Daylight and darkness, rags and riches – there was considerable contrast between the Spring Grove boys’ two opponents and outcomes last week. It began at home on Dec. 7 against Houston, a team suffering through a losing streak that was extended to 24 games. The week ended Saturday on the road against the top-ranked Class 1A team in Iowa (the smallest enrollment class). North … [Read more...]
Wrestling Preview
The 2021-2022 wrestling season begins with Caledonia/Houston joining the Journal coverage group. Five teams are now under the Journal Sports umbrella; Cal/Hou, GMLOS, LARP, FCLMC, and Chatfield. Combined, those squads have 11 Super-Section final four slash state qualifiers returning. Chatfield should again be strong as a team. Cal/Hou returns the most state qualifiers. … [Read more...]
Grove girls open with win versus Schaeffer, followed by two losses to Iowans
The Spring Grove girls won once and lost twice as they opened the 2021-22 basketball season with three games in five days – first on the road, then at home and at a neutral site. Neither of the three contests were closely contested at the end. The Lions (1-2, 1-0 SEC) prevailed, 60-27, in a Nov. 3 battle with another young Lion team. After that conference conquest over … [Read more...]
Lion boys hold off New Hampton in season lid-lifter
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...]