Author: Nathan Bloechl

College Volleyball: Iowa Wesleyan Announces Fall Schedule:

The Iowa Wesleyan volleyball team will open up its official fall 2021 season on the road to Mount Mercy University on September 1st in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the college announced yesterday.

The Tigers will then compete at the William Penn Tournament over Labor Day weekend before returning to the Ruble Arena for their home opener on September 7th.

Iowa Wesleyan will host the Prairie Fire of Knox College for a 7:00 pm match that night.

This year will it mark the return of Tiger volleyball to NAIA and it will be the debut season of new head coach Ashley Miller who stepped into the role in June.

Here’s the schedule in full:

August 28th vs Monmouth *Scrimmage*

September 1st at Mount Mercy University

September 4th and 5th at William Penn University Tournament

September 7th vs Knox College

September 9th vs Hannibal-LaGrange University

September 11th at Stephens College *Tri Tournament*

September 14th at Waldorf College

September 17th and 18th at University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy (St. Louis) Tournament

September 21st vs Culver-Stockton College

September 28th vs Southeastern Community College

October 5th at Central College

October 8th and 9th vs TBA *CAC Classic*

October 14th at Hannibal-LaGrange University

October 16th vs TBA *Tri Tournament*

October 19th at Southeastern Community College

October 22nd and 23rd at CAC Classic *Lawrence, KS*

October 27th at Knox College

October 29th and 30t at Central College Tournament

Prep Baseball: State Baseball Day Four:

Two teams were crowned state champions, while Class 4A played their quarterfinals last night.

Here’s a look at the full scoreboard:

Class 1A Championship 

Council Bluffs St. Albert 7, Kee 5

Class 2A Championship 

Van Meter 10, Centerville 2

Class 4A Quarterfinals 

Pleasant Valley 5, Ottumwa 1

Cedar Rapids Prairie 8, Dowling Catholic 4

Ankeny 2, Waukee 1

Johnston 11, Dubuque Hempstead 5

Class 3 and 4A semifinals will commence tonight at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City.

NBA: Two Hawkeyes Selected in NBA Draft:

Two Iowa Hawkeyes were selected in the NBA Draft last night, the first team that feat has been accomplished since 1998 when Davenport North legend Ricky Davis and Ryan Bowen were taken.

Both Joe Wieskamp and Luka Garza were second round selections, with Wieskamp being selected with the 41st overall selection by the San Antonio Spurs.

Big man Luka Garza was taken 52nd overall by the Detroit Pistons.

Both players will compete in the NBA’s rookie summer league which will be played in Las Vegas, Nevada.

College Football: Brock Purdy Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List:

Iowa State senior quarterback Brock Purdy was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list, announced yesterday and given annually to college football’s impactful leaders in community service.

Purdy has set virtually every passing record in Iowa State history in his first three years as a starter.

He’s a three-time All-Big 12 recipient, including first team accolades in 2020.

A two-time team captain, Purdy has been a member of the team’s leadership council the past two seasons and has a vibrant resume of community service including Cyclone Tailgate Tour, FCA Upward Sports Camp, Victory Day, hospital visits, Boys and Girls Club and Night to Shine.

Iowa State opens their season September 4th

when they play host to Mark Farley’s UNI Panthers.

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Prep Softball: IGCA All-State Teams Announced

The Iowa Girls Coaches Association has released their 2021 All-State teams.

Several area athletes have been honored.

In Class 1A, Winfield-Mount Union ace and Indian Hills recruit Madie Anderson has been named First Team All-State.

Anderson went 17-6 in the circle this season, throwing 157.1 innings striking out 305 hitters walking just 22.

Her season ending ERA was a sparkling 0.58.

In Class 2A, Kylee Sanders (Louisa-Muscatine), McKenna Hohenadel (Louisa-Muscatine), Chelsea Huff (Van Buren), Isabel Manning (Van Buren) and Aliyah Lolling (Wapello) were all named to All-State teams.

Sanders was the lone 1st Team selection, she’ll be heading to Cedar Falls to play for the Northern Iowa softball team this fall, where her older sister starred this year.

Class 3A saw West Burlington ace and sophomore Lauren Summers earn 1st Team All-State honors.

Summers went 26-3 in 174.2 innings, striking out 247 hitters with an ERA of 1.04.

Central Lee freshman Shanna Buford was selected to 3rd Team in Class 3A, as well.

Prep Baseball: State Tournament Day 3

It was a busy day full of upsets in both Carroll and Iowa City.

Here’s a look at the full State Tournament scoreboard:

Class 1A Semifinals

Kee 5, Remsen St. Mary’s 3 — F/9

Council Bluffs St. Albert 10, Alburnett — F/5

Class 2A Semifinals

Van Meter 4, Unity Christian 3

Centerville 12, Camanche 11 — F/8

Class 3A Quarterfinals

Central DeWitt 11, Waverly-Shell Rock 1

Marion 11, ADM 2

Cedar Rapids Xavier, 18, MOC-Floyd Valley 3

Wahlert Catholic 4, Winterset 1

College Football: Taylor Named to Ray Guy Watch List

Punters are people too!

University of Iowa sophomore punter Tory Taylor has been named to the 2021 Ray Guy Award Watch List, the Augusta Sports Council announced on Wednesday.

The trophy is awarded to the nation’s top collegiate punter.

Taylor was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award a year ago and was named the 2020 Eddleman-Fields Big Ten Conference Punter of the Year.

He was also named first-team Freshman All-America by Football Writers of America and second-team All-America by The Athletic.

The Melbourne, Australia, native was tabbed preseason first-team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

College Football: Regents Approve Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium

The University of Iowa Board of Regents has approved a proposal to name the football field at Kinnick Stadium in honor of Hawkeye football great Duke Slater.

Slater, who grew up in Clinton, played tackle for the Hawkeyes from 1918 to 1921.

He was the first black student-athlete in school history to earn All-American honors and was a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection.

A residence hall on campus was named for Slater in 1972, and a statue of him stands on the north side of Kinnick Stadium.