Freeman returns to an old favorite for Cedar Catholic’s One Act play this year

HARTINGTON — It might be time for Cedar Catholic and coach Audrey Freeman to return to the state finals.

The Trojans have one appearance – 2012 – under Freeman in her first dozen years in charge and have run off a streak of six straight district runners up finishes.

So maybe her 13th season will be a lucky one and they can break that dubious streak.

“We are really good at getting second place,” Freeman said. “This year, we are competing against teams we don’t normally compete against – the powerhouses like Hartington-Newcastle – and it’s nice that we don’t have to this year.”

Cedar Catholic has moved up to Class C1 and into District 4 for a fresh outlook on a new season.

“So, we get to have a little bit different competition so that will be fun,” Freeman said.

“I have been very lucky that being here for so long I have been able to watch my program grow.

This year the Trojans will perform “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

“I did this as my first play 13 years ago and felt enough time had lapsed so I could come back to it,” Freeman said. “It’s the story of the Herdman kids who are kind of not good kids. Then they learn what Christmas is all about and everyone changes for the better because of it.

“I enjoy the message of this story and I love Christmas. This is about kids who come from nothing and the message is sort of about redemption. It’s a very happy story and I like happy endings. This is the play I can have where I can incorporate the older kids and the newer talent that have never been on stage. It gives people an opportunity.”

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

By: Barbara Robinson

Directed by Audrey Freeman

BETH Hannah Kleinschmit CHARLIE Charlie Dendinger IMOGENE Maizie Christensen RALPH Cole Becker LEROY Matthew Rokusek CLAUDE Carter Klug OLLIE Luke Reifenrath GLADYS Grace Kleinschmit MOTHER Jayda Bernecker FATHER Wyatt Wiebelhaus REV. HOPKINS Brady Steffen MRS. ARMSTRONG Aiden Wortmann MRS. SLOCUM Olivia Hamilton MRS. CLAUSING Cambelle Nieman MRS. MCCARTHY Kenlee Goeden MRS. CLARK Keke Wilson ALICE Bekah Kleinschmit MAXINE Mackenzie Sudbeck DANNY Brooklyn Kuehn ELMER Owen Lammers HOBIE Blaine Lammers SHIRLEY Sara Burbach JUANITA Haley Klug

KIDS: ANGELS/SHEPHERDS

AND NATIVITY ANIMALS

Owen Dendinger, Colin Potts, Gretchen Kleinschmit, Elena Paltz, Cady Uttecht, Kurtis Kathol, Kerby Hochstein, Dagen Joachimsen, Abby Hochstein, Jeremiah Polak, Claudia Stevens, Jenna Wiebelhaus, Meredith McGregor, Makenna Noecker

THE BEST CHRISTMAS

PAGEANT EVER — CREW

Regan Loecker, Chase Lammers, Mason Schaefer, Jack Stevens, Hallie Noecker, Lexie Heine, Bailey Wuebben, James Fischer, Ben Loecker, Connor Vlach, Nathan Potts, Ann Steffen, Gracie Dickes, Elly Becker, Skyler Sudbeck, Cole Noecker, Brayden Kathol, Josie Becker, Kendra Loecker