Thirteen of the 14 Lions were credited with rebounds as the Spring Grove girls pounded Postville (Iowa), 63-18 in the annual Minnesota-Iowa Border Battles in Decorah. It was a mismatch from the get-go, and the Pirates (1-5) did not score in the second quarter on the way to a 48-7 halftime avalanche. They added only two points in period three and overall, had more turnovers (34) … [Read more...]
Lion Girls Lead All Night, Defeat Knights, 52-44
The Spring Grove girls led throughout a 52-44 home win against Kingsland, an early-season result that could significantly affect the conference race later in the campaign. The Lions scored the first six points, led by seven at halftime (26-19) and would leads by as many as 13 in the second half before winning by eight. Spring Grove outscored the visitors by four points from the … [Read more...]
Strinmoen Voted Team MVP, Among Four All-District Lions
Jaxon Strinmoen was voted Most Valuable Player by his Spring Grove football teammates. He received Honorable Mention on the coaches’ 9-Man All-State Team and merited the prestigious Academic All-State award for his cumulative grade point average during his high school football career. He is one of four Lions named to the All-District Team: Strinmoen (6’4” 180 Sr. WR/LB), Jacob … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Lutefisk, Oyster Stew and Santa Claus Came by Helicopter
Lutefisk and oyster stew were Christmas traditions for many families around Spring Grove in the first half of the 1900s. And Santa visited every year, too. The following Christmas memories were part of an oral history project made possible through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning. In the winter and spring of 1997, six Spring Grove … [Read more...]
Again, Much Expected from Spring Grove Boys
Much is expected from the 2023-24 Spring Grove basketball boys, greatly due to last year’s success and the players returning for five-time Section 1A Coach of the Year Wade Grinde and his veteran coaching staff, including Al Lochner and Tom Vix. The Lions won a school-record 31 games (20-0 SEC, 31-2) while hoisting the third-place trophy at the Class A state tournament. While … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Not a Normal Year at Houston High
In addition to beautiful brick buildings, formal education of the youth in Houston, Minn., has taken place in church basements, a log hut, an opera house and a schoolhouse that not only swayed in the wind but also provided a path for floodwater. Education in the village began in 1855 in a log shanty in lower Houston on the south side of the old Root River bed. As enrollment … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Girls Drop Close Contest at Waukon,66-63
Spring Grove had 18 fewer turnovers and 22 more shot attempts. But it was not enough to overcome 23 fewer rebounds, being outshot, 46% to 34%, from the field and a five-point deficit at the free throw line. Waukon (now 2-1), with a much larger enrollment, held on for a 66-63 home win, its sixth straight victory versus Spring Grove. While the Lions depended greatly on 3-point … [Read more...]
Lion Girls Open with Runaway Road win at Lanesboro
The Spring Grove girls opened the 2023-04 basketball season with an impressive 67-34 road win at Lanesboro. With graduation losses after two straight SEC East Division championships, the Burros (1-2) trailed throughout their third game of this season. Three Lions scored in double figures, led by Kinley Soiney with 21 points along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Kylie Hammel … [Read more...]
Lion Football Fights through Misfortune, Returns to Section Finals
Spring Grove football extended winning ways with an 8-3 record (5-2 sub-district) and second straight appearance in the 9-player section championship game. It was at the 13th winning record in the last 14 seasons. But it was not easy with nearly half (five of 11) of the games decided by single-digit margins. The Lions earned a winning record by prevailing in four of those five … [Read more...]
Young Lions Depend on Depth, Defense
The 2023-’24 Spring Grove basketball girls, with depth and pressure defense, seek to improve on their dozen wins last winter, their most in six years. But, at 12-15, it was still a sixth straight season below .500. However, Grove was 12-12 versus other Class A-size schools. The Lions were 10-8 in league play, finishing third among five teams in the SEC East for a second … [Read more...]