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I made the trek to Wisconsin Rapids Saturday to watch the Dodgeville-Mineral Point cross country team make its 18th consecutive appearance at that prestigious event. Eighteen years in a row is pretty darn impressive and you couldn't find a better group of girls to be a part of just that! This team was ranked 6th in the nation at the start of the season, but had too many illnesses and injuries to become the team they could've been. Their performance at state could've been termed "GUTSY" and there was no doubt it was. A couple of the girls probably shouldn't have run, but they wanted to - another collapsed as she crossed the finish line. Gutsy is a great description of what went on that day. There were also some other great cross country races and runners to watch that day. Check out the recap and Dodgeville-Mineral Point story and photos in the sport pages.
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Dodge-Point coach Denny McGraw told me he couldn't have been prouder of his girls team - especially when, after the race and the scores were announced, they immediately went up to the Madison Edgewood team and congratulated them - and that was without any of the coaches telling them to do it!
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I couldn't believe the driving of some people on their way to and from and even at the state cross country meet in Rapids. On my way there I was following a car and there weren't a lot of passing spots in the road. A car load of kids came up behind me going pretty fast (I had my cruise control set on 61) and passed both of us. There wasn't enough room for that vehicle to get by before the double yellow line appeared either! At another spot along the way there's a 4-way stop sign. I stopped as did a car across from me, but a car pulled right alongside of me to turn right (had a stop sign) and didn't stop or even look to see if anyone was coming from the left. Then, on my way back, a car went right through a red light in the lane next to me when I was stopped for the light - that was in Wisconsin Dells.
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We received a note and subscription renewal from longtime subscriber Katie Loy the other day. It was addressed to Mike & Pat. She said: "One more year - $42 check enclosed. Now that I don't get out much it's a joy to read about the old places around "Linden" etc. So I say 'Old Friends' have a Happy Thanksgiving - Christmas and may the New Year be great for us all!" Kate lives in Dodgeville, but is pretty much housebound.
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I was hoping to be able to cover Iowa-Grant's football team in Level 3 of Division 6 of the playoffs this week, but they lost at Brookwood Friday night. They had a great season and the communities should be proud of their accomplishments.
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The lone team in our immediate coverage area left in the playoffs is that of Mount Horeb/Barneveld with several Barneveld players playing key roles in their success. They play at La Crosse Logan in Division 3 this Friday night - Good luck to them!
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There are also several area teams still in the state football picture such as Darlington, Platteville, Lancaster, Potosi and Black Hawk. Good Luck to them!