The Caledonia/Spring Grove 4x100-meter relay boys have won their first two races of 2022 while 2021 All-State high jumper Chris Pieper has won his signature event in his first two efforts of the season, matching his personal best 6-foot, 4-inches at Plainview-Elgin-Millville on April 22, where the versatile senior also placed third with a discus throw of 114 feet. The boys … [Read more...]
Lions overcome elements, Hurricanes
Spring Grove (3-0, 3-0 SEC) scored in every inning but did not have a big inning until erupting for five runs to end the game in the sixth inning - a run-rule 12-2 win over Houston with temperatures in the 40s on a rainy, misty and windy Friday night at Blayne Onsgard Memorial Field on April 22. "Even with the wet conditions, it felt good to finally be able to get out and … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Wearing bells in Houston, stuck in muck in Caledonia
They wore “beautiful brass bells, that made the prettiest musical sounds,” according to Houston, Minn., historian Ingrid Julsrud, referring to dray horses. A dray was a wagon and team of horses that unloaded freight and merchandise at the train depot for delivery to downtown merchants. Baggage might be taken to hotels. Railroads reached southeast Minnesota during the 1860s and … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Not showing off – just hanging on!
Part five of a series Sisters Barbara and Juliet Lee, on horseback, rampaged through downtown Spring Grove. Onlookers on that mid-1920s Sunday afternoon thought the teenage girls were showing off. After all, they were the daughters of renown horsemen Knute Lee. But recalling that speedy spectacle years later, Juliet told her son Mark that the girls were just holding on as best … [Read more...]
Lion boys “walk away” with win over state-ranked Lyle/Pacelli
Trailing by three runs, Spring Grove scored four times without a base hit to take the lead for the first time in the bottom of the sixth inning and held on for a stunning 7-6 win over preseason state-ranked No. 9 Lyle/Pacelli at Blayne Onsgard Memorial Field on April 11. The Athletics (0-1, 0-1 SEC) managed only one hit, but it traveled at least 340 feet over the … [Read more...]
Solum voted SG basketball MVP, among five Lions honored
Sophomore Elijah Solum was voted Most Valuable Player by his 2022 Spring Grove basketball teammates. Sophomore Jacob Olerud was the choice for Most Improved while senior Carson Gerard and junior Logan Brumm shared the Lion Award, which reflects leadership, passion and energy during practice as well as games. Determined by statistics, the Hustle Award went to junior Tysen … [Read more...]
Leahy repeats MVP; four Lion girls honored
Senior Jordian Leahy, for the second season, was voted Most Valuable Player by her 2022 Spring Grove basketball teammates. Senior Ava Olerud also repeated with her second Lion Attitude honor. Eighth grader Kylie Hammel was the choice for Most Improved while eighth grader Siri Konkel was voted the Hustle Award. Eight of the 11 letter winners earned Academic All-Conference … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Horses traveled on trains, Knute’s big dream of a big barn
Part four of a series and the second concerning Knute Lee Mustangs moving from Montana to southeast Minnesota? Some took the train. Two Spring Grove men traveled by train to the “wild west” state of Montana where it was still possible to catch wild horses. Knute Lee and John Kjome purchased recently-domesticated (broken) mares and broncos and brought them back by rail to … [Read more...]
Spring Grove takes baseball opener vs. GMLOK, 5-1
Spring Grove’s Caleb Griffin struck out 12 while allowing only two hits in six innings. On the mound, Jaxon Strinmoen struck out one in one inning of relief. At bat, he doubled and scored the tying run. And while playing first base, Strinmoen made the defensive play of the day for the Lions, who won their season, conference and home opener, 5-1, over Grand … [Read more...]
Seasoned, still young Lions embark on 2022 baseball trail
The Spring of 2022 ushers in Spring Grove High School baseball with much more experience and twice as many seniors – that means two seniors instead of one. Eight of nine letter winners return, all with starting experience. That does not include a pair of outfielders who started the few times when they were not injured. Starters are back at catcher and every infield … [Read more...]