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...]
Lions Grinde, Solum are All-SEC, Gerard also honored
Spring Grove guards Tysen Grinde and Elijah Solum were named to the 2022 All-Southeast Conference Basketball Team while Lion forward Carson Gerard received Honorable Mention. Among the 16 All-SEC honorees, Solum and Grinde were among the eight First Team selections. SEC West Division champion Lyle/Pacelli led with three players named All-SEC, including Player of the Year … [Read more...]
Al Lochner named State Assistant Coach of the Year
Alan Lochner of Spring Grove was named a 2022 Assistant Coach of the Year by the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association. The veteran mentor was one of only 10 statewide to receive the honor and the only one coaching in a smaller Class A school. During his 26 seasons as an assistant at Spring Grove, the Lions have won 16 Southeast Conference Championships, four … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past If you had horses and a wagon and were willing to work…
Part 3 of a series Everyone owned them; many bought and sold them. Some bred them, but few caught and “broke” them. But Knute Lee did it all and even sang to horses. He was an extraordinary horseman of Houston County during the first two decades of the 1900s. Previous generations of the Lee family had immigrated from Norway to Black Hammer Township, where the family name … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Everybody, every business needed a horse
Part two of a series on horses By the mid-1900s, owning a horse had become a diversion or hobby. But in the early decades of that century, owning horses was a necessity. Horses and horse-drawn vehicles were the mainstays of not only farm work but also travel and transportation. After pioneering with oxen in the 1850s - 70s, there was a half-century of horsepower. Horses were … [Read more...]