Sports, June 24th
High School Baseball
Mt. Pleasant will face off against Fort Madison on June 26th in a doubleheader on the road.
West Burlington snuck past New London to win 15-14. Brady Diewold and Hayden Vandenberg each hit a home run for the Falcons with Diewold finishing with 4 RBIs. The Tigers will take on Central Lee on June 26th.
Winfield-Mt. Union will compete against Louisa-Muscatine to open up the Class 2A Substate 5 first round on July 1st.
Van Buren County will face off against North Mahaska and Moravia today.
Danville will face off against Sigourney in the first round of the postseason on July 1st.
Central Lee will take on Pekin tonight.
Mediapolis will face off against Clear Lake on June 29th at the Mt. Mercy Alumni Coaches Classic.
In Southeast conference (SEC) play, Keokuk will take on Fairfield and Burlington will square off against Washington on June 26th.
High School Softball
Mt. Pleasant will travel to take on Fort Madison on June 26th in a doubleheader matchup.
Danville will face off against New London on June 27th.
New London fell to West Burlington 12-0 yesterday. Lauren Summers led the Falcons with 3 RBIs with two doubles. The Tigers will take on Central Lee on June 26th.
Winfield-Mt. Union lost to Louisa-Muscatine last night 13-0.
Van Buren County will compete against Cardinal on June 27th.
Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Lone Tree on June 26th.
Central Lee handled Mediapolis yesterday 11-0.
In SEC games, Burlington will take on Washington and Keokuk will face off against Fairfield on June 26th.
High School Postseason Softball
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released the postseason brackets for all the classifications and here’s the matchups for our local teams.
In Class 1A Region 8, New London will travel to face off against Holy Trinity Catholic and Wapello will host Winfield-Mt. Union with both games taking place on June 30th at 7 pm.
In Class 2A Region 7, Van Buren County earned a first-round bye. The Warriors will take on the winner between Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and Pella Christian on July 5th at 7 pm at home.
In Class 2A Region 8, Danville will travel to take on Durant at 7 pm on June 30th. Mediapolis will face off against Louisa-Muscatine on the road on July 5th at 7 pm.
Central Lee and Washington will square off on July 6th at Washington and West Burlington will host Fairfield on July 6th with both games taking place at 7 pm for Class 3A Region 8.
In Class 4A Region 6, Mt. Pleasant and Keokuk will compete in a conference matchup at Joyce Park on July 6th at 7 pm. Knoxville will host Fort Madison with the winner taking on Burlington at Burlington.
Mt. Pleasant Cross Country
On Mondays and Wednesdays, runs will begin at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre at 6:30 am.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, runs will start at 7 pm at Saunders Park by the swimming pool.
The runs will continue throughout the summer until the middle of August. If you have any questions, reach out to Coach Murray at 319-850-0867.
Prospect League
The Burlington Bees will host the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp tonight.
The Clinton LumberKings fell to the Lafayette Aviators 4-0. The LumberKings will face off against the Aviators in a rematch tonight.
This Day in Sports History
1922 – Charter NFL club Chicago Staleys renamed Chicago Bears by team founder, owner and head coach George Halas.
2010 – In the longest match in tennis history, American John Isner defeats Nicolas Mahut of France at Wimbledon after 11 hours, 5 minutes of play over 3 days.
2017 – World record for highest altitude football match ever played at 18,799ft on Mount Kilimanjaro by women’s international team.
Cash Award Recognizes Young Farmer Entrepreneurs
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR IOWA FARM BUREAU’S ‘GROW YOUR FUTURE’ AWARD
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state’s largest grassroots farm organization, encourages young farmer entrepreneurs between 18-35 years old with an ag-related business to enter the Grow Your Future Award for a chance to win $7,500. This competition is focused on Farm Bureau members with enterprises that tap into niche production, agritourism and specialty services.
“The Grow Your Future Award was created by the IFBF young farmer committee who understand the need to diversify and can appreciate the challenges that come with efforts to bring additional income to the farm,” says Amanda Van Steenwyk, Iowa Farm Bureau’s farm business development manager.
Interested entrepreneurs should apply at www.iowafarmbureau.com/growyourfuture by Sept. 1. Up to ten applicants will be selected and narrowed down by public vote. The top finalists will compete in a live pitch-off during the 2024 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference on Feb. 2, 2024. Winners will be announced Feb. 3.
First, second and third place finalists will receive $7,500, $5000 and $2,500, respectively. Last year’s Grow Your Future Award winner was a mushroom grower who used his winnings to purchase a delivery van and walk-in cooler.
“In addition to the Grow Your Future Award, Iowa Farm Bureau has a rich history of supporting rural entrepreneurs. One example is through the Renew Rural Iowa program, mentoring nearly 4,000 rural entrepreneurs and business owners while creating more than $150 million in economic impact for rural Iowa communities,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “The Grow Your Future Award is just one more way to highlight innovation and support rural entrepreneurs. The crop of applicants we get are equally diverse and impressive, ranging from cricket farmers to cover crop seed dealers, but the common thread is a vision and willingness to explore unconventional avenues in farming that make Iowa agriculture and our rural communities even stronger.”
High School Softball Postseason Brackets: Early Look at our Local Matchups
Postseason Softball- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released the postseason brackets for all the classifications and here’s the matchups for our local teams.
In Class 1A Region 8, New London will travel to face off against Holy Trinity Catholic and Wapello will host Winfield-Mt. Union with both games taking place on June 30th at 7 pm.
The Crusaders have won both matchups this year against the Tigers by a combined score of 25-0. The winner will face off against Sigourney on July 5th.
Wapello is 2-0 against Winfield-Mt. Union this year with the Arrows pitching two shutouts against the Wolves. The winner will take on either Highland or Lone Tree on July 5th.
In Class 2A Region 7, Van Buren County earned a first-round bye. The Warriors will take on the winner between Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and Pella Christian on July 5th at 7 pm at home.
In Class 2A Region 8, Danville will travel to take on Durant at 7 pm on June 30th. Mediapolis will face off against Louisa-Muscatine on the road on July 5th at 7 pm.
Central Lee and Washington will square off on July 6th at Washington and West Burlington will host Fairfield on July 6th with both games taking place at 7 pm for Class 3A Region 8.
Washington handled the Hawks earlier in the season 14-4. Colbie Greiner led the Demons with 3 RBIs. Jaci Hawk, Shanna Buford, Abby Simmons, and Everlee Harvey each picked up an RBI for the Hawks.
In Class 4A Region 6, Mt. Pleasant and Keokuk will compete in a conference matchup at Joyce Park on July 6th at 7 pm. Knoxville will host Fort Madison with the winner taking on Burlington at Burlington.
Mt. Pleasant won the first conference matchup against the Chiefs on June 5th, 12-6, but dropped the next two, 13-10 and 13-3.
Fort Madison has not taken on Knoxville this year but was swept by Burlington: 5-4, 14-6, and 5-0.
For a full look at the brackets click on this link: Postseason Brackets
Residents from Henry, Lee, and Jefferson, Appointed to Iowa Board
Governor Kim Reynolds has announced new appointments to Iowa’s boards and commission.
Bitrus Gwamna, from Henry County, has been appointed as member of the “Statewide Independent Living Council” where Martin Graber, Lee County, is on the “Mississippi River Parkway Planning Commission”, and Timothy Bower from Jefferson County is part of the “State Board of Educational Examiners.” These appointments are not subject to Senate confirmation.
“Board and commission members advise the Governor and Lt. Governor, legislature and state agencies on opportunities and issues important to Iowans.”
“Iowa has more than 180 boards and commissions that represent a broad scope of programs and people, from arts and culture to business, health care, education, and more.”
Prep Softball: Postseason Quickly Approaching and Competition is Ramping Up
Prep Softball- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released their 5th rankings for the season, and it was not a good week to start as the #2 while Class 1A has a new #1 team.
Martensdale-St. Marys jumped over North Linn to take the top spot with a 20-4 record in Class 1A. The Lynx have gone 7-1 in their last 8 games with that lone loss coming against Benton, 7-3. Fort Dodge St. Edmond tumbled three spots down the order from 6th to 9th after going 3-9 in their last 12 games. Newman Catholic dropped two spots from 11th to 13th after falling to Hudson on June 17th, 6-3. Earlham and Twin Cedars each moved up the rankings three spots to be ranked 11th and 12th.
In Class 2A, Regina Catholic keeps the top spot with Van Meter taking the #2 spot. Central Springs 6-4 loss to Clarksville lowered the Panthers one spot to #3. Interstate 35 catapulted three spots up the rankings from 8th to 5th after going 8-1 in their last 9 games including a dismantling of Van Meter 12-2. West Moana and Cascade each moved three spots in the rankings; however, the Spartans fall down the list to 6th with the Cougars rising to the 7th spot. Columbus Catholic dropped out of the top 15 with Wapsie Valley entering the top 15 at the #13 spot.
Williamsburg and Davenport Assumption held on to the top two spots, respectively, but the rest of Class 3A was not as stable as last week. Davis County and Estherville Lincoln Central each fell one spot to 4th and 5th, respectively. Benton had the largest climb as the Bobcats defeated Estherville Lincoln Central, #9 Solon, and North Linn in the span of a week. Benton went from unranked to 11th after the stretch. Sumner-Fredericksburg and Center Point-Urbana were dropped from the rankings with West Liberty entering the rankings to round it out.
In Class 4A, Carlisle kept the #1 spot with a 21-2 record. Dallas Center-Grimes lost to Carlisle 14-4 and #5 Norwalk 9-8 this past week causing them to slide down the list from 2nd to 4th. North Polk made the jump up to #2. Xavier’s wins over #12 Burlington in a doubleheader and the 4-3 win over #8 Western Dubuque catapulted them up the list from 10th to 7th. Clear Creek-Amana and Storm Lake were voted out of the top 15 with ADM and Maquoketa entering the list. The Tigers picked up wins against Benton and Solon, which bolstered their reputation. The Cardinals key win came against #10 North Scott.
Ankeny Centennial keeps the top spot with a 22-4 record for Class 5A. Ankeny’s loss to #3 Fort Dodge in Class 4A resulted in the Hawks flip-flopping with Waukee Northwest for #2 and #3. Linn-Mar faced a gauntlet this past week; consequently, the Lions dropped three spots to #8 after losses to #2 Waukee Northwest, #7 Bettendorf, and #5 Southeast Polk. Waukee reenters the top 15 despite touting a losing record of 14-17. The Warriors have gone 8-2 in their last ten games resulting in a #12 ranking. Cedar Rapids Jefferson replaced Dubuque Senior at the #15 slot and Ottumwa was also dropped from the rankings.
Charles R. Wesely
Charles R. “Charlie” Wesely, 90, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Salem, died Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Savannah Heights in Mt. Pleasant.
A Celebration of Life for Charlie will be held from 4-8 PM on Friday, June 30, 2023 at the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1003, 108 N. Saunders Ave., Mt. Pleasant.
Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.
Henry and Lee to Receive Funding for Bridges
On June 22, 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that Clay, Lucas, Crawford, Lee, Pottawattamie, Wright, Page, Henry, and Mitchell Counties will receive $24,760,000 to replace nine bridges in poor condition. This award is in addition to the bridge repair or replacement projects that are funded through the new bridge investment program through IIJA state formula funds.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill reauthorized the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grants to support surface transportation projects of local and/or regional significance. “Unfortunately, Iowa leads the nation in the overall number of structurally deficient bridges, and that’s one of the many reasons I supported the bipartisan infrastructure law. I’m glad to see that nine rural bridges will be replaced and improve travel and safety for the Iowans who use them. I’ll continue doing my part to ensure more of Iowans’ hard-earned tax dollars come back to our state and to improve our all of our communities.” Chuck Grassley |