High School Track
The State Track and Field meet is scheduled to start on Thursday, May 22nd, and run through Saturday, May 24th. KILJ will be keeping track of 16 local teams, providing updates and results throughout the three-day event. For a full list of our local state qualifiers, follow this link: Full List of State Qualifiers
High School Tennis
The Fairfield boys’ team will square off against Pella tomorrow, May 21st, on the road with the winner advancing to the state tournament.
The Fairfield girls’ team will take on Central DeWitt in the Regional semifinals today at Coe College.
High School Golf
Wapello’s Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club hosted one of the Class 1A District meets yesterday and Hillcrest Academy snuck their way into a state berth with a 3rd place finish of 346 behind Easton Valley and North Linn. Liam Schrock was the medalist for the course, shooting a 75 for the Ravens. Winfield-Mt. Union took 5th place with a team score of 357 as Max Edwards finished in 6th place, carding an 82 and just one spot outside qualifying as an individual. Wapello finished in 10th place, followed by Holy Trinity Catholic in 11th place. Wapello was led by Wyatt Marlette’s 17th place score of 87, while Luke Hellige took 36th place with a 94 for the Crusaders. Danville’s Alex Holtkamp claimed 69th place with a 105, while Graylon Walker grabbed 79th place with a score of 115.
The Class 1A state golf meet will take place at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo on Tuesday, May 27th, and Wednesday, May 28th.
The boys’ Class 2A District Meet at Bos Landen Golf Resort in Pella provided some adversity and a dramatic finish for Central Lee but the Hawks were able to advance to the State Tournament for the first time since 2018. Central Lee managed to shoot a 351, which pinned them against Tipton and Beckman Catholic on who would get that last team spot for the state meet. Carter Jones’ 94 was the tiebreaker as he possessed the lowest score amongst the fifth golfers for each team, punching the ticket for the Hawks. Mylan Lowenberg carded an 84 to lead the way for Central Lee. The Class 2A state meet is scheduled for Tuesday through Wednesday at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo.
Washington’s hope of attending the Class 3A state meet as a team for the third consecutive season was dashed yesterday after the Demons finished outside the top three with a team score of 342. Nevertheless, Drew Conrad’s card of 79 gave him one of the top-two scores of the course for a non-qualifying team member and a berth to the Class 3A state meet. Conrad will tee off on Tuesday at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls.
The girls’ Region 5 final will take place at Little Bear Country Club in Midland tomorrow, May 21st, with Wapello, Columbus, and New London competing as teams and Elizabeth Griffin of Holy Trinity Catholic and Kellee Milks of Winfield-Mt. Union participating as individuals.
The Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield girls’ teams will compete in the Class 3A Regional tomorrow at Edmundson Golf Course.
High School Soccer
The Central Lee girls’ team was eliminated by Fairfield last night in the first round of the Class 1A Region 3 bracket in a 4-1 final, as Emma Metcalf netted two of the goals for the Trojans. Fairfield will now travel to Assumption tomorrow, May 21st, at 7 pm.
The Wapello girls’ team had their matchup against Mid-Prairie last night postponed due to storms. The game will resume tonight at 5 pm in the first half with the score tied at 0.
The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team had their matchup against Ottumwa canceled last night due to weather. The Panthers will host the winner between Mid-Prairie and Wapello tomorrow at 5:30 pm.
The WACO boys’ team will take on Danville on the road in the Class 1A Substate 5 first round at 7 pm tonight.
The Central Lee boys team will take on Sigourney Keota tonight at 7 pm at home with the winner advancing to play Mediapolis.
The Wapello boys’ team will take on Central DeWitt on the road tonight at 7 pm in the Class 2A Substate 5 bracket.
The #6 Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team earned a bye and will host either Assumption or Solon at 7 pm on May 27th.
The Fairfield boys’ team will compete against Centerville in the Class 2A Substate 6 opening round at 7 pm at home tonight. Mt. Pleasant awaits the winner.
The Mediapolis girls’ team will face off against Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union tomorrow, May 21st, at 7 pm at home for postseason play.
The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will start their postseason journey on Friday, May 23rd, on the road against Clear Creek Amana at 7 pm.
High School Baseball
West Burlington enjoyed their home opener last night as the Falcons demolished Wapello 15-0. The West Burlington offense clubbed three home runs, including one off the bat of Brock Thuleen as he collected three RBIs and seven strikeouts to go along with his win on the mound.
West Burlington will stay at home for their matchup against Hillcrest Academy on Friday, May 23rd, at 5:30 pm.
Wapello will tangle with BGM tomorrow, May 21st, at 5:30 pm on the road.
Mediapolis had their contest last night against Cardinal canceled. The Bulldogs will look to start the season tonight against Fort Madison on the road at 7 pm.
Central Lee versus Burlington has been canceled for tonight.
Fairfield will face off against Oskaloosa tonight at 7 pm on the road.
Mt. Pleasant will make the trip to Grinnell tomorrow at 7:30 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1920 – Policemen raid the Cubs’ bleachers and arrest 47 fans for gambling.
1930 – University of California dedicates $1,500 to research on prevention and cure of athlete’s foot.
1988 – Philadelphia Phillies’ Mike Schmidt hits his 535th home run, moving into 8th place all-time.