Prep Football: Pullis Completes Historic Prep Run with Shrine Bowl Appearance

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, July 26th, 2021 at 11:37 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

Cedar Falls — Mount Pleasant offensive lineman Cooper Pullis completed his terrific prep career playing in the North-South Shrine Bowl at the UNI Dome on Saturday.

Pullis was an offensive lineman for the South All-Stars, losing 52-24 to the North All-Stars, who were led by the game’s MVP Cooper DeJean of OABCIG.

DeJean, an Iowa recruit, played quarterback for the North All-Stars, but is expected to play defense in Iowa City.

Trashaun Willis of Washington was the lone other area player, he quarterbacked for the South All-Stars.

College Football: Linderbaum Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, July 26th, 2021 at 11:35 am CDT

Iowa City — University of Iowa junior offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List, the Boomer Esiason Foundation announced Friday.

The Rimington Trophy is awarded to the nation’s premier center in college football.

Linderbaum (6-foot-3, 290-pounds) was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy a year ago and earned first-team All-America honors from The Athletic and Pro Football Focus.

The Solon, Iowa, native was named a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection and preseason first-team All-America selection by Athlon Sports. Linderbaum was also named to the Big Ten Conference preseason honors list.

The Hawkeyes open the 2021 season Sep. 4, hosting Indiana.

College Basketball: Garza Named Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, July 26th, 2021 at 11:35 am CDT

Iowa City — University of Iowa men’s basketball center Luka Garza has been named the 2020-21 Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year, the conference announced last week.

Garza is the first Hawkeye men’s basketball player to earn the Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year award, which was introduced in 1992.

Garza is the first basketball player to earn the distinction since Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine in 2016, and only the seventh all-time.

The Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year is selected by a panel of conference media members from nominations submitted by each institution.

Sports, Monday, July 26th

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, July 26th, 2021 at 11:17 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

Prep Baseball: New London Baseball Ready for State Appearance:

The New London Tiger baseball team will make their first appearance at the Class 1A State Baseball tournament for the first time since 2006 today when they take on Lansing Kee in quarterfinal play.

The Keehawks are the four seed and come into the state tournament with a record of 33-9 after defeating Northwood-Kensett 11-0 last week in substate final play.

New London knocked off the red-hot Mount Ayr 4-2 in Oskaloosa last week to earn their trip to Carroll.

The Tigers will rely heavily on their pitching and defense today, spearheaded on the bump by Hecniel Rodriguez and in the field with shortstop Kooper Schulte and centerfielder Josh Catala — both of whom are elite defenders.

Tyson Cota is the biggest threat for Lansing Kee, the junior is hitting a team best .419 and has driven in 47 runs, with 13 doubles, three triples and a home run.

Most likely, the Keehawks will turn to junior ace Dalton Dilbert, who has eight wins in 56.1 innings this year. His ERA is 1.74.

The winner of today’s game will square off next with either top seed Remsen St. Mary’s or eight-seeded Grundy Center on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.

Today’s game will begin at 1:30 p.m. — you can listen on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.

Pre-game action will commence at 1:15 p.m.

Prep Football: Pullis Completes Historic Prep Run with Shrine Bowl Appearance:

Mount Pleasant offensive lineman Cooper Pullis completed his terrific prep career playing in the North-South Shrine Bowl at the UNI Dome on Saturday.

Pullis was an offensive lineman for the South All-Stars, losing 52-24 to the North All-Stars, who were led by the game’s MVP Cooper DeJean of OABCIG.

DeJean, an Iowa recruit, played quarterback for the North All-Stars, but is expected to play defense in Iowa City.

Trashaun Willis of Washington was the lone other area player, he quarterbacked for the South All-Stars.

College Football: Linderbaum Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List:

University of Iowa junior offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List, the Boomer Esiason Foundation announced Friday.

The Rimington Trophy is awarded to the nation’s premier center in college football.

Linderbaum (6-foot-3, 290-pounds) was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy a year ago and earned first-team All-America honors from The Athletic and Pro Football Focus.

The Solon, Iowa, native was named a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection and preseason first-team All-America selection by Athlon Sports. Linderbaum was also named to the Big Ten Conference preseason honors list.

The Hawkeyes open the 2021 season Sep. 4, hosting Indiana.

College Basketball: Garza Named Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year: 

University of Iowa men’s basketball center Luka Garza has been named the 2020-21 Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year, the conference announced last week.

Garza is the first Hawkeye men’s basketball player to earn the Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year award, which was introduced in 1992.

Garza is the first basketball player to earn the distinction since Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine in 2016, and only the seventh all-time.

The Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year is selected by a panel of conference media members from nominations submitted by each institution.

July 26th – August 1st, 2021

By Theresa Rose · Monday, July 26th, 2021 at 5:45 am CDT

Happy Birthday

07/25/21 – Morgan Van Nyhuis

07/26/21 – Rondi Smithburg

07/28/21 – Susan Gohlson

07/28/21 – Ted Mohrfeld – 78

07/29/21 – Greg Moeller

07/29/21 – Brianna Wibstad – 11

07/30/21 – Jim Burden
07/30/21 – Dick Douglas

07/30/21 – Sandy Ernst

07/30/21 – Kayla Syfert

07/31/21 – Nancy Wolfe

07/31/21 – Taylor Kokemueller
07/31/21 – Peyton Jackson

08/01/21 – Kerry Batey

08/01/21 – Michael Morrison

Sports, Saturday, July 24th

By Nathan Bloechl · Saturday, July 24th, 2021 at 6:52 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

Prep Baseball: Previewing New London’s Trip to State Again, 2A Bracket:

The New London Tiger baseball team has earned the No. 5 seed in the upcoming Class 1A State Baseball tournament, the IHSAA has announced.

The Tigers will take on No. 4 Kee (Lansing) Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at Merchants Park in Carroll.

You can listen to the matchup on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.

Here’s the full Class 1A bracket and schedule:

Monday, July 26th 

11:00—#1 St. Mary’s, Remsen vs. #8 Grundy Center

1:30—#4 Kee, Lansing vs. #5 New London

4:30—#2 St. Albert, Council Bluffs vs. #7 Lisbon

7:00—#3 Tri-Center, Neola vs. #6 Alburnett

In Class 2A, the bracket is as follows:

Tuesday, July 27th 

11:00—#4 Unity Christian vs. #5 Clarinda

1:30—#1 Van Meter vs. #8 Davis County

4:30—#3 Camanche vs. #6 Denver

7:00—#2 Centerville vs. #7 New Hampton

Class 1A semifinals will be played on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. with the state finals scheduled for Thursday, July 29th at 12:00 p.m.

Prep Baseball: Recapping All-SEC Baseball:

Let’s recap All-SEC Baseball Honors once again, the selections were made earlier this week by league officials.

Mount Pleasant senior outfielder Chase Williamson was named second-team All-Conference — the highest honor for a Panther this season.

The Central College football recruit hit .322 this season, clubbing five doubles while finishing tied for second on the team with 17 RBI.

On the honorable mention team were Will Edeker and midseason callup Payton Hagans.

Burlington’s Brock Dengler was named as the Conference Player of the Year.

Edeker, Dalton Gardner, Jack Johnson, Dalton Church and Lincoln Henriksen were all named Academic All-Conference, as well.

Prep Softball: State Tournament Wraps Up Friday:

The 2021 IGHSAU State Softball Tournament concluded yesterday with three more programs earning state championship nods.

Here’s the full state championship scoreboard:

CLASS 3A 

Davenport Assumption 10, Mount Vernon 5

CLASS 4A 

Western Dubuque 3, Boone 1

CLASS 5A 

Fort Dodge 2, Ankeny Centennial 0

College Football: Two Iowa State Tight Ends Named to Mackey Watch List:

Iowa State All-Big 12 tight ends Charlie Kolar and Chase Allen appear on the John Mackey Award watch list, given annually to the nation’s best tight end.

The duo have each earned All-Big honors three times in their respective careers to help the Cyclone tight end unit rank as one of the best nationally. Iowa State’s 82 receptions from its tight ends in 2020 was the best in the nation and its 1,057 receiving yards ranked second.

Kolar returns for his senior season as one of the best tight ends in the country. The two-time All-American and two-time First Team All-Big 12 choice, who was one of three finalists for the Mackey Award in 2020, is on pace to shatter virtually all tight end marks in Cyclone history.

Allen, who hails from Nixa, Mo., has also had an impressive career for the Cyclones. Allen decided to return for his super senior season (sixth year in school) with 48 receptions, 526 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his career.

Glen Joseph “Joe” Liechty

By Theresa Rose · Friday, July 23rd, 2021 at 8:50 pm CDT

Glen Joseph “Joe” Liechty, 75, of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Heartland Healthcare in Galesburg, IL.

The funeral service for Joe Liechty will be 10 AM on Wednesday, July 28 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 S. Jackson St., Mt. Pleasant. Father Paul Connolly will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Henry County Honor Guard and the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8 PM on Tuesday, July 27 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5 PM to 7 PM on Tuesday evening.

Those considering an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers may direct memorials to either Southeast Iowa Hospice or the VFW Post #2561 of Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Glen Joseph Liechty was born January 27, 1946 in Mt. Pleasant. He was the son of Max Joseph and Mary Lou (Dunlavy) Liechty. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1964 and attended Universal Mechanics School in Omaha, NE.

Joe entered the United States Army at Ft. Des Moines on December 14, 1965. He served as a military policeman in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged as at Tech Sergeant on September 20, 1967 at the US Army Personnel Center in Oakland, CA.

He returned to Mt. Pleasant following his discharge. On February 10, 1968 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant. Joe was united in marriage to Chari Glee Traut. Mrs. Liechty died August 23, 1995 in Canby, Oregon.

For many years, Joe resided in Canby, Oregon where he was a truck driver and truck mechanic for FXI and Purina. He returned to the Mt. Pleasant area in 1996 following he death of his wife and to care for his mother.  Upon his return, he worked as a truck mechanic for Longs in Mediapolis and in the Maintenance Dept. of Iowa Wesleyan University. He completed his working career as a driver for the trucks of WEMIGA – Whaley Waste Systems. He was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Joe was a recycler. He brought lots of things home. While some would have called him a junk collector, Joe found use in many things – working or not – that others had no use for.

Those thankful for sharing in Joe’s life include his 3 children – Andrew Liechty and wife Angela of Canby, OR, Robert Liechty of Mt. Pleasant and Danielle Liechty of Hillsboro; a  brother, Jerry Liechty of Mt Pleasant; 6 grandchildren – Dana, Susie, Travis, Megan, Melaine and Cara, 4 great grandchildren, and 2 aunts – Rosemary Shumaker and Gretchen “Susie” McDowell Liechty.

Joe’s parents, wife, an infant brother – Thomas Max Liechty, an infant sister – Jacquelin Ann Liechty,  a sister-in-law –  Connie Liechty, a niece – Angie Noel Liechty and Joe beloved canine companion, Sadie, precede in death.

 

County Road Construction Notice

By Theresa Rose · Friday, July 23rd, 2021 at 8:38 pm CDT

Construction work on 170th Street east of Trenton will begin Monday, July 26th.

Portable traffic signals will be utilized, as traffic will be limited to one lane.

Please travel this area with caution.