Prep Girls’ Soccer: IGHSAU Releases First Rankings of the 2025 Season

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 at 2:16 pm CDT

Prep Girls’ Soccer- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) released their first top 15 rankings of the 2025 girls’ soccer season and last year’s champions are not the favorites heading into the season.

Class 1A

It was a bit of a shock when Nevada, as the #4-seed, shutdown the #2-seed Denver 2-0 in last year’s Class 1A championship. Despite the loss last year, Denver sits atop the preseason rankings with Nevada and Treynor flanking at the #2 and #3 slots, respectively.

Beyond the shakeup, last year’s top teams are scattered amongst the top nine for the preseason spots with the sole exception of Des Moines Christian, who did not qualify for the state tournament a season ago.

Class 2A

Waverly-Shell Rock was ousted from the quarterfinals in last year’s state tournament by North Scott in an upset. The experts expect that to fuel the Go-Hawks this season as they sit atop the mountain with 2024’s champion, Dallas Center-Grimes at #2.

Despite winning just nine games last year, Xavier enters as the #3 team in this preseason breakdown with their sophomore phenoms from a year ago returning. Macie Herting and Reese Komenda combined for 20 goals and 50 points, and they return their goalie Lani Kunz, who tabbed a save percentage of 88.7% for the year.

North Scott is ranked back at #10 and North Polk finds themselves sitting at #6 after a 19-2 season was spoiled in the championship game by the Mustangs.

Class 3A

The wildly competitive Class 3A will again be shaping up to be an entertaining race towards the championship after Bettendorf surprised everyone as the #7-seed and defeated another shocking squad, the #5-seed Valley, 3-1, for the Class 3A championship.

Even with that being said, Ankeny will enter the year as the #1 team followed by Valley and Waukee, respectively, and Bettendorf back at the #4-slot. For a change in the program, #13 Dowling Catholic and #15 Prairie are ranked to start the year despite both teams ending last year three games under 0.500.

The Maroons return a young team from a season ago with all their goal-scorers coming back and both goalies return inside the pipes as their defense ranked 15th in Class 3A in goals allowed. Prairie is in a similar position with an offense that struggled to produce last year but with both goalies making a return with save percentages at 75% or better.

More

For a full list of the rankings, click on this link: IGHSAU Preseason Soccer Rankings

Donald LeRoy Roland

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 at 9:07 am CDT

Donald LeRoy Roland, 98, of Addington Place in Fairfield, passed away Monday, March 31, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 7, 2025 at Faith Methodist Church in Libertyville with Rev. John D. Boatman officiating. Burial will be at Fell Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Faith Methodist Church or Jefferson County Park. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Don was born December 21, 1926, the son of Trevor Sutton and Violet Chloe (Wireman) Roland. He was raised on a Century Farm south of Fairfield. He married Mary Ellen Eklund, July 2, 1946 in Edina, Missouri. They were married for over 72 years before she preceded him in death October 5, 2018.

Don worked at Fairfield Dairy where he delivered milk and made cottage cheese (which he loved to tell the details on how it was made). He also worked at American Chain and Cable until its closing and then for Falco until he retired. Don kept busy with his farming and tending his cattle. His grandkids would love when he’d call the cows in to feed them corn. Don was an avid hunter of especially deer and turkey.  He enjoyed fishing and canoeing, mushroom hunting and made homemade wine. Don loved camping and being outdoors and even baling hay with mom driving the tractor at times and loading it up in the barn in his later years by himself. He never backed down from a hard day’s work.  In his later years he loved mowing and still had a garden where he’d share the fruits of his labor.
Don enjoyed going to church and visiting with friends. He never knew a stranger.

Those left to honor his memory are his two daughters, Barbara Kiernan of Weston, Florida and Kristi (Richard) Dlouhy of Pinehurst, North Carolina; one son, Gary (Amie) Roland of Ankeny, Iowa; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one sister, Verda Hall of Fairfield. He will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, James Roland, Henry Roland, Velma Roland; and son-in-law, Peter Kiernan.

Online condolences may be made to Don’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

Sports, April 2nd

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track

The Falcon Relays ran last night for our local girls’ teams and history was made for the Panthers before the night’s end. Competing in Class A, Mt. Pleasant won seven events. The team of Kiyah Sanders, Alex Scott, Taylor Williamson, and Kynlee White hit the Drake Blue Standard mark in the 4×100 meter relay with a time of 50.47 seconds. Izzy Sloat would join Sanders, Scott, and White to set a meet record with a time of 1 minute and 48 seconds in the 4×200. The sprint medley team of Freeman, Sanders, Scott, and White grabbed 1st place as did the team of Jaden Yoder, Williamson, Abbi Shelangoski, and Meadow Carter in the shuttle hurdle relay. The 4×800 meter relay squad of Monroe James, Bella Dodds, Alexis Wagner, and Quintrie Lee took 1st place with a time of 10 minutes and 54 seconds. In the field events, the Panthers dominated the shot put with Ella Ensminger winning the event with a toss of 35 feet and 2 inches followed by Ava English and Savannah Slobodnik in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

Also in Class A, West Burlington/Notre Dame took the gold in the 1600-medley relay with a time of 4 minutes and 46 seconds. 

Over in Class B, Danville’s Delaney Newberry sprinted to the gold in the 100-meter dash with a time of 14.3 seconds. Alaina Gourley finished in 1st place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1 minute and 1 second. Addison Henklevig was the last 1st place winner of the night for the Bears in the 1500-meter run with a time of 6 minutes and 17 seconds.

Mediapolis dominated the relay events, winning the 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, 4×800, and Sprint Medley relays.

For WACO, Carlee Lunsford took the 800-meter run with a time 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The distance medley won the event. Josie Dykstra grabbed 1st place in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute and 16 seconds. Bren Graber leapt 4 feet and 10 inches in the high jump to win the gold.

Kynlee Buffington led Winfield-Mt. Union with two 1st place finishes, winning the 200-meter dash with a time of 28.88 seconds and the long jump with a leap of 16 feet and 5 inches. Josie Nelson finished in 1st place in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.91 seconds.

Lastly, New London’s Irelynn Kelly grabbed 2nd place in the 3000-meter run.

The Wapello Coed relays were canceled last night. 

Mt. Pleasant will host a Co-ed meet tomorrow, April 3rd, with Fairfield, the Mediapolis boys’ team, and West Burlington-Notre Dame making the trip.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will host an invitational tomorrow with Van Buren County, WACO, Central Lee, and Wapello participating. 

The Van Buren County boys’ team will host a meet tomorrow with WACO competing.

New London will travel to Danville to compete in a meet on Friday, April 4th. 

Columbus will make the trip to Liberty High School on Saturday, April 5th, for a Co-ed invitational. 

High School Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will start the season against Davis County tomorrow, April 3rd. The boys’ team will host Davis County, while the girls’ team will hit the road.

Fairfield will face off against Fort Madison tomorrow with the boys’ team at home and the girls on the road.

High School Golf

The Central Lee, Burlington Notre Dame, and Holy Trinity Catholic boys’ teams will participate in the Keokuk Invite tomorrow, April 3rd. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Highland tomorrow. 

WACO will hit the road tomorrow to take on Lone Tree. 

Mediapolis will take on Danville at the Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club tomorrow.

Wapello will travel to Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow.

New London will square off against Van Buren County on the road tomorrow.

Columbus will tangle with Hillcrest Academy tomorrow at Kalona Golf Course. 

High School Soccer

The Central Lee girls’ team tied Centerville last night 1-1, while the boys’ team shutout Centerville 6-0 as Zach Estrada nabbed two goals and an assist. The Central Lee girls’ team will travel to Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow, April 3rd, at 5 pm.

The Central Lee boys’ team will travel to Fairfield tomorrow at 5 pm.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team fell to Assumption last night 3-0. The Nikes will compete against Hillcrest Academy on Friday, April 4th, at 5 pm on the road. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team rang in the new season with an offensive flurry, routing Danville 10-0 last night. Dylan White, Kohen Cass, and Jonah Zimmer each scored two goals for the Panthers, while Akbar Wilson collected a goal and a couple of assists. Head coach Rocco Russo was proud of his team’s performance, especially with how his team shared the ball,

“It sure is. You know, we’ve practiced for two weeks now and all we’ve been talking about with the boys is making sure that we’re connecting good passes to our feet and making sure we’re playing as a team and not selfish. And I think we saw a lot of that today. There was a lot of good soccer being played by our boys, you know, so it’s a good start.”

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team took on Mediapolis last night and the game ended in a 1-1 tie. Katelyn Campbell had the lone goal for the Bulldogs. 

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Clear Creek Amana tomorrow with the girls’ team competing in their home opener and the boys’ team traveling north with gametime at 5 pm.

The Danville boys’ team will take on Mediapolis on April 10th at home with gametime at 5:30 pm.

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union split their matchup against Washington last night with the girls’ team losing 2-0 and the boys’ team sneaking past the Demons 3-2. Mediapolis will face off against Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union tomorrow at the Muscatine Soccer Complex.

The WACO boys’ team will take on Wapello on the road tomorrow at 5 pm.

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The softball team will face off against St. Louis Community College on Sunday, April 6th, on the road in a doubleheader. 

The baseball team had their home doubleheader against Kirkwood Community College changed to tomorrow, April 3rd, with game one at 3 pm.

College Basketball

Iowa’s Payton Sandfort will compete at the State Farm College Dunk and Three-Point Championships tomorrow, April 3rd. Sandfort tallied 1,619 points in his career, the 11th most in program history, and made the second-most three-pointers all-time with 271. He is just the seventh Hawkeye to compete in the event and will look to become the second one to win it after Peter Jok in 2017. 

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, is gearing up for a tight finish with only four teams left in the bracket. It is the first time since 2008 and just the second time ever that the Final Four consists of all #1 seeds. 

You can find the updated standings here: KILJ Bracket Challenge Standings

This Day in Sports History

1931 – 17-year old Jackie Mitchell strikes out New York Yankees stars Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in an exhibition baseball game at Engel Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

1984 – 46th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Georgetown beats Houston, 84-75; Hoyas center Patrick Ewing is named tournament MOP; John Thompson became the first African-American head coach to lead his team to any NCAA Division I title.

1996 – Detroit Tigers slugger Cecil Fielder steals his first base in his 1,097th career game, a 10-6 win at the Minnesota Twins. It’s the most games played in Major League Baseball history by a player before their first stolen base.

Mount Pleasant Planning and Zoning Commission Approves Sonic Site Plan

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 at 6:12 am CDT

At its latest meeting, the Mount Pleasant Planning and Zoning Commission approved the site plan for a new Sonic restaurant, recommending it for final approval by the City Council.

The main agenda item was the consideration of the Sonic site plan. The commission heard from city staff, who confirmed that the proposed restaurant meets all local building codes and ordinances. The plan includes the addition of a new fire hydrant in the northwest corner of the property, a requirement set by the utility department to improve fire safety in the area. Public Works and utility officials had already signed off on the plan. Gary Shahan with Building & Zoning thinks the plan is sufficient.

 

A significant portion of the discussion centered around traffic flow. The Sonic development is part of a larger site that includes a Jimmy John’s and a T-Mobile store, with shared access roads and utilities. Some commissioners raised concerns about how vehicles would enter and exit Sonic, particularly since traffic would need to pass through the Jimmy John’s lot. Questions were also raised about whether an additional entrance on the south side of the Sonic property would help ease congestion.

Despite these concerns, the commission ultimately agreed that the existing traffic plan—developed when the entire site was first planned—was sufficient. The motion to approve the site plan was passed unanimously. With no further public comments or additional business, the meeting was adjourned.

Fairfield Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Prescription Drug Diversion

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 at 5:29 am CDT

A Fairfield pharmacist has admitted to stealing thousands of prescription pills from his own pharmacy, pleading guilty to charges of prescription drug diversion on March 27, 2025.

According to public court documents, Bryan Paul Vander Linden, 42, acknowledged that between June 2022 and at least November 2023, he illegally obtained prescription medications from Summit Pharmacy of Iowa, which he owned and operated. Prosecutors say Vander Linden acquired the drugs for personal use by ordering but not reporting them in the pharmacy’s inventory, taking them from stock, or retrieving pills from the controlled substance collection bin.

Authorities report that Vander Linden obtained more than 3,500 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills—both classified as Schedule II controlled substances—along with more than 400 carisoprodol pills, a Schedule IV muscle relaxant.

Vander Linden is set to be sentenced on July 28, 2025. He faces a potential prison sentence of up to four years, though a federal district court judge will ultimately determine the punishment, taking into account the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced the guilty plea. The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

David Franklin Brown – PENDING

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 4:22 pm CDT

David Franklin Brown, 78, of Danville, died Monday, March 31, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

Harley “Jim” Bloomquist

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 4:20 pm CDT
EPSON MFP image

Harley “Jim” Bloomquist, 91, of Lone Tree, formerly of Conesville, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Columbus Junction.  Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be in the Columbus City Cemetery.  Following the committal service, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Columbus Junction American Legion.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the United Presbyterian Church of Lone Tree in memory of Jim.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Harley James Bloomquist was born on February 17, 1934, in Milton, Iowa, the son of Harley John and Irene Catherine (Smith) Bloomquist.  Growing up, he lived on farms near Wyman, Iowa and Letts, Iowa. Jim played baseball in high school, was a 1952 graduate of Letts High School and then attended Iowa State University.  On May 15, 1954, Jim was united in marriage to Margaret Caroline Bell in Riverside, Iowa.  Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army from Jan 1954 to Jan 1956 in Korea and Hawaii.  He was active in 4-H, winning the grand champion steer at the Louisa County Fair in 1948 was the highlight.  Following his footsteps, Jean, Mike and Steve were all active in 4-H and he served as a softball coach for the Lucky Clovers and a leader/softball coach for the Oakland Raiders..

Jim was a farmer and at one time had land in four different counties.  With help from Mike and Steve, he raised hogs, cattle, corn, beans, hay, oats and even sheep for a short time.  After retirement, he and Margaret had large gardens and traveled to many places with the Hills Bank Friends Club and in their fifth wheel.  They spent the winter in Harlingen, TX for over 30 years.  Jim was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Lone Tree, serving as both an elder and dishwasher, Louisa County Cattlemen’s Association, Farm Bureau and Columbus Junction Lions Club.  He loved the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes and created a whole family that loves them too.

Jim will be deeply missed by his wife, Margaret of Lone Tree; his children, Jean Bloomquist of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Michael (Jeanette) Bloomquist of Letts and Steven (Dawn) Bloomquist of Fruitland; grandchildren, Stephanie Bloomquist, Allison (William Wells) Bloomquist, Amber Bodman, Erin (Jared) Kary, Mitchel Bloomquist, Anita (Zeke) Purdy, Maxwell (Emily) Bloomquist, Haley Bloomquist, Tara Wise, Cody (Kayla) Massey, Dani Massey, Kaine Bloomquist; great-grandchildren, McKenna (Rick) Fossen, Riley Swehla, Boston Garland, Tatum Costas, Payton Costas, Isabella Kary, Abigail Kary, Everett Purdy, Elliott Purdy, soon to come Emmett Purdy, Jimmy Bloomquist, Weston Wise, Brylee Wise, Keegan Massey and Avery Massey; great-great grandchild soon to come baby, Fossen; sister-in-law, Joyce Hartzler and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Rose Crone; many brothers and sisters in law and two nephews.

Maynard G. Palmer

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 4:18 pm CDT

Maynard G. Palmer, 79, of Morning Sun, passed away on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.  Visitation will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services in Morning Sun.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the funeral home.  Burial will be in the Fulton Cairo Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Maynard.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Maynard Glenn Palmer was born on April 5, 1945, in Iowa City, Iowa the son of Edward and Margaret (Evans) Palmer.  On December 7, 1963, Maynard was united in marriage to Dixie L. McCulley in Winfield.  He was a truck driver for Gabeline Trucking, worked for Hawkeye Concrete in Mediapolis, Thomas Trucking and Screamer Express.  During his working career, Maynard owned and operated, Morning Sun Towing, served as a Louisa County Reserved Deputy Sheriff and was on the Morning Sun Fire Department.  He enjoyed camping, drinking free beer and whiskey, playing cards, trucking, watching NASCAR, with his favorite drivers being Sterling Marlin and Martin Truex, but most of all, Maynard loved to spend time with his family, especially the grandchildren.

Maynard will be deeply missed by his wife, Dixie of Morning Sun; son, Sonny (Judy) Palmer of Winfield; step-son, Karl Wilz of Kirksville; grandchildren, Missy Campbell of Mt. Pleasant, Kevin (Samantha) Palmer of Winfield and Jessica Palmer of Winfield; great-grandchildren, Madison, Julie, Jacie, Wyatt, Abigail, Timber, Oakley and Maxlynn; great-great grandson, Walker and siblings, Gary Palmer of Creston, Bob (Redna) Palmer of Muscatine, Loretta (Eugene) Andrew of Burlington, Nita (Jim) Carlson of New Port Ritchie, Florida and Jean (Joe) Johnson of Washington.

Maynard was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Dale Palmer, Faylon Palmer, Gladys Beenblossom, Dewayne Palmer, Harlon Palmer, Clair Palmer, Francis Palmer, Karl Palmer and Nadine Walker and sister-in-law, Theresa Palmer.