Girls’ Golf: Liechty Ready for 3A Field

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

Adel — Mount Pleasant senior Elli Liechty will be all business as she prepares for her state run today at Adel’s River Valley Golf Course.

Liechty finished 5th at last week’s state qualifying meet with an 88, finishing behind a trio of Washington Demons and Knoxville’s Amy Sullivan.

She led the Panthers with an average 18-hole adjusted score of 98.68.

She will begin her tournament today on Hole 16 at 9:00 a.m.

Live scoring can be tracked on the IGHSAU website.

Prep Baseball (Tuesday)

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

KILJ — The Mount Pleasant baseball team has today off, but it will be a busy night in the Super Conference this evening.

Here’s a look at the prep baseball schedule tonight:

  • Louisa-Muscatine at Hillcrest Academy
  • Wapello at Winfield-Mount Union
  • Van Buren County at Cardinal
  • Notre Dame at Central Lee
  • New London at Danville
  • Mediapolis at Highland

All games are scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.

Mount Pleasant will be back in action tomorrow for a doubleheader in Keokuk.

You can listen to both ends of that doubleheader on FM 105.5.

 

Prep Softball (Tuesday)

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

KILJ — The Super Conference has a terrific slate tonight, while the Mount Pleasant softball team is off until tomorrow, when they take on Wapello.

Here’s a look at tonight’s schedule:

  • Burlington at West Burlington-Notre Dame
  • Mediapolis at Highland
  • Wapello at Winfield-Mount Union
  • Louisa-Muscatine at Hillcrest Academy
  • Van Buren County at Cardinal
  • New London at Danville

College Baseball: Iowa’s Wallace Named B1G Pitcher of the Year:

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

University of Iowa redshirt junior Trenton Wallace has been named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, the league announced Sunday.

Wallace is one of three Hawkeyes to earn All-Big Ten honors.

Wallace and senior outfielder Ben Norman were named first-team All-Big Ten honorees, while redshirt junior Izaya Fullard was selected to the third team as a second baseman. Senior Grant Leonard was also recognized as Iowa’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient.

Wallace is the first player in school history to earn Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honors. Starting pitcher Brett Backlund was the Big Ten Co-Player of the Year in 1992; the league began recognizing the Pitcher of the Year in 1994.

Wallace, a southpaw from Rock Island, Illinois, was superb in his first season in Iowa’s weekend rotation. As the Friday night ace, Wallace finished the regular season with a 7-1 record and a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts with a league-leading 106 strikeouts.

Sports, Tuesday, June 1st

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Girls’ Golf: New London Takes Aim in Ames:

The New London girls’ golf team is ready to take aim in Ames today as they prepare for the Class 1A State Golf Tournament.

New London, under head coach Greg Lerdal, have morphed into a state power and will golf as a team after qualifying as a runner-up at regionals last week.

The Tigers are paced by outstanding freshman Taylor Phillips, who’s older brother Clayton wrapped up his senior season with a top-10 finish at the boys’ state tournament just days ago.

Fellow underclassmen Emma Nye is also primed for a big tournament, following her 10th place finish at regionals last week.

Action will begin today with a full 18-hole round, followed up by another 18-holes tomorrow.

Joining the Tigers in the 1A field will be Danville senior Natalie Wilcox who qualified as an individual at last week’s regional.

Wilcox shot a 93 at Prairie Knolls to finish fourth, which punched her ticket to the 1A field.

Girls’ Golf: Liechty Ready for 3A Field:

Mount Pleasant senior Elli Liechty will be all business as she prepares for her state run today at Adel’s River Valley Golf Course.

Liechty finished 5th at last week’s state qualifying meet with an 88, finishing behind a trio of Washington Demons and Knoxville’s Amy Sullivan.

She led the Panthers with an average 18-hole adjusted score of 98.68.

She will begin her tournament today on Hole 16 at 9:00 a.m.

Live scoring can be tracked on the IGHSAU website.

Prep Baseball (Tuesday):

The Mount Pleasant baseball team has today off, but it will be a busy night in the Super Conference this evening.

Here’s a look at the prep baseball schedule tonight:

  • Louisa-Muscatine at Hillcrest Academy
  • Wapello at Winfield-Mount Union
  • Van Buren County at Cardinal
  • Notre Dame at Central Lee
  • New London at Danville
  • Mediapolis at Highland

All games are scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.

Mount Pleasant will be back in action tomorrow for a doubleheader in Keokuk.

You can listen to both ends of that doubleheader on FM 105.5.

Prep Softball (Tuesday):

The Super Conference has a terrific slate tonight, while the Mount Pleasant softball team is off until tomorrow, when they take on Wapello.

Here’s a look at tonight’s schedule:

  • Burlington at West Burlington-Notre Dame
  • Mediapolis at Highland
  • Wapello at Winfield-Mount Union
  • Louisa-Muscatine at Hillcrest Academy
  • Van Buren County at Cardinal
  • New London at Danville

College Baseball: Iowa’s Wallace Named B1G Pitcher of the Year:

University of Iowa redshirt junior Trenton Wallace has been named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, the league announced Sunday.

Wallace is one of three Hawkeyes to earn All-Big Ten honors.

Wallace and senior outfielder Ben Norman were named first-team All-Big Ten honorees, while redshirt junior Izaya Fullard was selected to the third team as a second baseman. Senior Grant Leonard was also recognized as Iowa’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient.

Wallace is the first player in school history to earn Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honors. Starting pitcher Brett Backlund was the Big Ten Co-Player of the Year in 1992; the league began recognizing the Pitcher of the Year in 1994.

Wallace, a southpaw from Rock Island, Illinois, was superb in his first season in Iowa’s weekend rotation. As the Friday night ace, Wallace finished the regular season with a 7-1 record and a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts with a league-leading 106 strikeouts.

Sports, Monday, May 31st

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

KILJ Sports Honors Memorial Day:

Happy Memorial Day and thank you to all of our area veterans for their service.

Today, of course, is a day to reflect and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

With that, there is not much in the sports department today.

Looking at the rest of the week, KILJ will have coverage of the Mount Pleasant-Keokuk baseball doubleheader on Wednesday, with first pitch in game one beginning at 5:30 p.m,

Game two will follow shortly thereafter.

Prospect League: Bees Win Instant Classic:

The Burlington Bees scored six times in the 4th inning and five times in the 8th as they rolled to a 15-9 win over the Clinton Lumberkings at Community Field last night.

Mason Land, who plays collegiately at Chattahoochee Valley Community College, led the way with four hits — including two doubles — and four runs batted in.

Austin Simpson of Southeastern Community College — and formerly of Fairfield High School — chipped in with three hits of his own and three runs batted in.

Reece Wissinger was the winning pitcher out of the Bees bullpen hurling 1.1 innings of scoreless relief while striking out three.

The win improved the Bees to 2-2.

College Football: Former Quarterback Joins Hawkeye Staff:

(Via Radio Iowa) 

Former quarterback Jason Manson has been named Director of Player Development for the Iowa football program. The announcement was made by head football coach Kirk Ferentz.

The Director of Player Development serves as a guide for student-athletes as they transition from high school to college, supporting their academic and football successes while creating a positive and memorable college experience. Former Hawkeye Sam Brincks has been the interim director for the role over last 10 months.

As a player at Iowa, Manson lettered in 2005 and 2006, playing both quarterback and wide receiver. His career totals include completing 42-85 pass attempts for 442 yards and one touchdown. He had 22 career rushing attempts for 93 yards and three pass receptions for 22 yards. Manson led Iowa to a double-overtime win at Syracuse in 2006 in his only start at quarterback.

 

Sports, Saturday, May 29th

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Girls’ Soccer: Mount Pleasant Falls in Playoff Opener:

Burlington Notre Dame scored early and often, as the Nikes rolled to a surprising 8-0 victory over Southeast Conference champion Mount Pleasant yesterday in a Class 2A First Round matchup at East Lake Park.

The Nikes scored five times in the first half and added three more tallies in the second half to pull away for the win.

Amelia Schwenker led the way for Notre Dame registering five goals while Danville track star Addison Parrott had a goal and two assists.

Emma Pieper made 11 saves for the Panthers, who close their season 9-3 in Auybriana Johnson’s first year as head coach.

Notre Dame improved to 11-6, they’ll now take on Iowa City Liberty in the semifinals of Region 8.

They’ll play that game in Iowa City on Wednesday, June 2nd.

On the top of the bracket, Fort Madison advanced past Burlington. The Bloodhound girls’ will now scrap with top-seeded North Scott in the Quad Cities next week.

Boys’ Golf: Phillips Finishes Tied for 7th:

New London senior Clayton Phillips will end his prep career with a 7th place finish at the 2021 Iowa High School State Boys’ Golf Tournament.

Phillips finished his Day Two around with a 15-over 86 to end the tournament inside the top-10.

He did end the round with a birdie and also registered eight pars.

He ends tied with Kody Hoeger of Edgewood-Colesburg and Brett Klusman of Council Bluffs St. Albert at 22-over in the 36-hole weekend.

Lucas Gunderson of Harris-Lake Park shot a remarkable two-over 73 to bring home the gold.

He finished the tournament seven-over.

Prep Baseball Scoreboard (Friday):

It was a quiet night of prep baseball in the area after rain and cold temperatures washed away most area games.

Here’s the round up from last night:

  • Pekin 10, Winfield-Mount Union 0
  • Highland 15, Louisa-Muscatine 5
  • West Burlington 15, Wapello 5

Prep Softball Scoreboard (Friday):

Similar to baseball, it was a very quiet night of softball. Some area finals last night included:

  • Winfield-Mount Union 1, Pekin 0
  • West Burlington 5, Wapello 2
  • Holy Trinity 9, Danville 8

College Track and Field: Beatty Finishes Tied-13th:

Former Mount Pleasant track and field sensation Sam Beatty finished tied for 13th at the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships yesterday in the men’s high jump.

Beatty hit the opening height of 1.92 meters but missed on all three attempts at 1.97m or 6 feet, 4 inches.

Winning the event was St. John Fisher senior Kyle Rollins, who cleared 6 feet, 9 inches and bowed out at just over 7 feet.

Beatty, just a freshman, competes now for Central College in Pella.

College Track and Field: Rich Named All-American

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

Greensboro (NC) — Former Mount Pleasant track athlete Keegan Rich earned All-American status yesterday the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships.

Rich, now jumping for Nebraska Wesleyan, jumped 22 feet, 9 inches for seventh.

The winner was Brockport State senior Egypt Page who cannonballed a 24 foot, 4.25 inch leap.

Sam Beatty, another Panther alum, is scheduled to compete in the men’s high jump this weekend as well.

Beatty is a member of the Central Dutch track team.