(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa trapping season is underway, and a D-N-R expert says the prospects are good. Furbearer biologist, Vince Evelsizer, says there shouldn’t be any trouble finding furs. “Most of our species of furbearers and Iowa are doing well, the populations are either stable, or increasing slightly,” Evelsizer says. “Examples of that would be things like coons and beavers, even red fox, that sort of thing.” Evelsizer says the only two species that they’re concerned about are foxes and muskrats — which have seen declining populations. He says making a profit from trapping is a little less certain.

“It does look like there continues to be a relatively weak, wild fur market going into this fall and winter. However, some species like bobcats, and beavers, have increased a little bit in value,” he says. Evelsizer says the price of the furs is influenced by several things. “In general, it has to do with the garment industry, and where supply and demand issues are. Right now, for example, in the past six, eight years, especially China and Russia, were two countries that were the bigger for buyers,”Evelsizer says, “and relations with those two countries in the U-S has been tense past few years, and that can affect trade on things like wild furs.” He says there’s been around 14 to 15-thousand licensed fur harvesters the past few years.

“When the fur market is weak, it does tend to lead to a lower harvest or effort from our harvesters,” Evelsizer says. “But that being said, there’s still a lot of fur harvesters that go out and do it. You know, your regardless of the fair market value, they go and do it because they love trapping or they love predator hunting or they love running their coon dogs.” Evelsizer says some trappers aren’t concerned about the fur price.” Some folks are interested in the meat, you know, things like a beaver, for example, can be actually very good eating,” he says.

Trappers don’t have to sell their furs this year — Evelsizer says they can keep them for one year and see if prices go up before they have to sell. He says there is one more beginning trapper event for the year this Saturday in St. Charles. It’s for beginner trappers of all ages and you can sign up on the Iowa D-N-R ‘s website to register.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Hawkeyes need to focus on the task at hand and not the help they need. The Hawkeyes take a three game winning streak to Minnesota and need two wins and an Illinois loss to claim a second straight division title.

Iowa stood 3-4 after getting clobbered at Ohio State and the season appeared to be unraveling. They have won three straight to climb back into the division race.

Ferentz says Minnesota has become a consistent winner under P.J. Fleck.

Iowa’s struggling offense has gone up against several highly ranked defenses and the Gophers are the next one.

Ferenz says they are prepared to face either Minnesota quarterback in redshirt freshman Athan Kaliakmanis or senior Tanner Morgan. Kaliakmanis went the distance in last week’s win over Northwestern.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell says mistakes and inconsistencies have plagued the Cyclones this season. ISU is 4-6 after a loss at Oklahoma State and closes the home schedule Saturday night against Texas Tech.

Campbell says the effort has been there but the Cyclones have made too many mistakes.

The Cyclones are a minus-six in turnover margin this season.

Campbell says the goal this week it to celebrate senior day with a win over Texas Tech.

The seventh ranked Iowa State women face their first road test with a visit to Northern Iowa tonight (Wednesday night). It is the first of three in-state games for the Cyclones.

That’s ISU coach Bill Fennelly who says the in-state games are always emotional.

UNI coach Tanya Warren calls it an opportunity for her team.

Warren hopes Panthers fans will fill the McLeod Center.

A tough stretch of the schedule begins for the Iowa basketball team tonight (Wednesday night) with a visit to Seton Hall. Like the Hawkeyes, the Pirates are also 2-0.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery. The Gavitt Tipoff Games are a series of games matching teams from the Big Ten against teams from the Big East.

McCaffery says Seton Hall’s half court defense will challenge the Hawkeyes.

It begins a stretch that will see the Hawkeyes play Seton Hall, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Duke, Iowa State and Wisconsin over the next few weeks.

Rush (far right) with the 2022 4th place 4x400M Relay team.

Atlantic senior Ava Rush had a dream fulfilled this past weekend when she committed to continue her track career at the University of Iowa. Rush told KJAN sports that she knew she loved running from a young age and once she entered high school she knew continuing to run track in college was a dream she wanted to fulfill.

Rush has had success on the track and on the cross country course. She placed 9th in the Class 3A girls cross country meet last month and she has participated in multiple events at the state track meet the past two seasons. She said she likes both sports but track has always been her true love. She talked about the events that the staff wants her to run in at the next level.

Rush said she’s excited to see how far training at that level can take her.

She’s also excited for the upcoming track season for her senior season and said she just wants to give her best effort and make memories with her friends. You can here the full interview with Rush below.

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AMES, Iowa – Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock is a nominee for the 2022 Broyles Award.

Heacock, who is in his seventh season with the Cyclones, has built the Cyclone defense into one of the best in the nation year in and year out.

The Cyclone defensive unit leads the Big 12 and ranks among the nation’s top 12 in rushing defense (12^th, 105.2), passing defense (12^th, 175.2), total defense (10^th, 280.4) and scoring defense (9^th, 16.7). Only two teams in Big 12 history (TCU, 2017; Texas, 2001) have led the league in all four categories.

ISU is allowing opponents to convert on third down just 28.5 percent of the time, which ranks seventh nationally.

Iowa State is allowing just 16.7 points per game, which is the lowest average allowed by the program since 1978. The Cyclones have given up 30 or more points just once this season, one of seven Power 5 schools nationally to do that.

Iowa State has held each opponent below its season average in all other games by an average of 17.1 points.

Under Heacock, the defense seemingly gets better as the game goes on. This season, ISU is allowing just 6.5 points and 108.6 yards in the second half of games.

The defense is highlighted by Will McDonald IV, who is the NCAA Active leader in career sacks (33.0) and sits just one shy of tying the Big 12 career record. Anthony Johnson Jr., who has started 53 games in his career and this season moved from cornerback to safety, has two interceptions this season and joins transfer linebacker Colby Reeder with a pair of interceptions.

As a team, ISU has forced 14 turnovers (seven interceptions, seven fumble recoveries), which is tied for fourth in the Big 12 Conference.

Heacock is one of 51 nominees in this year’s class that were selected from approximately 1,500 assistant coaches representing 131 FBS programs across the country. The Broyles Award selection process included the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame selection committee and current college head coaches.

The Iowa Girls Coaches Association has now also released their 2022 All-State Volleyball Teams. Here is a look at honorees from the area. Find the complete list of All-State Teams HERE

Class 1A

2nd Team
Emily Williams, East Mills

3rd Team
Alivia Ruble, Southeast Warren
Veronica Andrusyshyn, Riverside

Honorable Mention
Ellie Monahan, St. Albert
Kayden Payne, Sidney

Class 2A

2nd Team
Ella Myler, Missouri Valley

3rd Team
Sophie Badding, Kuemper Catholic

Honorable Mention
Ashlyn Badding, Kuemper Catholic
Maya Contreraz, Missouri Valley
Nora Konz, Treynor

Class 4A

2nd Team
Anna Strohmeier, Lewis Central

Honorable Mention
Maddie Bergman, Lewis Central

Class 5A

1st Team
Molly Romano, CB Abraham Lincoln

Honorable Mention
Azaria Green, CB Abraham Lincoln

The Iowa Girls Coaches Association has released their 2022 All-District Volleyball awards. Here’s a look at those from the immediate area that were honored.

Class 1A

Southwest District
Addy Boell, Glidden-Ralston
Ayla Richardson, Riverside
Avery Dowling, Sidney
Bree Bower, CAM
Emily Hutt, Sidney
Emily Williams, East Mills
Eva Steffensen, CAM
Jenna Stephens, Stanton
Jessica O’Day, Boyer Valley
Kaden Payne, Sidney
Lauren Johnson, Stanton
Maclayn Houston, West Harrison
Makenna Askeland, Griswold
Marleigh Johnson, Stanton
Miah Urban, East Mills
Mikenzie Brewer, Tri-Center
Teagan Ewalt, Fremont-Mills
Vanessa Koehler, Glidden-Ralston
Veronica Andrusyshyn, Riverside

Coach of the Year: Brooke Flathers, Riverside

Northwest District
Macanna Guritz, Logan-Magnolia

Class 2A

Central District
Mersadez Richter, ACGC

Southwest District
Alizabeth Jacobsen, Underwood
Ava Hilts, Missouri Valley
Aubree James, Treynor
Delaney Simpson, Treynor
Ella Myler, Missouri Valley
Grace Porter, AHSTW
Maya Contreraz, Missouri Valley
Nora Konz, Treynor
Ryanne Mullen, Southwest Valley
Tierney Dalton, Southwest Valley

Coach of the Year: Leo Crouse, Treynor

Class 3A

West District
Merced Ramirez, Red Oak

Class 4A 

West District
Anna Strohmeier, Lewis Central
Ashlynne Havermann, Lewis Central
Brooke Larsen, Lewis Central
Maddie Bergman, Lewis Central

Coach of the Year: Mike Bond, Lewis Central

Class 5A

West District
Azaria Green, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
Molly Romano,  Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln

Full teams for all classes can be viewed HERE

The South West Area Team Valkyries girls wrestling squad hosted their first ever competition with a scramble at Greenfield on Monday night. The teams that competed included AHSTW, Clarinda, Creston, I-35, Logan-Magnolia, Martensdale-St. Marys, Red Oak, Riverside, Southeast Warren/Melcher-Dallas, S.W.A.T., and Western Iowa.

Some of the results for the Valyries included a 3-0 night for Evy Marlin who won all matches by fall. Adyson Lundquist went 3-0 with a fall and two tech falls. Loralye Yenzer went 3-0 with 3 falls. Mia South went 3-0 with 3 falls. Stella Beattie, Megan Gerlock, Nadia South, Ellen Gerlock, and Grace Britten all went 2-0 on the night. Paige Baier and Rio Johnson went 2-1.

AHSTW’s Bella Canada won her lone match by fall.

Riverside’s Jayden Carrigan went 3-0 with two falls and a major decision. Ana Wilson an Carly Henderson also went 3-0 with 3 falls each on the night. Meg Haines, Elle Stephens, McKenna Dorr, Hailey Harvey, and Sarah Cody all went 2-0. Danika Feigenbutz and Veronica Schechinger went 2-1.

Check out the full results from the scramble HERE