High School Wrestling
The boys’ district wrestling meets took place this past weekend and 32 local wrestlers punched their ticket to the state tournament. Here’s some of the highlights.
For Class 1A District 5, WACO had four wrestlers finish in the top two as Ian Maize, in the 113-pound weight class, and Rydge Sterna, in the 126-pound weight class, collected a pair of district championships. Teage Pepper (132-pound weight class) and Harley Larrimore (150-pound weight class) each took second place in their respective weight classes to advance to Des Moines.
In District 10, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union’s Justin Knipfer earned the gold in the 106-pound weight class after a narrow 9-8 decision victory over Kaleb Gordon of Jesup in the championship match.
Joining him at the state tournament will be Dakota Aney (113-pound weight class), Bowen Thomson (132-pound weight class), and Trevor Phillips (175-pound weight class).
Wapello’s Cohen Wolford was the only state qualifier for the team as he finished 3-0 on the day for the district championship for the 157-pound weight class.
The Southeast Conference will send a total of seven wrestlers to the Class 2A state tournament. Fairfield’s Cael McCabe took 2nd in his district for the 113-pound weight class, while Dain Burkhart took the district championship in the 175-pound weight class.
In District 4, Levi Evans of Mt. Pleasant took the 120-pound weight class with three straight pins.
Over in District 12, Burlington Notre Dame had six district champions in Kohen Dietzenbach (113-pound weight class), who is still looking to end the season with a perfect record, Rowan Berndt (120-pound weight class), Ryan Rose (126-pound weight class), Colt Boyles (132-pound weight class), Kael Cook (150-pound weight class), and Joey Glendening (165-pound weight class). Jared Glendening earned a spot in the 138-pound weight class with a runner-up finish.
The final district champion was Mediapolis’ Kyler Crow in the 175-pound weight class. He has qualified for the state tournament all four years.
For a full breakdown of Saturday’s action, follow this link: 2026 District Results
The tournament is scheduled to start on Wednesday, February 18th, and KILJ will be providing updates for all of our local wrestlers.
Boys’ District Basketball
The first round of the Class 1A and Class 2A District brackets will tip-off at 7 pm tonight. In Class 1A Substate 5 District 9, New London will be tasked with taking on the top-seed #3 Burlington Notre Dame on the road.
Winfield-Mt. Union and Danville will square off in the #4-#5 seed contest with the Wolves getting to host.
Holy Trinity Catholic will take on WACO at home. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.
Over in Substate 5 District 10, Wapello will travel to Hillcrest Academy.
In Class 2A Substate 5 District 9, Central Lee earned the first round bye and will take on the winner between West Burlington and Cardinal with the Falcons getting to host.
On the top half of the bracket, Van Buren County will hit the road to play Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.
In Substate 5 District 10, Columbus will face off against Durant on the road and Mediapolis will host Louisa-Muscatine for their first round showdowns.
The Class 3A and Class 4A brackets will be released today.
High School Basketball
The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will travel to Pella tomorrow, February 17th, at 7 pm.
The Fairfield boys’ team will make the trip to Clear Creek Amana tomorrow at 7:30 pm.
Girls’ Regional Basketball
The Classes 2A and 3A Regionals had their first round of competition over the weekend, here’s how it shook out.
In Class 2A Region 8, Van Buren County defeated Columbus, 58-45, behind a second half surge. Adalyn Snowgren led the Warriors with 20 points, while Isabel Rendon captured 13 points for the Wildcats. Columbus finished the season with a 11-11 record.
Van Buren County will traverse to Regina Catholic tomorrow, February 17th, at 7 pm.
Danville will take on West Burlington at home tomorrow.
For Class 3A Region 5, Washington steamrolled Fairfield, 63-21. The Trojans ended the season with a 3-16 record. The Demons will face off against Tipton on Wednesday, February 18th, at 7 pm on the road.
In Region 6, #8 Mediapolis demolished Central Lee, 70-40. Ellah Wagenbach drained eight threes for a game-high 28 points. The Hawks finished the season with a 10-11 record.
Mediapolis will tangle with Davis County on Wednesday at home at 7 pm.
In Class 1A Region 4, Wapello will make the trip to Lone Tree tomorrow, February 17th, at 7 pm.
For Class 4A Region 4, Mt. Pleasant will be looking to avenge an early season loss when they travel to Oskaloosa on Wednesday. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.
Burlington will make the trip to North Scott on Wednesday.
In Region 6, Fort Madison will host Keokuk in a Southeast Conference rivalry matchup on Wednesday.
High School Bowling
The Iowa High School Athletic Association’s (IHSAA) 2026 state qualifying meets are scheduled for today and Central Lee will host West Burlington, while Fairfield will travel to Monticello in Class 1A.
In Class 2A, Clinton will play host to Burlington, Keokuk, and Mt. Pleasant.
Southeastern Community College
The women’s basketball team lost to Iowa Lakes Community College, 55-40. The Blackhawks will play Marshalltown Community College on Wednesday, February 18th, at 5:30 pm on the road.
The men’s basketball team fell to Indian Hills Community College, 72-66. Prophet Fields tabbed 15 points. The Blackhawks will travel to Highland Community College on Wednesday at 7 pm.
College Basketball
The Iowa State women’s team outlasted Kansas State yesterday, 76-72. Jada Williams led the way with 22 points and nine assists. The Cyclones will take on Arizona State at home on Wednesday, February 18th, at 6:30 pm.
The #15 Iowa women’s team will make the trip to Nebraska today at 11 am.
The Iowa men’s team fell to #13 Purdue, 78-57. Bennett Stirtz was the only Hawkeye to finish in double figures with 19 points. Iowa will host Nebraska tomorrow, February 17th, at 8 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call.
The #5 Iowa State men’s team remained unbeaten at home after cruising to a 74-56 victory over #9 Kansas this past weekend. The defense forced 13 turnovers, while Milan Momcilovic drained four threes for 18 points in the winning effort. The Cyclones again will be tested with a a top-five matchup against #3 Houston tonight at 8 pm at home. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call.
This Day in Sports History
1972 – Wilt Chamberlain of the Los Angeles Lakers becomes the first player in NBA history to reach the career 30,000 point mark during a 110-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
2001 – Mathieu Schneider of the Los Angeles Kings becomes the first defenseman in history to score a goal against all 30 NHL teams as LA beats Minnesota, 4-0.
2005 – The 2004-05 NHL season is canceled by Commissioner Gary Bettman; the first time a North American professional sports league has called off a season due to a labor dispute.