BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Spirit Lake’s softball team didn’t light up the scoreboard Tuesday night, but the 14th-ranked (3A) Indians did enough to edge Sioux Central 3-1 in a nonconference softball showdown played June 7 in Sioux Rapids.

The Indians plated a pair in the eighth inning to top the Rebels in extras.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

A three-run seventh inning pushed Sioux Central past Okoboji Tuesday, June 9 in a nonconference baseball battle. The Rebels defeated the Pioneers 6-5 in Sioux Rapids.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Harris-Lake Park’s baseball team snapped a four-game losing skid — it’s longest of the season — with a nonconference road win over George-Little Rock on Tuesday, June 7. The Wolves defeated the Mustangs 6-2 in George.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Harris-Lake Park’s softball team dropped a nonconference road game to George-Little Rock on Tuesday, June 7. The Mustangs topped the Wolves 11-1 in George.

Spirit Lake boys track coach Brad Travis was recently named the Class 2A Boys State Coach of the Year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. In his 18th year at the helm, Travis coached the 2022 Indians to the Class 2A team title this past spring. It was the third team championship in the Spirit Lake program’s history and the first since 1992. The Indians won six gold medals and totaled 92.5 points at the 2022 state championships, defeating runner-up Des Moines Christian by 27.5 points.

BY STEVE WEISMAN – OUTDOORS EDITOR

I’ve always been a fisherman. It just kind of came naturally because fishing is something my dad and mom enjoyed. Growing up in north-central South Dakota, it was a short 4-mile trip to Turtle Creek to catch bullheads.

Now, at age 74, I’m still at it, and so are my son and grandson.

BY BOB JENSEN — FISHING THE MIDWEST

When I think back about the people that I’ve had the privilege to share a boat with, there are some similarities in their personalities. Many of the most successful anglers have been very curious. They’re always wondering what if and why. Why are the fish where they are, and what if I used this bait instead of that bait?

BY STEVE WEISMAN — OUTDOORS EDITOR

What a great time of year this is. We’ve had some good rains, everything is lush and green, the flowers are blooming, and the crops are off to a good start. Water levels on smaller sloughs and ponds are up, and Big Spirit has started to fill. It’s gained well over a foot since its low point this spring, and as of last weekend, it was about 10 inches below the spillway.

“If there’s a place you can get lost in Iowa, this is it,” said Curt Kemmerer, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Maquoketa Wildlife Unit while bushwhacking through White Pine Hollow State Preserve in northwestern Dubuque County.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Okoboji’s softball team suffered a lopsided Siouxland Conference loss to Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley on Monday, June 6. The Nighthawks defeated the Pioneers 15-0 in Milford.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Harris-Lake Park suffered another rough night defensively in a War Eagle Conference baseball clash with West Sioux played Wednesday, June 8. The Falcons topped the Wolves 12-2 in Lake Park.

Harris-Lake Park’s defense had 10 errors on the night.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Harris-Lake Park struggled defensively in a War Eagle Conference home loss to West Sioux on Wednesday, June 8. The Falcons defeated the Wolves 19-4 in Lake Park.

“Tonight, we gave up too many extra outs due to errors,” Harris-Lake Park coach Ashley Delaney said.

The two squads traded runs in the opening frame and went into the third inning knotted at 1-1.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Spirit Lake-Okoboji wrapped up a terrific girls tennis season with a fourth-place finish at the Class 1A state team tournament played Wednesday, June 1 in Iowa City. The squad — which secured a Lakes Conference title as well as a regional championship this season – went 0-2 at state, falling to eventual state champion Columbus Catholic and third-place finisher Davenport Assumption on Wednesday.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Spirit Lake’s offense was unstoppable in a dominant Lakes Conference baseball home win over Western Christian on Wednesday, June 1. The Indians scored a season-high 17 runs in a 17-2 win over the Wolfpack in Spirit Lake.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Spirit Lake kicked off its Lakes Conference softball slate with a dominant home victory over Western Christian on Wednesday, June 1. The Indians walloped the Wolfpack 13-2 in Spirit Lake.