LESTER PRAIRIE – The search for a new conference is over for the Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity Bulldogs. After looking at all their options, the Bulldogs were voted into the Minnesota River Conference earlier this week to become the eighth school in the conference. The Bulldogs will join the conference beginning the 2021-2022 school year.
“Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity is excited to be joining the Minnesota River Conference,” athletic director Jeremiah Kramer said. “We believe it is the best overall fit for us and we look forward to getting started in the fall of 2021.”
When looking for a new conference, geography was key to the decision.
“The MRC is an obvious geographical match,” Kramer said. “Our travel time for conference events will be reduced by more than 50 percent. With the MRC, we will play more games at the C-squad and Junior Varsity level, which we occasionally miss out on in the Minnesota Classic Athletic Association. We will also receive junior high schedules from the MRC, which we currently do not get from the MCAA. This will make scheduling much easier.”
Becoming the eighth member of the MRC won’t be a huge change for the Bulldogs. With Jordan leaving for the Wright County Conference, the Bulldogs will play many of the teams they already have scheduled in past seasons.
“The MCAA was good for us size and competition-wise, but it has sprawled away from us and some of the trips are tough on school nights,” Kramer said. “We appreciate our time and partnerships in the MCAA and wish that conference the best going forward. Joining the MRC, we will have to continue to work hard every day to compete, but we feel that the level of competition in the Minnesota River Conference can help strengthen our teams for postseason play.”
MRC SCHOOLS BY ENROLLMENT
LP/HT – 194
Mayer Lutheran – 196
Sibley East – 278
SW Christian – 298
NYA – 333
Belle Plaine – 467
Le Sueur-Henderson – 537
Tri-City United – 547