The Spring Grove boys opened the basketball season with a 45-51 win against New Hampton (Iowa Class 2A out of four classes). With a Dec. 4, Saturday morning tip-off, it was the first game at the annual Iowa-Minnesota Border Battle at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The Lions opened the second half with a 17-to-4-point run for a seven-point lead. After New Hampton (0-3) … [Read more...]
Spring Grove’s Lile, McHugh repeat, joined by Gerard for All-SEC volleyball honors
Spring Grove’s Addyson McHugh and Maggie Lile were repeat all-conference volleyball honorees and were joined by Kenadee Gerard on the coaches’ 2021 All-Southeast Conference Team. Lydia Solum received Honorable Mention. It was the third All-SEC season for McHugh, and Lile was a First Team selection for a second year after receiving Honorable Mention as a freshman in 2019. All … [Read more...]
B-boys’ season ends with deflating second-half versus Lanesboro
While it rained during the B-team football finale in Spring Grove, there was no lightning from the sky. But there were four lightning-quick touchdowns that brought Lanesboro from behind to stun Spring Grove, 30-6. Both B-teams had four turnovers, but Lanesboro converted two interceptions into touchdowns. The Lions led 6-0 at halftime before the Burros dominated the second … [Read more...]
B-team Spring Grove gridders dominate Grand Meadow again, 32-6
Both the Spring Grove and Grand Meadow B-team boys had a balanced attack, but the Lions had more than twice as much yardage both on the ground (130 to 55) and in the air (142 to 68) in a convincing 32-6 Spring Grove road win on Oct. 4. The Lions improved to 2-0 with a third straight B-team triumph over the Superlarks by a combined score of 90-12. Opening holes in the … [Read more...]
Last-minute completion, interception lift Lion B-team past Houston
With 47 seconds remaining and the score tied, the Spring Grove B-team faced a fourth down at the Houston 39 yard-line. But instead of opting for a short pass for the first down, freshman Caleb Eiken threw deep to freshman Gavin Ostern who then raced down the sideline into the end zone. After a two-points pass to Bryce Berns, the Lions led 20-12. But that lead was still in doubt … [Read more...]
Elwyn Mensink inducted into MN Softball hall of Fame
On October 30, 2021, 90-year-old Elwyn Mensink of Preston was inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame, Pioneers of Yesterday category. He is shown above with his award and, on the right, in his ball playing years. Mensink began his fastpitch softball career in 1945, at the age of 13. He played third base, left field, and pitched a bit for the Old Timers team (ages … [Read more...]
Maroon Friday; Chatfield Nips West Central/Ashby for 1AA State Title!
It is a very happy ending. All the drama that preceded it can just fade away amidst the ultimately successful season. Chatfield (Section 1AA champion, 12-1) took on West Central Area/Ashby (Section 6 AA champion, 11-1) for the Class AA state football title. And just like the drama that preceded - star running back Sam Backer’s ejection from the state semifinal and thus … [Read more...]
There’s no stopping Duxbury
What matters is not how many times you’ve been knocked down. What matters is how many times you’ve gotten back up after being knocked down by life. That seems to be the story line of Carter Duxbury’s football career. Growing up in Chatfield, Carter played football, basketball, and baseball. He said one of his favorite memories was as a sophomore in 2013, when the football … [Read more...]
Lion girls build with experience, seek improvement
The 2022 Spring Grove girls, more experienced but still young, will be an improved basketball team this winter for fourth-year head coach Kody Moore. All the key contributors are back from last year – all five starters and the two most active reserves. A few promising young players may make the Lions a deeper team than last year. Summer league basketball returned after a … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys are experienced but still young
The Spring Grove boys embark on the 2022 basketball season as an experienced but still young squad with aspirations of winning another regular-season championship and winning a postseason playoff game. “Last year we were "very young", this year we are just "young," said veteran coach Wade Grinde. “We will play only one senior again this season with all (others) sophomores and … [Read more...]