Author: Nathan Bloechl

Gwinnett (GA.) — The Iowa Wesleyan women’s college soccer team made a run, but the Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies were too overpowering, muscling their way to a 6-0 defeat of the Tigers in the semifinals of the Continental Athletic Conference tournament.

The Grizzlies scored three times in the first half and tacked on three more in the second as insurance.

Cheleena Squibb made nine saves for the Tigers between the pipes.

Giovanna Pedrassani had the lone shot on goal for Wesleyan, who closes their season 5-11-1.

This year’s group was the first team to earn a spot in the conference tournament since the institution’s return to the NAIA.

KILJ — Joey Brown tallied 21 points and five rebounds as Iowa Wesleyan found the win column for the second time this season, defeating Hannibal-LaGrange 78-67, Saturday.

Wesleyan outscored the Trojans 48-33 in the second half to come from behind for the victory.

Tiger freshman Dylan Hurley stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, four boards and a steal, while Jaylen Washington finished with 11 points.

The Tigers, now 2-5, will be back in action tomorrow night when they take on Western Illinois in Macomb.

You can listen to that matchup on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.

Other regional basketball finals from Sunday:

• Drake 99, South Dakota 50
• UNI 95, Dubuque 58

KILJ — The Iowa football team has moved up to No. 14 in the latest coaches’ poll, while they bumped up one spot in the AP Top 25.

Georgia, Alabama, Cincinnati and Oregon are the top four in the latest Associated Press rankings.

Pollsters have Ohio State fifth, while Michigan State, Michigan and Oklahoma State go 7, 8 and 9.

Wisconsin moved up one spot to No. 19 following their 35-7 win over Northwestern. .

Penn State and Purdue are receiving votes.

Iowa will host Illinois this weekend at Kinnick Stadium.

Kick is set for 1:00 p.m.

KILJ — Two Danville-New London prepsters have been selected as All-State honorees by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches, following their terrific senior campaigns.

Both Ty Carr and Alexander Julian were honored as All-State choices.

Carr clocked a season best time of 16:35 even, while Julian’s top time was 17:03.6

Both men were All-State state selections last year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches, as well.

Cedar Falls — Two more state title games for next are set following semifinal play in Class A and 4A yesterday at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.

In Class A, both top-seeds advanced.

No. 1 West Hancock rode a hot start and never wavered, rolling to a 37-0 win over No. 7 East Buchanan.

Second-seeded Grundy Center easily maneuvered past No. 4 Woodbury Central 28-7.

In Class 4A, No. 4 Lewis Central will take on perennial power Cedar Rapids Xavier.

The Titans earned a 35-10 win over Waverly-Shell Rock, while Duane Schulte’s Saints picked up a 40-14 win over Winterset.

Cedar Falls — Four more semifinals will be played today in Cedar Falls, with Class 1A and 5A taking center stage.

Class 1A matchups will see:

• No. 8 Beckman Catholic vs. No. 1 Van Meter
• No. 4 Dike-New Hartford vs. No. 6 West Sioux

Tilts in 5A include:

• Ankeny vs. No. 5 West Des Moines Valley
• No. 2 Southeast Polk vs. No. 7 Iowa City High

Class 2A and 3A will wrap up semifinal play on Saturday.

Mayville (N.D.) — With their game moved up to yesterday from Saturday, the Iowa Wesleyan football team saw Mayville State score 36 unanswered points as the Comets rolled to a 42-14 win over the Tigers last night.

Wesleyan led 14-6 at the end of the first quarter before Mayville State woke up.

Gavin Esquivel completed 8-of-15 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown, while Kam Cole led the running back room with eight carries for 32 yards.

Hezekiah Hunter had eight handles for just 10 yards and a touchdown.

Jaden Harris led the team with 71 yards receiving.

Iowa Wesleyan closes their first season back in NAIA at 2-8.