By Greg Hoogeveen
August 31, 2023
(above) Ben Serie celebrates winning the game against Plato 4-3, in the bottom of the ninth inning Aug. 26 in Delano. Serie beat the throw to home plate after teammate Derek Lundgren hit a line drive toward third base for the walk-off win.
The Luverne Redbirds are headed to the Sweet 16 of the 2023 Class C Baseball State Tournament.
The Redbirds knocked off the Plato Blue Jays in a walk-off 4…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 31, 2023
(above) Senior Sarah Stegenga vollies against her River Valley Coop opponent Monday, Aug. 28, at the Luverne tennis courts.
The Luverne girls’ tennis team beat Lac Qui Parle 5-2 and Montevideo 5-2 on the road Aug. 24, won the Worthington Tournament Aug. 26, and fell to River Valley Coop 4-3 at home Aug. 28.
The Luverne tennis team is scheduled to host Fairmont Tuesday, Aug. 29 and travel to Blue…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 31, 2023
(above) Men’s Club Tournament winners are (from left) First Flight winner Nathan Nekali, President’s Flight winner Gaige Nath, Club Champion Ben Nath and Second Flight winner Mike Wenninger. Not pictured: Third Flight winner Dave Gangestad and Fourth Flight winner Brady Dinger.
Ben Nath won the Men’s Club Championship Aug. 19-20 and Melissa Sandbulte won the Women’s Club Championship on Aug.…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 31, 2023
The Luverne cross country team started the 2023 season participating in the Beresford, South Dakota, XC Invite Friday, Aug. 25.
Luverne was among 30 teams invited to the event at the Bridges Golf Course.
“I was super proud of each and every runner today that had the courage to stand on the starting line and test their limits,” said Luverne head coach Peter Janiszeski.
The Cardinals had six Top 20…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 31, 2023
The Luverne volleyball team traveled to Fairmont for the Cardinals’ first game of the season Saturday, Aug. 26, taking three games 25-15, 25-19 and 29-19.
Junior Amira Cowell led Luverne with 15 set assists, and junior Hannah Sneller had 10 set assists.
Junior Ella Reisdorfer had nine kills for the Cardinals, senior Morgan Ahrendt had eight kills, senior Kira John had seven kills and senior Tori…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 31, 2023
Following are racing results for local drivers for the week of Aug. 22-28.
Murray County Speedway
Aug. 25 Slayton, MN
Electric Bombers
DNF #24H Brock Harnack, Hills
Stock Car
Third #69 Cadyn Wessels, Luverne
I-90 Speedway
Aug. 26 Hartford, SD
No local drivers
Worthington Speedway
Aug. 26 Worthington, MN
Bombers
10th-#5N Silas Top, Hardwick
12th-#51X James Hoffenkamp, Luverne
Huset’s…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 23, 2023
Did you know there are 108 double-sided stitches on an official major league baseball? The first and last stitch are hidden.
My daughter, Tayler, and I were recently going over ideas for my next column when she asked if I knew any weird facts about sports that may interest my readers.
I wasn’t sure what to say but quickly started rummaging through the web for content.
Here are 10 facts I…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 23, 2023
The Luverne girls’ tennis team started the 2023 season beating Morris 4-3 and Benson 4-3 on the road Saturday, Aug. 19.
“It was great to start the season off with two wins,” Luverne head coach Jon Beers said.
“The girls played really well considering how hot it was. The weather really made it a challenging day for all the teams.”
Luverne jumps into the thick of play next week hosting Yellow…
By Mavis Fodness
August 23, 2023
Fall sports teams at Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek high schools began practices Monday, Aug. 14, three weeks before the start of the 2023-24 school year on Sept. 5. Many of the teams have already competed in their season-opening games, including the LHS girls’ tennis team matches at Morris Area and Benson on Saturday.
Photos by Mavis Fodness
A familiar task at sports practices is the…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 09, 2023
The Luverne Jr. American Legion baseball team took third place in the 2023 Division II State Tournament Sunday, Aug. 6, in Granite Falls.
At the state competition, Luverne beat Le Sueur 9-0 Friday, Aug. 4, lost to an undefeated Montevideo team 13-2 Saturday, Aug. 5, and beat Granite Falls 7-5 to take third place in the tournament.
Luverne finished the season with a record of 17-7 under first-…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 09, 2023
The Luverne Redbirds beat Hadley 5-2 on Aug. 2 and 13-2 on Aug. 7 to move on to the Region 13C championship.
Luverne will play Jackson Aug. 9, 11 and 13 for the Region 13C championship. If the Redbirds win that series, they’ll have a first-round bye in the state tournament
The Redbirds and the Bulls will play Game 1 of three at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Redbird Field.
Game 2 will be at 7…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 09, 2023
Following are racing results for local drivers competing in Luverne, Rock Rapids, Hartford, Slayton, Worthington and Brandon for the week of August 1-7.
Rapid Speedway
Aug. 4 Rock Rapids, IA
Sportsmen
5th-#17 Brandon Boeve, Beaver Creek
7th-#24H Brock Harnack, Hills
Hobby Stock
1st-#22E Eric Gaul, Luverne
7th-#10 Blake Schneekloth, Brandon
DNF-#15X Kaden Kracht, Steen
DNF-#14K…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 02, 2023
Luverne took the Region 13C playoff series against Heron Lake 2-0.
The Redbirds beat Heron Lake 15-0 at home July 26 and finished the Lakers on the road 3-0 July 29.
The Luverne Redbirds move on to the Final Four against the Hadley Buttermakers in a best-of-three series while qualifing for the state tournament.
Luverne’s first game against Hadley will be at Redbird Field at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday…
By Greg Hoogeveen
August 02, 2023
The Redbirds swooped in and knocked Heron Lake out of the Region 13C playoffs, beating the Lakers 15-0 Wednesday, July 26, and 3-0 Saturday, July 29 in a best-of-three series.
Here is a recap of other Region 13C baseball playoff action.
Game 1 Wednesday July 26
Windom 6, Hadley 3
Fairmont 10, Lakefield 0
Jackson 17, Milroy 0
Game 2 Friday July 28
Fairmont 10, Lakefield 0 - Martins win…
By Greg Hoogeveen
July 27, 2023
This week is the 2023 Rock County Fair, and it’s a big week for the sports guy at the Star Herald.
I have committed to being on the Star Herald teams for Wednesday night’s Donkey Races and Friday Night’s Ag Olympic.
Being a city boy with limited barnyard experience, I am a bit scared and excited to see how these events go.
Growing up, I have had the opportunity to ride a pig or two at a relative’…
By Greg Hoogeveen
July 27, 2023
This past week two local race car drivers were honored for their careers in the sport.
Jeremy Smith was inducted into the Murray County Speedway Hall of Fame on July 15.
Smith has been racing since he was 17 years old.
He started out in the sportsmen class and worked his way through hobby stock, B-Mod and eventually A-Mods where he has been racing for the past seven years.
Some of the races…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 31, 2023(above) Ben Serie celebrates winning the game against Plato 4-3, in the bottom of the ninth inning Aug. 26 in Delano. Serie beat the throw to home plate after teammate Derek Lundgren hit a line drive toward third base for the walk-off win. The Luverne Redbirds are headed to the Sweet 16 of the 2023 Class C Baseball State Tournament. The Redbirds knocked off the Plato Blue Jays in a walk-off 4…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 31, 2023(above) Senior Sarah Stegenga vollies against her River Valley Coop opponent Monday, Aug. 28, at the Luverne tennis courts. The Luverne girls’ tennis team beat Lac Qui Parle 5-2 and Montevideo 5-2 on the road Aug. 24, won the Worthington Tournament Aug. 26, and fell to River Valley Coop 4-3 at home Aug. 28. The Luverne tennis team is scheduled to host Fairmont Tuesday, Aug. 29 and travel to Blue…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 31, 2023(above) Men’s Club Tournament winners are (from left) First Flight winner Nathan Nekali, President’s Flight winner Gaige Nath, Club Champion Ben Nath and Second Flight winner Mike Wenninger. Not pictured: Third Flight winner Dave Gangestad and Fourth Flight winner Brady Dinger. Ben Nath won the Men’s Club Championship Aug. 19-20 and Melissa Sandbulte won the Women’s Club Championship on Aug.…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 31, 2023The Luverne cross country team started the 2023 season participating in the Beresford, South Dakota, XC Invite Friday, Aug. 25. Luverne was among 30 teams invited to the event at the Bridges Golf Course. “I was super proud of each and every runner today that had the courage to stand on the starting line and test their limits,” said Luverne head coach Peter Janiszeski. The Cardinals had six Top 20…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 31, 2023The Luverne volleyball team traveled to Fairmont for the Cardinals’ first game of the season Saturday, Aug. 26, taking three games 25-15, 25-19 and 29-19. Junior Amira Cowell led Luverne with 15 set assists, and junior Hannah Sneller had 10 set assists. Junior Ella Reisdorfer had nine kills for the Cardinals, senior Morgan Ahrendt had eight kills, senior Kira John had seven kills and senior Tori…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 31, 2023Following are racing results for local drivers for the week of Aug. 22-28. Murray County Speedway Aug. 25 Slayton, MN Electric Bombers DNF #24H Brock Harnack, Hills Stock Car Third #69 Cadyn Wessels, Luverne I-90 Speedway Aug. 26 Hartford, SD No local drivers Worthington Speedway Aug. 26 Worthington, MN Bombers 10th-#5N Silas Top, Hardwick 12th-#51X James Hoffenkamp, Luverne Huset’s…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 23, 2023Did you know there are 108 double-sided stitches on an official major league baseball? The first and last stitch are hidden. My daughter, Tayler, and I were recently going over ideas for my next column when she asked if I knew any weird facts about sports that may interest my readers. I wasn’t sure what to say but quickly started rummaging through the web for content. Here are 10 facts I…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 23, 2023The Luverne girls’ tennis team started the 2023 season beating Morris 4-3 and Benson 4-3 on the road Saturday, Aug. 19. “It was great to start the season off with two wins,” Luverne head coach Jon Beers said. “The girls played really well considering how hot it was. The weather really made it a challenging day for all the teams.” Luverne jumps into the thick of play next week hosting Yellow…
By Mavis FodnessAugust 23, 2023Fall sports teams at Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek high schools began practices Monday, Aug. 14, three weeks before the start of the 2023-24 school year on Sept. 5. Many of the teams have already competed in their season-opening games, including the LHS girls’ tennis team matches at Morris Area and Benson on Saturday. Photos by Mavis Fodness A familiar task at sports practices is the…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 09, 2023The Luverne Jr. American Legion baseball team took third place in the 2023 Division II State Tournament Sunday, Aug. 6, in Granite Falls. At the state competition, Luverne beat Le Sueur 9-0 Friday, Aug. 4, lost to an undefeated Montevideo team 13-2 Saturday, Aug. 5, and beat Granite Falls 7-5 to take third place in the tournament. Luverne finished the season with a record of 17-7 under first-…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 09, 2023The Luverne Redbirds beat Hadley 5-2 on Aug. 2 and 13-2 on Aug. 7 to move on to the Region 13C championship. Luverne will play Jackson Aug. 9, 11 and 13 for the Region 13C championship. If the Redbirds win that series, they’ll have a first-round bye in the state tournament The Redbirds and the Bulls will play Game 1 of three at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Redbird Field. Game 2 will be at 7…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 09, 2023Following are racing results for local drivers competing in Luverne, Rock Rapids, Hartford, Slayton, Worthington and Brandon for the week of August 1-7. Rapid Speedway Aug. 4 Rock Rapids, IA Sportsmen 5th-#17 Brandon Boeve, Beaver Creek 7th-#24H Brock Harnack, Hills Hobby Stock 1st-#22E Eric Gaul, Luverne 7th-#10 Blake Schneekloth, Brandon DNF-#15X Kaden Kracht, Steen DNF-#14K…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 02, 2023Luverne took the Region 13C playoff series against Heron Lake 2-0. The Redbirds beat Heron Lake 15-0 at home July 26 and finished the Lakers on the road 3-0 July 29. The Luverne Redbirds move on to the Final Four against the Hadley Buttermakers in a best-of-three series while qualifing for the state tournament. Luverne’s first game against Hadley will be at Redbird Field at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday…
By Greg HoogeveenAugust 02, 2023The Redbirds swooped in and knocked Heron Lake out of the Region 13C playoffs, beating the Lakers 15-0 Wednesday, July 26, and 3-0 Saturday, July 29 in a best-of-three series. Here is a recap of other Region 13C baseball playoff action. Game 1 Wednesday July 26 Windom 6, Hadley 3 Fairmont 10, Lakefield 0 Jackson 17, Milroy 0 Game 2 Friday July 28 Fairmont 10, Lakefield 0 - Martins win…
By Greg HoogeveenJuly 27, 2023This week is the 2023 Rock County Fair, and it’s a big week for the sports guy at the Star Herald. I have committed to being on the Star Herald teams for Wednesday night’s Donkey Races and Friday Night’s Ag Olympic. Being a city boy with limited barnyard experience, I am a bit scared and excited to see how these events go. Growing up, I have had the opportunity to ride a pig or two at a relative’…
By Greg HoogeveenJuly 27, 2023This past week two local race car drivers were honored for their careers in the sport. Jeremy Smith was inducted into the Murray County Speedway Hall of Fame on July 15. Smith has been racing since he was 17 years old. He started out in the sportsmen class and worked his way through hobby stock, B-Mod and eventually A-Mods where he has been racing for the past seven years. Some of the races…