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Sports from the week of July 16, 2003

For Tracy Lutheran hikers, no mountain is too high

By Johanna Schmidt

Some experiences have the power to change one's perspective on life. For some, that experience is a mountain backpacking trip.

Twenty-seven young people and adults returned to Tracy Friday after a seven-day trip to the Wind River Mountains in western Wyoming. The hikers traveled as a spiritual community from Tracy Lutheran Church.

"It was the best thing I've ever done," said Jo Olson, one of the hikers. It was her second trip to the mountains.

"It was better this time because we had an awesome group. I think everyone should have an opportunity to have such a life-changing experience," she said.

The hikers needed to carry all their supplies into the mountains, including dehydrated foods, cooking equipment, tents, and sleeping backs. Hikers shared work and responsibilities related to setting up and taking down camp, making meals, and cleaning up.

Pastor Steve Olson, who led the group, feels that the shared challenges, hardships, and joys of the backpacking trip, helps the hikers to bond with one another and travel as a community of faith. This was his 20th mountain backpacking trip.

The purpose of the trip, the pastor explained, is to not just see beautiful scenery, but also help people grow spiritually. Devotions and group prayer were a regular part of the trip.


Legion seeks consistency

The Milroy Jr. Legion Baseball Team played four games during the past week, winning one and losing three.

Last Thursday Milroy won over MACCRAY 6-5 before losing, on Friday, to Wabasso 12-0, to Marshall on Saturday 7-2, and on Monday to Sacred Heart 10-4.

The Sub-District playoffs begin this Thursday with Milroy playing Jackson at Windom at 7:30 p.m. Wabasso will be playing Windom in an afternoon game. On Friday, Springfield will play Mountain Lake and Redwood Falls will play St. James. The loser bracket games will be played on Saturday morning and the winners bracket games will be played on Saturday afternoon. All games will be played at Windom.


VFW needs to win home game Thursday

Tracy VFW finished the regular season at 6-12 overall and 6-8 in their league. They have been seeded #5 in the Northern Division Playoffs.

The Tracy VFW team dropped two games this week. They lost a heartbreaker 9-8 at Westbrook on Friday night and lost 11-1 at Sacred Heart Monday night.

"We just did not get the breaks at the right times," said Coach Joe Brockway.

"We cannot strike out 12 times in a seven inning game and expect to be in many games," said Coach Brady Schmidt.

Tracy now goes to the losers bracket and plays Granite Falls at Tracy Thursday night at 6:30. If they win Thursday, they advance to Bird Island to play out the remaineder of the bracket. The tournament is double elimination, with the top two teams advancing to play the following weekend in Luverne.