Author: Parker Testa

Mt. Pleasant

Mount Pleasant Middle School is hosting a Back to School 3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament coming up on August 20th. The tournament is open to 3rd through 8th graders. The cost to enter is $60 per team and registration is due by August 15th. With questions, you can contact Ronnie Ashton at reash10@yahoo.com.

New London

Tonight starting at 6 pm, New London will be introducing the players for Volleyball, Cross Country, Cheer, and Football at the high school gym and football field. There will also be a Silent Auction scheduled at 6:45 pm. The event will wrap up around 7:15 pm.

Bill Russell’s Number to be retired across the League

The National Basketball Association announced August 11^th that Bill Russell’s number 6 will be retired league wide. NBA players will also wear a commemorative patch on their jerseys for the 2022-23 season, while a shamrock-shaped logo with the Number 6 inside of it will decorate every court on the sideline near the scorer’s table.

Russell is the first player in the NBA to have his number retired leaguewide. NBA commissioner Adam Silver had this to say about ensuring Russell’s career will always be remembered, “Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way.”

In his 13-year career with the Celtics, Russell was a 5-time MVP, an 11-time All-NBA selection, 11-time NBA champion, and remains second all time in NBA history in rebounds.

The NBA legend passed away at age 88 on July 31^st.

Iowa Enjoys another Field of Dreams Game

The Cubs defeated the Reds 4-2 last night in front of an intimate crowd of 7,823 fans. Reds manager, David Bell, despite being on the losing side of things called the night, “perfect.” The Field of Dreams game will not return in 2023 due to construction.

Today in Sports History

1969 – The Boston Celtics were sold for $6 million. To date it was the highest price paid for a pro basketball team.

1973 – Jack Nicklaus won his 14th major golf title. The win broke the record that had been held by Bobby Jones for 50 years.

1994 – Major league baseball players went on strike rather than allow team owners to limit their salaries. The strike lasted for 232 days. As a result, the World Series was wiped out for the first time in 90 years.

2016 – Katie Ledecky won the 200-meter, 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle at the same Olympics. She was the first swimmer to win all three at the same Olympics since Debbie Meyer in 1968.

MOUNT PLEASANT – Iowa Wesleyan University is set to host a wrestling camp on August 11th, 12th, and 13th.

The camp is is available to grades K-12 and is open to boys on August 11th, girls on August 12th, and boys and girls on August 13th. The cost to participate is $50 per wrestler per day.

The camp will be from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day with a break for wrestlers from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Head Wrestling Coach Jake Kadel at jacob.kadel@iw.edu.

More information and a link to sign up is available here.

NEW LONDON – The Southeast Iowa Super Conference All-Conference Baseball Awards have been announced. The State Champion New London Tigers had several honorees.

South Division

First Team

Pitcher – Dereck Santiago, Senior

Catcher – Tucker Gibbar, Senior

Infield – Kooper Schulte, Senior

Infield – Carter Allen, Senior

Outfield – Josh Catala, Senior

Camden Kasel, Senior

Utility – Ryan Richey, Senior

Second Team

Pitcher – Seth Bailey, Senior

Honorable Mentions

Drew Benz

Brendan Richey

Coaching Staff of the Year

Head Coach – Brad Helmerson

Assistant Coaches – Justin Schulte, Jayden Flowers

CARROLL – New London Baseball are the Class 1A Baseball State Champions! The Tigers defeated the Remsen St. Mary’s Hawks 8-7 in thrilling fashion Friday afternoon to claim their first state title in program history.

Senior Tucker Gibbar hit a solo home run in the 4th inning to get the scoring started for New London. The Hawks had the bases loaded with 1 out in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Tigers then forced a rare 1-2-3 double play to end the ball game and claim the title for the Tigers.

Friday’s championship win was New London Head Coach Brad Helmerson’s final game as Head Coach for New London. Helmerson told KILJ’s Parker Testa following the game, “I don’t know how it feels yet. I don’t think it’s settled in.” Helmerson said. “It’s special for the kids. Not many championship games end in a 1-2-3 double play. That’s amazing. These guys are something else.”

Class 1A State Baseball Tournament

The matchup for the IAHSAA Class 1A State Baseball is set. Remsen St. Mary’s will take on New London on Friday at 12:00 PM. Undefeated Remsen St. Mary’s defeated Kingsley-Pierson 10-0 in 5 innings on Wednesday afternoon to advance to the title game.

New London defeated Newman Catholic 16-1 in 4 innings Wednesday night. Tucker Gibbar went 2 for 3 at the plate with a walk and 3 RBIs. Carter Allen went 2 for 3 with a double and 3 RBIs. Seth Bailey pitched the complete game allowing 1 run on 4 hits with 4 strikeouts. New London Baseball advances to their first state championship in program history. New London will face off with Remsen St. Mary’s tomorrow at 12:00 PM. Live coverage will be available on 105.5 KILJ.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The Continental Athletic Conference announced multiple awards and recognized multiple administrators, coaches, and student-athletes for their accomplishments over the course of the 2021-22 athletic year. Iowa Wesleyan’s Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, Marketing, and Communications, Courtney Carl, was recognized with the Sports Information Director of the Year award. 

“Iowa Wesleyan is grateful for Courtney’s efforts throughout her career at Iowa Wesleyan,” said Vice President for Advancement and Athletics, Derek Zander. “You cannot say enough about Courtney and her dedication to our programs, student-athletes, and the university.”

This Day in Sports History

1963 – Jack Nicklaus wins his first of 5 PGA Championships by 2 shots over Dave Ragan

1975 – Texas Rangers fire their manager Billy Martin

1989 – Mike Tyson knocks out Carl Williams in 1:33 for the heavyweight boxing title

1991 – Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry, Rod Carew, Tony Lazzeri, and Bill Veeck are elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York

2013 – Phil Mickelson won his 5th major when he won the British Open, beating out Henrik Stenson by 3 strokes

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant Baseball had multiple honorees in the 2022 Southeast Conference All-Conference Awards. Senior Cooper Keldgord and Junior Carter Amos were honored with 2^nd Team All SEC. Junior Jake Ensminger and Senior Lincoln Henriksen were honorable mentions. Senior Dalton Church, Junior Elliott Cook, Junior Garrett Cook, Senior Lincoln Henriksen, and Junior Zerek Venghaus were honored with Academic All-SEC.

Mount Pleasant Middle School is hosting a Back to School 3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament coming up on August 20^th. The tournament is open to 3^rd through 8^th graders. The cost to enter is $60 per team and registration is due by August 15^th. With questions, you can contact Ronnie Ashton at reash10@yahoo.com.

New London

The 3 seed New London Tigers defeated the 6 seed CAM Cougars 12-3 last night in the quarterfinal round of the Class 1A Baseball State Tournament in Carroll. New London improves to 29-1 on the season. Senior Dereck Santiago was 1 for 2 with a walk and 3 RBIs. Santiago hit the bases clearing double in the second inning to give New London a 5-0 lead. Senior Tucker Gibbar went 1 for 3 with 2 walks and 3 RBIs. New London will take on the 2 seed Newman Catholic Knights in the semifinals. That game is set for 7 PM and live coverage will be available on KILJ.

This Day in Sports History

1909 – Cy Young earned his 500^th career victory

1966 – The first major league game to be played on artificial turf took place at the Astrodome in Houston

1989 – NFL owners vote unanimously to form the World League of American Football, which operated from 1991 through 2007

1990 – Cincinnati Red Pete Rose is sentenced to 5 months for tax evasion

1991 – Cal Ripken Jr. plays in his 1500^th consecutive game

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant Baseball had multiple honorees in the 2022 Southeast Conference All-Conference Awards. Senior Cooper Keldgord and Junior Carter Amos were honored with 2^nd Team All SEC. Junior Jake Ensminger and Senior Lincoln Henriksen were honorable mentions. Senior Dalton Church, Junior Elliott Cook, Junior Garrett Cook, Senior Lincoln Henriksen, and Junior Zerek Venghaus were honored with Academic All-SEC.

Mount Pleasant Middle School is hosting a Back to School 3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament coming up on August 20^th. The tournament is open to 3^rd through 8^th graders. The cost to enter is $60 per team and registration is due by August 15^th. With questions, you can contact Ronnie Ashton at reash10@yahoo.com.

New London

New London Baseball will play their quarterfinal game of the Class 1A state tournament against CAM this afternoon at 4:30 PM in Carroll. New London was defeated by Kee 4-3 in the quarterfinal round of last year’s tournament. Live coverage of the quarterfinal game against CAM this afternoon will be available on KILJ.

This Day in Sports History

1927 – Ty Cobb set a major league baseball record by getting his 4,000th career hit. He hit 4,191 before he retired in 1928.

1964 – Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds hit the only grand slam home run of his career.

1987 – Yankees’ Don Mattingly hit a home run in an 8^th consecutive game, tying a record.

2008 – Billy Joel performs the last of two concerts dubbed the “The Last Play at Shea.” The final concert event before the demolition of Shea Stadium which was built in 1964. Featured guests include Roger Daltrey, Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney.

CARROLL – The Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A Baseball State Tournament will get underway on July 18th. All the 1A State Tournament games are taking place at Merchants Park in Carroll, Iowa.  Below is a list of the seedings followed by the first round games. This article will be updated as games are played.

Seeds

1. Remsen St. Mary’s (33-0)
2. Newman Catholic (32-3)
3. New London (28-1)
4. North Linn (31-2)
5. Kingsley-Pierson (26-4)
6. CAM (27-2)
7. Lisbon (24-5)
8. South Winneshiek (23-8)

Quarterfinal Matchups – Monday, July 18

11:00 AM – 4. North Linn vs. 5. Kingsley-Pierson

1:30 PM – 1. Remsen St. Marys vs. 8. South Winneshiek

4:30 PM – 3. New London vs. 6. CAM (Live Coverage on 105.5 KILJ)

7:00 PM – 2. Newman Catholic vs. 7. Lisbon

Semifinal Matchups – Wednesday, July 20

4:30 PM

7:00 PM

Championship Game – Friday, July 22

12:00 PM