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By NEIL O. NELSON

Grace Cotton needed a scorecard to keep track of her great-grandchildren this spring.

Calendars track birthdays, thank heavens.

But Grace needed a scorecard, in addition to a TV listing and times when the radio was carrying games and wrestling matches to help keep track of the championship seasons two of her great-grandchildren had this year.

It’s enough to make a 93-year-old great-grandmother lose sleep.

Here’s where Grace needed a scorecard: Great grandson Andrew Grothmann won the 189-pound weight class at the state Class B wrestling tournament last month in Bismarck. Andrew, a junior at Hillsboro High School, capped an undefeated season with two pins and a decision in the title match at the state tournament.

Then, two weeks ago, Grace listened and watched her great-granddaughter, Laura Kolness, win a state championship with the Ada-Borup girls basketball team.

Laura, a junior with the Ada-Borup Cougars, was named to the all-tournament team following the Class A tournament played at the Williams Arena on the UM campus and at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

These state championships are hard on an old lady like me, Grace tells.

But they give a great-grandmother reason to smile, too.

She couldn’t get to sleep the night Laura and the Ada-Borup girls basketball team defeated Barnum, 51-40, for the state championship. The title game was played March 18 at the Target Center, home of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“That’s a terrific little team,” Grace tells of the Cougars.

They’re not very tall, according to Grace. Short, in fact. “But they play underneath all those other girls.”

It’s a winning game plan.

Ada-Borup, the top rated Class A team all year, beat Wrenshall and SW Star Concept in the Twin Cities en route to the title game.

“It was exciting,” Grace said. And more than a little nerve-wracking . . .

She listened to the games on the radio until the Saturday night of the state tournament. For the championship game, Grace had a front row seat in front of the big screen TV in the Centennial Room at the Hillsboro Medical Center nursing home.

Laura is the daughter of Mike and Kathy Kolness of Ada. Her grandparents are Laddie and Bev Kolness of Hendrum. Mike Kolness is a principal at the Ada-Borup school. Laura’s sister, Katie, a freshman, is also a member of the Cougar championship team.

A month ago, Grace was following her great-grandson at the state wrestling tournament in Bismarck.

Andrew Grothmann didn’t disappoint.

Not that his great-grandmother expected he would.

He didn’t lose a match all year, she tells.

“I can’t imagine how strong he is. I know he can lift his dad off the floor, right up in the air.”

Andrew is the son of Kevin Grothmann and Vicky Grothmann, Hillsboro, and the grandson of Sharon and Jerry Radebaugh, Grandin,

Both Andrew and Laura will be back playing next year.

Grace Cotton can’t wait.

“They’re going to be on some good teams.”

But, oh, it’s so nerve-wracking, those state tournaments, Grace tells.

“Kinda fun, though, but it always takes me a little while to settle down. Then, I still can’t get to sleep.

“But, it’s worth it.”

All total, Grace Cotton has more than 100 grand and great-grandchildren.

“I’m truly blessed.”