Second of a two-part series The founder of Caledonia, Capt. Samuel McPhail, credited with naming both that village and Houston County during the early 1850s, was a most prominent early settler in both Southeast and southwest Minnesota. Arriving in Brownsville with his wife in 1850, he founded Caledonia in 1853 and was greatly responsible for it becoming the county seat. If not … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton cheerleaders earn national, state honors
The Mabel-Canton cheer squad won awards at a national, virtual competition that was organized in Everett, Wash., to offer a unique opportunity for so many cheerleaders who were so often sidelined during a pandemic winter. In individual competition, Katelyn Kleiboer earned individual honors in that national virtual event as well as a scholarship in a statewide competition … [Read more...]
Lyle/Pacelli, Southland lead All-SEC Team; Spring Grove’s Grinde is Player of the Year
West Division champion Lyle/Pacelli placed four players on the 2021 All-Southeast Conference Boys Basketball Team while division and section runner-up Southland had three honorees. East Division champion Spring Grove had two selections, including SEC Player of the Year Caden Grinde. Seven of the 17 are repeat honorees; four of the First and Second Team selections had … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys capture another crown with defense, free throws, few fouls
The Spring Grove boys set program records for the fewest fouls committed and the fewest free throws allowed, contributing to the best scoring defense in the last 71 years. But the 2021 basketball season will be most remembered for few fans and no band in the stands to watch players wearing masks. Due to the pandemic, there were only 17 games - the fewest in 44 years - since the … [Read more...]
Young Lion girls persevere through challenging pandemic basketball season
It was a season like no other for the Spring Grove girls and every other team as well. The COVID-controlled campaign limited the Lions to 16 games, the fewest in 37 years when they went 4-12 with a fifth-place River Valley Conference finished in 1984. This year’s win total was similar at 3-13 overall to finish fifth in the SEC East Division with a 3-11 Southeast Conference … [Read more...]
Lange repeats as all-conference gymnast
Caledonia/Spring Grove freshman gymnast Braelyn Lange has earned all-conference acclaim for a second season in 2021. She was previously honored two years ago as a seventh grader. All-conference points are awarded by a top-five finish in any of the four events during conference dual meets. The season’s 15 highest scorers are all-conference. … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Samuel McPhail’s boiled eggs and butter clinch county seat election
First of a two-part series He named his daughter Minnesota, his dog Santa Anna, his town Caledonia and his county Houston. Capt. Samuel McPhail founded the towns of Caledonia and Redwood Falls. He was a soldier, an attorney, a businessman, an Indian fighter, a tree scientist and one of the most colorful pioneers in Houston County – unforgettable to all who heard his squeaky … [Read more...]
Warrior gymnasts place eighth at section
The Caledonia/Spring Grove gymnasts closed their season with an eighth place finish in the nine-team Section 1A Tournament hosted by ninth place Kasson-Mantorville/Triton on March 20. Cal/SG (2-9 duals) improved by one place from last year’s section tournament while outscoring K-M/T for the third time this season. Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa had the top two individual scorers … [Read more...]
Lion boys upended in low-scoring section opener, 38-36
The Spring Grove boys missed their final four shots, all 3-point attempts, and the abbreviated 2021 season ended with a low-scoring 38-36 elimination loss in the March 16 section opener against Wabasha-Kellogg. In the only first-round upset, No. 5 seed Spring Grove was outshot at home by the No. 12 seed. The Lion defense did its job, allowing only 38 points, very close … [Read more...]
Spring Grove girls bow out against No. 2 seed Blooming Prairie
When No. 15 seed Spring Grove was playing against girls about their own age, they prevailed by 10 points. But unfortunately for the visiting Lions, it was the Blooming Prairie seniors and juniors who received the No. 2 seed and played for most of their 58-24 win in the Section 1A Tournament opener for both teams. The Awesome Blossoms had won as many games (15) as Spring Grove … [Read more...]