High School Track and Field
Central College hosted an indoor girls’ meet over the weekend and Mt. Pleasant claimed 3rd place as a team with 63 points. Taking home points for the Panthers was Avery Fedler, as her time of 2 minutes and 15 seconds snatched the gold in the 800-meter run. The 4×100 (Taylor Williamson, Kiyah Sanders, Kynlee White, and Delaney Anderson) and 4×200 (Ellie Freeman, Izzy Sloat, Sanders, and White) meter relay teams each earned the silver medal. Mt. Pleasant dominated the field events with Izzy Sloat, Delaney Anderson, and Linzy Striegel claiming 2nd through 4th place, respectively, in the long jump, while Ella Ensminger’s heave of 11.17 meters grabbed the bronze medal in the shot put followed by Paityn Ensminger’s toss of 10.75 meters took home 5th place.
West Burlington/Notre Dame had the group of Kaitlyn Kipp, Jillian Nickel, Adley Mundth, and Hannah Ritter earn 8th place in the 4×800 meter relay. Ritter had the best individual finish with a 9th place time of 1 minute and 5 seconds in the 400-meter dash.
Columbus will host their Early Bird Invitational today with Central Lee, Van Buren County, and Winfield-Mt. Union also competing.
New London and Central Lee will travel to Danville for an invitational tomorrow, March 24th.
The Washington boys’ team will host the Steve Roth Relays on Thursday, March 26th, with Mt. Pleasant, Fairfield, West Burlington/Notre Dame, Mediapolis, WACO, and Wapello also competing.
Youth Soccer
The Mt. Pleasant Youth Soccer League has been put on pause as the league is still searching for volunteer coaches. This is a perfect opportunity to get involved with the community and support the youth searching for an active lifestyle.
Coaching Needs:
-Kindergarten Soccer: 2 coaches needed for Monday nights from 5:30 to 6:15 pm.
-1st through 3rd Grade Girls’ Soccer: 2 coaches needed.
-1st through 3rd Grade Boys’ Soccer: 5 coaches needed.
Coaches will choose their practice night for 1st through 3rd grade soccer with games on Saturday mornings. The season is slated to begin in April.
If you are interested or want more information then contact them at 319-385-1475 or email them at ashley@citymtpia.com
Southeastern Community College
The baseball team demolished Ellsworth Community College over the weekend, demolishing them 13-3 in game one and 20-5 in game two. The Blackhawks clobbered eight home runs over the two games, including three from Jackson Petsche, who collected six RBIs. SCC will take on Illinois Central College tomorrow, March 24th, on the road.
The softball team collected a pair of wins against Jackson State Community College over the weekend, winning game one 11-9 in extra innings and taking game two 4-2. The Blackhawks will host Southwestern Community College on Saturday, March 28th, for a doubleheader.
March Madness
The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box, is officially underway with 60 brackets submitted with the top three set to receive prizes.
There will be a new champion this year after a second-round upset left only three #1-seeds remaining in the tournament. The second round also ended everyone’s bid for a perfect bracket.
Standings will be updated before the Elite 8, the Final Four, and the championship game.
College Basketball
The #2 Iowa women’s team did just enough to defeat #15 FDU over the weekend, 58-48, to advance to the second round. Ava Heiden cashed in for a career-high 29 points. The Hawkeyes will face off against #10 Virginia today at 1 pm.
The #9 Iowa State women’s team lost to #8 Syracuse, 72-63, over the weekend in the first round to end their season. Audi Crooks was nearly unstoppable, scoring 37 points in the loss. The Cyclones finished the season with a 22-10 record.
No Jefferson, no problem for the #2-seed Iowa State men’s team as the Cyclones steamrolled #7 Kentucky, 82-63, yesterday to advance to the Sweet 16. Tamin Lipsey stepped up to snatch a 26 point and 10 assist double-double. The Cyclones will matchup against #6 Tennessee on Friday, March 27th.
The #9 Iowa men’s team pulled off the ultimate upset last night, defeating the defending champion #1-seed Florida, 73-72. Tavion Banks led the way in scoring with 20 points. The Hawkeyes will renew their rivalry with #4 Nebraska in the Sweet 16 on Thursday.
This Day in Sports History
1948 – 10th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Kentucky beats Baylor, 58-42; it’s the Wildcats’ first victory in their first title game.
1957 – 19th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: North Carolina beats Kansas, 54-53 (3 OT); Wilt Chamberlain of Kansas becomes the 4th player to be named tournament MVP despite not playing for the championship team.
1994 – Wayne Gretzky sets an NHL record with 802 goals scored.