It’s been so much fun to follow the exploits of Grant County student athletes this spring. First the Grant Union boys golf and track teams won district titles. Then the Grant Union/Prairie City baseball team made the postseason — with only 11 kids on the roster. Then Grant Union senior Justin Hodge scooted to a 2A state title in the 100 meter dash. Then Grant Union sent four competitors to the Oregon High School Rodeo State Finals.

And what can you say about the Grant Union/Prairie City softball team? Those girls were on a mission all year. The Lady Prospectors went 23-0 before stubbing their toe in the last game of the regular season, a 9-6 loss on the road at La Grande. They stormed through the preliminary rounds of the playoffs, outscoring their opponents 34-1 in the first three contests. In the end they fell just short of a state title, losing 5-3 to Lakeview in the championship game in Eugene.

We salute them all, along with their dedicated coaches and supportive families, not only for their athletic achievements, but for giving us all something to cheer for.

In this week’s edition of the Blue Mountain Eagle, we’ll have stories on the pool bond (which is going to a recount after ending in a tie), Grant County’s budget compromise and Canyon City’s ’62 Days Celebration, plus a look back at the Lady Pros’ storybook softball season.

Last week, in case you missed it, we featured stories on how local school and law enforcement officials are responding to the horrifying school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, the reopening of the long-closed Prairie Wood Products lumber mill, what’s on tap for this year’s ’62 Days Celebration, and the postseason heroics of the Grant Union/Prairie City softball team.

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