Mabel-Canton’s Lonnie Morken Collects 700th Career Win

The reigning Minnesota Class A Coach of the Year just added one more accolade to his resume over the weekend. Lonnie Morken, head volleyball coach of the Mabel-Canton Cougar Volleyball, collected his 700th career win over the weekend.

Morken, who took over as the head coach of the Cougars 25 years ago, joined an elite group of coaches who have collected 700 wins in the state of Minnesota. The other four coaches are: Ada-Borup's Ruth Hayden, Lakeville North's Milan Mader, Hibbing's Gail Nucech and Stewartville's John Dzubay. Dzubay leads the state with over 900 career victories.

Morken joined the rare group after the team's first win in a tournament in Decorah over the weekend. It wasn't the only accomplishment over the weekend, either, as the Cougars took home first place.

The Cougars, who are ranked 6th in the latest Class A polls, are 20-2 on the season and 10-0 in conference play. The Cougars are one of the four teams ranked in the Top-10 in the state. Kenyon-Wanamingo (5th), Caledonia (8th) and Medford (9th) will also place a tough roadblock in front of the Cougars to advance to the State Tournament.