and Marcus Martinez. Martinez was running his first-time in varsity. This race began with a very enthusiastic pair of Pekron and Coyle leading the entire field. Pekron advising Coyle not to go out too fast because of the heat.

by Coach Ralph Kroetch

The Philip Scottie cross country team faced many of their regional opponents on the Kadoka golf course/airport. The Philip athletes brought out their best efforts to date, as every Scottie set a new course best. Many runners improved on their life-time personal bests and recorded a fourth team championship in 2008.

The junior high/elementary combined race had Jasmine Ferguson as its only Philip runner. She completed the approximately one mile course in 9:57.

The Lady Scotties hosted the Faith Longhorns to a volleyball match on Tuesday, September 23. The Philip varsity won 3-0 with game scores of 25-14, 25-14 and 25-9. The Scotties now have a season record of 9-1.

Serving: Philip - 67 of 74. Leaders: Marissa Mann - 18 of 19 (2 aces), Taylor Holman - 16 of 17 (1 ace), Abby Fitzgerald - 11 of 12 (3 aces), Kenzy Pinney - 10 of 10 (2 aces).

Receiving: Philip - 35 of 37. Leaders: Kayla O'Connell - 10 of 11, Mann - 9 of 9, Josie Guptill - 8 of 8.

Setting: Philip - 80 of 81 (35 assists).

The Newell High School football game on Friday, September 26, ended with Philip on top with another win. Retaking the lead, then pulling away, the Scotties defeated the Irrigators 28-16.

Philip 6 8 6 8 = 28

Newell 16 0 0 0 = 16

The first quarter began with a touchdown for the home team of Newell when #32 Brandon Fox carried the ball from over half the field. He then ran in the two-point conversion to put the score at 0-8. The Scotties drove the ball down to the three-yard line, where Casey Cvach ran it in the rest of the way for six points.

The Philip Lady Scotties fought a long, hard match against the Harding County Ranchers in a Philip volleyball tournament on Thursday, September 25.

The five games were so close, two of them going into extended play, that only two points separated the teams' total scoring over the entire evening. Philip lost the match 2-3 with game scores of 25-21, 24-26, 25-19, 21-23 and 15-17. The Scotties new season record is 9-2.

Serving: Philip - 93 of 111 (4 aces).

Philip's pounding offense helped the Lady Scotties earn the championship at the 10th annual Belle Fourche Invitational Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, September 27.

Philip lost only one game and won all six of its matches during the tournament. Newell came away with a 4-2 record, having received both losses from the Scotties.

"When a V.I.P. agrees to share his talents, skills and interests with the National Park Service, he is paying us one of the highest compliments possible by offering a most valued possession - his time," said George Hartzog, former Director National Park Service.

Local volunteers joined forces on Saturday, September 27, by helping park rangers at Minuteman Missile National Historic Site with two maintenance projects at their Cactus Flat visitor contact station.

The Haakon County Commissioners met in special session Tuesday, September 30, to finalize the 2009 budget.

Chairman Neal Brunskill noted two items from the provisional budget needed to be changed. Both involved incorrectly entered figures, one under the general fund and the other under the courthouse building fund.

Haakon County Auditor Patricia Freeman reentered the numbers. The board then approved the 2009 Haakon County Budget.

"We didn't have much for tools," said Curt Arthur. "You mix the cement on the ground, then haul it by hand to where you needed it. We used tin and sticks; the only bought lumber was the 2x2 furlongs as part of the roof."

Arthur and Rod Knutson related their experiences to a large audience at the Community Evangelical Free Church in Philip on Sunday, September 28. Their Mission of Mercy Program trip to Ethiopia had been from August 2 to August 12.

"We didn't have much for tools," said Curt Arthur. "You mix the cement on the ground, then haul it by hand to where you needed it. We used tin and sticks; the only bought lumber was the 2x2 furlongs as part of the roof."

Arthur and Rod Knutson related their experiences to a large audience at the Community Evangelical Free Church in Philip on Sunday, September 28. Their Mission of Mercy Program trip to Ethiopia had been from August 2 to August 12.