From Senator Mark Lofgren

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 3:13 pm CDT
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Dear Senate District 48,

– Week 6 – 

This Week in the Senate

The first six weeks of the legislative session have flown by. It has really helped that the weather has been so nice, allowing all legislators the benefit of safe travel to and from the Capitol. The current snow storm aside, it has been an unusually mild winter in Iowa so far, and I am most thankful for that!

UNI Day at the Capitol
Tuesday was University of Northern Iowa Day at the Capitol. With it also being Valentine’s Day, normally a day to display the pink and red, the Capitol was swarming with Panther Purple. With strong representation from the various colleges; students, staff and alumni were eager to share with legislators and visitors the various projects and learning that are making a difference for Iowans. Brandon Crawford shared with me some of the ways he has been able to assist in the research process that is underway at the Institute for Decision Making on the UNI campus and in outreach across the state.
The Petrichord Quartet from the UNI School of Music performed in the First Floor Rotunda throughout the day!

TC and TK Panther were also present for UNI Day! Pictured with Senator Lofgren: TC Panther and UNI Freshman and MHS Graduate, Kimberly Frisbie

Improving Efficiency and Legitimacy in Iowa’s Public Assistance Programs

Senate Study Bill 1105 started its way through the legislative process this week. This bill is designed to address the issue of errors and fraud in Iowa’s public assistance programs. According to the Iowa City Press Citizen, the total amount of unemployment insurance overpayments for 2022 was up 6,086% since 2017, costing over $129 million in unwarranted spending. Fraud payments were also up 242% last year totaling $13.8 million. This unwarranted spending takes away benefits from those who are legitimately in need. SSB 1105 works to prevent this problem by adapting a more efficient process for identifying eligibility for welfare. Efficient programs and organizations to check employment, assets, residency, and citizenship already exist. The State of Iowa simply needs to use them. SSB 1105 helps ensure these programs are available for Iowans in legitimate need and protects the taxpayer from fraud and government inefficiency.

Ensuring Government Does Not Become Too Large

During her Condition of the State address, Governor Reynolds shared her priority for making government “efficient, effective, and small again,” putting forward a plan for realignment of departments this year. Last year, the departments of Human Services and Public Health were merged into the new Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. This action did not cost any employees their job nor did it downgrade any service. What it did was streamline the organization and allowed for a tight-knit group to work more closely together. The current plan is to continue with this success by streamlining Iowa’s 37 cabinet agencies to 16.  Senate Study Bill 1123 has been put forth to accomplish this goal. Several subcommittees have already met to ensure affected parties can speak and senators can receive public input. I have also sought input from some of the affected department directors on how they foresee this proposal playing out. So far, I have heard positive comments about the governor’s proposal. It has been nearly 40 years since Iowa has taken a comprehensive view of its government structure and doing so now seems appropriate. The goal of this bill will be to reduce unnecessary friction among agencies, improve efficiency and collaboration, and prevent government from enlarging.

Directors Present to Senate Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee
This week the Senate Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee was fortunate to hear from representatives from The University of Northern Iowa. Randy Pilkington and Dan Beenken shared with the committee their various projects and initiatives that are at work in all 99 counties across the state. It was great to learn the ways that UNI is making a difference for small and family businesses in Iowa and how innovation continues to be at the forefront of decision making as they work alongside Iowa Economic Development and our other state universities to promote Iowa Manufacturing 4.0. They also shared how they are partnering with Iowa Workforce Development to promote small business startup in Iowa through IASourcelink. If you or someone you know is looking to start their own business, this is a great place to go for resources on “How to”, “Best Practices” and “Tools” to get you started.

Rural Emergency Health Services a Priority

We also had some floor debate this week. One notable bill, Senate File 75, creates a new license for hospitals, called rural emergency hospitals (REH). A rural emergency hospital means a facility that provides rural emergency health services 24/7 and does not provide any inpatient acute care. This designation would help stabilize rural hospitals that may be struggling and help bring in more money through Medicare. This bill also included state licensure of ambulatory surgical centers to provide better transparency and enforcement of these health facilities. Health care access is a major concern in rural Iowa, and one we hear often about from constituents. Senate File 75, which passed the Senate 48-0, helps keep hospitals open in our rural communities and helps to ensure Iowans have access to important health care services.

Best regards,
Mark

 

 

Senator Mark S. Lofgren
Iowa State Senator
District 48
563-272-8683
mark.lofgren@legis.iowa.gov
Information provided by the Iowa State Senate and House of Representative Caucus Staff

Day Two of Iowa High School Boy’s State Tournament Wrestling: 3 Local Wrestlers Move into the Semifinals for Class 1A

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 1:51 pm CDT

Des Moines, IA- Day two of the Iowa High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament is in the books with our semifinals now set. We’ll take a look at our local wrestlers from Class 1A going by weight class.

In the 106-pound weight class, Codder Malcom of Wapello was eliminated from the tournament by Caleb Hoffman of Kuemper Catholic by fall. Malcom went 1-2 in the tournament.

Gage Samo of WACO was knocked to the consolation bracket in the 113-pound weight class by Cael Morrow of Akron-Westfield on a 6-0 decision. Samo will take on Caleb Swedin of GTRA in the consolation bracket.

In the 126-pound weight class, Gage Burden of New London was eliminated as he fell to Payton Harger of Earlham in the first round of the consolation bracket.

Zach Harbison of Wapello won his first match of the day against Dawson Beyer of Sibley-Ocheyedan on a 5-2 decision. However, Harbison would be eliminated from the 138-pound weight class after falling to the 5th seed Tiernan Boots of Lisbon. Harbison would finish the tournament 2-2.

In the 152-pound weight class, Kyler Crow of Mediapolis is still battling in the consolation bracket as he defeated Verdy Klocke of Pocahontas Area by fall. In his next match, he took on Grant Russell of West Monona-Whiting and won the match via fall. Cooper Gates of West Branch will be his next opponent tomorrow.

The 160-pound weight class has two heavy hitters for Southeastern Iowa with the #5 seed Louden Huisenga of WACO and the #2 seed Dom Lopez of New London. Unfortunately, Huisenga lost to Max McGill of Woodbury Central by injury sending him to take on John McGill of Colfax-Mingo in the consolation bracket. Lopez became the all-time winningest wrestler in Iowa state history at 220 after taking down Andrew Kimball of Don Bosco by major decision. He will take on Kaden Broer of West Monona-Whiting, the 3rd seed, as he searches for the perfect season and his first state championship.

Michael Raines of New London also keeps his hopes alive in the 170-pound weight class consolation bracket as he went 2-0 on the day defeating Logan Wearmouth of Martensdale-St. Mary’s by fall in the first match of the day, then he defeated Owen Hoover of CAM by a 5-1 decision. This sets up a matchup with the 10th seed Jordan Saul of GTRA.

In the 195-pound weight class, Drew Diers of WACO was eliminated by Aiden Sullivan in the first round of the consolation bracket. Trent Wilkerson of New London is moving through the consolation bracket as he defeated Tate Mayer by tech fall in the first round of the consolation bracket, then defeated Corbin Hill of Denver by an 8-1 decision. He will take on Jack Schwenn of Belle Plaine. Josh Glendening of Mediapolis is in the semifinals after he took down Schwenn by major decision. He will battle Nathan Beitz of Maquoketa Valley in a contest between the #2 seed Glendening and the #3 seed Beitz.

Spencer Kessel of Louisa-Muscatine will be moving on to the 220-pound weight class semifinal after taking down Henry Lund of AHSTW by fall. He will face off against the #1 seed, Jared Thiry of Don Bosco.

Stay tuned to KILJ 105.5 FM and kilj.com for more updates throughout the day over the course of the tournament.

Collins Capital Connection

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 10:41 am CDT

To the People of House District 95

 

We’re now wrapping up the sixth week of the legislative session in Des Moines and we are quickly approaching the first legislative funnel. The funnel deadline is one that requires a bill to be passed out of committee in order to be considered yet this session. The only exception to this are bills related to taxes and the state budget.

 

Fighting the WOKE Agenda

This week the House Education Appropriations Subcommittee hosted the President’s of Iowa’s three public universities. The Education Appropriations Subcommittee is the panel charged with determining how much money to give to our three public universities for each fiscal year. As a member of this committee, I had many questions for the Presidents, mostly regarding how they continue to blow through taxpayer dollars when it comes to administrative costs at their institutions. Most alarming though, and something that I was able to confirm with each of them at the hearing, was the salaries of just four of the top DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) posts on campus. Below is a list of these positions and their annual salaries:

  • University of Iowa Associate Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: $255,000 a year.
  • Iowa State Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: $247,000 a year.
  • University of Northern Iowa Chief Diversity Officer AND Director for Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice: over $200,000 a year combined.

This hearing received widespread coverage in the media just due to the nature of my questions, but the point of them was the fact that these costs continue to be passed onto students in the form of higher tuition costs, and increased students fees. This is unacceptable, and all options remain on the table to control these rising costs, and ensure Iowans tax dollars are not being used to push the WOKE agenda.

 

Protect Children, Support Parents – Education Committee Prohibits Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Instruction in K-6

Yesterday the House Education Committee, which I also serve on, passed a bill that does not allow gender identity and sexual orientation instruction to be taught to kindergarten through sixth grade students. Gender identity means a gender-related identity of a person, regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth. Sexual orientation means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.

This means that all instruction regarding human growth and development not only has to be age-appropriate and research-based, but also cannot include promotion or instruction on these topics. Children in these grades should be focused on curriculum and instruction in math, science, language arts and history. There is no compelling reason young children should have class time spent on gender identity and sexual orientation instead of core academic subjects.

 

Transparency for Temp Staffing Agencies in Health Care

This week, the House Health and Human Services Committee unanimously passed House Study Bill 24 to ensure that Iowa’s taxpayer funds are not being gouged by temporary staffing agencies charging health care entities unnecessarily high costs. This bill ensures that temporary nursing staffing agencies (registered nurses, LPNs, CNAs, etc.) are the target of the requirements described below.

This bill helps provide transparency in pricing by requiring these temp nursing agencies report quarterly a detailed list of the average amount charged to the health care entity for each agency worker category, and average amount paid by the agency to the agency workers for each worker category. The bill also requires these health care employment agencies to register with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, and requires DIA to investigate complaints against these agencies. Most importantly, this bill requires agency workers to be qualified and meet health regulation requirements for the health care setting they are working in. Lastly, this bill prohibits non-competes, as it has been seen that these agencies are using these for even CNA positions.

 

House Ways and Means Passes Increase to Adoption Tax Credit

This week the House Ways and Means Committee passed House File 67 which phases in an increase in the adoption tax credit. Currently, the adoption tax credit equals the amount of qualified adoption expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer in connection with the adoption of a child, not to exceed $5,000 per adoption. Adoption costs are varied by adoptive parents can usually expect costs somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000. Those costs include attorney’s fees, home study costs, application fees, and background check and fingerprinting fees.

House File 67 phases in an increase to the maximum amount of the adoption tax credit as follows:
•    For the tax year beginning January 1, 2024, $7,500 per adoption
•    For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, $10,000 per adoption

 

Legislative Forums

Tomorrow morning, Friday, February 17th at 8AM, I’ll be attending a forum hosted by the Great Burlington Partnership. Attendance is only open to chamber members, but a live video of the forum can be found on the chambers website. Our next in person forum / event should be the Mount Pleasant Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, February 25th, at 8:30AM on Iowa Wesleyan’s campus.

Sincerely,

Rep. Taylor Collins
Iowa House District 95

Judith Lee Williams

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 8:42 am CDT

Judith Lee Williams, 76, of Birmingham, IA, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.  In accordance with Judy’s wishes, her body has been cremated.  Visitation will be on Sunday, February 19, 2023, with family present from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield.  A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Cranston Family Funeral Home, with Pastor Larry Smith officiating.  Burial of cremains will be in the Packwood Cemetery immediately following the service.  Gifts to a memorial will be designated later by the family and may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at 10900 Lark Avenue, Birmingham, IA 52535.  Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com

 

Judy was born on September 14, 1946, in Blandinsville, IL, to Gaylord and Gertrude (Shipman) Lefler.  She attended school in Blandinsville, IL.  Judy married LeRoy Payne, and together they had three sons.  Later in life, Judy met Keith Williams, and they were united in marriage on May 13, 2000, in Birmingham, IA.  She worked at Traffic Devices in Fairfield for nine years and then at Van Buren County Hospital for six months before retiring in 2010.  Judy was a member of the Birmingham Presbyterian Church for 22 years, where she enjoyed playing the piano. Judy and Keith enjoyed traveling to Branson to watch country music shows. She loved taking pictures and was an active member of the Red Hat Society. Judy truly appreciated and was passionate about showing her support for all service men and women.

 

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Keith of Birmingham, IA; two sons, Faron Payne and Jay Payne, both of Burlington, IA; one stepdaughter, Kimberly (Mike) McGuire of Marion, IA; ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, along with many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Darryl Payne, and a brother, Kenneth Lofler.

Daniel Edward “Ed” Donald

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 8:30 am CDT

Daniel Edward “Ed” Donald, age 83, most recently of Parkview Nursing Home, Fairfield, and previously Mt. Pleasant, and Stockport, IA passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at the Jefferson County Health Center.

A gathering for friends and family will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the Stockport Legion Hall, Stockport, IA, with family present from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. a meal will be served at 6:00 p.m.

Funeral Service will be 1:30 p.m., Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Behner Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Van Nyhuis officiating.  Inurnment will be held at later date at Smith Cemetery, between Stockport and Birmingham, IA.

Ed was born January 10, 1940, in Stockport, IA on the family farm to Daniel and Nola (Pope) Donald.  He married Roberta Keller June 22, 1958, in Stockport IA, they divorced, remarried in 1982 and later divorced.

Ed graduated from Stockport High School in 1958, where he excelled in Basketball, Baseball, & Music.  He was a farmer for much of his life but after graduating high school, he co-owned the Stockport Texaco Station with his father.  He also worked as a car salesman for Davidson Auto of Keosauqua, Iowa, was a crop hail adjustor and owned Donald Insurance. He was a member of the Iowa Army National Guard, 224th Engineer Bn, Fairfield, IA, where he served 8 years, from 1958 to 1966.  Ed was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and spent many years organizing bus trips for kids to games in St. Louis.  He was involved in city politics, holding the office of mayor for many years in the town of Stockport.  He was a member of the Workman Masonic Lodge #634 of Stockport, IA and a longtime Lions’ Club member.  He attended the old country school near the family farm, which was later moved to Morris Park, rural Stockport, where, during festivals, he led tours and shared his country school experiences. He spent many of his early years in Stockport actively involved with youth, as a boy scout leader and coached local youth leagues of baseball and basketball.   He continued his love of children by taking grandkids on annual jaunts to Adventureland and to Cardinal ball games, where they enjoyed hearing his singing and telling jokes.  He enjoyed golf and was an expert Morel mushroom hunter and enjoyed talking about his adventures of mountain climbing and white-water rafting in Colorado.  Most important to Ed, was spending time with his family.  He was known for his regular birthday cards and his signature gift-wrapping paper, using comic strips.  He was an active member of the group of morning “Coffee Club” friends who met religiously at the Coffee Depot and McDonalds in Mt. Pleasant, IA.  Friends often would hear of his pride in his family and his adventures in life. He treasured his time with this group of friends and would always run in to old friends while there.

He will be missed by his family, including his children, John (Birdie) Donald of Marcellus, MI, Marsha (Dennis) Laux of Fairfield, IA, Steven Donald of Mt. Pleasant, IA and Stewart (friend Wendy) Donald of Coralville, IA ; grandchildren, Brooke Laux Lilley (Clayton), Miranda Laux Millhouse (Justin), D. Seth Laux (Katie), Ashley Donald, Erin Donald (Robb), Andrew Donald (Janelle), Aaron Donald, Alex Donald, Taylor Donald; and step-grandchildren, Julia Birch, Savannah Birch, Olivia Birch, Ariele Cornellas; great-grandchildren, Shae Donald, Grant Lilley, Alyson Lilley, Evan Millhouse, Madelyn Millhouse, Emma Laux, Kinsley Laux, Chase Laux, Ashton Tlustly, Bailey Hill, Maddox Hill, Payton Stevenson, Ailinn Kaufman, Unity Kaufman; step-great grandchildren Justin Kirkbride, Jaxon Kirkbride, Gabe Harward, Ryan Harward, Connor Bruegge & Luke Birch; his siblings, Doug Donald of Washington, IA, Alice Donald Fitzpatrick of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Cindy Donald Rada, of Muscatine, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel & Nola Donald; granddaughter, Lynnsey Donald; and brother-in-law, Dennis Fitzpatrick.

Memorials can be made to the Fellowship Cup, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.  Cards and memorials can be sent to the family in care of Marsha Laux @2603 Stockport Rd., Fairfield, IA, 52556.

Sports, February 16th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 6:25 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team had their season ended by Fort Madison last night despite a late game flurry coming up just short as the Bloodhounds held on 44-38. The Panthers were down 40-29 with less than three minutes to go in the game, then Andrea Lopreato came up with a couple steals and transition points to make the game 40-38 with less than 1 minute and 30 seconds to go; however, Lopreato landed awkwardly and injured her ankle when she was fouled going up for the game-tying layup. Unfortunately, the Bloodhounds took advantage and did just enough to move on through the Class 4A Region 7 bracket. Coach Watson talked about his team’s effort for the season as they finished with an 11-12 record.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will start their postseason action February 20th at home against Fort Madison at 7 pm.

The WACO boys’ team game against New London tonight has been postponed until tomorrow at 7 pm.

The Danville girls’ team will travel to battle with Mediapolis tomorrow, February 17th, at 7 pm.

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team had their game postponed against Burlington Notre Dame until tomorrow. The girls’ team will take on Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow at 6 pm. KILJ will be covering the game with pregame at 5:45 pm. The boys’ will follow after the game.

High School Wrestling

The state tournament will be starting day two of action today with Dom Lopez of New London, Gage Samo of WACO, and Carter West and CJ Walrath of Burlington Notre Dame, along with Russel Coil of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union all still fighting in the championship bracket.

High School Bowling

The state championship will start February 20th and run through the 22nd.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team’s next game will be February 18th when they square off with Trinity Christian College at 1 pm on the road.

The 23rd-ranked men’s team will enter the Continental Athletic Conference tournament as 2nd overall seed on February 24th with a 24-2 record.

The men’s wrestling team’s next competition for the Tigers will be the 2023 Heart of America Conference Championship on February 18th.

The women’s wrestling team dominated Iowa Central Community College last night 35-10. Alaina Sunlin won via forfeit, Mia Palumbo won by tech fall. Zoi Smith, JoAnna Vanderwood, and Aduago Nwachukwu all won by tech fall. Isabell Hawley and Sydney Manos won by forfeit and America Lopez took the match on a 7-4 decision. The Tigers will start the 2023 Heart of America Conference Championship on February 25th.

The Tigers Indoor Track and Field teams will be competing in the North Star Athletic Association conference meet on February 19th. Head Coach, Hunter Davis, will be joining us on Tiger Nation this morning at 9 am.

The Tiger baseball team will have a doubleheader tomorrow, February 17th, against Mid America Christian with game one at 1 pm.

The Tiger’s softball season will begin on February 18th against Park University at 11 am for the Avila Tournament.

This Day in Sports History

1972 – Wilt Chamberlain of the Los Angeles Lakers becomes first player in NBA history to reach the career 30,000 point mark during a 110-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

1992 – LA Lakers retire Magic Johnson’s #32 uniform.

2005 – 2004-05 NHL season is canceled by Commissioner Gary Bettman; first time a North American professional sports league has called off a season due to labor dispute.

 

Day 1 of the Iowa High School Boys’ Wrestling State Tournament: Class 3A

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 12:59 am CDT

Prep Wrestling- Day one of the Iowa High School Athletic Association boys’ wrestling state tournament is in the books and here is a round-up of all the action that took place for our local wrestlers in the first two rounds of the championship bracket for Class 3A going by weight classes.

In the 106-pound weight class, Braxton Hutchinson of Burlington will be starting day tow in the consolation bracket after defeating Daniel Overall in the first round by fall, but then losing to the #1 seed Carter Pearson by fall in the second round. Hutchinson will take on Brennan Geers to start day two.

Ashton Grace of Ottumwa fell in the first round to Gabe Cauthron of Spencer in the 113-pound weight class. Grace will take on Jensen Dyer of Indianola to start day two.

In the 120-pound weight class, Noah Swigart of Fort Madison fell to Max Bishop of Fort Dodge in the first round. Swigart will take on JJ Maihan of Ankeny in the consolation bracket.

Logan Pennock of Fort Madison had a first round bye in the 126-pound weight class. However, Jashua Anglo of Johsnton would take down Pennock by fall in the second round. Pennock will take on Alex Bumba in the first round of the consolation bracket.

In the 145-pound weight class, Nolan Riddle of Fort Madison defeated Zach Fern of Iowa City, City High by fall in the first round. Dom Rubino of Waukee Northwest would defeat Riddle by a 12-9 decision, so Riddle will wrestle Luke Benson in the consolation bracket to start day two.

In the 152-pound weight class, Aidan Pennock of Fort Madison lost to Hunter Bagby of Urbandale by fall. Pennock will take on Ethan Riesselman of Dallas Center-Grimes in the consolation bracket. The 6th seed Braylon Griffiths of Ottumwa had a first round bye then defeated Illias Louck of North Scott by an 11-4 decision to stay in the championship bracket.

Teague Smith of Fort Madison lost in a close match to Kaia Fox in a 2-1 decision in the 170-pound weight class. Smith will face off against Jace Fullhart of Spencer in the first round of the consolation bracket.

In the 182-pound weight class, Salomon Cordero of Burlington lost in the first-round match to Xander Kenworthy by fall. Cordero will square off against Cohan Torres of North Polk in the consolation bracket.

Isaac Thacher of Fort Madison came into the 195-pound weight class as the 6th seed earning himself a bye for the first round. Thacher would then pin Johan Gomez of Marshalltown to move on in the championship bracket.

In the 220-pound weight class, Daniel Sokolik of Fort Madison won the first match by fall over Kam Evans of Muscatine, but fell to Jaxson Hildebrand of Denison-Schleswig in the second round. Sokolik will take on Jacob Mohler of Valley in the consolation bracket.

Stay tuned to KILJ 105.5 FM and kilj.com for more updates throughout the day over the course of the tournament.

Day 1 of the Iowa Boys’ Wrestling State Tournament: Class 2A Featured Big Upsets

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 12:58 am CDT

Prep Wrestling- Day one of the Iowa High School Athletic Association boys’ wrestling state tournament is in the books and here is a round-up of all the action that took place for our local wrestlers in the first two rounds of the championship bracket for Class 2A going by weight classes.

Carter West of Burlington Notre Dame came into the 106-pound weight class at the #2 seed earning himself a first round bye. In round two, West made quick work of Jesse Jens to wrestle Klayten Perrault of Mount Vernon to start day two.

Kael Cook of Burlington Notre Dame and Cael McCabe of Fairfield both made it to round two of the championship bracket of the 113-pound weight class but fell to their opponent. Cook will wrestle Myles Beck and McCabe will take on Tony Horness of Ballard to start day two.

In the 120-pound weight class, the first upset of the day happened for Burlington Notre Dame when the 5th seed CJ Davis fell to Christian Ahrens of Creston in the second round by a 9-4 decision. Davis will take on Ben Walsh in the consolation bracket. Aaron Boone of Washington almost pulled off the upset against Carson Less but fell by an 8-7 decision to move to the consolation bracket. Boone will take on Kyler Jessup of Solon to start day two.

In the 126-pound weight class, the #1 seed Kaiden Dietzenbach of Burlington Notre Dame was the second victim to the upset bug as Mason Avila won by a 4-2 decision in the second round. He will take on Elijah Kupka of Benton Community in the consolation bracket.

Caden Greiner of Washington fell in his first-round matchup to Kade Bauer for the 132-pound weight class. Greiner will take on Tucker Vitzhum in the consolation bracket.

Tate O’Shea of Keokuk earned a first round bye for the 138-pound weight class and then defeated Tucker Wheeler by major decision. He will take on the 6th seed Carson Turnis in the third round of the championship bracket.

In the 145-pound weight class, Dante Zuniga of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will take on Chris Aragon of Creston in the first round of the consolation bracket.

Isaiah Fenton of Burlington Notre Dame will take on Aiden Flora to start day two as he earned a bye in the first round then defeated Owen Klocke of Carroll by tech fall. Klocke took out Triston Miller of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union by an 11-8 decision. Miller will take on Maxwell Mintle of Grinnell in the first round of the consolation bracket of the 152-pound weight class.

In the 160-pound weight class, Chase Greiner of Washington and Cole Storm of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union both lost their first round matchup sending them to the consolation bracket. Storm will wrestle Mack Seeba and Greiner will take on Zach Strubbe to start day two.

Moving to the 182-pound weight class, CJ Walrath of Burlington Notre Dame is looking to end the season undefeated as he defeated Brenden Casey of Atlantic by fall to move to the round of 8 and face off against Jace Mulder to start day two. Walrath is the #1 seed.

In the 195-pound weight class, Curtis Stender of Washington fell to Ethan Wood in the first round and Stender will now take on Jacques Zomermaand of Sioux City in the consolation bracket.

Two local kids faced off against one another in the 220-pound weight class with Kai Malone of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union getting the best of Dre Smithburg of Fairfield to move on to the second round. Malone would then fall to the #1 seed Nick Reinicke to move to the consolation bracket. Malone will take on Kaine Clinkenbeard of Spirit Lake Park and Smithburg will wrestle Drew Jackson to start day two.

In the 285-pound weight class, Brandon Brinkschroeder of Fairfield fell to Paul Ballard in the first round. He will take on Colton Wieland of Carroll in the consolation bracket. Russel Coil of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union entered the tournament as the 18th seed and has performed two upsets as he defeated Sean May by a 4-3 decision and then took down #2 seed Sam Gravert by a 5-2 decision to move on in the championship bracket.

Stay tuned to KILJ 105.5 FM and kilj.com for more updates throughout the day over the course of the tournament.