Sports, March 24th

By Slaten Swords · Friday, March 24th, 2023 at 6:23 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The Steve Roth Relays started off the outdoor track season for the boys and Mediapolis finished with the most points with 171.

Here’s how the Panthers fared at the meet. Avin Truong grabbed two points for his 11.63 time in the 100-meter dash. Will Davidson took 1st in the 200-meter dash that captured the Panthers 10 points. In the 1600-meter, Ben Carthey finished with a time of 4 minutes 54 seconds, which gave the Panthers a point. Davidson took second in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.74 seconds. The team of Gabe Feldmann, Jacob Richtman, Isaac Rynders, and Ben Carthey grabbed 4 points in the 4×800 meter relay with a time of 8 minutes 47 seconds. In the 800-meter medley, the team of Landen Seymoure, Garrett Cook, Payson Coleman, and Mason Sloat ran a time of 1 minute 43 seconds, which got them 4 points. Isaac Jerrell finished in 2nd place with a heave of 49 feet 5.5 inches in the shot put and 8th place in the discus with a throw of 122 feet 5 inches. The Panthers finished with 42 points as a team.

For Winfield-Mt. Union, Abram Edwards finished with a time of 25.54 seconds in the 200-meter dash, which got him 4 points. Kohlby Newsom grabbed 10 points for the Wolves in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes 8 seconds. Gabriel Hemsworth grabbed 6 points in the 110-meter hurdles and 10 points in the 400-meter hurdles. The team of Cole Milks, Abram Edwards, Eli Miller, and Cam Buffington for the 4×100 meter relay ran a time of 46.03 seconds, which got them 8 points. Edwards and Carter Loyd jumped 5 feet 6 inches in the high jump and Cam Buffington leaped 20 feet 10 inches to take 1st in the long jump. The Wolves grabbed 87 points.

Simeon Reichenbach earned 8 points in the 110-meter hurdles for WACO. The team of Isaac Oswald, Gage Samo, Clayton Miller, and Simeon Reichenbach took 1st in the 4×110 meter shuttle hurdle. Lastly, Oleh Shtefanchuk took 1st in discus with a throw of 141 feet 2.5 inches. The Warriors finished with 54 points.

Ashton McCane finished in 1st for the 400-meter dash for Danville with Kessler Whaley taking 2nd place. Jackson Shacklett finished in 2nd place for the 800-meter run. Carter Fesler also took 1st place in the 3200 meter run. Spencer Nelson also notched a 2nd place finish in the 400-meter hurdles. Lastly, the Bears had two teams finish top 2 with the team of Ayden Boyle, Nelson, Whaley and McCane finishing in 1st place in the 4×400 meter relay and the team of Jaden Bauer, Landon Siebert, Byers Nealey, Carter Fesler took 2nd place in the distance medley. The Bears finished with 89 points, which was tied for 6th overall.

The girls will be competing at Burlington Notre Dame on March 28th.

High School Soccer

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ soccer season will begin on March 28th against Mediapolis on the road.

WACO’s boy soccer team will start their season at home against Fairfield on March 30th.

The Central Lee boys’ soccer team will take on Keokuk on March 27th as the Hawks start their season on the road.

Youth Basketball

The next event will be the Easter Weekend 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament held at Iowa Wesleyan University for 3rd graders through adults. For a registration form, contact Coach Ronnie Ashton at 319-931-2896 or Iowa Wesleyan’s Men’s Head Coach Jordan Ashton at 319-461-9023. The entry fee will be $60 per team, with prizes for the 1st and 2nd place teams. Registration is due by April 4th and it starts at 9am on April 8th.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The Tiger softball team will take on the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis on March 28th in a home doubleheader with game one at 1 pm.

The Tiger baseball team will take on William Woods University on March 28th for a home doubleheader with game one at 3 pm.

The women’s golf team will have their home opener on March 27th at the Purple Cup.

The men’s golf team will be competing at the Jim Wetherbee Invitational in Galesburg, Illinois tomorrow, March 25th, and March 26th for the season opener. Head Coach Kurt Moon joined us on Tiger Nation yesterday and talked about the expectations heading into their first meet,

“You know there’s a lot of unknowns, but I look at last year’s scores and we just try to improve on that. Everybody was here a year ago on the men’s side except two players, so they’ve all got experience on that course.”

The outdoor track and field season will be getting underway at the Viking Relays tomorrow at 10 am.

The ballots are open for the first USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year Award and Adaugo Nwachukwu is one of the six finalists. Nwachukwu finished the year with a 31-0 record, as the Heart of America Conference champion, 2023 NAIA champion at 136-pounds, and as NAIA Outstanding Wrestler of the Year. In a year of domination, 29 of her matches were finished by pin or tech fall. Voting ends on March 27th at 8 am, just follow this link to cast your vote: https://usawrestlingevents.com/wcwoty.

This Day in Sports History

1936 – Detroit Red Wings beat Montreal Maroons, 1-0, in 16:30 of the 6th period of OT; record Stanley Cup playoff game lasts 9 periods (176 minutes).

1974 – 36th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: North Carolina State beats Marquette, 76-64; Wolfpack first title; first tournament officially designated as a Division I championship.

2019 – 2-time American League MVP Mike Trout signs the biggest contract in North American sports history, a $426.5 million, 12-year extension with the Los Angeles Angels.

Helen Louise Dains

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 at 4:49 pm CDT

Helen Louise Dains, 74, of Park Place Elder Living, in Mount Pleasant, formerly of Buena Vista, Arkansas, passed away at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Park Place Elder Living in Mount Pleasant.

Born on March 4, 1949, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Karl and Gwendolyn (Walters) Sietam. On February 28, 1970, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa she married James Whitney Dains.

She is survived by her nephew: Bill (Linda) Dains of Donnellson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband: James.

Helen was a member of the Lighthouse Association Club. She enjoyed traveling the states to tour lighthouses.

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

Per her wishes no services will be held at this time.

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

Vote for Iowa Wesleyan’s Adaugo!

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 at 3:14 pm CDT
Adaugo Nwachukwu is a nominee for the most prestigious award in all of women’s college wrestling and we need your help to ensure she is recognized as the USA Wrestling 2023 Women’s College Wrestler of the Year!

Please go here to cast your vote and learn more information on the wrestlers who were nominated for this award.

This nomination comes after Adaugo defended her 136-pound title to become the 1st- 2 time National Champion in school history in wrestling.  She finished the season with a perfect 31-0 record and won 29 matches by either pin or tech fall!  After she won her 2023 National Title, she was also voted NAIA Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Year.

Thank you!

County Five Year Road Department Plan

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 at 10:48 am CDT

The Henry County Supervisors approved the County Secondary Roads Five Year Construction Plan as presented by the County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss. The plan includes 10, possibly 12 projects in fiscal year 2024 with a projected total cost  of $8,740,000. The projects involve the use of twin tank cars to replace bridges on 126th Street and Fremont Avenue. There are a total of 6 culvert projects. The list includes the Nebraska Avenue bridge, Old Hwy 34 paving project, a seal coat project and paving and widening a section of Franklin Avenue. Pending a grant application there may be additional paving projects Old 34 and W55. The total dollar figure for the entire five year secondary roads construction program from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2028 is $30,340,000.

From the Mount Pleasant City Council Meeting

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 at 9:08 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council met in regular session Wednesday.  The council approved a motion that amends an Engineering Service Agreement with Warner and Associates. The amendment allows for $87,500 so Warner can finish the analysis of findings from the evaluation study done of the Saunders Branch sanitary sewer line. The manholes have been inspected, the system has been smoked, cleaned and videoed.  This has been time consuming but some issues have been found. Once Warner finishes the evaluation there will be a recommendation to Council as to what needs to be done.

A change order was approved for the Northeast Lagoon conversion project. $12,162.70 is needed for better electrical connections in the lift stations. This will improve the longevity of the stations and help with maintenance.

The Council accepted a bid in the amount of $16,500 from Barton Construction to repair the main drain in the Public Works Building.

The pre-construction meeting for street work on Aldrin and West Henry has been held.  The work on Aldrin will be done first. Right now the gas lines along Henry Street are being improved.  And then the Utilities will move in to re-do services.

The City Council approved three resolutions on the recommendations of Fire Chief Drew Schumaker.  Capt. William Bensmiller was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief, Lt. Nicholas Ettinger was promoted to Captain and Tony Skow was appointed to the Firefighter Reserve Unit.

The final public hearing on the City’s proposed overall budget for Fiscal Year 2024 will be held April 12 and 5:30 pm.  At Wednesday night’s meeting the Council approved the maximum general fund tax asking of $9.42816 per $1,000 of taxable valuation following a public hearing. A public hearing and a resolution are now required by the State before the final hearing and passage.

Sports, March 23rd

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 at 6:31 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The girls will be competing at Burlington Notre Dame on March 28th.

The boys will be competing tonight at the Steven Roth Relays.

High School Soccer

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ soccer season will begin on March 28th against Mediapolis on the road.

WACO’s boy soccer team will start their season at home against Fairfield on March 30th.

The Central Lee boys’ soccer team will take on Keokuk on March 27th as the Hawks start their season on the road.

Youth Basketball

The next event will be the Easter Weekend 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament held at Iowa Wesleyan University for 3rd graders through adults. For a registration form, contact Coach Ronnie Ashton at 319-931-2896 or Iowa Wesleyan’s Men’s Head Coach Jordan Ashton at 319-461-9023. Registration due by April 4th. It starts at 9am on April 8th.

March Madness

The Sweet 16 will get back to action today and tomorrow. The winner of the KILJ Bracket Challenge will get a free cabin rental from Henry County Conservation and a $100 gift certificate to Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design with 2nd place getting a meal a month from the Press Box.

For the women’s bracket, Iowa will take on Colorado in the Sweet 16 as Caitlin Clark continues her dominance.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The Tiger softball team will take on the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis on March 28th in a home doubleheader with game one at 1 pm.

The Tiger baseball team will take on William Woods University on March 28th for a home doubleheader with game one at 3 pm.

The women’s golf team will have their home opener on March 27th at the Purple Cup.

The men’s golf team will be competing at the Jim Wetherbee Invitational in Galesburg, Illinois on March 25th and 26th for the season opener. Head Coach Kurt Moon will be joining us on Tiger Nation this morning at 9 am.

The outdoor track and field season will be getting underway at the Viking Relays on Saturday, March 25th at 10 am.

The ballots are open for the first USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year Award and Adaugo Nwachukwu is one of the six finalists. Nwachukwu finished the year with a 31-0 record, as the Heart of America Conference champion, 2023 NAIA champion at 136-pounds, and as NAIA Outstanding Wrestler of the Year. In a year of domination, 29 of her matches were finished by pin or tech fall. Voting ends on March 27th at 8 am, just follow this link to cast your vote: https://usawrestlingevents.com/wcwoty.

This Day in Sports History

1923 – 82nd Grand National: Captain Tuppy Bennett wins aboard 13-year-old 100/6 shot Sergeant Murphy; first US bred horse to win race.

1952 – New York Rangers blow 6-2 lead, lose 7-6 to Chicago Blackhawks; Bill Mosienko scores fastest hat trick in NHL history, 21 seconds.

1994 – Wayne Gretzky sets NHL record with 802 goals scored.

 

Fatal Crash

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 at 3:37 pm CDT

One person died and another was injured in a single vehicle crash that occurred just after 11 am Wednesday.  John Thornton of Salem was driving a truck owned by WEMIGA Waste of Mount Pleasant when he lost consciousness.  The truck first went off the road and then crossed back over both lanes and rolled  coming to rest in the ditch.  Thornton died in the crash and a passenger in the truck, Michael Hines of Mount Pleasant was injured and taken to Henry County Health Center.  The truck was westbound in the 1200 block of Old Hwy 34 when the crash occurred.

Iowa Wesleyan Basketball Programs Combine for 3 NAIA Honorable Mention Honors

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 at 12:15 pm CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- Ruble Arena had good reason to be buzzing this past season as the basketball teams combined for a 50-10 record on the season, and an 18-0 record at home. Additionally, both teams ended the season as Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) champions, touted All-Conference coaches, and made the National Tournament for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The NAIA recognized one member of the men’s team and two members of the women’s team for the season that they had.

For the men’s team, Henry Shannon was named an Honorable Mention for the NAIA after leading the team in points with 12.9 per game and rebounds with 6.4 per game. The freshman played a big part in the offense, especially in the CAC tournament as he hit the game winner against Haskell Indian Nations with the Tigers on the brink of elimination. Shannon was also named 1st Team All-Conference and is the first Tiger to receive NAIA honors since the 2010-2011 season where Nate Fuqua was named an All-American.

For the women’s team, Isabell West was tabbed an Honorable Mention and Kyla Moore was selected as Honorable Mention for the second time in her career. West led the Tigers in points and rebounds as she nearly averaged a double-double with 18.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. She was also named CAC Newcomer of the Year, CAC Player of the Year, and CAC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Moore had an excellent year as well averaging 15.3 points per game along with 2.5 steals per game. Both players received CAC 1st Team All-Conference honors. This is the first time in school history that two players earned Honorable Mention honors in the same season.