Sports are woven into the identity of the Kimball area. Friday night football games, packed gymnasiums for basketball tournament play, summer baseball under the lights — athletics give this community some of its most memorable moments and deepest shared experiences.
Kimball Cubs Athletics
Kimball High School's Cubs compete in the Central Minnesota Conference (CMC) across a full range of sports. The purple and gold Cubs have built a strong tradition in multiple sports, with girls basketball particularly standing out. In recent seasons, the Lady Cubs have posted impressive conference records, including a 6-0 CMC start highlighted by a convincing 55-35 victory over Maple Lake — with the team generating steals and forcing turnovers that led to a dominant 26-5 halftime lead.
Kimball wrestling is another powerhouse, with the Cubs hosting triangular and invitational events that attract teams from across the region. The school's Knowledge Bowl teams have also earned recognition at conference and regional competitions, demonstrating that Kimball athletes excel in the classroom as well as on the field.
Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles
The Eden Valley-Watkins school district fields teams in a variety of sports under the Eagles banner. EV-W students compete in the same conference as Kimball, creating a natural rivalry that energizes both communities every season.
Girls gymnastics at Watkins has produced notable competitors, with gymnasts competing at Level 7 through St. Cloud Granite City Gymnastics and earning hardware at regional meets. The school's spelling bee competitions have also produced talented young scholars, including sisters who have advanced to regional and state-level competitions.
River Lakes Stars
The River Lakes cooperative athletic program brings together students from multiple area schools to compete in sports like girls hockey and soccer. The Lady Stars have competed admirably in tournaments like the Hastings Holiday Tournament, with standout goalkeeping performances and the resilience to bounce back from tough losses with convincing wins.
In a memorable Hastings Holiday Tournament, the River Lakes goalie demonstrated elite-level play with 32 saves in one game and continued strong performances throughout, embodying the competitive spirit of tri-county athletics.
Amateur Baseball: Summer Leagues
Summer amateur baseball is a beloved tradition in the Kimball area. Teams like the Pearl Lake Lakers, Kimball Express, and Watkins Clippers compete in leagues that have existed for generations, playing on diamonds that have seen decades of summer Sunday games. These leagues are a true community tradition — families spread blankets on hillside bleachers, children chase foul balls, and bragging rights pass between towns until next weekend.
The competitive level is genuine: Lakers vs. Cold Spring Rockies games, Eden Valley vs. Luxemburg playoff matchups, and tournament play throughout the summer draw crowds and create memories that residents carry for decades.
Powder Ridge Winter Sports
The Powder Ridge ski and snowboard area provides winter athletic opportunities for area youth. Students from Kimball have competed in Powder Ridge D-Team events (slalom and giant slalom), with young athletes placing first in age group competitions. The proximity to Powder Ridge gives area kids a chance to develop winter sport skills that are a natural fit for the Minnesota climate.
For official information on Minnesota high school athletics, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) governs competitions and provides schedules, results, and eligibility information.