Prep Baseball: First Baseball Poll Announced

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, May 24th, 2021 at 2:04 pm CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

KILJ — The 2021 baseball season will get underway this week and the first Radio Iowa baseball poll has been announced.

Here are the polls in full:

Class 1A (2020 Record)

1. St. Albert (21-2)
2. Remsen St. Mary’s (20-1)
3. Don Bosco (20-1)
4. Mason City Newman(19-6)
5. Martensdale-St. Mary’s (26-2)
6. South Winneshiek (25-2)
7. Alburnett (16-4)
8. North Linn (19-3)
9. Kingsley-Pierson (16-3)
10. Newell-Fonda (16-3)

RV: New London (14-4)

Class 2A (2020 Record)

1. Van Meter (23-2)
2. Centerville (12-4)
3. Dyersville Beckman (9-13)
4. Mid-Prairie (15-4)
5. Roland-Story (13-11)
6. West Lyon (15-4)
7. Durant (12-5)
8. Panorama (12-4)
9. Des Moines Christian (17-7)
10. Carroll Kuemper (14-9)

Class 3A (2020 Record)

1. Gilbert (23-4)
2. Davenport Assumption (20-5)
3. Marion (11-11)
4. Winterset (14-5)
5. Ballard (Huxley) (11-7)
6. ADM (12-8)
7. Decorah (12-5)
8. Harlan (14-4)
9. Dallas Center-Grimes (18-4)
10.Cedar Rapids Xavier (14-5)

RV: Clear Creek-Amana (16-6)

Class 4A (2020 Record)

1. Ankeny (21-9)
2. Urbandale (18-10)
3. Johnston (24-3)
4. Waukee (14-13)
5. Dubuque Hempstead (16-2)
6. Pleasant Valley (13-12)
7. Dowling Catholic (16-12)
8. Iowa City High (11-9)
9. Cedar Falls (7-2)
10. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (14-6)

Girls’ Golf: Mount Pleasant at Oskaloosa for 3A Regionals

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, May 24th, 2021 at 2:00 pm CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Oskaloosa — The Mount Pleasant girls’ golf will take part in 3A Regionals today when they travel to Oskaloosa.

There the Panthers will take on:

  • Centerville
  • Fairfield
  • Fort Madison
  • Grinnell
  • Keokuk
  • Knoxville
  • Lisbon
  • Notre Dame
  • Oskaloosa
  • Pella
  • Washington

They’ll be golfing at Edmondson Golf Course in Oskaloosa.

Action will get started at 10:00 a.m.

Sports, Monday, May 24th

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, May 24th, 2021 at 11:32 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Prep Track: Area Medalists:

It was a memorable weekend at the 2021 State Track and Field Championships, let’s take one last look at it by examining all of our area medalists.

Thursday:

  • Grace Kelley (Mount Pleasant) – 3A Discus (124-06) — 7th
  • Addison Parrott (Danville) – 1A 3000m (10:33.21) — 2nd
  • Carter Allen (New London) – 1A Shot (50-8.75) — 4th
  • Kenna Furnald (Danville) – 1A Girls’ Long Jump (15-6.25) — 5th

Friday:

  • Jadan Brumbaugh (Mount Pleasant) – 3A Shot Put (44-9) — 1st
  • Cole Lipper, Kadin Salek, Andrew McPherson, Anthony Isley (Mediapolis) – 2A 4×200 (1:31.52) — 4th
  • Cooper Pullis (Mount Pleasant)- 3A Shot (52-9.75) — 5th
  • Jacey Moore, Christella Boyer, Cassidy Yaley, Addison Parrott (Danville) – 1A DMR (4:21.10) — 7th
  • Kade Benjamin (New London) – 1A Boys’ High Jump (6-1) — 8th
  • Carter Allen (New London) – 1A Boys’ Discus (160-06) — 2nd

Saturday:

  • Kenna Lamm, Karsyn Lamm, Jenna Gilmore, Josie Gilmore (Mount Pleasant) – 3A Girls’ Shuttle Hurdle Relay (1:08.75) — 8th
  • Karsyn Lamm (Mount Pleasant) – 3A 100m Hurdles (16.02) — 7th
  • Bryce Wilson (Mount Pleasant) – 3A 110m Hurdles (15.39) — 7th
  • Kadin Salek, Josh Darbyshire, Andrew McPherson, Anthony Isley (Mediapolis) – 2A 4×100 (44.15) — 7th
  • Kadin Salek, Levi Arnold, Andrew McPherson, Anthony Isley (Mediapolis) – 2A 4×400 (3:28.03) — 3rd
  • Addison Parrott (Danville) – 1A 1500m (4:59.51) — 2nd
  • Mason Chipman, Gabriel Gourley, Oliver Sowell, Ty Carr (Danville) – 1A 4×400 (3:28.68) — 1st

All told, 17 area events earned medals.

Prep Baseball: First Baseball Poll Announced:

Class 1A (2020 Record)

1. St. Albert (21-2)
2. Remsen St. Mary’s (20-1)
3. Don Bosco (20-1)
4. Mason City Newman(19-6)
5. Martensdale-St. Mary’s (26-2)
6. South Winneshiek (25-2)
7. Alburnett (16-4)
8. North Linn (19-3)
9. Kingsley-Pierson (16-3)
10. Newell-Fonda (16-3)

RV: New London (14-4)

Class 2A (2020 Record)

1. Van Meter (23-2)
2. Centerville (12-4)
3. Dyersville Beckman (9-13)
4. Mid-Prairie (15-4)
5. Roland-Story (13-11)
6. West Lyon (15-4)
7. Durant (12-5)
8. Panorama (12-4)
9. Des Moines Christian (17-7)
10. Carroll Kuemper (14-9)

Class 3A (2020 Record)

1. Gilbert (23-4)
2. Davenport Assumption (20-5)
3. Marion (11-11)
4. Winterset (14-5)
5. Ballard (Huxley) (11-7)
6. ADM (12-8)
7. Decorah (12-5)
8. Harlan (14-4)
9. Dallas Center-Grimes (18-4)
10.Cedar Rapids Xavier (14-5)

RV: Clear Creek-Amana (16-6)

Class 4A (2020 Record)

1. Ankeny (21-9)
2. Urbandale (18-10)
3. Johnston (24-3)
4. Waukee (14-13)
5. Dubuque Hempstead (16-2)
6. Pleasant Valley (13-12)
7. Dowling Catholic (16-12)
8. Iowa City High (11-9)
9. Cedar Falls (7-2)
10. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (14-6)

Girls’ Golf: Mount Pleasant at Oskaloosa for 3A Regionals:

The Mount Pleasant girls’ golf will take part in 3A Regionals today when they travel to Oskaloosa.

There the Panthers will take on:

  • Centerville
  • Fairfield
  • Fort Madison
  • Grinnell
  • Keokuk
  • Knoxville
  • Lisbon
  • Notre Dame
  • Oskaloosa
  • Pella
  • Washington

They’ll be golfing at Edmondson Golf Course in Oskaloosa.

Action will get started at 10:00 a.m.

Boys’ Track: Danville is Golden! Bears 4×400 Relay Crowned State’s Best

By Nathan Bloechl · Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 at 11:37 pm CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Des Moines — This was a moment a long time coming for Danville.

They saw Addison Parrott finish as runner up in cross country, the 1500m and 3000m run.

Ty Carr was the runner up in cross country.

But today, their team of Mason Chipman, Gabriel Gourley, Oliver Sowell and Ty Carr were second to none.

That quartet orchestrated a 3:28.68 clinching gold in the Boys 1A 4x400m relay, reducing them and their supporters to tears.

They really wanted it, folks.

“Amazing. I don’t know what else to say” Sowell told KILJ when asked if he could describe the feeling of finally getting over the hump.

“Coming into this year we never ran a 400 or 4×400 at all during track. So, coming into this year clearing the relay record book at our school — I don’t know if anyone could have saw us doing that” Sowell said.

“[Then] winning that 4×4 for us, that’s something else man.” Sowell said with a large smile.

Sowell took the stick for the Danville with the Bears in third and catapulted them to first before the final anchor — by Carr — splitting 51.6

Carr took the Bears home with a 51.11.

He did so with fresh legs.

Scheduled to run in the mile approximately 20 minutes before the 4×400, Carr made the executive decision to scratch himself from that race to be able to give his teammates — and three seniors — their best chance to win it all.

Selflessness in full display.

“I didn’t want to pursue my own accolades and let that get in front of my chances helping my guys get that state title.” Carr explained.

“It was the easiest decision to make, it was their last year. I didn’t want to put myself in front like that.” 

Incredible.

Danville’s girls 4×400 team won the title in 2018, but the group explained that it feels good to put their town back on the map.

Hometown kids, from a great community, doing great things.

That’s what state track is all about.

Boys’ Track: Isley’s Push Propels Mediapolis to 2A Bronze

By Nathan Bloechl · Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Des Moines — It wasn’t the way Anthony Isley envisioned his start would go, but he made sure that his weekend ended with a bang anchoring Mediapolis’ Class 2A 4×400 relay team to a third place finish Saturday.

Isley started his weekend Thursday by scratching in all of his attempts in the 2A long jump.

He credited his teammates for keeping him up after a tough beginning to his first trip to state track.

“I owe it to my friends, they kept keeping me up, pumping me up. Once we started getting going, I was [excited] for all of our events.” Isley told KILJ.

He and Kaden Salek, Cole Lipper, Josh Darbyshire, Levi Arnold and Andrew McPherson comprised the Mediapolis sprint medley, 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400 teams that PR’d in all of their runs.

“These guys meant a lot to me, they’re all good people. [We] love each other.” 

Isley took the stick with Mediapolis in sixth and promptly crushed an anchor leg of 50.15, which was the fourth-fastest split by any runner in the race.

“I just knew I had to get going, so I took off. I tried to pick it up and once I started passing people I got a lot of adrenaline” Isley explained.

Isley, who is in first state meet, was pleased with how things turned.

“I am just so happy we made it.“

Underwood was the 4×400 champion, running a 3:25.42.

Girls’ Track: Lamm Medals in Final Event in Maroon and Gold

By Nathan Bloechl · Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 at 5:06 pm CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Des Moines — For the final time in her career, Karysn Lamm donned the maroon and gold uniform with “PANTHERS” scribed across her chest.

As the rain fell the heaviest it has all morning, Lamm left the track with a smile on her face.

The Panther senior — and future Central Dutch — ran 16.02 in the 3A 100m hurdle finals placing 7th earning yet another medal for the Mount Pleasant hurdle program, which has long been turning heads across the state.

“Everyone comes up to us down at the start line and knows we’re from Mount Pleasant” Lamm told KILJ.

“They know we’re hurdlers.”

Lamm was the anchor on the 8th placing shuttle hurdle relay team and was pleased with her finish in the 100 highs.

“Today was just a day to go out and have fun, there was some added pressure, but our coaches know what they’re doing and they’re giving us all the tools to go out there and do our best” Lamm explained.

She and her sister Kenna competed in Thursday’s prelims nearly side-by-side, a moment not soon forgotten by father — and coach — Scott Lamm.

Over the weekend, all of them just tried to enjoy the final ride.

“I’m sad this is my last my time, but we had a lot fun, a lot of good experiences and this year was one of the top years’ — especially after not having last year.” 

“We came out here and were successful, we graduated a lot last year, it’s been great.”

Kendall Anderson of Bondurant-Farrar was the event champion running 15.10.

State Track: Finals (Day 3)

By Nathan Bloechl · Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 at 1:42 pm CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

9:25 a.m. — 2A Boys’ Sprint Medley Finals:  Cole Lipper, Josh Darbyshire, Andrew McPherson, Kadin Salek (Mediapolis)

  • Lipper, Darbyshire, McPherson and Salek go 1:37.11 which puts them in 11th place in the 2A field.

10:20 a.m. — 3A Girls Shuttle Hurdle Relay Finals: Kenna Lamm, Jenna Gilmore, Josie Gilmore, Karsyn Lamm (Mount Pleasant)

  • Mount Pleasant’s quartet goes 1:08.75 for 8th place. They’ll earn a medal for their triumph.

11:20 a.m. — 3A Girls’ 100m Hurdle Finals: Karsyn Lamm (Mount Pleasant)

  • Lamm finishes 7th with a time of 16.02. She medals.

11:25 a.m. — 3A Boys’ 110m Hurdle Finals: Bryce Wilson (Mount Pleasant)

  • Wilson runs 15.39 which places him 7th. He will medal. 

11:55 a.m. — 3A 1500m Run: Cristina Carthey (Mount Pleasant)

  •  Carthey finishes 24th in the 3A 1500m run. She goes 5:27.78.

12:20 p.m. — 2A Boys 4×100 Relay Finals: Kadin Salek, Josh Darbyshire, Andrew McPherson, Anthony Isley (Mediapolis)

  • They run 44.15 for a 7th place finish. 

12:35 p.m. — 2A Boys’ 4×400 Relay Finals: Kadin Salek, Levi Arnold, Andrew McPherson, Anthony Isley (Mediapolis)

  • This group goes 3:28.03 for a 3rd place finish. Isley’s anchor was 50.15.

(Class 1A & 4A)

3:05 p.m. — Boys’ 800m Run Finals: Seth Bailey (New London), Ty Carr (Danville) and Oliver Sowell (Danville)

  • Three teammates from cross country go 7th, 9th and 10th in the 800m. Carr was the top finisher at 2:00.26. Bailey runs 2:00.46 (9th) while Sowell finishes 2:00.66 for 10th. 

4:55 p.m. — 1600m Run Finals: Ty Carr (Danville), Seth Bailey (New London) and Rylan Martin (New London)

  • Martin finishes 13th with a time of 4:47.85, Bailey 23rd. Carr did not race.

5:15 p.m. — 1500m Run Finals: Addison Parrott (Danville)

  • Parrott runs 4:59.51 in a monsoon to finish as state runner-up for the second time this weekend. She was bested by Peyton Pogge (Tri-Center)

6:00 p.m. — *4×400 Relay Finals* (Danville)

Sports, Saturday, May 22nd

By Nathan Bloechl · Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 at 3:04 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

Prep Track: Brumbaugh Dominates to 3A Title:

An absolute powerhouse is the phrase that throws coach Shawn Striegel used to describe Jadan Brumbaugh, who this morning etched her name into the pantheon of greats at Mount Pleasant, earning a Class 3A Shot Put State Championship.

For the Panthers, it’s the second consecutive year that they claim the 3A State Title.

Lexie Magnani, now throwing at UNI, accomplished the feat in 2019.

This year Brumbaugh made sure the crown stayed draped in maroon and gold.

The 2021 Drake Relays champion, Brumbaugh’s sights have always been set on hoisting the state title.

She removed all doubt Friday with a monstrous toss of 44 feet, nine inches.

Brumbaugh said her off-season will consist of perfecting her technique — a scary thought for competitors — and continuing to develop mentally in the circle.

With that said, Brumbaugh said there wasn’t many nerves Friday, despite being the top-seed and Drake Relays champion.

Prep Track: Pullis Earns Medal in Shot Put, For Cherry on Top Finish:

After missing out on his junior season, Mount Pleasant’s Cooper Pullis wanted to come out of the gates hot Friday.

Come out hot, he did.

Pullis launched his best throw of the day on his first throw, hurling a mark of 52 feet, 9 3/4 inches placing him 5th in the Class 3A shot put earning the Panther throw teams their third medal of the weekend.

A Drake Relays qualifier, Pullis is another notch on the belt of outstanding Panther throwers which know has a bit of a dynastic feel to the program.

He also was able to watch two of his closest friends, female throwers Grace Kelley and Jadan Brumbaugh, medal both Thursday and Friday.

He carried that torch into yesterday afternoon with a medalist finish.

Prep Track: Other Area Notables:

Here are some other notable finishes from Day Two of the Iowa High School State Track and Field Championships:

  • 1A Girls’ Distance Medley Finals: Jacey Moore, Christella Boyer, Cassidy Yaley, Addison Parrott of Danville go4:21.10 for a 7th place finishing earning a medal.
  • 1A Boys’ High Jump: Kade Benjamin (New London) cleared 6-1, finishing 8th on number of misses tiebreaker which earned him a medal.
  • 1A Boys’ Discus Carter Allen (New London), a fourth place finisher yesterday in the shot put, throws 160-06 for second place in the 1A discus. The Drake Relays qualifier earns a medal in both of his events.
  • 1A Boys’ 4×400 Relay Prelims: Mason Chipman, Gabriel Gourley, Oliver Sowell, Ty Carr of Danville run 3:28.11 for first place in prelims, they’ll have the top time heading into tonight’s finals.
  • 2A Boys’ 4×100 Relay Prelims: Kadin Salek, Josh Darbyshire, Andrew McPherson, Anthony Isley (Mediapolis) run 44.31 to qualify for today’s finals. They ran the 8th fastest time in the 2A field.
  • 2A Boys’ 4×400 Relay Prelims: Kadin Salek, Levi Arnold, Andrew McPherson and Anthony Isley (Mediapolis) go3:28.62 to qualify for this morning’s finals with the third fastest times in prelims.
  • 3A Girls’ 100m Hurdle Prelims: Karsyn Lamm (Mount Pleasant) runs the 7th fastest time in prelims, qualifying for finals with a run of 16.17 seconds.
  • 3A Boys’ 110m Hurdle Prelims: Bryce Wilson (Mount Pleasant) qualifies with the third fastest time in prelims, running 15.20.