High School Boys’ District Golf Qualifiers and Assignments

By Slaten Swords · Friday, May 10th, 2024 at 2:12 pm CDT

Prep Boys’ Golf- Spring postseason golf is moving right along as the sectional meets took place this past Wednesday and the official list of district qualifiers has been released by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Here’s a look at our local qualifiers.

Class 1A

Wapello will act as host at the Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club with Winfield-Mt. Union competing as a team. The Wolves finished in second place in the New London sectional with a team score of 346 as Carter Loyd, Justin Knifer, and Cody Milks each finished with the fourth best score of 86.

Qualifying as individuals was Zach Harbison of Wapello as he carded a 90 and New London’s Coen Fitzpatrick as he finished with an 18-hole score of 92.

Class 3A

The Stone Creek Golf Club in Williamsburg will be the location to look out for as the Southeast Conference will have two members participating. Washington won the Mt. Pleasant sectional with a team score of 302. Roman Roth led the field with a score of 69 followed by Rajan Roth carding a 71. Drew Conrad shot a 77.

The home team did see a Panther qualify as an individual with the seventh best score of the course with a 79.

Both district meets are scheduled to start at 10 am on May 13th.

Marie Gertrude

By Yorke Prough · Friday, May 10th, 2024 at 11:47 am CDT

Marie Gertrude (Mansheim) Overberg, 91, came into the world on September 20, 1932, and left this world on May 9, 2024.

 

She was born the third child to Louis and Catherine Mansheim in Fort Madison, Iowa. Marie spoke fondly of growing up in Fort Madison, her paper route, working at Bishop’s Ice Cream and attending Catholic Central, where she made lifelong friends.

 

She met the love of her life, Adrian Overberg at a dance in West Point, Iowa. She traded her high heels for work boots and became a farm wife on February 6, 1954.

 

Together they raised nine children. She was a loving wife and mother, making every holiday special, especially Christmas and Easter, with many of the family traditions started, being continued today. She gave her children wings, encouraging them to find their own way, while letting them know home was always there. She rejoiced in each addition to the family, every wedding, grandchild and great grandchild was celebrated. Her grandchildren loved going to Grandma’s house where she always had their favorite cookie or homemade applesauce waiting. St. Louis Cardinals, college football, Wheel of Fortune, the Game Show Network and scratch offs will always be gentle reminders of her competitive spirit and active mind. She was also the smiling face behind the snack bar at Walmart in Mount Pleasant for many years.

 

Marie leaves behind a legacy built on faith, kindness and family including her nine children: Rose (Henry) Jennings, Ronald (Suzanne) Overberg, Teresa (Michael) Anderson, Victoria (David) Kokjohn, Angela (Tim) Budnik, Mark (Kim) Overberg, Paula (Mark Foudray) Case, David (Linda) Overberg and Nathan (Katie) Overberg; twenty-two grandchildren, two step-grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren; sisters: Shirley Hunold and Cathy (Wayne) Schwartz and one brother: Louis (Fran) Mansheim.

 

She was preceded in death by her husband: Adrian Overberg; sons-in-law: Tom Case and Gary Siems; sisters: Irene Mansheim, Dorothy Cross and Sally Mansheim; brother: Jerry Mansheim; sister-in-law: Donna Mansheim and brother-in-law: Gene Hunold.

 

A tiny woman with a big heart, she reigned supreme over the family she and Adrian created and will be forever missed by those who knew and loved her.

 

A visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2024, at St. James the Less Catholic Church in St. Paul, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the church.

 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024, at St. James Catholic Church in St. Paul with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

 

Memorials in Marie’s memory can be made to Salem Fire and Rescue Association.

 

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Candidates for Henry County Supervisors Join KILJ For Special Generation Gap: Listen Here!

By Yorke Prough · Friday, May 10th, 2024 at 10:50 am CDT

Friday morning saw a special episode of Generation Gap on KILJ Radio, which saw the four candidates for Henry County Board of Supervisors answer the questions that are surrounding our county. From wind energy to EMS, these four men answered every question thrown at them.

To listen to this full forum, copy the link below into your web browser and hit paste.

David Muhs, Dan Cook, Steven Detrick, and Chad White will all be on the ballot for the June 4th primary in Henry County. Early voting begins May 15th.

Support Mt. Pleasant Police Department in Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk

By Yorke Prough · Friday, May 10th, 2024 at 6:51 am CDT

Last year on the 4th of July, the Mt Pleasant Police Department participated as a team in the Tunnel to Towers 5k Run & Walk in Donnellson with one of the largest teams. This year they will be participating again and have started a fundraiser account for anyone who wishes to donate to this amazing cause!

Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries forward a legacy of courage and heroism. Built upon the mantra, “While we have time, LET US DO GOOD,” the Foundation supports our nation’s fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes, and their families.

This year, the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk will be held in Donnellson on Thursday, July 4th. If you’d like to make a donation, please head to KILJ.com where the link is posted to donate towards your fundraiser.

Sports, May 10th

By Slaten Swords · Friday, May 10th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track and Field

Mt. Pleasant hosted their state qualifier last night and for Class 3A the top two place finishers in each event automatically qualify for the state meet with the next eight performances statewide also advancing, here’s the automatic qualifiers from last night. 

On the girls’ side for Mt. Pleasant, Alex Scott grabbed second place in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.58 seconds. The 4×200 meter relay team grabbed the gold with a time of 1 minute and 45 seconds. The 4×100 meter relay teams of Mt. Pleasant and Washington qualified with first and second place finishes, respectively. The 800 medley team took first with a time of 1 minute and 52 seconds. Bailey Jalas leapt to a second place finish in the long jump with a distance of 16 feet and 6 inches. Ella Ensminger qualified in the shot put with a second place heave of 35 feet and 11 inches. Lastly, the Panthers swept the discus with Kya Goodrich winning with a toss of 110 feet and 11 inches, while Savannah Slobodnik took second with a throw of 109 feet and 2 inches. 

On the boys’ side, Avin Truong leapt to a second place finish in the long jump with a distance of 21 feet and 7 inches. Fort Madison qualified in six events, while Washington and Keokuk each had four automatic qualifiers. 

The Class 2A qualifying rules mirror Class 3A as Mediapolis, West Burlington, Van Buren County, and Central Lee traveled west to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont for their meet yesterday. 

For the Mediapolis boys’ team, Solomon Zaugg swept the distance events with a first place time of 9 minutes and 58 seconds in the 3200 meter and a first place finish in the 1600 with a time of  4 minutes and 30 seconds. The Bulldogs grabbed first in the 4×800 (Owen and Will Schmidgall, Zaugg, and Logan Rosas), the 4×110 meter shuttle hurdle (Jackson Hutcheson, Kamden Stotlar, Ben Wolter, and Grady Gunn), the distance medley (Aedin Nelson, Noah Schmidgall, Reese Campbell, and Rosas), the 4×200 (Nelson, Henry Luttenegger, Noah Schmidgall, Kyler Crow), and the 4×100 meter relays (Nelson, Luttenegger, Noah Schmidgall, Crow). The 4×400 meter relay team also qualified with a second place time of 3 minutes and 32 seconds. 

Nathan Schmidgall claimed second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 53.7 seconds. Logan Rosas took first in the 800-meter run with a time of 1 minute and 59 seconds. Noah Schmidgall won the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.96 seconds. Lastly, Henry Luttenegger leapt to a second place finish in the long jump with a distance of 20 feet and 4 inches. 

The Mediapolis girls’ team saw the 4×200 meter relay team of Bailey Jackson, Josie Hutcheson, Kira Messer, and Haley Steffener finish in second place with a time of 1 minute and 49 seconds. 

The West Burlington boys’ team had an automatic qualifier in Landry Haberichter in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.92 seconds. Logan Hamma captured gold in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 56.64 seconds. Lastly, the 4×100 meter relay team of Maddox Diewold, Eli Oleson, Layton Diewold, and Haberichter took second place with a time of 45.06 seconds.

The Van Buren County boys’ team had the distance medley team of Bryce Moquin, Tyler Stoltz, Kayden Simmons, and Lincoln Bainbridge finish in second place with a time of 3 minutes and 39 seconds. Moquin, Izaak Loeffler, Simmons, and Stoltz also took second place in the 4×200 meter relay. Lastly, Tyler Stoltz won the high jump with a leap of 6 feet and 1 inch.

Central Lee’s Grant Myhre finished in first place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 52.81 seconds.

The State Track and Field meet will start on Thursday, May 16th, and run through Saturday, May 18th, in Des Moines. KILJ will bring updates throughout the three day event.

High School Soccer

The Mediapolis girls’ team dominated Keokuk last night 7-1. The Bulldogs will host Central Lee on Wednesday, May 15th, at 7 pm for the Class 1A Region 1 quarterfinal. 

Hillcrest Academy will face off against Burlington Notre Dame and Danville will take on Mediapolis in the boys’ Southeast Iowa Super Conference semifinals tonight at WACO.

The WACO boys’ team will host Central Lee on Monday, May 13th, at 5 pm for the first round of the Class 1A District 6 postseason bracket, while Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Danville on the road at 5 pm.

In an early preview of postseason play, the Mt. Pleasant girls’ team defeated Burlington Notre Dame last night 7-5. The Panthers will face off against Ottumwa on Monday at home. 

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will hit the road to compete against Davenport Central tonight at 5:30 pm.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team was unable to overcome the Nikes last night in a defensive showdown 1-0. The Panthers will travel to Burlington Notre Dame to take on Keokuk in the first round of the district 5 postseason at 5:30 pm on Monday.

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will travel to Central DeWitt for team regionals today.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will take on Albia to begin their team substate bracket journey tomorrow, May 11th, at Fairfield. 

High School Golf. 

Wapello will host districts on Monday, May 13th, at Heritage Oaks with Winfield-Mt. Union and New London’s Coen Fitzpatrick traveling to compete. 

The girls first round of regionals will take place today with Columbus, Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, WACO, and Winfield-Mt. Union traveling to New London at Deerwood Golf Course. Van Buren County, West Burlington/Notre Dame, Central Lee, and Mediapolis will make the trip to Kalona Golf Course hosted by Mid-Prairie. 

The Williamsburg district meet will take place on Monday at Stone Creek Golf Course with Washington competing as a team.

The girls’ teams of Mt. Pleasant, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, and Washington will travel to Solon for their regional meet scheduled for Wednesday, May 15th.

Southeastern Community College

SCC baseball will face off against Iowa Central today in the second round of the Region 11 tournament. 

This Day in Sports History

1870 – Jem Mace defends his heavyweight crown against Irish champ Joe Coburn, it lasts 1 hour and 17 minutes and neither is struck by a punch.

2018 – Rafael Nadal breaks John McEnroe’s record for successive set wins on a single surface (49 on carpet) with 6-3, 6-4 win over Diego Schwartzman at the Madrid Open (clay).

2023 – Boston Red Sox reliever Kenley Jansen becomes the seventh MLB pitcher to earn 400 career saves, in a 5-2 victory over the Braves in Atlanta.

Representative Taylor Collins Hits Back at DOJ

By Yorke Prough · Friday, May 10th, 2024 at 6:21 am CDT

Representative Taylor Collins, a member of the Iowa House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement following the U.S. Justice Department suing the State of Iowa over the state’s new law criminalizing illegal immigration under state law:

“Our first responsibility as elected leaders is to ensure the safety and security of Iowans,” said Rep. Collins.

The State of Iowa can no longer sit idly by and continue to allow the willful invasion of our country.

As long as the Biden Administration refuses to do their job, we will do it for them.”

Because SF 2340 is preempted by federal law and violates the United States Constitution, the Justice Department seeks a declaration that SF 2340 is invalid and an order preliminarily or permanently enjoining the state from enforcing the law.

As outlined in the complaint, Iowa’s law would create a new state crime for unlawful reentry, with charges ranging from an aggravated misdemeanor to a felony. Additionally, SF 2340 would require state judges to order removal from the United States.

SF 2340 impedes the federal government’s ability to enforce entry and removal provisions of federal law and interferes with its conduct of foreign relations.

The suit was filed on behalf of the United States, including Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State.

Prep Girls’ Soccer: IGHSAU Releases the Class 2A and Class 3A Brackets

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 3:04 pm CDT

Prep Girls’ Soccer- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) have now released all the brackets for each of the classifications. Here’s our local matchups.

Class 2A

Region 8 is as far as we must travel with four Southeast Conference (SEC) teams and one Southeast Iowa Super Conference (SEISC) team all competing to be regional champion. The first-round matchups will take place on May 17th.

On the top half of the bracket, Mt. Pleasant will host Burlington Notre Dame at 5:30 pm. The two are set to compete tonight but as it stands, the Panthers are 6-5 and the Nikes sit at 6-6. Despite the home field advantage, Notre Dame has history on their side, having gone 16-0 since 2011 allowing only nine goals.

The Panthers will depend on Tori Wilson and Charice Auwerda to supply the offense as they have combined for 30 goals. The Nikes have will lean on two seniors, Julianna Hill has totaled 11 assists and 16 goals for the season, and Yazmin Sorenson sports an 84% save percentage on the year.

The winner of the matchup will advance to the semifinals to face off against #8 Iowa City Liberty on May 21st at 5:30 pm.

The bottom half of the bracket will a trio of SEC teams vying for a spot. Fort Madison (10-2) will compete against Keokuk (1-10) in the opening round at 7 pm. The Chiefs have dropped the last 11 contests against the Bloodhounds and have been outscored 33 to 0 in their last five matchups.

Keokuk’s lone win came against Fairfield, it was also the only game where the Chiefs have scored a goal. With the high volume of shots, Kyla Muston has done a respectable job between the pipes, saving 67.4% shots against her.

Fort Madison was ranked in the IGHSAU’s top 15 for a couple weeks, climbing up to the #13 spot before losing both games to Burlington this season, 1-0 and 2-0. Taylor Johnson has been incredible at the goalie spot, having allowed just four goals on the season. Hadley Wolfe is the goal scorer with 19.

The winner of the will travel to battle it out against Burlington (12-2). The Grayhounds find themselves back in the top 15 at the #15 slot after being a preseason choice, the squad started slow dropping two of their first four games. Since then, Burlington has allowed just four goals.

The seniors have settled the squad with Josephine Blazic scoring 21 goals this season and Jenna Hentzel saving 85.9% of shots coming her way.

The region 8 championship matchup will take place on May 23rd at 5:30 pm with the highest remaining ranked team retaining home field advantage.

For a full look at the brackets, follow this link: Soccer Brackets

Fort Madison Mississippi River Bridge Struck on Thursday

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 2:57 pm CDT

*The bridge is operational and has been deemed safe by the BNSF*

The Fort Madison Mississippi River Bridge was struck by a barge on Thursday and has subsequently been closed. It is unknown how long it will remain closed, due to the damage being assessed by crews. This bridge looms large at 1675 foot with a 530 swing span and has been in operation since the 1927, after two years of construction.