Sports, December 22nd

High School Basketball

The #10 Mediapolis girls’ team blanketed West Burlington over the weekend 59-18. Grace Holsteen and Josie Hutcheson each cashed in for three three-pointers for 15 points apiece. 

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team nearly pulled off the upset against Fort Madison over the weekend, falling 45-39. The Nike boys’ team had no issue, clobbering the Bloodhounds 97-43 to remain undefeated on the season. 

Danville swept Clark County over the weekend with the girls’ team winning 61-16 and the boys’ team handling business in a 76-51 final. Alaina Gourley collected 19 points in the victory. 

High School Wrestling

The Fort Madison boys’ team hosted their two-day invitational over the weekend and Burlington Notre Dame captured 4th place as a team and two individual champions.

The Nikes leaned on Kohen Dietzenbach, who gutted out an 11-8 decision victory in the championship match of the 113-pound weight class to finish the tournament 6-0, and Kael Cook, who dominated his way to a 7-0 record and the gold in the 150-pound weight class. Jared Glendening and Colt Boyles each took 2nd place in their respective weight classes. 

Mt. Pleasant took home 12th place as a team with 194.5 points. Keegan Birdsell led the Panther effort, collecting six victories and claiming 4th place in the 165-pound weight class. Jefferson Avalos Ramirez took home 5th place with a major decision win in his last match of the tournament. Levi Evans, Aven Beauchamp, and Juan Lopez each snatched 6th place in their respective weight classes. 

New London had Kane Forseen and Riley Merschman lead the Tigers with 8th place finishes. Leo Jirak of Van Buren County snatched 3rd place with a victory by fall over James Fuller of Fort Madison and Mediapolis’s Kyler Crow marched his way to the silver medal in the 175-pound weight class, while Mason Johnson took 4th place. 

The Fairfield boys’ team participated in the Bill Van Horn Invitational and claimed 85.5 points for 12th place overall. In his first action of the season, Cael McCabe pinned all of his opponents in the first round to win the 113-pound weight class. Dain Burkhart finished the weekend 4-1 to grab the bronze medal. 

The Wapello and WACO boys’ teams took 6th and 7th place as a team, respectively, at the Regal Invitational over the weekend. Wapello was led by Cohen Wolford as he grabbed 2nd place and Grayson Nagle, whose major decision victory was good enough for 3rd place. 

WACO’s Ian Maize and Braxton Stauffer each earned three victories to win their respective weight classes. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team made the trip to North Linn for an Invitational over the weekend and claimed 2nd place with 157.5 points. The Wildcats had a trio of champions in Justin Knipfer (106-pound weight class), Dakota Aney (113-pound weight class), and Bowen Thomson (132-pound weight class). 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and Burlington girls’ teams competed in the Bubba Randles Winter Classic over the weekend and the Wildcats claimed 24th place, while the Grayhounds claimed 9th place with 92 points. 

For the Wildcats, Jada Moats took 8th place in the 190-pound weight class, which included Burlington’s Kylee Hill, who won her 3rd place match by fall. Mia Oddo replicated her results in the 140-pound weight class with a first-round pin.  

The WACO and Wapello girls’ teams made the trip to Chariton for the Warhorse Invitational over the weekend and the Arrows produced a champion at the meet.

Kenadee Helscher of Wapello managed to stay unbeaten on the season, winning all three of her matches by fall in the 105-pound weight class. Clara Ball snatched 5th place in the 115-pound weight class.

Lastly, WACO’s Makayla Morrison finished in 6th place in the 120-pound weight class. 

All teams are on winter break.

College Football

#23 Iowa will take on #14 Vanderbilt on December 31st at 11 am for the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida. 

College Basketball

The #10 Iowa State women’s team avoided the upset with a Kenzie Hare buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat Kansas 79-76 yesterday. Audi Crooks continued to dominate with 41 of the team’s 79 points. The Cyclones will get back to action on December 31st against Houston on the road at 1 pm.

The #11 Iowa women’s team had no answer for #1 UConn over the weekend, falling 90-64. Hannah Stuelke led the team with 17 points. The Hawkeyes will take on Penn State for the Big Ten Home Opener on Sunday, December 28th, at 3 pm.

The Iowa men’s team laughed Bucknell out of the gym 94-39 on Saturday. Alvaro Folgueiras notched 17 points in the victory. The Hawkeyes will get a week off before hosting UMass Lowell on December 29th at 4 pm. 

The #4 Iowa State men’s team handled Long Beach State yesterday, 91-60. Joshua Jefferson (19 points and 10 rebounds) and Blake Buchanan (13 points and 13 rebounds) each notched double-doubles in the winning effort. The Cyclones will face off against Houston Christian on December 29th at 7 pm at home. 

This Day in Sports History

1917 – In the NHL’s first official week of play, three players score hat tricks in the same game, for the same team; Corb Denneny, Reg Noble, and Harry Meeking each notch a hat trick for the Toronto Arenas in an 11-4 win over the Ottawa Senators.

1969 – Pete Maravich sets an NCAA record of hitting 30 of 31 foul shots.

1997 – Scotty Bowman’s Red Wings beat the Boston Bruins 4-2, giving him 200 wins with Detroit and making him the first NHL coach to record 200 wins with three different teams.

Sheryl Ann Carhoff

Sheryl Ann Carhoff, 71, of Cedar Rapids and formerly of Mount Pleasant, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral arrangements for Sheryl are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant.

December 22, 2025 – December 28, 2025

12/22/25
Nick Norton
12/22/25
Janice Jones
12/23/25
Layke Millspaugh
12/23/25
Grant Smithburg
12/23/25
Rhett Reisdorf
12/23/25
Emma Stewart
12/23/25
Carla Septer
12/24/25
Trudy Hutchinson
12/24/25
Linwood Miller
12/24/25
Leilani Lalaga
12/24/25
Calvin & Rachel Litwiller *Anniversary
12/26/25
Kalvin Hobbs
12/26/25
Rande McAllister
12/26/25
Kale Housh - 18
12/26/25
Sophia Greiner - 4
12/26/2025
Kristy Anderson
12/27/25
Grace Davidson
12/26/25
Cara Maskrey
12/27/25
Brandon Erickson
12/27/25
Sheryl Woerdman
12/26/25
Kalvin Hobbs
12/27/25
Larry Ford
12/28/25
Rallon "Rallie" Messer 85th

MP Parks & REC Youth Basketball Registration

The Parks and Rec Department is looking for volunteer coaches for the 3rd and 4th grade basketball league which is coming up in January and February.  The registration deadline for students has been extended Kids until 12/31/25. Please contact the Mt. Pleasant Parks and Rec Department in City Hall for more information.

Sports, December 20th

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant lost a pair of games to Washington last night 44-22 in the girls’ game and 55-47 in the boys’ game. The Demons went on a 20 to 3 run in the second half to take control of the boys’ game. Abi Shelangoski chipped in four points, while the boys’ team was led by Isaiah Lange’s 15 points. The Panthers head into winter break.

Fairfield was squashed by Keokuk last night, 63-19 in the girls’ game and 88-54 in the boys’ game as Jaxon Clark dropped 50 points for the Chiefs. The Trojans will head into winter break. 

The Central Lee boys’ team handled West Burlington last night 67-41. The Hawks and West Burlington boys’ team will head into the break. 

New London was swept by Mediapolis last night 76-13 in the girls’ game and 84-57 in the boys’ game. Amelia Grier led the way with 18 points for the Bulldogs. 

The #10 Mediapolis girls’ team will host West Burlington today at noon.

The Wapello girls’ team rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Columbus 48-40 last night. Macey Kuntz collected 18 points in the victory. Both teams will head into winter break.

The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ team collected their first victory of the season last night in a thrilling 30-28 final over Burlington Notre Dame, while the Nike boys’ team extinguished the Crusader boys’ team 59-43, despite 15 points from Layne Rung. 

Burlington Notre Dame will face off against Fort Madison today with the girls’ tipping-off at 2 pm at home.

Danville split their night against Van Buren County with the girls’ team falling 59-41 and the boys’ team throttling the Warriors 68-28. Violette Sowell led the Bears with 17 points in the loss. 

Danville will host Clark County today with the girls’ team playing first at 3:30 pm.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant participated in a quad at Burlington yesterday and the girls’ team exited with the victory, bowling a 1,846, while the boys’ team finished in fourth place with 2,140 pins. Central Lee snatched 2nd place for the boys’ team and 3rd place for the girls’ team.

High School Wrestling

The New London, Mt. Pleasant, Van Buren County, Mediapolis, and Burlington Notre Dame boys’ teams will wrestle at day two of the Fort Madison Invitational today.

The Fairfield boys’ team will compete at the Pella Invitational today.

The WACO and Wapello boys’ teams will participate in the Regina Invitational today.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will wrestle at the North Linn Invitational today. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will travel to Prairie today for an invite.

The WACO and Wapello girls’ teams will compete in the Warhorse Invitational today.

College Football

#23 Iowa will take on #14 Vanderbilt on December 31st at 11 am for the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida. 

College Basketball

The #10 Iowa State women’s team will prepare to host their first conference game of the season against Kansas tomorrow, December 21st, at 1 pm.

The #11 Iowa women’s team will face off against #1 UConn in the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic today at 12:30 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team will travel to play Bucknell tonight at 5 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call.

The #4 Iowa State men’s team will stay at home to take on Long Beach State tomorrow at 5 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1921 – The American League votes to return to a best-of-7 World Series, while the National League votes for a best-of-9; Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis casts the deciding vote for a best-of-7. 

1966 – The NBA awards the Seattle Supersonics a franchise for the 1967-68 season. 

1979 – Behn Wilson scores the game-tying power play goal with 4:08 remaining in regulation to keep the Philadelphia Flyers unbeaten streak alive at 28 — tying the NHL record for longest undefeated stretch — in a 1-1 draw with the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Spectrum.

Richard M. Noble

Richard M. “Dick” Noble, 84, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 9:25 a.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the West Point Care Center in West Point.

He was born on February 4, 1941, in Niota, Illinois, the son of Melvin and Ruby (Rogers) Noble. On July 7, 1961, he married Reita Cline in Kahoka, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife: Reita; daughter: Leanne Stuekerjuergen; son: Bruce Noble; five grandchildren: Tori (Steve) Odie, Kaci (Tommy) Loggia, Nick (April) Stuekerjuergen, Courtney (Alan) Fitzwater, Hunter Noble; great grandchildren: Ayden, Rorie, Enzo, Carter, Jaxson and bonus daughter: Susan Everman. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister: Betty Mayfield.

Dick graduated from Colusa High School. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Ferrosil in Keokuk. He was a member of New London Christian Church and the Two Rivers Tractor Club. Dick enjoyed purple martins, John Deere, classic cars, all of his pups, grand pups, friends pups and more.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A celebration of Dick’s life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2025, at Sonny’s Other Side on the east side of the square in West Point.

A memorial has been established in his memory for West Point Care Center activities.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Compassus Hospice and the West Point Care Center.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

 

Elaine C. Haigh

Elaine C. Haigh, 88, of Ottumwa Vista Woods Care Center, formerly of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 7:40 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Vista Woods Care Center.

She was born on April 5, 1937, in Nelson, Wisconsin, the daughter of Ole T. and Anna M. (Thompson) Thompson. On July 5, 1958, she married Lyle Haigh at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Alma, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death on January 30, 2022.

She is survived by her children: Norman Haigh of West Point, Iowa, Clarice (Mike) Hutchens of Ballwin, Missouri, Steven (Jill) Haigh of Ottumwa, Iowa; nine grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; two sisters: Elizabeth Kriebich of River Falls Wisconsin, Kathleen Reick of Durand, Wisconsin. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Lyle; twin sons: Thomas and George; one daughter: Sharon Frazer.

Elaine graduated from Nelson High School then attended nursing school. She worked at West Point Care Center then at the Mental Health Institute in Mt. Pleasant as a registered nurse. She was a member of St. James the Less Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society of the church, former member of the Daughters of Isabella, past Regent State Secretary of the Madonna Circle and a member of the St. Paul Quilters. For many years, Elaine and Lyle were proud to donate the cranberries for the St. James God’s Acre Sale. She also enjoyed quilting, crossword puzzles, reading and browsing on Facebook.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be held at 5:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026, at St. James Catholic Church in St. Paul with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

Burial will be in St. James Cemetery in St. Paul.

Memorials have been established in her memory for St. James Catholic Church or Holy Trinity Catholic Schools.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.