Winfield, IA- It’s been an exciting couple of year for Winfield-Mt. Union athletics with multiple Wolves bringing their talents to the next level. You can add a pair of names to that list after a joint reception for Max Edwards and Konner Kinneberg saw the two sign their Letters of Intent.

Surrounded by community members, teachers, and friends, Edwards committed to play football at the University of Dubuque, while Kinneberg will be taking his golf talents to Central College in Pella. For the pair, it was a huge weight lifted as they reach the end of their senior year,

“It feels great,” said Edwards. “I spent a lot of time thinking with my family. I always knew since sophomore year that I wanted to do something football related in college. So, to be able to make that decision at this point, it feels good.”

“Yeah, I’d say it feels great,” discussed Kinneberg. “It was a real big weight on my shoulders because I had parents and friends pushing me to go to all these different places. And going to see different colleges, Central just stuck out to me the most. It was a great campus. I really liked all the people, all the staff that greeted me. It was just all around a great place.”

Kinneberg gave his head coach Mitch Wachs the credit for getting him to this point, as his love and knowledge of the game has progressed. Since his freshman season, Kinneberg has knocked off nine strokes from his nine-hole average, sitting second on the team last season, a pivotal year for the Wolve,

“I really thought about it last year, my junior year, because I started getting really big in the game of golf. I just got a lot better since then. I had a few coaches talking to me about coming to play for them. And this coach just kind of stuck out to me the most. He saw the most in me, I guess.”

Edwards has gotten used to this procedure at this point after watching his brother Abram commit to play football at the University of Army two years ago and his other brother Jake sign on to play basketball at Western Illinois University last year. For Max, it fueled his competitive fire,

“Yeah, it was nice seeing them because it motivated me to get to where I am. Being able to see them do this and see all the support they got, it really helped push me to become who I am right now and help me become a better athlete and person.”

Winfield-Mt. Union had a year that most programs dream about in the 2023-24 school year, as the football team rattled off 11 victories and made the state semifinals, the basketball team qualified for the state tournament and made the semifinals as well, then the golf team punched their ticket to the state tournament and finished in 6^th place as a team.

They might not have been the focal points of their teams that season, but it laid the foundation for what success looks like and cemented their favorite memory throughout their four years in the Wolves Den,

“I’d probably say the sophomore year,” said Edwards. “We went to state three times and being able to make those memories with a bunch of different guys. It was a lot of fun. Something I’ll remember forever.”

The trip to state extended past spending time with his teammates, for Kinneberg it was a chance to connect with his family as well,

“I’d have to say state golf sophomore year. We played a practice round up in Des Moines and my grandparents lived there. We stayed at their house for a few days, and we had a bunch of fun. It was just great memories, especially because we had one senior that year. We got to spend a lot of time with him, and he taught us a lot.”

That motivation allowed Edwards to earn consecutive All-District First Team honors on the gridiron. He’s been a focal point in the Wolves passing attack over the last two seasons, hauling in 77 receptions for 1,432 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also added 17.5 tackles for loss on the defensive side.

More than anything, Edwards enjoyed playing the game with his friends,

“Being able to work with my teammates. On the field, you always have to work together. It’s not just a one-person sport. You have to be able to communicate and make sure you’re on the same page. A football team is just a big family, so being able to have a big family of a bunch of other guys that have your back is nice.”

Kinneberg nearly averaged a card of 40 through nine holes last season and his best round of 18 saw the Wolve shoot a 79. Additionally, he finished 7^th at the SEISC meet and 13^th at districts. While competition is enthralling, Kinneberg enjoys the game for simpler reasons,

“It’s really a game that you can carry with you for the rest of your life. My dad’s been playing ever since he was young. Him and I grew up playing together for years. I get to play with my grandpa a lot, which is pretty fun because I don’t get to do a whole lot of activities with him, especially because he lives farther away. It’s just a sport that really brings us all together.”

When it comes to studies, both are looking to go the business route,

“I’ve chose some sort of business,” said Kinneberg. “I don’t know exactly what yet. I’m hoping that next year something will come to me.”

For Edwards, he’s looking to stay attached to the sports world,

“I chose sports management. I’m going to hope to try to become a sports agent with that.”

The two teammates on the fairway got out to a quick start this season, as the Wolves finished in 3^rd place at the Nike invitational, including a pair of top ten finishes from Kinneberg and Edwards. Despite the strong start, both have set higher expectations,

“I’m really hoping to shoot under 70 this year,” explained Kinneberg. “I’ve gotten pretty close over the summer and shot a few rounds under par. We had our first meet yesterday, which I didn’t really play the best. I shot 80. We actually got third as a team and I got fifth individually. It was a really good milestone to hit for our first meet. It was a really good starting score that I’m hoping to take down a few times.”

“My goal going into the season was to consistently break 90,” said Edwards. “As Konner said, we had our first meet last night and I shot an 81. I’d say that’s a pretty good tone setter. Now I’m thinking to consistently be low 80s. With that tone setter, low 80s is something that’s in range for me to get. Then break 40 for the first time on nine holes.”

Winfield-Mt. Union will be back on the fairways on Tuesday, April 8^th, for the Wapello Invite.

High School Track and Field

The West Burlington/Notre Dame girls’ team held their Falcon Relays last night and multiple meet records fell, including a pair for Mt. Pleasant.

In Class A, Mt. Pleasant’s Alex Scott set a Falcon Relay record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.16 seconds, while Avery Fedler reshaped the 400-meter time record with a mark of 58.37 seconds. Izzy Sloat claimed the long jump gold with a meet best leap of 16 feet and 4 inches. The Panthers snatched victories in the 4×100 and 4×800 meter relays. 

Sticking to Class A, Fairfield’s lone victory belonged to Bailey Belzer in the 3,000-meter run, as she posted a time of 14 minutes and 7 seconds. The hosts’ top finishers went to Hannah Ritter, who took 2nd in the 400-meter dash, and Kaitlyn Kipp, who snatched the silver in the 800-meter run. 

Over in Class B, WACO’s Bren Graber and Macie Carter had eventful meets with Graber winning three events: the 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, and the high jump, while Carter swept the long distance events, including a meet-best time of 11 minutes and 54 seconds in the 3,000-meter run. The Warriors took home the gold medal in the 4×800 meter relay.

Danville set a Falcon Relay record in the sprint medley, as the team of Macie Wagner, Violette Sowell, Delaney Newberry, and Alaina Gourley produced a time of 1 minute and 53 seconds. The Bears also won the 4×200 meter relay. Gourley added a pair of gold medals in the 400-meter and 800-meter events, while Newberry won the 200-meter dash with a time of 28.11 seconds.

Mediapolis produced winners in the field events with Payton Harris’ toss of 123 feet and 5 inches winning the discus and Evie Schmidgall’s leap of 15 feet and 10 inches claiming the long jump. The Bulldogs also won the shuttle hurdle and 4×400 meter relays. 

Van Buren County claimed a pair of relays, winning the distance medley and the 4×100. Aida Troutman snatched the 100-meter dash, while Briley Losey’s toss of 31 feet and 11.75 inches was good enough to win the shot put. Winfield-Mt. Union was led by Kaelyn Townsley’s 2nd place finish in the 100-meter hurdles and Quin Smith’s 2nd place leap of 5 feet in the high jump.

Wapello hosted their Co-Ed relays last night and on the girls’ side, Wapello claimed 53 points for 5th place, while the boys’ team claimed 6th place with 34 points. Columbus followed in the standings on both sides, but Bella Forbes’ throw of 34 feet and 6.5 inches in the shot put was the only gold medal for either side. 

Mt. Pleasant will host their Co-Ed Relays tomorrow, April 2nd, with Fairfield, Mediapolis, and West Burlington/Notre Dame competing. 

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

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

Columbus will attend the Liberty Co-Ed invitational on Saturday, April 4th.

High School Soccer

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team started the season with a dominant victory over Danville on the road last night, 7-0. Isaiah Lange had a huge game, netting a hat trick and tabbing an assist, with Brandon Veloz and Dylan White each grabbing two goals. The Panthers will compete against Clear Creek Amana tomorrow, April 2nd, at 4:30 pm for their home opener. 

The Danville boys’ team will stay at home to face off against Cedar Rapids Washington on Monday, April 6th, at 6 pm.

In a second half surge, the Columbus and Washington boys’ teams combined to net five goals, but it was the Demons escaping with the victory, 3-2. The Wildcats will host Mt. Pleasant at 7 pm on Monday.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team fell to Assumption last night, 2-0. The Nikes will continue their five-game road stretch tomorrow against Wapello at 5 pm.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will travel to Keokuk tomorrow at 5 pm.

The WACO boys’ team will take on Sigourney-Keota tomorrow at 5 pm at home.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will start the season tomorrow on the road against Clear Creek Amana at 5 pm.

The Central Lee boys’ team will host Fairfield, while the the girls’ team will face off against Mid-Prairie on the road with both games starting at 5 pm tomorrow.

High School Golf

Mediapolis and Wapello split their duel yesterday with the Bulldogs winning on the boys’ side, 161-203, with Ephram Hallgren leading the Bulldogs with a round of 38, while the Arrows’ girls’ team pulled off the win, 188-197, as Emmalin Marshall paced the field with a round of 40. 

Wapello will host Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday, April 7th.

Mediapolis will travel to Danville on Tuesday.

Southeastern Community College

The baseball team thundered past Marshalltown Community College yesterday, 17-5. Gavin Awbrey and Nile Sinn each whacked a home run with Sinn collecting a team-leading four RBIs. The Blackhawks will host Illinois Central College today.

The softball team swept Marshalltown Community College in the doubleheader yesterday, 12-0 in game one and 9-1 in game two. In game one, Araceli Rivas pitched four shutout innings to the tune of seven strikeouts, while game two featured Jeliane Stewart and Kaylee Winter going deep with Stewart tabbing three RBIs. The Blackhawks will hit the road for a doubleheader on Friday, April 3rd, against St. Louis Community College. 

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box, is officially underway with 60 brackets submitted with the top three set to receive prizes. 

Here’s an updated look at the top 10 brackets and a recap of the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight: KILJ’s Bracket Challenge Standings. The Final Four is slated to start on Saturday, April 4th, with game one at 5:09 pm between #2 UConn and #3 Illinois. 

Standings will be updated before the championship game.

College Baseball and Softball

The Iowa baseball team clobbered Bradley yesterday, 21-8. Kooper Schulte led the way with four RBIs, while Miles Risely clouted a double and home run for two RBIs in the winning effort. The Hawkeyes will host Minnesota on Friday, April 3rd.

The Iowa softball team will travel to Oregon for a three-game series starting on Friday at 8 pm.

The Iowa State softball team waltzed to a 10-2 victory over UNI yesterday. Kadence Shepherd smacked a two-run homer for the Cyclones. Iowa State will take on #14 Arizona on Sunday, April 5th, in a home doubleheader. 

This Day in Sports History

1926 – Montreal Maroons’ Clint Benedict becomes the first NHL goalie to record 3 straight playoff shutouts, in a 3-0 win against the visiting Victoria Cougars in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Championship series.

1930 – Chicago Cubs catcher Leo Hartnett breaks the altitude record for a catch by gloving a baseball dropped from the Goodyear blimp 800 feet over Los Angeles, California.

1978 – New York Islanders right wing Mike Bossy becomes the first NHL rookie to score 50 goals in a season after scoring #50 and #51 in the closing moments of a 3-2 win over Washington.