Sports

Umpire Clarence Justin and Tomah teammates Sam Shamhart (left) and Zoey Ludeking (right) look on, as Stix third baseman Emma Van Teese (middle) is late in making the tag on Sparta’s Madasen Lund during last week’s summer league softball doubleheader at Sparta Memorial Park. The Lady Spartan nine came away with a sweep in the home twinbill, edging Tomah 7-3 in the opener, before rolling to a 16-0 victory in the nightcap. Herald photo by J.P. Schaller.

Sparta fastpitch team sweeps Lady Timberwolves

Thursday, July 20, 2017 - 8:46am

Sparta put together 17 hits in two games to capture a doubleheader sweep of cross-county rival Tomah in summer league softball action at Sparta Memorial Park last week. The Lady Spartan nine outlasted the Tomah Stix 7-3 in the opener and brought out the big bats en route to a 16-0 victory over...

Fast start lifts Tomah Stix softball squad to 7-2 victory over BRF

Thursday, July 20, 2017 - 8:43am

Reis Derousseau scattered four hits in four innings of work to help the Tomah Stix capture a 7-2 victory over Black River Falls at Gerke Field last week. After Derousseau held Black River Falls scoreless in the top of the first, the Stix forged an early lead with a three-run rally in their half of...

Thirteen-year-old Maddy Kline swims the 50-meter breaststroke during the Tomah Torpedoes Swim Team season-opener at La Crescent June 24. Despite some chilly weather, Kline and her Torpedo teammates turned in stellar performances at the meet. Contributed photo.

TORPEDOES TAKE OFF

Thursday, July 6, 2017 - 7:52am

Although the forecast called for some chilly weather, the Tomah Torpedoes didn’t let a little cold air stop them from swimming “hot” at their first meet in La Crescent June 24. Other teams braving the unseasonably cold weather were La Crescent, Winona, Holmen, Trempealeau, Sparta and Blair. “The...

Former Badger basketball standout Brian Butch was in Sparta last week hosting a boys basketball camp. Above - Butch puts a little defensive pressure on Spartan senior Wes Yahnke (left). Herald photos by Logan Myhre.

BUTCH IS BACK

Monday, July 3, 2017 - 9:39am

Former NBA player and Wisconsin Badger Brian Butch returned to Sparta High School on Friday to run a boys basketball camp, largely similar to the girls camp he conducted on Monday - with only a few slight differences here and there. “I think the biggest difference here is the boys program has made...

A Holmen runner heads to third as Sparta Juniors shortstop Nick Church (right) zeros in on a ground ball during Friday’s American Legion baseball game at Sparta Memorial Park. Holmen jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first and held off a late Sparta rally to score a 5-4 victory. Herald photo by J.P. Schaller.

Late comeback falls shy for Sparta Juniors

Monday, July 3, 2017 - 9:34am

A late comeback effort came up one run short Friday night, as the Sparta Juniors fell 5-4 to Holmen in American Legion baseball action at Sparta Memorial Park. Holmen used three straight singles in the top of the first to jump out to an early 4-0 lead. Sparta answered in the bottom of the frame,...

MONROE COUNTY HERALD TEAM OF THE WEEK

Thursday, June 29, 2017 - 8:58am

The Monroe County Herald Team of the Week is the Sparta Red U10 softball team. Sparta Red is part of the Parks and Recreation Department U10 Tomah-cooperative league. They play games in either Tomah or Sparta every Tuesday and hold practice on Thursday. There are currently 11 girls on the team. The...

Collin Birkholz of Wilton on his way to a first-place finish in the 8,500 pound light pro stock tractor class with his International 1456 at the 42nd at the Budweiser Dairyland Grand National Truck and Tractor Pull in Recreation Park Friday night.. It was the first time Birkholz competed in Tomah. Contributed photo.

Birkholz makes first Tomah 'hook" a memorable one

Monday, June 26, 2017 - 9:10am

National Truck and Tractor Pull something to ponder over the next few months. Birkholz, 20, whose family farms near Wilton, competed in the 8,500 light pro stock class at the Tomah pull during the Friday afternoon session at Recreation Park. It was the first time the class was offered at Tomah. As...

The Sparta American Legion Juniors posted a perfect 5-0 record to capture the team title at the La Crosse A’s Wood Bat Tournament over the weekend. Front row, from left - Austin Stuessel, Noah Freit, Dalton Mayer, Jess Sullivan, Carter Horstman, Hunter Steinhoff, Adam McKee and Brett Stuessel. Back row, from left – Assistant coach Tim Stuessel, assistant coach Bob Stuessel, Isaac Stuessel, Mason Hampel, Tanner Oswald, Ben McPherson, Kadon Milne, Nick Church, Ethan Krueger, Phillip Richards, Ryley Steinhoff

Sparta Juniors roll to title at wood bat tournament

Monday, June 19, 2017 - 10:43am

The Sparta American Legion Juniors picked up a pair of one-run wins in pool play and held their momentum into the championship round to put together five straight victories en route to the team title in the La Crosse A’s Wood Bat Tournament over the weekend. The Spartans opened with a 5-4 victory...

“Diggin’ Hard”, the Degenhardt Motor Sports team’s Case International, will be one of the local competitors at this year’s 42nd Budweiser Dairyland Super National Truck and Tractor Pull. The pull will get underway with a 7 p.m. session on Thursday and run through Sunday at Recreation Park in Tomah. Herald photo by John Froelich.

Something new for tractor pull fans this year

Monday, June 19, 2017 - 10:41am

It's likely most fans at the Budweiser Dairyland Super National Truck and Tractor Pull have never heard of Back Road Story. It’s certainly possible, especially if they hail from Missouri, but you can bet the Springfield band will be well-known in the area after they take the stage at this weekend’s...

Sparta Legion catcher Austin Stuessel snags a foul ball up against the fence in the third-inning of Tuesday’s U-17 game against Holmen at Sparta Memorial Park. Holmen struck for seven runs in the top of the fifth to pull away for a 12-4 victory over Sparta. Herald photo by J.P. Schaller.

Sparta Legion U-17 baseball team drops home game to Holmen

Thursday, June 15, 2017 - 8:23am

Holmen used a seven-run rally in the top of the fifth to break open a close game and pull away for a 12-4 victory over Sparta in U-17 American Legion Baseball action at Sparta Memorial Park Tuesday night. Sparta fell behind early, but rallied in the fourth frame to pull within a run of the lead,...