The Iowa Ornithologists' Union is celebrating its 100-year anniversary as part of its annual spring meeting, May 5-7, at the Stine Barn and grounds, 4000 Turnberry Drive, in West Des Moines.

Anyone who enjoys birding is invited to attend and there is no requirement to attend the entire weekend.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources' annual spring auction is being held online now until Saturday, May 6. To view the firearms for sale and to register to bid, go to www.auctionsolutionsinc.com/auctions/iowa-state-firearm-and-bow-auction…. Lots begin to close at 10 a.m., on May 6.

Last week, I shared information about MyCatch, a statewide walleye fishing challenge starting May 1 and running through June 30. Cost to enter is $25, and you can fish anywhere in the state as many times as you want. Participating anglers are encouraged to report all the walleye they catch in May and June through the MyCatch mobile app.

As fishing season gets closer, many anglers are thinking about new lures or techniques that they would like to put into practice this year. That’s a wise thing to do. Fish get conditioned to lures, lure colors and lure presentations. When they become conditioned to these factors, they’re less likely to eat that lure.

Spring has certainly come grudgingly this year. I’d hate to be in spring sports. Those poor athletes have had to battle snow, ice, rain, cold and wind, wind, wind! Dock and hoist workers have had the same type of battle.

DES MOINES — The best track and field competition in the state of Iowa will be on display this weekend at Drake University for the annual Drake Relays.

GIRLS

Iowa Lakes volleyball announces the signing of Lauren Peterson a 5-foot-7 utility player from Lansing, Kansas, to complete their Class of 2023. ILCC coach Mike Turnbull is excited about the addition of Lauren to the 2023-24 Laker squad. "Lauren brings a vast skill set and experience to the table,” he said. “She is had the opportunity to play every position in her six years of club ball. It will be up to Coach Erdman to decide where she fits in best on the 2023-24 team.

CHEROKEE — The Spencer girls track team traveled to Cherokee to compete in the 2023 Tomahawk Girls Relays. The Tigers would finish in second place as a team with 159 total team points. Only MOC-Floyd Valley would outscore Spencer on Tuesday. Spencer competed in the 1A division, while smaller schools competed in the 2A division.

SPENCER — The Tigers got to play at home on Tuesday, hosting Estherville Lincoln-Central in girls tennis. Spencer would drop the meet to the Midgets 6-3.

“We are moving along and making progress,” head coach Bob Schlaeger said. “It is going slower than we expected, but we are getting there. The players have been using their strategies. We just haven’t been executing the shots at the level I know we can. It’s causing faults for us.”

STORM LAKE — Spencer traveled down to Storm Lake to compete with the Tornadoes on Tuesday. The girls put the hammer down, dominating Storm Lake 12-0 to end the game after the first half. Addison Hoben continues to punish opposing goalkeepers; she added nine goals in the two dominating Tiger victories. Hoben leads the state of Iowa in goals with 31 and points with 72.

HULL — After winning their home invitational on Monday, the Tigers traveled to face the Wolfpack on Tuesday. The girls combined for the best team score of the season with a 183. The performance was the best Spencer head coach Nate Wendt has seen in his years coaching the team.

CHEROKEE — On Monday, the Spencer boys competed in Cherokee on the track. The team would put together an impressive team performance, winning the meet with a team score of 157, 37 points ahead of second-place Unity Christian.

SPENCER — The Tiger boys tennis team has dominated its schedule so far this season. Staying undefeated after a spectacular performance against Estherville Lincoln-Central on Tuesday. Spencer would sweep the Midgets 9-0.

SPENCER — The Tigers boys hosted two games at the Spencer Soccer Complex early this week. They defeated the Sioux City West Wolverines 5-0 before defeating Storm Lake 1-0 on Tuesday. Romeo Alvarez was the difference on Tuesday, finding the back of the net for the goal on a pass from Owen Olson. The goal would be the only score for either team. Spencer improved to 7-1 and has won seven straight after the victory.

SPENCER — The Tiger boys golf team hosted Western Christian in a showdown at the links. The Wolfpack would defeat Spencer 155-163, winning the meet. Western Christian was led by Caleb Douma, scoring a 35. Tycen Van Zee carded a 37 for the Wolfpack. These two would take medalist and runner-up