By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
Prep Track: Washington Relays Today:
The always popular Washington Relays are tonight and several area programs are heading to Case Field for the first competitive outdoor event in over a year.
Chief among those programs is Mitch Anderson’s Mount Pleasant boys’ who will be competing in their first live bullet outdoor event following an indoor meet in Pella and a scrimmage meet at Mount Pleasant High School.
Joining the Panthers at Washington will be area programs:
- Danville
- Mediapolis
- WACO
- Wapello
- West Burlington
- Winfield-Mount Union
Other programs at Case Field today include:
- Cedar Rapids Xavier
- Carlisle
- Columbus
- Fairfield
- Fort Madison
- Highland
- Iowa City High
- Iowa City West
- Mid-Prairie
- Ottumwa
- Cedar Rapids Prairie
This afternoon’s meet will begin at 3:3o p.m.
College Volleyball: Wesleyan Falls in 2021 Finale:
Iowa Wesleyan battled Eureka for five sets, but ultimately came up short, falling to the Red Devils in five sets in the finale of the 2021 season.
The Tigers took sets one and four by a count of 25-17 and 25-15, but it was Eureka winning set five 15-11 to catapult themselves to victory.
Malie DeMate led the Tigers with 12 kills, while Lezar’Rhea Burnside added 10 kills for the Wesleyan attack.
Lindsay Fernandes had 15 assists, while Jenna Murphy led the back row with 28 digs.
Wesleyan, now 1-13, will be off until Saturday when they take on either Greenville or Westminster in the first round of the SLIAC Conference Tournament.
Match time is to be determined.
Women’s College Basketball: Cylcones Lose in Heartbreaking Fashion:
The Iowa State Cyclone women held a 12-point lead, watching it evaporate before second-seeded Texas A&M rallied back for an overtime 84-82 win in NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Second Round matchup last night.
Ashley Joens paced the Clones with 32 points and 18 rebounds, while Lexi Donarski chipped in with 18 despite the loss.
Jordan Nixon led the Aggies with a game-high 35 points, including the game-tying score in regulation and the game-winning bucket in extra time.
The Aggies will take on third-seeded Arizona on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
College Sports: Iowa Athletics to Allow Fans at Outdoor Events:
The University of Iowa Athletics Department announced this morning that it will allow limited fan attendance at outdoor athletic events for the remainder of the spring seasons, effective immediately.
Iowa will allow 50 percent capacity at outdoor venues for events but will continue to restrict attendance at indoor events. Fans attending events will be required to wear face coverings upon entry in accordance with UI policy. Hand sanitizers will be available throughout the facilities. Capacity limitations will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as local conditions improve.
The Iowa football team begins spring practice Tuesday, March 30. Potential spring events in Kinnick Stadium are under consideration at this time.
Athletics department and Big Ten Conference testing protocols for all student-athletes and staff remain in place.
Fans will be required to maintain social distancing at all times.