Conrad Gruber (pictured on left), Spring Hill, recently won the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion National Plowing Contest held in Rollag, Minn. Gruber competed in the small plow division earning 173 points out of a possible 200. Mike Penas, Hutchinson, placed second with 166 points.
In the large plow division, Marvin Goplen (pictured on right), Canby, took first place with 165.5 points and Greg Marthaler, Lake Henry, placed second with 149.5 points.
Gruber and Goplen will advance to international competition next year in England.
On Sunday, the Stearns County and state plowing contest was held at the Duane and Irene Bertram farm south of Spring Hill.
Placing in the various divisions were:
Minnesota small plow
First: Wes Magnuson, Sunburg, 155 points;
Second: Mike Penas, Hutchinson, 137.5 points;
Third: Norman Haugen, Sunburg, 18.5 points;
Minnesota large plow
First: Greg Marthaler, Lake Henry, 170 point;
Second: Joe Loehr, Richmond, 169.5 points;
Third: Jeff Meyer, Spring Hill, 169 points;
Classic, beginner
First place: Bob Welle, Spring Hill, 157 points;
Second: Kurt Frieler, Lake Henry, 153.5 points;
Stearns County small plow
First: Dan Lieser, Spring Hill, 154 points;
Second: Chad Spanier, Spring Hill, 120 points;
Stearns County large plow
First: Rich Marthaler, Osakis, 171 points;
Second: Greg Marthaler, Lake Henry, 170 points;
Third: Joe Loehr, Richmond, 169.5 points;
Out of Field
First: David Meyer, Lake Henry, 148 points;
Second: Brandon Welle, Spring Hill, 121 points;
Third: Nick Stalboerger, Lake Henry, 112 points.