iowa sports connection - volume 13 issue 8
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The Iowa Sports Connection celebrates a stellar year from Iowa native Jeremy Hellickson in the MLB playing for the Tampa Bay Rays. We also look at the best of the best Iowa Small School Football Players.TRANSCRIPT
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Even though his playoff debut was a loss and even though the Tampa Bay Rays fell to the eventual American League Champions, the Texas Rangers, Jeremy Hellickson did all Iowans proud by pitching in the post-season. Hellickson’s young career has been amazing to watch. From dominating late last year and stunning local and national media, to being named Baseball America’s 2011 MLB Rookie of the Year this season, it has truly been a pleasure to watch this young man show the country what he can do on a national stage. With the rookie of the year nod, Hellickson added to achievements in sports by Iowans. If the award and the young hurler’s performances are any preview, the former Des Moines Hoover Husky could be setting milestones for Iowans for years to come. Our friends at OverTime Neighborhood Hub put on a spectacular watch party for Hellickson’s playoff performance. Although it didn’t end as well as the fans might have hoped, Hellickson still delivered a thrilling show. The young gun made the entire state of Iowa take notice. I think I speak for all Iowans when I say I am extremely proud of what Hellickson has accomplished so far in his young career in the Majors. As well as a feature on Jeremy Hellickson, this issue of The Iowa Sports Connection magazine also features a new addition — the All-Iowa Team. This team is a collection of former Iowa preps who currently play for Iowa teams at the NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III levels. From Morningside to Wartburg, Iowa has plenty of pigskin tradition on the “smaller stages” of collegiate football. These smaller stages, however, have some “big-time performers”
CONTENTS
4 Pee Wee Profiles
7 Prep Connection
16 Collegiate Corner
26 Minor but Major
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Volume 13 Issue 8
The Iowa Sports Connection is published once per month with copies available by subscription. The magazine can also be found at all Casey’s General Stores across the state in addition to a few select locations in Iowa. All stories and pictures produced by ISC staff © 2011 Iowa Sports Connection. All rights reserved. Stories, pictures and other content produced by contributors © 2011 their respective owners, with limited reprint rights reserved by the Iowa Sports Connection. The Iowa Sports Connection logo is trademark ™ Iowa Sports Connection.
Contributing Writers: Rodney J. Brown, Howie Thompson, Tim Harwood, Lee EvansContributing photographers: Roy Tucker (Pep Rally Photo), Charlie McCardle
Cover: Jeremy Hellickson pitches for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Former Des Moines Hoover Huskie Hellickson Gives Iowans a Thrill in MLB Playoffs!
that make their alma mater high schools very proud. There’s a lot of history in small college football in Iowa and the Iowa Sports Connection would like to salute these players for helping sustain traditions and create lasting
memories for their surrounding communities and the entire state of Iowa. I’d like to thank you for picking up a copy of The Iowa Sports Connection magazine. You can catch this and every issue of The Iowa Sports Connection magazine online at iowasportsconnection.com in digital format. Also, as the high school football season winds down, I’d like to thank everyone for tuning in to the award-winning Friday Night Live and The Iowa Sports Connection Show, as we make the move from Friday night lights to the courts for the boys and girls high school basketball seasons. You can catch Friday Night Live, The Iowa Sports Connection Show and On the Tee on The Iowa Sports Connection Radio Network, including our flagship station AM1700 in Des Moines and on TV on WHO Weather Plus 13.2 and KCRG 9.2. The Iowa Sports Connection also offers an impressive stable of mobile options with Iowasportsconnection.com and 13now.com to deliver you coverage of all Iowa sports, “From the Pee Wees, to the Preps, to the Pros” and “From the Missouri to the Mississippi.” Once again, thanks for picking up a copy of The Iowa Sports Connection magazine. God Bless You and God Bless America!
MidAmerican Energy M.V.P.: Paul ClintonPaul Clinton describes local little leagues as “families.” Read about how he has helped make the Grandview Little League a family during his time with the program.
Tony’s UNI-Dome PicksTony Atzeni predicts which teams will make the coveted trip to the UNI-Dome for the Iowa high school football state championships and which teams will come out on top in all classes. Mike Rickord ISC Publisher
Smaller Stage, Big-Time PerformersIntroducing the All-Iowa Team! The Iowa Sports Connection staff compiled an all-star team of former Iowa preps who play for Iowa schools at the NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III levels.
Hellickson Makes Iowans Proud in Playoff PerformanceA spirited crowd showed up at OverTime Neighborhood Hub to watch Iowa’s Jeremy Hellickson take the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2011 MLB Playoffs.
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M.V.P: Paul Clinton, Grandview Little LeagueTim Weideman Editor
Paul Clinton has seen the benefits of orga-nized little leagues so he does what he can to help out Grandview Little League in Des Moines. First of all, little leagues give kids a place to go for much of their summer breaks from school. But it’s the kids and everyone else involved that are important to Clinton. “It’s just enjoyable,” says Clinton. “You meet a lot of parents, grandparents, kids.” Clinton says he’s now coaching kids whose parents he also coached when they went through the Grandview program. The league features tee-ball, coach pitch, intermediate levels and all-star teams. Aside from being a coach for one of Grand View’s younger team’s, Clinton is also a player agent, assistant treasurer for the league and a consistent volunteer whenever he’s needed. As a player agent, Clinton helps arrange teams by meeting with coaches for the league’s drafts, formulating tryouts and managing the entire league. He also helps put the all-star team together. Clinton has been around the program for a while and has seen the league grow and improve. “It’s really gratifying because you can see, from the late 80s all the way through this year, all the changes and all the things that
Want to nominate an M.V.P to be feature in the ISC Magazine? This “Most Valuable Player” or “Most Valuable Parent” is recognized for what they’ve contributed to a team, organization or community, besides statistical performance. If you would like to nominate an MVP for our MidAmerican Engery Most Valuable Parent or Player, please contact us at [email protected] or call 515-283-1933.
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you helped build and made the little league a better place, as far as the playing grounds, to the equipment, to just helping out in the concession stand to raise money,” says Clinton. Even though Grandview’s upper levels compete on a regional, and sometimes national stage, Clinton says he likes to see the smiles on the faces of kids who aren’t as athletically gifted. He likes to see how they react when they succeed. “It’s keeps you going,” says Clinton. Clinton says little leagues such as Grandview offer more of a family atmosphere, rather than the ultra-competitive leagues that are starting to grow in number and popularity. The family atmosphere offers many benefits, says Clinton. “When we have fundraisers or when our teams make it to these regional games all the parents pitch in, even (the parents of) the kids who didn’t make it on the all-star team,” says
Clinton. “Everybody’s willing to help out, willing to donate, whereas at your AAU tournaments they charge you to play and sometimes you have to pay for each tournament you get in.” Clinton adds that raising money together brings all the teams in the league closer. “You play hard against each other all year and you’re all one family at the end of the year,” says Clinton.
Paul Clinton
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Drew Smith, Oak Ridge 8th Grade (Linn-Mar)Chase Smith (with ball), YMCA Saints
Cedar Valley Youth Association 3rd and 4th grade Tripoli and Independence teams
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Team of the Month: West Des Moines 49ers Tim Weideman Editor
The Iowa Sports Connection would like to congratulate the West Des Moines 49ers 5th grade team, which finished tied at 6-0 for first with the West Des Moines Lions in the standings for the West Des Moines “Little Pro” Youth Football League. The 49ers made it to the top by scoring a boat load of points and giving up hardly any. The 49ers led the league in points scored, scorching other teams for 178 points throughout the season. Offense wasn’t the only part of football that came naturally for the kids. They played great defense, too. The 49ers were third in the league in scoring defense, giving up a mere 21 points to opposing offenses during the year. The West Des Moines Lions led the league in that category by not giving up any points all season. The 49ers were second in the league with five shutouts. The only points the 49ers allowed all season came in the team’s opener — and closest game this year — against the Roland-
Story Chargers (Blue). In that game, the 49ers outscored the Chargers, 26-21, to come out on top with a victory.
Congratulations to the 49ers on an awesome year!
In each magazine we feature a Team of the Month. The Team of the Month is recognized for its success, growth as a team, support of the community, etc. If you know of a youth sports team that deserves to be recognized for its achievements and would like to nominate the team for the MidAmerican Energy Team of the Month, please contact us at [email protected] or call 515-283-1933.
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The 49ers pose for a picture with their trophies. (Photo courtesy of Judd Gibb).
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Tony Makes His High School Football UNI-Dome PicksTony Atzeni Radio Accounts Manager
It is now time for the 2011 Iowa high school football playoffs. Let’s take a look at the playoff pairings in each class and I’ll make my predictions on who I believe will reach the UNI-Dome. I must say that this may be the most balanced season I have seen and it will not surprise me if a team outside the top-10 rankings not only makes it to the UNI-Dome, but also the title game and even claim a state championship. Will I pick one as I go through the pairings? Well let’s see. The field returns the state champions in all six classes. Dowling Catholic (4A), Solon (3A), Iowa City Re-gina (2A), West Lyon (Inwood) (1A), North Tama (Traer) (A) and Armstrong-Ringsted (8-P) are back to defend, with Solon looking for its fifth straight and Armstrong-Ringsted looking for its third straight title. Let’s begin in Class 4A in the western half of the bracket, where the defending champs preside in Dowl-ing Catholic. Four teams have my total attention and I expect two of them to reach the UNI-Dome. The top half of the bracket includes #1 West Des Moines Valley and #9 Dowling Catholic. The Tigers won the regular season meeting in Week Zero, 28-21, but both teams have improved. The Maroons look to get even better with the return of all-state receiver, Amara Darboh, who has been out most of the season with a shoulder injury. #3 Ankeny and #4 Southeast Polk are on the bottom of the bracket. They also faced each other during the regular season with the Hawks prevailing in a defensive struggle, 12-7. Both play outstanding defense and have solid signal callers in Joel Lanning and Kyle Starcevich. If there is a sleeper team it’s Des Moines Lincoln led by their relentless ground attack led by Kippie Ward. My choice from the western bracket of Class 4A to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #1 West Des Moines Valley and #3 Ankeny. In Class 4A and the eastern bracket, a handful of teams catch my total attention but there are a few more that I would worry about. Linn-Mar (Marion) plays defense and I like that when it comes to the playoffs. It also has Mark Atwater on both sides of the football, who may be the best multi-position player in the state. The Lions may be without Mitch Wantock, who was injured in the final game of the regular season. If his 1,000 yards on the ground are gone it will be a big hole to fill. Cedar Falls and Iowa City High both have the talent in the backfield in Barkley Hill and Ronald Thompson
but both have shown they can be beat. Bettendorf looks to have peaked at the right time after an early season loss to Davenport Assumption and again, play solid defense. North Scott (Eldridge) and Iowa City West are dangerous as well. The real scary team here is the Warriors of Cedar Rapids Washington, who, when healthy, can play with anybody on the offensive side of the football. Iowa City West plays Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the first round, a team it defeated, 35-28, in week seven. My choice from the eastern half of Class 4A to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #2 Linn-Mar (Marion) and #6 Bettendorf. In Class 3A and the left side of the bracket posted by the IHSAA, #1 Clear Lake and #6 Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley posted perfect regular seasons. I still say that Class 3A is wide-open. The first round will eliminate one of the perennial powers when Harlan faces #9 Bishop Heelan (Sioux City). The most intriguing first round game is the same as last season, with Waverly-Shell Rock at #2 Webster City. The Go-Hawks won last season’s playoff meeting. Add #5 West Delaware (Manchester) who suffered its only defeat in week two, 17-16, to Western Dubuque (Epworth). Webster City is #2 in the final rankings and its only loss came to top-ranked Clear Lake, 28-27. Maybe it can settle the score for the UNI-Dome ticket but getting to that meeting will not be easy. Decorah has a rich football tradition and will not be an easy out. Carroll would like to think it can make some special moments as well. My choice from the left bracket in Class 3A to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #6 Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley and #1 Clear Lake In Class 3A and the right side of the bracket posted by the IHSAA, #3 A-D-M (Adel) is the lone unbeaten team. Even though it has a solid offense led by Gavin Glenn, it is its defense that is much improved this season. Come playoffs time, that’s what makes them tough. Then there is #4 Solon who for the second straight season lost its only game to #1 Iowa City Regina in Class 2A. The Spartans are in search of their fifth consecutive state title and second in Class 3A where they have not lost since moving up from 2A last season. The rest of the bracket is very balanced but #8 Maquoketa has my attention with the only loss on its schedule to #5 West Delaware, 24-21. Since the two schools are in different brackets, the only way to fix the loss is for both to reach the UNI-Dome. Union (LaPorte City) was high in the early season rankings but losses to Central Clinton and Maquoketa sent them tumbling. Union has made statements down the stretch and could be a sleeper here. Pella just keeps on doing what it does best: win. If I learned one thing this year it is to never count out a Little Dutch team. After losing its
season opener to Newton, Pella has really not been challenged. Norwalk’s Kenny Floyd in the backfield would like nothing better than a second shot at the A-D-M Tigers, Norwalk’s only loss. My choice from the eastern half of the Class 3A bracket to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #4 Solon and #3 A-D-M (Adel) In Class 2A and the left side of the bracket posted by the IHSAA, #2 West Marshall (State Center), #5 Spirit Lake and #7 PCM-Monroe finished the regular season unbeaten. West Marshall looks like the choice here under Coach Ken Winkler, who may have his best team ever with explosive Dalton Ferch leading the way. Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) is dangerous. The Knights only loss was the season opener to Class 3A rival Car-roll. Since then, other than their meeting with South Central Calhoun who they defeated, 10-8, the Knights have made it look easy. Spirit Lake has been one of the great stories this season. Has the team played the schedule to prepare for the playoff run though? This is the same question in the case of PCM-Monroe, taking nothing away from their accomplishments. North Polk is in the same position that it was in last season when it made the run to the title game. #9 St. Edmond (Fort Dodge) is pretty darn good as well but this may not be the year to find surprises in this bracket. My choice from the western bracket in Class 2A to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #2 West Marshall (State Center) and #4 Kuemper Catholic (Carroll). In Class 2A and the right side of the bracket posted by the IHSAA, #1 Iowa City Regina, the defending state champions, and #3 Mediapolis stand unbeaten through the regular season. Before the season, the Regals were not my choice but I learned very quickly they reloaded and moved to the top of the poll. So far the Regals have not disappointed. Mediapolis, led by Jesse Ertz, played in a very balanced district. Beckman (Dyersville) has regrouped very well after an early season loss to North Fayette (West Union), 14-12. Beckman had an impressive regular season finale win over then unbeaten South Winneshiek (Calmar), 37-0. Both are in their bracket along with Forest City, who may be one of the under-the-radar surprise stories this season in 2A. Forest City did lose to Clarion-Goldfield in district play in week four. Others are capable here, including Albia, Wilton and New Hampton, but all could have a tough time winning the first round game.
PrepConnection
Continued on Page 8...
finale, 9-7, to #8 Akron-Westfield. If they both win their playoff openers they will meet again. #4 West Hancock (Britt) suffered its only loss to Gehlen Catholic in non-district play. Madrid started the season without all of its pieces and play up against West Marshall (State Center) and PCM-Monroe, both unbeaten in Class 2A. No one really stands out on this side of the bracket other than Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton. My choice from the left side of the bracket in Class A to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #3 Gehlen Catholic (LeMars) and #6 Madrid. In Class A and the right side of the bracket posted by the IHSAA, #1 Lisbon has established themselves as the team to beat, with Ben Knake and Tate Simpson leading this high-powered offense. #9 Lone Tree suf-fered its only loss to Lisbon in week seven, 35-7. #7 Postville lost to #2 Newman Catholic (Mason City) in a non-district meeting, 42-7. Newman Catholic lost early in the season to Class 1A playoff qualifier Saint Ansgar. Don’t forget about defending champions #5 North Tama (Traer) who lost its quarterback, Jacob Wrage. It has only a loss to Postville, 31-20, a team that can get after you defensively. B-G-M (Brooklyn) may be a sleeper with its losses coming to #1 Iowa City Regina in Class 2A and Lone Tree, who could face-off in the next round if both win. My choices from the right side of the bracket in Class A to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #1 Lisbon and #2 Newman Catholic (Mason City). In Class 8-Player and the left side of the bracket posted by the IHSAA, #1 Armstrong-Ringsted and #2 Fremont-Mills (Tabor) are unbeaten and could meet in the semifinals. The Mustangs, led by Tyler Fedder-sen and Dakota Odermann, are in line for their third consecutive title, If they reach the championship game it would be their fifth straight. Fremont-Mills is led by Nate Meier, who has nearly 1,400 yards in limited ac-tion most of the season. #5 West Bend-Mallard needs to improve from its loss to Armstrong-Ringsted. #6 East Mills has been a favorite most years but this could be a bad year to be in 8-player with the way the top two teams have
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My choice from the right bracket in Class 2A to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #1 Iowa City Regina and #8 Beckman (Dyersville). In Class 1A and the left side of the bracket posted by the IHSAA, #1 St. Albert (Council Bluffs), #2 Em-metsburg, #4 Panorama (Panora) and #7 Lawton-Bronson are all unbeaten entering the playoffs. Add defending champion West Lyon (Inwood) and once beaten Logan-Magnolia and Des Moines Christian and you can see where I am going in this deep bracket. If tradition plays into factor then the easy choice is Em-metsburg, making its state-best 36th appearance in the playoffs. St. Albert (Council Bluffs) is in search of its fifth title since 2004 with its new wishbone look. If you are looking for a new face, then Panorama (Panora) is a solid choice behind 1,000 rusher John Derry. No matter which way you go, it will be a well-earned ticket to the UNI-Dome in this bracket. My choice from the left bracket in Class 1A to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #1 St. Albert (Council Bluffs) and #2 Emmetsburg. In Class 1A and the right side of the bracket posted by the IHSAA, #3 Alburnett and #6 Woodward-Grang-er both are unblemished during the regular season in the bracket. Aplington-Parkersburg, who lost only to #2 West Marshall from Class 2A, would like nothing better than to return the favor to Woodward-Granger. West Branch lost early to Alburnett but another shot could prove much different. Turkey Valley (Jackson Junction) also found its stride down the stretch but lost to Bellevue, 29-28, and handed #10 Wapsie Valley (Fairbank) its only loss in overtime, 20-17. My choice from the right bracket in Class 1A to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #3 Alburnett and #5 Aplington-Parkersburg. In Class A and the left side of the bracket posted by the IHSAA, only #1 Lisbon is unbeaten entering the playoffs. #3 Gehlen Catholic (LeMars) lost its season
performed. My choices from the left bracket in Class 8-Player to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #1 Armstrong-Ringsted and #2 Fremont-Mills (Tabor). In Class 8-Player and the right side of the bracket posted by the IHSAA, only Melcher-Dallas, led by Trent Flesher, is unbeaten. #3 Preston lost to Janesville, 43-38, in week three but has not really been chal-lenged since. The two teams could meet for the trip to the UNI-Dome if they prevail the next couple of games. #7 Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg) has Marcus Mechaelsen, making it dangerous, but did lose to Janesville in the season finale. You can see why Janesville is a sleeper with two losses, one of them coming to Clarksville who lost to Northeast Hamilton. Confused yet on this side of the bracket? Murray lost to Adair-Casey who lost to East Mills and Fremont-Mills in non-district action. Do not overlook Adair-Casey’s chances of advancing. Moravia lost its only game to Melcher-Dallas, 54-33. My choices from the right bracket in Class 8-Player to reach the UNI-Dome and the semifinals is #3 Pres-ton and unranked Adair-Casey. I will humor you with my picks for the state title, but it would be nice to see yours as well. In the end, I’m sure we will all agree how tough of a choice it is. My picks to win the state championships this season are West Des Moines Valley in Class 4A, Clear Lake in Class 3A, Iowa City Regina in Class 2A, St. Albert (Council Bluffs) in Class 1A, Lisbon in Class A and Fremont-Mills (Tabor) in Class 8-Player. Well, now it is your turn to take a leap and see how your picks come out. No matter the results, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all the players and coaches who participated this season and especially those making memories in the playoffs. Good luck and good health to all the players and coaches. No matter the outcome, make yourself, your family, your school and your community proud of how you played the game.
Jim TarpeySales Manager
Dean Foods - Lemars 515-822-4146Dean Foods.com
PrepConnection
Continued from Page 7
A quick look at some of the State’s best performances from the Missouri to the Mississippi
Dowling Catholic Cross Country: The Dowling Catholic Maroons swept the Class 4A cross country titles with both the girls and the boys taking their respective crowns. Freshman Grace Gibbons also won the girl’s individual title for Dowling.
Keith Byers (Sr., Spirit Lake): Keith Byers won the boy’s Class 2A State Cross Country individual title with a time of 15:36. He was followed by his teammate, Will Norris, a junior, who was runner-up with a time of 15:48.
Taylor Sieperda (Fr., Spencer): Taylor Sieperda qualified for two events at the girls State Swim Meet. The freshman qualified for the 50 Freestyle with the top time of 24.20 seconds. She also qualified for the 100 Freestyle with the second-best time of 52.90 seconds.
Maggie James (Fr., Ames): Freshman Maggie James was the top qualifer in diving for the girls State Swim Meet. James qualified with a score of 478. Sarah Kemp, a senior from Ames, qualified second with a score of 468.7.
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PrepConnection
High School Cross Country State Meet ResultsTony Atzeni Radio Accounts Manager
Dowling Catholic won the Class 4A Iowa High School Boys Cross Country Championship on Saturday in Fort Dodge. Ben Anderson, a junior from West Des Moines Valley won the individual title in a time of 14:53, ahead of Josh Evans, a sophomore from Linn-Mar (Marion). Dowling Catholic made it a sweep as once again the Maroons girls won the Class 4A title led by freshman Grace Gibbons who won the individual title in a time of 14:00.
Class 4A Boys Cross Country Team Standings Top 51-DOWLING CATHOLIC - 702-CEDAR FALLS - 1023-IOWA CITY WEST - 1274-CEDAR RAPIDS, WASHINGTON - 1545-PLEASANT VALLEY - 163
Class 4A Boys Individual Top 101-Ben Anderson, 11, WEST DES MOINES VALLEY - 14:532-Josh Evans, 10, LINN-MAR (MARION) - 15:013- Cole Decker, 12, DOWLING CATHOLIC - 15:124- Jacob Aune, 12, CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE - 15:195- Brook Price, 11, IOWA CITY HIGH - 15:196- Jason Thomas, 11, DOWLING CATHOLIC - 15:197- Caleb Drake, 11, PLEASANT VALLEY - 15:218- Adam Streicher , 12, CEDAR FALLS -15:239- Isaac Jensen, 11, IOWA CITY WEST - 15:2410- Jordan Schulze, 11, INDIANOLA - 15:24
Class 4A Girls Cross Country Team Standings Top 51-DOWLING CATHOLIC - 632-LINN-MAR (MARION) - 913-PLEASANT VALLEY – 95
4-WEST DES MOINES VALLEY - 1655-CEDAR FALLS - 175
Class 4A Girls Individual Top 101-Grace Gibbons, 9, DOWLING CATHOLIC - 14:002-Mahnee Watts, 11, BETTENDORF - 14:063-Allison Gregg, 11, CEDAR FALLS - 14:104-Kate Kaster, 12, CLINTON - 14:185-Anna Peer, 11, BETTENDORF - 14:206-Emma Huston, 12, DES MOINES ROOSEVELT - 14:207-Karissa Schweizer, 10, DOWLING CATHOLIC - 14:218-Lydia Saggau, 11, WEST DES MOINES VALLEY - 14:239-Brianna King, 11, CEDAR FALLS - 14:2310-Maddie Reynolds , 10 PLEASANT VALLEY - 14:27
Class 3A
The Pella Little Dutch won the Class 3A Iowa High School Boys State Cross Country Championship in Fort Dodge behind Zach Buchheit who also won the individual title in a time of 15:10. Dubuque Wahlert is the Class 3A girls team champions as they outscored Davenport Assumption and Pella in the team battle. The Golden Eagles were led by Tessa Leytem and Lauren Rusch who finished 16th and 20th respectfully. Madison Waymire, a sophomore from Dallas Center-Grimes won the individual title in a time of 14:09.
Class 3A Boys Cross Country Team Standings Top 51-PELLA - 852-DECORAH - 1003-DUBUQUE WAHLERT - 112
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4-MOUNT VERNON-LISBON - 1135-BOONE - 123
Class 3A Boys Individual Top 101-Zach Buchheit, 12, PELLA - 15:09.862-Conner Smock, 12, MOUNT VERNON-LISBON - 15:32.503-Nathan Carr, 12, GRINNELL - 15:33.134-Chandler Austin, 10, BOONE - 15:33.325-Patrick Larson, 11, DECORAH - 15:34.746-Daniel Huff, 12, WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK - 15:36.167-Lukas Mees, 12, MARION - 15:52.188-Brien Nugent, 11, DUBUQUE WAHLERT - 15:53.619-Buddy Franson, 12, DUBUQUE WAHLERT - 15:58.0210-Mark Abrams, 12, GLENWOOD - 15:59.75Class 3A Girls Cross Country Team Standings Top 101-DUBUQUE - 942-DAVENPORT ASSUMPTION - 1123-PELLA - 1184-SOLON - 1275-DECORAH - 158
Class 3A Girls Individual Top 101-Madison Waymire, 10, DALLAS CENTER-GRIMES - 14:092-Lauren Benzing, 11, SOLON - 14:303-Anna Holdiman, 11, WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK - 14:434-Laura Nuernberger , 11, MAQUOKETA - 14:505-Gabi Meirick, 11, PELLA - 14:536-Ali Krogman, 12, ATLANTIC - 14:597-Olivia Gallo, 9, GRINNELL - 15:06Continued on page 12.
Champions Across Iowa
Megan Gilbert once again has
had an outstanding year for
top-ranked Tripoli. The senior
star leads Class 1A with 443
kills and a kill percentage of
.463. Tripoli will seek its fourth-
straight Class 1A volleyball
championship.
Volleyball
Name: Megan Gilbert
School: Tripoli
Class: 1A
Nicole Snyder has had a
good year for the Ridge View
Raptors. Snyder always has
her teammates covered. The
junior has 747 assists, good
for sixth in Class 2A.
Name: Nicole Snyder
School: Ridge View
Class: 2A
Zach Buccheit, a senior from
Pella High School, recorded
the top qualifying time of 15:35
at the state qualifying meet.
Buccheit crossed the line in a
time of 15:09 to win the 3A
State Championship by over
20 seconds.
Name: Zach Buchheit
School: Pella
Class: 3A
Senior Levi Storjohann has
been a runner to keep your eye
on all season. He posted the
second-best time of 16:49 at
the Class 1A state qualifying
meet. At this year’s state meet
he was crowned as the 1A
State Champion with a time of
15:57
Name: Levi Storjohann
School: BCLUW (Conrad)
Class: 1A
Get your breakfast of Champions at your local
VolleyballCross
CountryCross
Country
Volume 13 Issue 8 11Visit us on the web @ www.iowasportsconnection.com
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High School Cross Country State Meet Results
Continued from page 10.8-Erica Grubbs , 12, DAVENPORT ASSUMPTION - 15:079-Samantha Larson, 10, HUMBOLDT - 15:0710-Shana Kelly, 11, DECORAH - 15:07
Class 2A
Spirit Lake teamates Keith Byers, a senior and Will Norris, a junior finished 1-2 in the battle for the Class 2A individual boys cross country title in Fort Dodge. Byers finished in a time of 15:36. Unity Christian (Orange City) captured the Class 2A Iowa High School Girls Cross Country Title led by Kassidy DeJong, a freshman who finished 8th individually. Sadie Timms of Gilbert won the 2A individual crown in a time of 14:50.
Class 2A Boys Cross Country Team Standings Top 51-MONTICELLO - 732-GILBERT - 893-IOWA CITY REGINA - 1154-DENVER - 1385-NORTH POLK - 145
Class 2A Boys Individual Top 101-Keith Byers, 12, SPIRIT LAKE - 15:362-Will Norris, 11, SPIRIT LAKE - 15:483-Shane Kirchoff, 12, DENVER - 15:584-Mason Powers, 12, GILBERT - 16:005-Michael Melchert, 10, MONTICELLO - 16:056-Josh Lyons, 12, SOUTH WINNESHIEK (CALMAR) - 16:087-Thad Subra, 12, NORTH POLK - 16:088-Brennan Bogert, 11, IOWA CITY REGINA - 16:109-David Crompton, 11, IOWA CITY REGINA - 16:1610-Caleb Bakker, 12, UNITY CHRISTIAN (ORANGE CITY) - 16:16
Class 2A Girls Cross Country Team Standings Top 51-UNITY CHRISTIAN (ORANGE CITY) - 802-IOWA CITY REGINA - 1053-SIOUX CENTER - 1254-DENVER - 1725-NORTHEAST (GOOSE LAKE) - 173
Class 2A Girls Individual Top 101-Sadie Timms, 10, GILBERT - 14:502-Mariah Kauder, 11, CASCADE - 14:553-Kelsey Kirchoff, 11, DENVER - 15:034-Brittany Frush, 12, UNION (LA PORTE CITY) - 15:095-Cassandra Stuflick, 11, DANVILLE/NEW LONDON - 15:186-Mariah Casey, 10, NORTHEAST (GOOSE LAKE) -15:267-Bailey Hare, 9, ODEBOLT-ARTHUR/BATTLE CREEK-IDA GROVE - 15:278-Kassidy DeJong, 9 UNITY CHRISTIAN (ORANGE CITY ) -15:289-Sarah Lunn, 10 ROLAND-STORY - 15:2910-Miranda Moss, 10 SIOUX CENTER - 15:31
Class 1A
St. Albert (Council Bluffs) won the Class 1A Iowa High School Cross Country Championship in Fort Dodge on Saturday led by Josh Sindelar, a junior who finished 4th individually in a time of 16:08. Levi Storjohann of BCLUW (Conrad) claimed the individual crown as the senior posted a winning time of 15:57. Perennial power Pekin won the 1A girls team title led by senior, Celsey Conger and her third place individual finish. Rebekah Topham, just a freshman won the 1A individual championship with her winning time of 13:59.
Class 1A Boys Cross Country Team Standings1-ST. ALBERT (COUNCIL BLUFFS) - 73
2-WEST LYON (INWOOD) - 893-ST. EDMOND (FORT DODGE) - 1284-BCLUW (CONRAD ) - 1375-TRINITY CHRISTIAN (HILL) - 148
Class 1A Boys Individual Top 251-Levi Storjohann, 12, BCLUW (CONRAD) - 15:572-Cade Cleaveland, 12, RIVERSIDE (OAKLAND) - 16:053-Nate Kolacia, 12, ST. EDMOND (FORT DODGE) - 16:074-Josh Sindelar, 11, ST. ALBERT (COUNCIL BLUFFS) - 16:085-Tanner Wanders, 12, NORTH MAHASKA (NEW SHARON) - 16:126-Seth Reel, 11, ST. EDMOND (FORT DODGE) - 16:267-John Gunderson, 12, RIVERSIDE (OAKLAND) - 16:308-Sloan Beninga, 12, DIKE-NEW HARTFORD - 16:349-Alex Van Ginkel, 10, TRINITY CHRISTIAN (HULL) - 16:3610-Kevin Klobassa, 12, NASHUA-PLAINFIELD - 16:41
Class 1A Girls Cross Country Team Standings1-PEKIN - 752-EARLHAM - 1313-GRISWOLD - 1424- EAGLE GROVE - 1565-NORTH-LINN (TROY MILLS) - 187
Class 1A Girls Individual Top 251-Rebekah Topham, 9, GRISWOLD - 13:592-Leah Seivert, 10, SIBLEY-OCHEYEDAN - 14:313-Celsey Conger, 12, PEKIN - 14:424-Audrey Griffin, 12, PRINCE OF PEACE (CLINTON) - 14:445-Sammie Sproul, 10, JESUP - 14:546-Arden Betzer, 12, SPRINGVILLE - 14:587-Tiffany Christensen, 10, EAGLE GROVE - 15:078-Abbey Murphy, 10, EARLHAM - 15:079-Kari Fitzpatrick, 9, EDGEWOOD-COLESBURG - 15:0710-Jaclyn Rittgers, 11, PRAIRIE VALLEY (GOWRIE) - 15:08
12 Volume 13 Issue 8 Visit us on the web @ www.iowasportsconnection.com
of the Month
Adam RowleyHigh School: Oskaloosa Class: 2012GPA: 3.38Sport: FootballSports you play: Football, basketball, track,
Academic Achievements/Honors: Football Academic All-Conference 2010, Honor roll freshman, Sophomore, and Junior year.
Athletic Honors: 2nd team class 3a Iowa Sports Connection, 2nd team All-State running back 2010 INA, District 7 Class 3a All-District running back, 5th place Class 3a 4x100 meter relay 2010, qualifier class 3a 200 meter dash 2010. Lettered in soccer in 2008 and 2009. Lettered in football in 2009 and 2010. Lettered in track 2010.
What is your favorite sports memory?My Junior year home coming game against Fairfield, being behind 19 to 0 at halftime and coming back in the 2nd half and winning 20 to 19.
What’s your favorite subject in school and why? My favorite subject in school is Science because it comes easier to me than other classes and relates to what my future major is going to be.
If you won an unlimited gift card to any store or restaurant of your choice, what would it be? Why?Scheels, because they have everything I need there.
College Plans?I plan to play college football and plan to major in biology or physical therapy.
What is your dream job? Professional Football Player
Student Athlete
Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureauwww.iowagtsb.org
14 Volume 13 Issue 8 Visit us on the web @ www.iowasportsconnection.com
PrepConnection
Tony Atzeni Radio Accounts Mananger
As the Iowa high school volleyball season concludes, here’s a look at the top regular season performers in all four classes. Stats are as of Oct. 19 as reported to Quick Stats Iowa.
Kills Leaders - Top 10
Class 4A1-Melissa Bartholomew, Newton - 4502-Carly Demarque, Lewis Central (Council Bluffs) - 3603-Emilee Erichsen, Urbandale – 3594-Shelly Stumpff, Iowa City West - 3535-Kyla Inderski, Urbandale – 3336-Amy Frank, Sioux City East - 3287-Peyton Crosser, Ottumwa - 3268-Chloe Miller, Pleasant Valley – 2989-Alyssa Wing, Clinton - 29310-Audrey Reeg, Dubuque Hempstead - 292Kill Percentage Leader (Minimum 300 Attacks) - Maddie Nevenhoven (Waukee) - .515
Class 3A1-Natalie Vondrak, Bishop Heelan (Sioux City) - 4852-Lindsey Schulz, Carroll - 4203-Mackenzie Bigbee, Williamsburg - 3964-Jess Schaben, Harlan - 3775-Hannah Miller, Marion - 3756-Victoria Johnston, Nevada - 3577-Morgan Kuhrt, Waverly-Shell Rock - 3568-Gabi Fench, Red Oak - 3459-Mac McGraw, Oskaloosa - 33110-Megan McCarthy, Bishop Heelan (Sioux City) - 328Kill Percentage Leader (Minimum 300 Attacks) - Alexis Conaway (MOC-Floyd Valley) - .486
Class 2A1-Tabitha Blaser, Forest City - 3782-Kayla Speer, Danville - 3583-Josie Brackey, Lake Mills - 3554-Briana Weber, Dike-New Hartford - 3495-Kaylee Blake, IKM-Manning - 3406-Kellie Goedken, Sheldon - 3297-Jamie Johnson, West Burlington - 3277-Brooke Wolterstorff, Western Christian (Hull) - 3279-Lauren Dewes, Davis County (Bloomfield) - 32010-Samantha Meyers, Grundy Center - 320Kill Percentage Leader (Minimum 300 Attacks) - Sarah Frisch, (Grundy Center) - .497
Class 1A1-Megan Gilbert, Sr., Tripoli - 4432-Mikaela Foecke, Holy Trinity Catholic (Fort Madison) - 3893-Karlie Schut, Iowa Christian Academy - 3874-Maddie Bardole, Woodward-Granger - 3505-Hanna Feller, Earlham - 3096-Kari Ludvigson, River Valley (Correctionville) - 2817-Koral Crossett, New London - 2718-Chelsea Gyrp, H-L-V (Victor) - 2659-Jessica Balek, Newman Catholic (Mason City) - 26110-Noreen Morrow, Harris-Lake Park - 25910-Caila Raymond, Bedford - 259Kill Percentage Leader (Minimum 300 Attacks) - Megan Gilbert (Tripoli) - .463
Assist Leaders - Top 10
Class 4A1-Samantha Bohnet, Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln - 9942-Kelley Fliehler, Iowa City West - 9123-Linnea Stephens, Urbandale – 8794-Tyra Bell, Waterloo West - 8355-Erin Muir, Iowa City High - 8246-Amber Huttmann, Lewis Central (Council Bluffs) - 789
7-Megan Evens, Cedar Falls - 6608-Caitlyn Glidden, Sioux City North - 6499-Katelyn Camp, Newton - 64510-Hannah Lindaman, North Scott (Eldridge) - 644
Class 3A1-Madeline Hanno, Bishop Heelan (Sioux City) - 1,0642-Sara Jesse, Union (LaPorte City) - 9053-Sarah Ernst, Marion - 8794-Marlee Lindstrom, Maquoketa – 8295-Kinsey Caldwell, Waverly-Shell Rock - 8106-Micaela Forsyth, Charles City - 7657-Bobbie Jo Burrows, Bondurant-Farrar - 7578-Mackenzie Harbaugh, West Delaware (Manchester) - 7479-Beth Walker, Dubuque Wahlert - 69210-Allie Christianson, Oskaloosa - 691
Class 2A1-Jamie Gesink, Western Christian (Hull) - 8982-Heather Hook, Grundy Center - 8353-Morgan Fjelstad, Lake Mills - 7994-Matti Munger, St. Albert (Council Bluffs) - 7895-Abbie Perez, Dike-New Hartford - 7636-Nicole Snyder, Ridge View - 7477-Samantha Halbur, South Central Calhoun - 7378-Molly Schimp, Hampton-Dumont - 7239-Malyn Hulstein, Sioux Center - 71110-Shannon Kelly, West Liberty - 701
Class 1A1-Ashley Tinguely, Holy Trinity Catholic (Fort Madison) - 1,0562-Sara Hoppenworth, Tripoli - 7643-Rochelle Means, East Union (Afton) – 6714-Brittney Hanson, Janesville - 6555-Bria Mears, New London - 5816-Kelsey Tebbe, Marquette Catholic (Bellevue) - 5667-Haley Manning, Woodward-Granger - 5618-Haley Raymond, Bedford - 5539-Jcie Jespen, River Valley (Correctionville) - 54510-Macy Gunderson, Harris-Lake Park - 532
Block Leaders - Top 5
Class 4A1-Olivia Fairfield, Iowa City West - 1162-Haley Van Cleave, Dubuque Hempstead - 1083-Kaz Brown, Cedar Falls - 973-Erin Rettenmaier, Dowling Catholic - 975-Tiana Mericle, Fort Dodge - 90
Class 3A1-Allie Wegner, Sergeant Bluff-Luton - 1212-Molly Wettach, Decorah - 1123-Allie Sweeney, Bishop Heelan (Sioux City) - 1074-Kelsey Krohn, Sergeant Bluff-Luton - 1035-Kelsey Cave, Solon - 102
Class 2A1-Shelby Marquardt, Logan-Magnolia - 1412-Amber Bakker, Sioux Center - 1353-Olivia Sulentic, Interstate 35 (Truro) - 1285-Kellie Goedken, Sheldon - 125 Alicia Blair, Clarke (Osceola) - 1205-Megan McIntosh, Nodaway Valley (Greenfield) - 120
Class 1A1-Shayley Smith, Riverside (Oakland) - 1402-Rachel Bird, Kinglsey-Pierson - 1243-Brittany Sudtelgte, Remsen-Union - 1194-Keeley Collins, Kingsley-Pierson - 1154-Courtney Loutsch, Remsen-Union - 115
High School Volleyball Regular Season Statistical Leaders
Digs Leaders - Top 10
Class 4A1-Ashley Salgado, Ottumwa - 5502-Anna Pashkova, Iowa City West - 4963-Delaney Bolton, Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln - 4884-Allye Bodholdt, Ames - 4855-Jamie Farley, Cedar Falls - 4326-Morgan Waterman, Pleasant Valley - 4157-Laura Shepherd, Iowa City High - 4058-Kyle Inderski, Urbandale - 3909-Amy Frank, Sioux City East - 38910-Carly Williamson, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson - 369Digs Per Set Leader (Minimum 300 Digs) - Ashley Salgado (Ottumwa) - 6.18
Class 3A1-Abby Caldwell, Waverly-Shell Rock - 5832-Nicole Snyder, Maquoketa - 4833-Natalie Vondrak, Bishop Heelan (Sioux City) - 4504-Kelsey McCabe, Bishop Heelan (Sioux City) - 4445-Miranda Altman, Alogna - 4396-Amanda Bries, West Delaware (Manchesater) - 4377-Eillie Rauch, Dubuque Wahlert - 4318-Michelle Lutz, Clear Creek-Amana - 4239-Erin Dorpinghaus, Central Clinton (DeWitt) - 41810-Abby Phillips, Marion - 407Digs Per Set Leader (Minimum 300 Digs) - Michelle Lutz (Clear Creek-Amana) - 6.22
Class 2A1-Riley Sents, Grundy Center - 4952-Mariah Knight, South Hardin (Eldora) - 4723-Ciarra Wagner, Bellevue - 4644-Paige Donohoe, West Branch - 4615-Marissa Stark, Mount Vernon - 4456-Leah Duffe, Wilton - 4437-Jen Pohlman, West Branch - 4078-Kassidy Guihan, West Burlington - 3849-Hailey Hellstrom, Missouri Valley - 3809-McKenzy Marley, Osage - 38010-Abbey Meyer, Cascade - 377Digs Per Set Leader (Minimum 300 Digs) - Ciarra Wagner (Bellevue) - 6.72
Class 1A1-Alex Willman, Spalding Catholic (Granville) - 4892-Kendall Corbitt, Charter Oak-Ute - 4863-Mikayla Morrison, English Valleys (North English) - 4514-Caitlin Rice, New London - 3985-Shelby Vandemark, Woodbine - 3876-Briley Sullivan, Laurens-Marathon - 3757-Tarin Clausen, Charter Oak-Ute - 3498-Natasha Kelm, Charter Oak-Ute - 3298-Hailey Sweet, Martenwsdale-St. Marys - 32910-Caitlyn Heuton, Laurens-Marathon - 327Digs Per Set Leader (Minimum 300 Digs) - Kendall Corbitt (Charter Oak-Ute) - 7.80
Serving Aces Leaders
Class 4A
Victoria Bricker, Southeast Polk - 78
Class 3A
Maddie Conley, Spencer - 87
Class 2A
Leah Rushman, Davis County (Bloomfield) - 103
Class 1A
Brittany Ellis, Kee (Lansing) - 117
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The Iowa Sports Connection compiled a list of former Iowa Preps who currently play football for Iowa football teams at the NAIA, Division II and Division III levels. The All-Iowa Team.
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The Iowa Sports Connection compiled a list of former Iowa Preps who currently play football for Iowa football teams at the NAIA, Division II and Division III levels. The All-Iowa Team.
The AIB Eagles will take the floor this fall as an associate member of the Midwest Collegiate Conference. Their first tip-off is Oct. 29 against York College, followed by a home match-up with Graceland University Nov. 2 and AIB’s Homecoming game Nov. 5 against Briar Cliff University. With those contests fast approaching, Giannetto and his players are making the most of the remaining practice time and the opportunity to pull together as a team. They are guarded and realistic about the prospects for their inaugural season, but they can’t tamp down their optimism. “Our team is going to give it everything we’ve got while we are out there on the court. We are going to be young and undersized this year, so we will have to make that up in effort,” said Olejniczak. “What we have going for us is our enthusiasm and our newness and maybe being overlooked,” said Giannetto. “They play the game because sometimes those that aren’t supposed to win, win.” Giannetto likens the situation to the story of David and Goliath. “Goliath was supposed to take care of David, but David knocked him down. We’re going to be that little David out there, and we’re going to be playing a lot of Goliaths, I will tell you that,” Giannetto said. “We are hoping to come out and compete every day and hopefully surprise a lot of teams,” Eley added. “We have a lot of talent on this team, and I think we are capable of anything.”
AIB ready to debut first men’s basketball teamRodney J. Brown AIB Communications Specialist
Good things often take a little time. It took AIB College of Business almost 90 years to decide to field its first men’s basketball team, and it has taken another year for Head Coach Tony Giannetto to bring that team together. To face the challenge, Giannetto relied mostly on his experience starting AIB’s golf program three years ago. That prepared him to take a philosophical approach. “You take two steps forward and one step back when you build a program,” he said. Addressing the need for appropriate facilities and equipment was an early challenge. “We only had one locker room, which was a women’s locker room. So our Board of Trustees approved a $1.5 million expansion onto our Activities Center,” said Giannetto. While basketballs and practice uniforms arrived on time, Giannetto was still awaiting an order of game uniforms just weeks before the season opener. “Hopefully we’re not skins and shirts that first game,” he mused. Giannetto’s main concern from the outset, though, has been recruiting. Fortunately, the prospect of being on a first-time team was a big draw for some of Giannetto’s recruits, including two 2011 All-State first team players. “It really helped me make my decision on why to come here,” said Brandon Eley. “I chose AIB because I wanted to be a part of history.” Eley, who scored more than 1,000 points while playing at Colo-Nesco High School, is a three-time winner of the Ames Tribune Mid-Iowa Boys Basketball Player of the Year award. Tim Olejniczak, the Des Moines Area Sports Commission’s High School Male Athlete of the Year, was drawn to AIB’s accounting major. But he also wanted to be part of the groundbreaking basketball effort. “It’s a great feeling knowing you are on the first-ever AIB men’s basketball team,” Olejniczak said.
Getting Eley and Olejniczak on board gave Giannetto’s recruiting efforts a boost. “We were able to recruit around them,” he said. Of the 20 roster players, 12 are true freshmen out of high school, Giannetto said. The other eight are junior college transfers or athletes that may have played some place else, stopped their careers and are trying to restart them. AIB’s debut in men’s basketball is transfer student Max Newbury’s second chance at collegiate hoops. He attended Southwestern Community College career, then took a year off. “Sitting out a year from basketball made me realize what I was missing out on. This was
something I couldn’t pass up,” Newbury said. Matej Culjak looks forward to bringing to bear for AIB his veteran experience at Iowa Central Community College. “I am very excited about the new program,” Culjak said. “I will keep working hard, try to improve my game, listen to my coaches and try to help some of the younger guys who have less experience with college basketball.” Giannetto can appreciate the opportunity for a second chance. “I’ve been involved in basketball all my life as a player and as a
coach at Marshalltown, a 4A school,” he said. “I was never given an opportunity
to coach at the highest level in high school, but I always felt I had the ability, and if I was ever given the chance, I thought it would be a great challenge for me. “Now I’m 62 years old and have been given this chance.”
18 Volume 13 Issue 8 Visit us on the web @ www.iowasportsconnection.com
AIB COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
ATHLETICS www.aib.edu
DEGREEin3
Des Moines, IA 515-246-5358
earn your
bachelor’sCheck out the new
Sports and EventManagement major
CollegiateCorner
Tim Olejniczak, Tony Giannetto, Brandon Eley
AIB Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tony Giannetto
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Tim Weideman Editor
Unlike last season, when defending Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion Wartburg and Coe reached the playoffs, the only surefire way to reach the NCAA Division III playoffs for teams in the Iowa Conference is to win the league crown. As the season winds down, Dubuque is the team to beat. Coe and Central are just outside the top spot, with Coe still having yet to play Dubuque. Wartburg and Simpson are really on the outside looking in but crazier things have happened. Still, it’s amazing what the Spartans have been able to put together at the University of Dubuque. Everyone expected a lot of offense out of the University of Dubuque Spartans this year. The question was whether the Spartans’ defense could stop opposing teams. As it turns out, no team can quiet the Spartans’ offense and teams are having trouble finding ways to score against the Spartans. Dubuque leads the Iowa Conference in scoring offense, averaging 43.9 points per game (seventh in NCAA Division III), and scoring defense, giving up just 19.3 points per game. They lead the conference with 506 yards per game, which is also good for second in Division III. The Spartans are fourth in the country in Division III in passing offense, averaging 332 yards per game. That leads the conference. Individually, the Spartans feature the truly dynamic duo of WR Michael Zweifel and QB Wyatt Hanus. Zweifel leads Division III in total receiving yards, receiving yards per game, receptions, receptions per game and receiving touchdowns. His numbers are absolutely stunning at 117 catches, 1,665 yards, 22 touchdowns, 13 receptions per game and 185 yards per game. What’s more impressive is that Demacus Fleming, Dubuque’s No. 2 receiver, also sees plenty of passes come his way. He is second in the conference with 52 receptions, eight touchdowns and 818 receiving yards. He’s also third in the IIAC with 5.8 receptions per game and 90.9 yards per game. Hanus leads the conference in just about every
statistical category for passing. He has completed 216-of-289 passes for 2,919 yards (first in DIII) and 39 touchdowns (first in DIII). He averages 324 yards per game threw the air (third in DIII) and has a passer efficiency rating of over 200.66 (second in NCAA DIII). Need any more convincing that Dubuque’s passing game is one of the tops in the country? It’s certainly given IIAC defensive secondaries fits. Dubuque’s running game can’t be counted out, either. Justin Spaulding leads the IIAC in rushing with 1,048 yards. He’s the conference’s only 1,000-yard rusher with two weeks left in the schedule. He’s averaging 116 yards per game, which is also tops in the conference. The Spartans can threaten any team with any facet of their offense, however, the IIAC crown won’t be given up without a fight. Coe has the best shot at knocking the Spartans out of contention for a playoff berth. Honestly, the season couldn’t be set up any better. Dubuque travels to Cedar Rapids to take on the conference’s best defensive team — in terms of yards allowed — Nov. 5. The Kohawks could make figuring out the conference champion much trickier if they win. But will the Kohawks have enough to stop Dubuque? Coe gives up 337 yards on defense, which leads the league. The team is also holding opponents to 25 points per game, good for third behind Dubuque and Wartburg. Coe also features experience QB Brad Boyle, who’s third in the conference in average passing yards per game with 232. He’s also third in total
Iowa Conference Football Report: Who Can Stop Dubuque?
CollegiateCorner
passing yards with 1,857. As far as the Iowa Conference champion’s chances once the NCAA Division III playoffs are reached, well, things probably don’t match up too well. The highest-ranked team in the Iowa Conference is Dubuque — and the Spartans are only ranked No. 25 in one poll and are just receiving votes in another. Wartburg is the only other team receiving any national attention. The Knights are receiving votes in both polls. Match-ups in the playoffs could get dicey for the IIAC champs. As we saw last year, that could mean early exits for the Iowa representative. Only time will tell, though. And quite frankly, opponents might prefer not to face the Spartans’ offense in the postseason. Who would? Dubuque definitely has the offense to put itself in position for a run in the playoffs. For most of the season, the Spartans have flown under the radar, in terms of national attention. Don’t expect opposing teams to come totally unprepared to defend Hanus and Zweifel, but flying under the radar could be considered an advantage the Spartans have in their corner.
Tim Weideman Editor
Several Iowa teams still have a shot at the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League. With some high-impact games to end the season, you’ll definitely want to keep tabs on the conference.
William Penn
William Penn, the No. 8 team in the country, hits hard on both sides of the ball. The preferred mode of production for the Statesmen is the ground game. As a team, William Penn has 3,209 rushing yards on the season. That’s just shy of 1,000 yards more than the league’s second-leading rusher. QB Taylor Parsons is the Statesmen’s biggest offensive threat. He’s second in the MSFA with 96 yards rushing per game. He’s got 867 total yards on the ground so far this season. His 13 rushing touchdowns is tied for league best. Some may view William Penn’s offense as one-dimensional. All William Penn’s previous opponents can say is, “Hey, you try to stop ‘em.”William Penn is tied with Grand View for third in MSFA Midwest League at 4-1 in league games (8-1 overall), with its only loss coming to No. 16 Saint Francis (Ill.), 36-35.
Saint Ambrose
The Saint Ambrose Fighting Bees sit atop the MSFA Midwest League with a 5-0 record in league games (7-1 overall). However, the toughest challenges are ahead for the Bees. Saint Ambrose hosts No. 8 William Penn before finishing the season by traveling to No. 16 Saint Francis (Ill.). If the Bees win, they’ll lock up the Midwest League title. If not, then the league is as open as ever. The Bees will lean heavily on MSFA-leading rusher RB Cole Kelly, averaging just shy of 100 yards per game. Kelly has punched out an average of 6.5 yards per carry and has seven touchdowns on the season with two games remaining.
Grand View
It took the Grand View Vikings a while but they finally made it back into the NAIA rankings at No. 23. For a while, the Vikings appeared to be out of the MSFA Midwest League title picture. With their only Midwest League loss coming to Saint Ambrose and a matchup with William Penn, the Vikings may be right back in the thick of things at the end of the season. The game against William Penn will be interesting to watch, as the Vikings take pride in being able to
stop the run. Grand View is second in the MSFA in rushing defense, giving up just 60 yards per game on the ground.
Iowa Wesleyan
It has been a growing season for the Iowa Wesleyan Tigers but there’s one clear highlight to take away from the year in the Tigers’ air attack.Led by sophomore QB Kevin McConnell, the Tigers are second in the MSFA in passing yards per game with 252. McConnell has completed 196-of-299 pass attempts for 1,925 yards and 13 touchdowns so far this season. He has suffered from the turnover bug, though, throwing nine interceptions. McConnell’s favorite target is sophomore WR Ridge Hobbs, who leads the MSFA with 97.5 receiving yards per game, 780 total receiving yards and an astounding 25.2 yards per catch average.
Waldorf
The Waldorf Warriors are 1-8 overall and still looking for their first win in Midwest League play. The Warriors may be able to remove themselves from the bottom of the barrel when they host Trinity International (1-8, 0-5 MSFA) to end the season. The bright spot for the Warriors has been junior RB Toba Olarewaju, who’s averaging about 86 rushing yards per game.
20 Volume 13 Issue 8 Visit us on the web @ www.iowasportsconnection.com
NAIA Report: MSFA Midwest League Up for Grabs
CollegiateCorner
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NAIA Football Report: Morningside Regains GPAC Lead Tim Weideman Editor
CollegiateCorner
It didn’t take long. The Morningside Mustangs have regained control of the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Here’s a breakdown of all the Iowa teams:
Morningside
After stumbling against Nebraska Wesleyan earlier in the season, the Morningside Mustangs have regained control of the GPAC. Morningside is the top-ranked NAIA team in Iowa at No. 6. With a favorable schedule ahead of them, the Mustangs look poised to take the conference title and earn a bid to the NAIA playoffs. Morn-ingside has games against Concordia and Sioux City-rival Briar Cliff to close out the season. Morningside RB Fred Jones leads all GPAC rushers with 789 yards. He has eight touch-downs and averages 5.3 yards per carry. Defensively, DB Ben Rickord has been the Mustangs’ shutdown corner and LB Marshall Barney has been a ball hawk.
Northwestern
Northwestern finds itself in a possible position to take over the GPAC lead, should Morningside
stumble. If not, the No. 20 Red Raiders will likely be on the outside looking in this postseason. Like the Mustangs, Northwestern hit a rough patch early in the season, only the Raiders’ lasted two weeks. Northwest-ern dropped contests against rival Morningside and GPAC foe Doane, which is ranked No. 22 in the NAIA. The Red Raiders are a very balanced team, featuring the league’s top scoring offense, av-eraging 35.7 points per game, and the second-best scoring defense, averaging a mere 15.3 points given up to opponents.
Briar Cliff
It’s been a slow year for the Chargers but they can’t afford to stop pushing forward as a road game against Morningside looms as the season finale. The game gives Briar Cliff an opportunity to play spoiler. Though the upset is unlikely, Morningside has stumbled previously this season. Briar Cliff has some young talent in freshman RB Jared Williams and sophomore QB Tom Trafi-canti. Williams is fourth in the GPAC with 91.8
rushing yards per game. Traficanti is fourth among league pass-ers with 187.0 passing yards per game. He has 1,620 yards through the air and 11 touch-
downs but has also thrown 12 interceptions.
Dordt
The Defenders are still searching for their first win in GPAC play and find themselves at the bottom of the conference. With two remaining games coming against No. 22 Doane and No. 20 Northwestern, it doesn’t appear things will be looking up for Dordt. Sophomore LB Seth Vande Voort is one of the highlights for the Defenders this year. Vande Voort leads the league with 81 tackles and 9.0 tackles per game. Junior DB Jon Luetchens has had an eye for the ball this season. He’s third in the GPAC with five interceptions. Other than that, Dordt will look to improve next year. The Defenders are last in the league in scoring offense and second-to-last in scoring defense.
22 Volume 13 Issue 8 Visit us on the web @ www.iowasportsconnection.com
UNI Gearing Up for a National Championship RunEduardo Zamarripa Staff Writer
CollegiateCorner
Playing for Northern Iowa Football comes with loaded expectations. After 4-1 start and a No. 2 national FCS ranking, the Panthers are aware that the target is on their back. “We try to instill in our players that when you come and play for Northern Iowa, we’re going to be a target, “said UNI Head Coach Mark Farley. “We are going to get their best shot.” So far, the Panthers remain unfazed. After a gut-wrenching 19-20 season-opening loss to Division I member Iowa State, UNI has reeled off four consecutive wins. Looking sharper each week.The Panthers earned their first win of the season on the road against an athletic Stephen F. Austin squad, 34-23. Since then, the Panthers outscored their next three opponents by a combined margin of 103-26. Including a convincing 23-9 victory over Missouri Valley Conference rival and No.17 ranked Indiana States. After climbing up the No. 2 ranking in the country, Farley talked about the importance of being concerned with how they play and not who they are playing in order to continue their success. “Our opponent will always play at a higher level. It’s how we play, not who we play,” Farley said. One of the reasons the Panthers have been successful on offense this season has been the UNI’s Tirrell Rennie
Visit us on the web @ www.iowasportsconnection.com Volume 13 Issue 8 23
CollegiateCorner
remain focused, the expectations will keep increasing and a trip to the national championship is the goal. “We expect to win our conference. We expect to make the playoffs,” Rennie said. “A realistic goal? It doesn’t get more realistic that being in that national championship game.”
presence in the middle for the Panthers, leading the way with 63 total tackles. Redshirt senior defensive lineman Ben Boothby has provided the consistent pass-rush. Boothby leads the team in sacks with 6.5 Despite the impressive numbers put up by the Panthers, Farley still believes there is a lot of room for improvement for the Panthers. A scary thought considering how well the Panthers have fared so far this season. “We can improve in a lot of areas. Our defense, our pass rushers and we can do a better job in our offensive play,” Farley said. “We have to be able to be aggressive without getting penalties. As the season progresses, the Panthers will have to face the pressure of holding such a high ranking and being expected to win each week. Taking games one at a time will be pivotal if the Panthers want to remain undefeated in conference play. “The goal is to stay involved with the team we play each Saturday,” Farley said. “We’re in a good spot right now. How do we handle being in this spot? Just deal with issues of each day.” And as they continue to do that, new leaders have emerged every week. “Each week is a new leader. We’re playing really well right now,” Farley said. “Everybody is stepping up to the plate. Everybody is contributing.” As long as that continues and the Panthers
UNI’s David Johnson
play of senior quarterback Tirrell Rennie. Rennie has proved to be a dual-threat this season, leading the team in rushing yards (534) and passing yards (825). Rennie has rushed for five scores and thrown for five touchdowns as well, without throwing an interception so far this season. “We really have bought into the system this year,” Rennie said. “The O-line has been doing a phenomenal job blocking. The wide receivers have been doing a great job catching.” Rennie talked about the importance of getting familiarized with the playbook and how that has helped him succeed. “I’m more comfortable with the plays. I don’t think about the routes, I know them in my head,” Rennie said. “I’m just reacting to the defense.” Another important contributor in the Panther offense has proved to be redshirt freshman David Johnson. Johnson has rushed for a team-high six touchdowns and leads all running backs in rushing yards (485). And while the offense has been electric, the Panther defense has been very impressive as well. The UNI defense is allowing less than 14 points per game and has allowed only two touchdowns in the last three games. “Our defense is doing a great job,” Rennie said. “It makes it easy for us to come out and play the game. We don’t have to force anything.” Senior linebacker L.J. Fort has been the
24 Volume 13 Issue 8 Visit us on the web @ www.iowasportsconnection.com
CollegiateCorner
Upper Iowa Football Looking to Future with Transformed Football ComplexHowie Thompson Upper Iowa Sports Information Director
Less than five months ago, Upper Iowa University’s President Dr. Alan G. Walker announced the single largest gift the university had ever received. Steve and Diane Harms of West Des Moines, Iowa, both 1973 graduates of UIU, gave $7.5 million to Upper Iowa for the transformation of the existing football complex. “It’s exciting to be part of the momentum of this University and to see what is coming down the road. It’s exciting to be part of Dr. Walker’s vision for what UIU can become,” Harms said. “I see Upper Iowa being in the top tier of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, so we need to have top-tier facilities so that we can consistently be a top-tier performer. Football is in my family’s blood, and we are proud to be Peacocks. We are pleased to be back and part of the UIU community. Dr. Walker talks about the ascension of this University, and we’re happy to be part of the ride.” Phase One of the transformation was completed a week prior to the Peacock football team’s opening week of practice. The first phase included a new turf field that to be used for practices and games for the football team. The turf is highlighted by Upper Iowa’s Peacock logo at midfield and the school name scripted in the end zones in the athletics department’s official font. The NCAA seal also appears at the 25-yard line on both the northeast and southwest sides of the field. In addition, each five-yard section of turf switches in color from dark green to light green. Phase Two of the transformation kicked off last Friday afternoon, Oct. 14, when Upper Iowa held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site. The Peacock football team played their final game in the current stadium on Saturday, Oct. 15, and by Monday morning pieces of the stadium were being removed. By Monday afternoon, the scoreboard was down and windows had been removed from the press box. By Tuesday afternoon, the press box itself was taken down and removed.
University Athletic Director David S. Miller said UIU student-athletes and coaches are looking forward to playing in the transformed stadium. “The new stadium will be a focal point of interest for athletics, the campus, and community and will add to the high level of excitement that exists on our campus,” Miller said. “This gift demonstrates the University’s commitment to building a strong and successful football program that will be a source of pride. We are so grateful to Steve and Diane Harms for their gift. Their support of Upper Iowa University, Peacock Athletics, and the student-athletes of the football program is unprecedented.” Phase Two will include a new, multi-use press box, field lighting, significantly increased seating capacity, a professional grade scoreboard with a large-screen video and retaining wall that will surround the field. The stadium is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2012 football season. The press box will include the president’s suite, two additional suites, new coaches’ boxes, separated radio boxes for both home and away crews, and a large operations/media box to house scoreboard and video operations, as well as statistics and members of the press. The crown jewel of the press box will be a VIP area with a glass back wall for viewing Pattison Field, home of the UIU soccer teams. The VIP area will also be used for social gatherings, banquets and intimate dinners for recruiting weekends, alumni events and more. “The press box alone is 10 times the size of our current press box and can be used for a variety of purposes year-round,” said UIU President Alan G. Walker. “The versatility of the design enables UIU to use the press box and concession stands for events on the soccer field as well, and the lighted, all-weather football field can also be used for high school and community events.” A new structure will be built behind the south goal
post that will house the sound system, scoreboard, and video board; end zone filming will also be done from this structure to ensure the safety of filmers. A large steel arc will sit atop the structure and will feature the U-I pitchfork logo, while drivers and passengers on Kornhill Road will see a large Peacock logo on the back of the structure. Additional transformations include a covered filming area on top of the press box, new concession areas, new store for UIU items, new restroom facilities, new ticketing areas and gate entrances, as well as a new plaza behind the concessions and patios on each side of the newly expanded grandstand. Upper Iowa will be playing their final two “home” games in West Union, Iowa, just eight miles north of Fayette. “We are very excited to have the opportunity to still play these games so close to home, and at the same time bring NCAA Division II football and the Northern Sun Conference to our fans in West Union,” said UIU Head Football Coach Tom Shea. “North Fayette has a rich history of successful football teams and they have welcomed the chance to host our games with open arms.”
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An artist’s rendition shows the transformations in store for Upper Iowa’s football complex. (Photo courtesy of Upper Iowa)
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Hafner Leading Smash Mouth Statesmen to SuccessTim Weideman Editor
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QB Taylor Parsons leads William Penn with 96 rushing yards per game, 867 rushing yards and 13 rushing TDs. (Photo courtesy of William Penn)
quarterback and then with three backs in the backfield. We’re reading the triple option, we’re trying to get the ball to whoever the defense wants to have it and (Par-sons) right now is doing a great job of reading defenses and getting it to the right person. The players that are getting the ball are doing a good job when they have the ball in their hands.” Hafner said so many players get carries to keep the defense guessing and to keep players fresh. “Our fullbacks rotate every other series and we have four slots that rotate every series,” Hafner said. “Who gets the ball and who carries it is really dictated by what the defense is trying to do to us.” Whether it’s the smash mouth defense, the pounding running attack or a combination of both, success has been in the making ever since Hafner became head coach. In 2005, Hafner led William Penn to its first winning season since 1976. Last year, the Statesmen finished 10-1 overall, 6-1 in the MSFA, earning a nod as league
co-champion. Sophomore Jacob Batterson, a starter at safety and native of Eddyville, Iowa, noticed the strengths of Hafner’s program, which drew him toward the Statesmen. “When (the coaches) came on visits they were pretty adamant on what they were trying to do here, what they wanted to do, how they could use me and use everybody that was coming in,” Batterson said. “I’m glad I made the choice.” Batterson also said he enjoys play-ing with such an experienced defense. “We’ve got a lot people back who played a lot of defensive downs last
DL Damon Harrison leads William Penn’s strong defense with 53
tackles and seven tackles for loss. He also has three sacks. (Photo
courtesy of William Penn)
Todd Hafner is changing things in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He’s making winning a habit for the William Penn States-men football program. Hafner, who took over at William Penn in 2004, has a 43-35 record at William Penn and has brought the pro-gram national attention in the NAIA. The Statesmen are currently ranked No. 8 in the country, have a 8-1 overall record and are tied for third in the Mid-States Football Association standings with a 4-1 record. Hafner credits this year’s team for its strong defense. He said that unit has been a key part of the Statesmen’s success. “A lot of it has to do with we’re playing really good defense right now,” Hafner said. “We’ve done a lot on of-fense, I’m not trying to downplay that, but the way our de-fense has played has really been inspiring for everybody. They play hard, they fly around, they’ve made big plays for us, they’ve caused a lot of turnovers. I think our hot start is directly attributed to how they’re playing.” Hafner’s squad has also run the ball up and down the field against opponents almost at will, it seems. William Penn averages over 350 yards per game on the ground. QB Taylor Parsons and RB Shawn Davis both average near 100 rushing yards per game. Seven other players average 20 or more rushing yards per game. “A lot of our playbook is based around how well we can run the football,” Hafner said. “We play with the
year,” Batterson said. “That just makes it so much better from having a year of football together and coming back the next year knowing who’s playing and how they’re go-ing to play the game. You can read off them and feed off what they’re going to do.” “Our linebackers, they’re young, but they’re really, really good and our secondary is the exact same way,” Batterson said. “We know that every down we’ve got 11 people on our side of the ball that are going to make plays.” With such a strong defensive presence and a juggernaut-style offense, the Statesmen could be hard to stop when the NAIA playoffs roll around.
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MinorBut Major
During early March 2008, Smith helped spark a late-season winning streak with goals in five straight. In between, however he went through one dry spell of 23 games with just a single goal. Usually quiet off the ice, Smith was chosen as the Hawks’ captain for 2008-2009. He not only led the team in the locker room, but amassed 76 points, tied for second in the USHL. It was the highest-scoring season for a Black Hawk since Jason Blake hit 100 in 1993-1994. Hot and cold streaks
were replaced by extreme consistency; opponents could not keep him from earning a point for more than two consecutive games. Smith made an All-Star appearance and was recognized on the All-USHL First Team. He also served as captain for the U.S. Junior Select
On October 7th, former Waterloo Black Hawks captain Craig Smith made his National Hockey League debut for the Nashville Predators. Smith scored a goal in the game as Nashville topped the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2. The profile of Smith which follows is from the new book about hockey in Waterloo, Black Hawks Chronicle; Five Decades of Teams, Games, and Players.
Craig Smith (excerpt from book):
It was not easy for Craig Smith to stand out as a USHL rookie. He joined a Waterloo team with other newcomers like midget hockey star Billy Maday, immediate point producer Josh Turnbull, and a pair of defensemen whose older brothers were on the fast track to the NHL, Blake Kessel and John Lee. Smith, a barely 17-year-old center from Madison, was the youngest player on the 2006-2007 roster. Still, his breakaway speed allowed him to make an almost immediate verbal commitment to the defending national champion Wisconsin Badgers. His potential appeared in spurts during his first two years in Waterloo. Just after Christmas in his rookie season, Smith scored three game-winning goals in eight days. He opened 2007-2008 with a point in five consecutive games.
Team which took top honors at the World Jr. A Challenge. In June, the Nashville Predators picked Smith in the fourth round of the NHL Draft. Joining his hometown Badgers that fall, he was the highest-scoring freshman in the WCHA. As a sophomore, he served as one of Wisconsin’s assistant captains. Expectations for Smith rose again in the spring of 2011 when he was chosen to play for the U.S. at the IIHF World Championships. One of three players on the roster without a professional contract, Smith led Team USA with three goals during the tournament. The Predators signed him a few months later.
New Book Looks at History of Waterloo Black Hawks HockeyTim Harwood Waterloo Black Hawks
Craig Smith of the Waterloo Black Hawks crowds the net. (Photo courtesy of Tim Harwood)
Black Hawks Chronicle: Five Decades of Teams, Games, and Players, a book by Tim Harwood, takes a look at the history of Waterloo Black Hawks Hockey. (Photo courtesy of Tim Harwood)
Volume 13 Issue 8 27
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Hellickson is the seventh pitcher to be named Rookie of the Yeary by Baseball America since the publications created the award in 1989. He’s the first pitcher to win the award since Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers won the award after his rookie year in 2006. Only time will tell if Hellickson can keep the momentum from his season-and-a-half in the Majors. So far, Hellickson is 17-10 with a 3.04 ERA. While the record in his second season may not impress upon first inspection, remember that Hellickson had a terrific ERA. If the Rays can support him with their bats, he’ll provide the shutdown pitching. One thing is for sure: Iowans will have a blast
It was quite the scene at OverTime Neighborhood Hub. Everybody was fixated on the game. This wasn’t your normal sports bar environment, with TVs featuring different games and patrons watching whichever they like. No, everyone wanted to watch Des Moines’ own Jeremy Hellickson take the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays against the Texas Rangers in the first round of the MLB playoffs. OverTime is definitely a Tampa Bay Rays fans’ paradise when Jeremy Hellickson takes the mound. The establishment features a large poster of Hellickson as a declaration of its allegiance to the 24-year-old Iowan who graduated from Hoover High School in Des Moines. Everybody was hoping for Hellickson to add to an already impressive rookie season. Unfortunately, the Rangers’ sluggers took him deep three times for three runs and knocked him out of the game in four innings. It was not the bright ending to a season that Hellickson’s hometown fans hoped for but that doesn’t subtract from the amazing year he had. The celebration was subdued but only until next year. Hellickson was named MLB’s Rookie of the Year by Baseball America. He finished the year with a 13-10 record, a stellar 2.95 ERA, two complete games and one shutout.
watching Hellickson for many years to come. The young hurler’s best years are ahead of him. Who knows? The Tampa Bay Rays have proven to be contenders in the past few years. Iowans may be watching Hellickson much further into the postseason next year.
Des Moines Celebrates Hellickson’s Award-Winning SeasonTim Weideman Editor
Visit us on the web @ www.iowasportsconnection.com
Jeremy Hellickson has worked his way to the “Big Show” and is a thrill for Iowans to watch.
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Utah’s Director of Basketball Operations for a year prior to being named an assistant coach. When Jones retired, Young was promoted to head coach. Considering his age, Young had a lot of experience even before joining the Flash. He has assistant coaching experience at NJCAA member school Oxford College of Emory in Georgia and at Utah Valley State. Young helped lead Utah Valley State to its second-most wins in a season in the school’s history. What’s perhaps most impressive about Young is how early he got into coaching basketball at a high level. Young made his head-coaching debut at 23 years old when he was the general manager and head coach of the Shamrock Rovers Hoops of the Superleague, Ireland’s top professional basketball league, during the 2006-07 season. His history as a player isn’t too shabby, either. Young was born in Salt Lake City and raised in Texas and Georgia. He played high school basketball in Marietta, Georgia, and was a star for Clayton State University, an NCAA Division II school. Young holds records at Clayton State for field goals, assists and three-point shooting. The Energy’s first home game is Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. against the Erie Bayhawks. Energy season tickets are on sale at www.IowaNBA.com or by calling 515-564-8550.
It’s time to welcome in a new era for the Iowa Energy. The defending NBA D-Legaue champion announced Monday, Oct. 5, that Kevin Young, 29, would be the new head coach. Young replaces Nick Nurse, who opted to leave Iowa for the D-League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers, which is ran by the Houston Rockets. Young came out as the top choice after more than 40 candidates, including some former NBA head coaches, applied for the position. Jerry Crawford, managing partner of the Iowa Energy ownership group, shared in a press release some insight on why the Energy owners and front office staff believed Young was the right choice: “We couldn’t be happier with Kevin Young. He’s bright, confidant, experienced in the league and ready to hit the ground running with the Energy. Simply put, faced with a choice of hiring the past or hiring the future, we hired the future.” Though his age may surprise, Young comes to the Energy with a bounty of experience. Young was head coach of the NBA D-League’s Utah Flash, the Utah Jazz affiliate. The Flash was 28-22, losing two games to one against Iowa in the first round of the league playoffs. Young served two years as an assistant coach for the Flash under Brad Jones. Young was
Iowa Energy Name New Head CoachTim Weideman Editor
The Iowa Energy hired Kevin Young as the new head coach. Though 29 years old, Young has coaching experience in college basketball, Europe and NBA D-League. (NBA/Getty Images)
MinorBut Major
Is Having Flat Feet A Problem?Lee Evans, D.P.M. Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons
First of all, what is a flatfoot? Flatfoot, is a condition where the arch of the foot collapses or rolls in during standing or walking. Having flatfeet by itself is not necessarily a problem. Some people live their entire life with flatfeet and never have a problem. However, there are numerous conditions in children and adults that are manifestations or side effects of having flatfeet. So, when should a parent be concerned about is child’s flatfeet? First, and probably most important, if a child has a flatfoot on only one foot it may be an indication of a larger or more systemic problem and should be evaluated. Some neurological problems can manifest themselves with a unilateral or one sided flatfoot. Beyond this, kids with flatfeet that are asymptomatic may not be concerning at all. However, kids with collapsing arches will many times have other foot and ankle issues. 1. Ankle pain in a child with a flatfoot can be a consequence of the arch collapsing and placing extraordinary rotator pressures on the ankle.
2. Heel pain in kids is common in kids due to growth plate stresses, but even more common in kids with flatfeet. As the foot flattens the Achilles tendon shortens and the plantar fascia stretches placing additional stress on the growth plate that resides on the back of the heel bone. The condition known as Severs Disease or Calcaneal Apophosistis is common in girls and boys between 9 and 13.
3. Arch pain is very common in kids with flat feet. As the foot rolls in the tendons that are designed to hold the arch up get placed on stretch leading to inflammation and tendonitis.
4. In some instances ankle pain is not ankle pain at all but actually subtalar pain. The ankle is responsible for up and down movement of the foot. The subtalar joint sits underneath the ankle joint and is responsible for in and out movement of the foot. If the foot collapses too much during standing, walking, and running, then the outside of the subtalar joint starts to hurt due to the abnormal stress placed upon it.
5. Many other conditions of the forefoot are indirectly affected by a collapsing arch. Bunions, hammertoes, metatarsalgia, stress fractures just to name a few.
So how do we treat flatfeet? When our grandparents were you they may have been told to wear their shoes on the wrong feet for correction. Some may have been placed in casts or wore a stainless steel insert. Today with the advent of shoe technology, there are anti-pronator shoes for running and walking. There are various over the counter inserts with varying degrees of stiffness and support. A custom orthotic that is made from a mold or cast will provide very good support that is individualized to the individuals foot. The materials that are used today allow for shifting of the orthotic from shoe to shoe. The benefit is that since the insole can be moved, it is not necessary to buy a anti-pronator shoe for all occasions.
30 Volume 13 Issue 8 Visit us on the web @ www.iowasportsconnection.com
Healthand Fitness
Lee Evans D.P.M., Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons
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UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY HAS A LOT TO BRAG ABOUT
IA Sports ad - Jan 2011 - 7.875 x 4.indd 1 1/5/2011 9:13:01 AM Upper Iowa UnIversIty has a lot to brag aboUt
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excellent FacIlItIes – completing $75 million in Phase I construction of classrooms, residence halls, and a student center
globally avaIlable – offering degrees through 16 U.S. educational centers and 3 international locations
onlIne excellence – nationally ranked among top online degree-granting universities by Online Education Database and
repeatedly rated for “best buy” programs by GetEducated.com
“ I transferred to UIU because it has a more personal environment than many other schools and I can be more one-on-one with professors and my advisor. The two-at-a-time class schedule gives me a healthy balance of class, athletics, and other extracurriculars.”
Kirby Hovden, ‘12West Union, IA
Learn more at www.uiu.edu/thewholestory
IA Sports ad - Sept 2010 - 7.875 x 4.5.indd 1 9/10/2010 10:13:52 AM
