The 2022 Spring Grove volleyball girls (28-5) were the first in school history to be state-ranked and the first to win as many as 28 matches. The Lions, who were No. 7 in the coaches’ preseason state Class A poll, were No. 9 in the final rankings. It was a season of achievement both on the court and in the classroom. The team earned the state coaches’ Silver Award for a team … [Read more...]
Spring Grove returns for third Prep Bowl appearance
After giving up an early touchdown, the Spring Grove defense took control of the 9-man state semi-final between undefeated teams on Nov. 17 at U. S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. During the 27-6 Lion win against state-ranked No. 2 Fertile-Beltrami, Tysen Grinde logged 198 yards of all-purpose running, including a stunning 76-yard punt return. Despite Elijah Solum completing 12 … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past From wheat to corn, cows and card games
Dairying would eventually bolster the economy in Houston County as would growing corn, but neither was the area’s first cash-producing agricultural enterprise. That was wheat. In the 1800s, farming was a matter of trial, error and adjustment, especially in unfamiliar territory as the nation expanded west with many farmers immigrating from Europe. But agriculture would become … [Read more...]
Fourth-down domination, balanced attack send Spring Grove into state semi-finals
Elijah Solum broke Spring Grove single-season records for both passing yardage and passing touchdowns during the Lions’ 40-22 win over Hancock in the 9-man state quarterfinals at St. Paul on Nov. 10. Solum was statistically responsible for all six Spring Grove touchdowns, running for three and passing for three. State-ranked No. 3 Spring Grove (12-0) moved on to a Nov. 17 … [Read more...]
Spring Grove unable to topple top-seed Bethlehem Academy
No. 4 seed Spring Grove stayed with top seed Bethlehem Academy for most of the section semi-final match on Nov. 3 at Rochester. The Lions held a lead in all four sets with two sets going into extended play. After the heartbreak of falling short 29-27 in set one, followed by another competitive 25-20 setback in set two, the Lions survived three match points to take set three, … [Read more...]
Lions blank Burros for section crown, head to state
Spring Grove (1-seed, 10-0) scored on the game’s third play and never allowed Lanesboro (2-seed, 9-1) to get closer than 19 yards to the Lion goal line. With the 35-0 decision on Nov. 4 at Dodge Center, the state-ranked No. 3 Lions return to state for the first time since their 2018 state championship. For the first time in four years, the regular-season champion was also able … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Much ado about millers, millstones
They could weigh up to 1,600 pounds, but quality millstones were so valuable that some 19th century immigrants lugged them along when they departed Europe. The expertise of millers was equally critical. Until mills were established, the earliest settlers in Minnesota of European heritage had to grind their wheat by hand. Some, like native Americans, pounded grain in a mortar. … [Read more...]
James H. Botcher
James H. Botcher, 88, of Houston, Minn., passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. He was born April 20, 1934, in La Crosse to Fred and Viola (Ender) Botcher and attended Day Valley Public School #1. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army with the 2nd Medium Tank Battalion from 1957 until 1958. He then served in the United States Army … [Read more...]
Spring Grove pummels Hurricanes in volleyball section opener
Addyson McHugh pounded home a season-high 20 kills as Spring Grove opened postseason play with a 3-0 (25-4, 25-14, 25-15) decision over Houston on Oct. 29 in the Round of 16. Seeded No. 4 section among 20 teams, the Lions enjoyed a 21st straight win and third this season over the No. 13-seeded Hurricanes. State-ranked No. 9 Spring Grove advanced into the quarterfinals with a … [Read more...]
Lions edge Falcons, McHugh reaches 1,000 in five-set section quarterfinal
Spring Grove scored seven of the last eight points in set four to get to a fifth set, which then opened with a 7-to-2 Lion run and eventual victory over Fillmore Central in a Section 1A volleyball thriller on Halloween at Rochester. Both teams rallied from deficits before Spring Grove finally prevailed, 3-2 (25-18, 24-26, 13-25, 25-19, 15-12). The Lions had the most scoring … [Read more...]