(Learfield Sports) — After an 8-5 record and a bowl victory expectations are high at Iowa State as the Cyclones open preseason practice today (Friday). Matt Campbell begins his third season on the sideline and the Cyclones open at home on September first against South Dakota State. (Click on the left side of the audio bar to listen)

Campbell says there is always a sense of urgency when practice begins.

Campbell says there will be plenty of position battles and most notably on offense it is in the offensive line where the Cyclones have added depth.

On defense there will be battles at linebacker and safety.

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Jose Abreu hit a tying home run off Jason Adam in the eighth and pinch-hitter Daniel Palka had a three-run homer off Jason Hammel later in the inning, leading the Chicago White Sox over the Kansas City Royals 6-4. In a matchup of teams on track to both lose 100 or more games, the White Sox avoided getting swept in the three-game series. Palka tied the White Sox record of three pinch homers in one season, set by Oscar Gamble in 1977.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Pinch-hitter Jose Martinez sliced an opposite-field single to the right-center field gap off Wade Davis with one out in the ninth inning, driving in the tying and go-ahead runs and lifting the St. Louis Cardinals over the Colorado Rockies 3-2. The Cardinals have nine walk-off wins this season. Davis has a career-high five blown saves in 36 chances. Colorado lost three of four at the Cardinals, its first series loss since June.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Justin Houston was poised to reach transcendent status just a few years ago when he nearly set an NFL record with 22 sacks. The Kansas City Chiefs rewarded him with a $101 million, six-year contract that made him one of the league’s highest-paid players. But a series of injuries slowed his career. Now Houston is trying to establish himself again as the league’s best pass rusher.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska opens its first preseason practice under coach Scott Frost on Friday. Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne is like others in this football-mad state in that he senses a resurgence coming for the program. Frost says he plans to use the Osborne formula for rebuilding the Cornhuskers. That means emphasizing player development, bringing back the renowned strength and conditioning program, and pursuing walk-ons to build the roster.

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Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Tyler O’Neill hit a tiebreaking pinch single in the sixth inning and five rookie relievers dominated beginning in the third to lift the St. Louis Cardinals over the Colorado Rockies 6-3. Luke Weaver allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings before handing off to the Cardinals bullpen. Daniel Poncedeleon followed with 2 1/3 scoreless innings, and Austin Gomber, Dakota Hudson, Jordan Hicks and Mike Mayers closed it out. Gomber got his first career victory with a scoreless inning.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs split up linebacker duties this season by hiring a coach for the inside and outside positions. The idea is to better tutor a group that struggled last season. It also has helped the Chiefs more quickly rebuild their linebacker corps after the departure of stalwarts Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali.

CHICAGO (AP) — Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer and drove in four, helping the Kansas City Royals pound the sloppy Chicago White Sox 10-5. Gordon also walked and scored during Kansas City’s five-run fifth. Brett Phillips added two hits and Ryan O’Hearn singled in a run in his second major league game as the last-place Royals posted consecutive wins for the first time since they won three in a row from July 20-22, matching their season high.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State announced on Wednesday that construction on its new football performance center is expected to start next spring. The complex, which the Iowa Board of Regents approved in April, will include an academic and nutrition center as well as a new plaza and stadium entrance. Athletic director Jamie Pollard says it’s not yet clear when the project might be complete. Iowa State bowled in its other end zone with new seating and a sports bar ahead of the 2015 season.

OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have activated defensive end Randy Gregory after a year away from football on a substance-abuse suspension. Gregory has played in just two of the past 32 regular-season games because of multiple suspensions. Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated him not long before the Cowboys reported to training camp. The 25-year-old former Nebraska star participated in a walkthrough practice for the first time Wednesday.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State says construction on its new football performance center is expected to start next spring. The complex, which the Iowa Board of Regents approved in April, will include an academic and nutrition center as well as a new plaza and stadium entrance. Athletic director Jamie Pollard says it’s not yet clear when the project might be complete.

Much of the funding for the project will come from Mid-American Energy, which Iowa State will reward by re-branding its stadium as MidAmerican Field at Jack Trice Stadium.

The Cyclones open the season on Sept. 1 against South Dakota State.

The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association recently announced the players selected to participate in their All-Star Series August 2-5 at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City along with their Academic All-State selections.

Players from the area that will play on the Small Schools West Squad in the All-Star Series are Pitchers Garret Reisz of St. Albert and Bryce Neal of Clarinda. Catchers Jared Moser of Harlan and Ben Berg of Kuemper Catholic. Infielder Ryan Doran of Harlan. Utility Player Jaden Driskell of Creston. Coaches for the team will include Steve Daeges of Harlan as Head Coach and Steve Birchard of Creston as an Assistant.

Academic All-State selections were nominated by their coaches and demonstrate outstanding academic, moral, and athletic charateristics. Players receiving that honor from the area are: Kaleb Harrison of Tri-Center (First Team), Benjamin Berg of Kuemper Catholic (Second Team), and Jaden Driskell of Creston (Second Team).

First Team Academic All-Staters will be honored at the All-Star Banquet on Saturday, August 4th at 10:00am at the Mariott Hotel Banquet Center in Iowa City.

2018 All star teams Press Release

2018 IHSBCA Academic All-State Teams Press Release

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Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez each went deep, Jon Gray pitched into the eighth inning and the Colorado Rockies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3. Gray struck out five over 7 1/3 innings, helping Colorado finish the month 17-6. Gray allowed three runs, two earned, with four hits and two walks. Wade Davis got his 31st save in 35 opportunities with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

CHICAGO (AP) — Ryan O’Hearn hit a two-run homer in his major league debut, leading Danny Duffy and the Kansas City Royals to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Brett Phillips also hit a two-run shot for last-place Kansas City, which had dropped four of five. Duffy pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, rebounding nicely from a rocky start against Detroit.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Tommy Pham was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Tampa Bay Rays, a year after establishing himself as one of the NL’s top outfielders. St. Louis sent the 30-year-old and $500,000 in international signing bonus allocation to the Rays for a trio of minor leaguers: outfielder Justin Williams, left-hander Genesis Cabrera and right-hander Roel Ramirez. The Cardinals are likely to miss the postseason for a third straight year for the first time since 1997-99.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have placed outfielder Brian Goodwin on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left groin. Goodwin got hurt running the bases in the seventh inning of Saturday night’s 5-4 loss to the New York Yankees in the second game of a doubleheader. Goodwin is 8 for 17 with a homer and four RBIs in five games with Kansas City after he was acquired in a trade with Washington.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa safety Brandon Snyder is leaving the program as a graduate transfer and lineman Tristan Wirfs will be suspended for the season opener after getting charged with intoxicated driving. Snyder spent most of the past two years working his way back onto the field after twice tearing the ACL in his left knee. Snyder returned last season to return an interception 89 yards for a score against Illinois, but he re-injured his knee in the same game.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa safety Brandon Snyder is leaving the program as a graduate transfer and lineman Tristan Wirfs will be suspended for the season opener after getting charged with intoxicated driving.
Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz announced both moves on Tuesday. Snyder spent most of the past two years working his way back onto the field after twice tearing the ACL in his left knee. Snyder returned last season to return an interception 89 yards for a score against Illinois, but he re-injured his knee in the same game.

Snyder was then suspended for last season’s Pinstripe Bowl after being charged with drunken driving. Wirfs, a sophomore who’s expected to start at right tackle, was arrested over the weekend and charged with driving a scooter while intoxicated.

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded outfielder Tommy Pham to the Tampa Bay Rays for three minor league players, outfielder Justin Williams, left-handed pitcher Genesis Cabrera and right-handed pitcher Roel Ramirez. The Rays also received international cap space in the four-player trade announced Tuesday, baseball’s deadline for trades without waivers. There had already been a flurry of moves this week, including closers Roberto Osuna (to Houston) and Ken Giles (to Toronto) switching teams, Seattle picking up Adam Warren and Zach Duke, Lance Lynn joining the New York Yankees, Adam Duvall moving to Atlanta and Ian Kinsler added to the Boston Red Sox.

The 30-year-old Pham has been a member of the Cardinals organization since being drafted in 2006. He was batting .248 this season with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs as St. Louis opened the day seven games out of the NL Central lead during a season in which the team has already fired manager Mike Matheny. Williams, 22, is a left-handed hitting outfielder who was batting .258 for the Durham Bulls (AAA). Cabrera, 21, is 7-6 mark with a 4.12 ERA in 21 games for Montgomery of the Southern League (AA) and Ramirez, 23, was 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA in 26 games as a reliever for the Montgomery Biscuits.