Rock County Sports

Elise Jarchow, a 2021 Luverne High School graduate, was named the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) National Player of the Week in women’s tennis Monday, April 22. As a junior Jarchow plays tennis for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul. Jarchow went 4-0 in singles matches Saturday, April 20, against Division II Bemidji State and posted her 100th career win in her…

Enrollment is open through May 14 for Minnesota’s 2024 Walk-In Access program, which pays landowners to allow public hunting on private lands. Since 2011, the Walk-In Access program has enrolled parcels of 40 acres or larger with high-quality natural cover. Land enrolled in conservation programs like the Conservation Reserve Program or Reinvest in Minnesota is preferred, but is not a…

With the announcement of Jaxon Nelson, a native of Magnolia and LHS hockey standout, signing a one-year entry-level hockey contract with the NHL Boston Bruins, Luverne has two more hockey players from the 2014 state hockey team who attained professional hockey status. They are Chaz Smedsrud and Toby Sengvongxay. Both played alongside Nelson in the Cardinals’ 2014 appearance in the Minnesota…

It is sure starting to feel good outside. Temperatures in my neck of the woods this weekend are going to be in the high 60s. It makes me want to go fishing. The Minnesota opener is scheduled for May 10. Time to double-check to make sure the boat registration is up to date and that the motor starts without issue. I find it perplexing how you can put your stuff away for the winter, and without one…

Magnolia native and Luverne Cardinal hockey alumnus Jaxon Nelson has signed a professional hockey contract in the NHL with the Boston Bruins. “It’s a surreal moment for myself and my family,” he told the Star Herald Tuesday morning. His announcement comes on the heels of a thrilling hockey weekend in Sioux Falls where he played a starring role on the Minnesota Gophers team in two regional…

Luverne High School Student Council members hosted their 2024 March Mayhem tournament and fundraiser Tuesday, March 19, in the Cardinal Gym. The event involved five student basketball teams, each coached by a Cardinals basketball player, competing in a tournament. Junior and senior non-basketball players who wanted to participate in the tournament were able to  sign up ahead of the event and…

The Blue Mound Figure Skaters presented their “Family Game Night” Ice Show March 22 and 23 at the Blue Mound Ice Arena. The local arena on both Friday and Saturday was packed with family, friends and fans of the performers. This year’s show, “Family Game Night,” includes themed performances of classic games, game shows and video games. Beginner through advanced freestyle skaters took to the…

Hills-Beaver Creek boys’ basketball head coach Chad Rauk was named the 2024 Section 3A South Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year. Rauk was presented a plaque commemorating the accomplishment after the Section 3 - South Subsection Championship game against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton on March 9 in Marshall. In his first season as the Patriots head coach, Rauk led his team to a 17-8 regular season…

The Blue Mound Figure Skaters will present their 33rd Annual Ice Show “Family Game Night” this weekend at the Blue Mound Arena in Luverne. They perform at 7 p.m. Friday, March 22, and at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 23. This year’s show, “Family Game Night,” includes themed performances of classic games, game shows and video games. Beginner through advanced freestyle skaters will take to the ice for…

I recently did a podcast with Ron Shara Productions host Travis Frank about volunteering. If you would like to listen to it, search “The Flush Podcast.” We spoke for about an hour about what motivates a person to volunteer for 40 years to the same organization. This is the length of time I have been working on behalf of Pheasants Forever. I recently was named as the first-ever Pheasants Forever…

Turkey hunters can now buy their licenses for the spring 2024 season. Licenses may be purchased online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense, by telephone at 888-665-4236 or in person wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Hunters can hunt statewide and buy licenses for any time period (A-F) over the counter. Hunters will be asked which permit area they plan to hunt, so hunters are advised to know…

I spent part of the day today rounding up a few pheasants from some friends to add to mine. I am preparing my donation to the Mulligan Stew Feed hosted by the Round Lake Sportsman’s Club this weekend at Round Lake Vineyards. I just smile when I hear people tell me that they won’t eat any wild game. Each person has their own description of what “too gamey” tastes like. I eat all kinds of wild…

The Luverne girls’ basketball team continues on in the section playoffs after taking down Redwood Valley 58-52 in Section 3AA action Saturday, Feb. 24, on the road. The Cardinals also beat Canby 69-30 in Luverne’s final game of the season Tuesday, Feb. 20, at home to finish the regular season 10-14. Luverne will meet Fairmont in Section 3AA quarterfinal play Thursday, Feb. 29, in Fairmont at 6…

Minnesota’s Legislature is now in session, and as always there are bound to be some issues that surface when it comes to natural resources funding. When it comes to funding sources, Minnesota has done a pretty good job of protecting many of these funds from diversion to other non-related spending. The Land and Legacy amendment that was passed in 2009 was passed by a constitutional amendment to…

Earlier this month I planned a few days off to go spear fishing for pike, but I got a call that ice conditions were not good enough to pursue my effort safely. So goes the winter with little to no safe travelable ice. On the other hand, it does make regular travel plans a lot easier, so I have a great alternative plan for those who can’t be on the ice. On March 1, 2 and 3, Pheasants Forever is…

The Blue Mound Figure Skaters hosted their 2024 Ice Crystal Classic competition Jan. 19-21 at the Blue Mound Ice Arena in Luverne. “It was another successful competition,” competition director  Marian Schneekloth said. Nearly 100 skaters from five different rinks competed in the event. They included Hutchinson Figure Skaters, who took home first place, second-place Yankton Area Ice Association…