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Iowa sends 7 to NCAA Quarterfinals

Sports

March 22nd, 2019 by admin

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – Seven University of Iowa wrestlers advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2019 NCAA Championships following second-round wins Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena.

Spencer Lee, Kaleb Young, and Alex Marinelli all moved on with major decisions. Austin DeSanto, Max Murin, Pat Lugo, and Sam Stoll each won by decision.

The Hawkeyes’ seven quarterfinalists are more than any other team. Iowa is in third place with 24 points, 8.5 points behind Penn State.

“Session two is in the books. We have a lot of work to do,” said Iowa head coach Tom Brands. “Session three starts tomorrow and we have two guys on the backside who will have two matches. Seven guys will be in the quarters. We have to be strong. Close matches have to go our way.”

Murin and Stoll advanced following a pair of upsets on Day 1. Murin, the No. 22 seed at 141 and an NCAA first-timer, defeated No. 6 Michael Carr, 3-2. Stoll, the No. 28 seed at 285, is in the quarterfinals for the first time in his career following a 1-0 win over No. 12 Conan Jennings.

“I didn’t even look at seeds,” Murin said. “One of my teammates told me about being the 22nd seed and I got excited. I told myself I’m going to be the dark horse of the tournament and it put a chip on my shoulder.”

Lee, the defending NCAA champion at 125 pounds and No. 3 seed in the tournament, outscored his opponents 28-1 on the opening day. Marinelli, the top seed at 165, moved on to the quarterfinals for the second straight year, winning Thursday night by 12-4 major decision.

Young, the No. 6 seed at 157, has outscored his opponents 30-3 in his first NCAA Championships.

“I feel loose and I’m getting scores in,” Young said.  “It’s good. I need to be relaxed.”

Lugo scored a takedown in the second sudden-victory period to advance a 4-2 winner. DeSanto scored five points in the third period to win 7-2 and advance to the quarterfinals for the second straight year.

The Hawkeyes were 16-2 overall on Day 1. Their two losses were both overtime decisions. Cash Wilcke lost, 6-4, at 184, and Jacob Warner fell, 4-2, at 197.

The championships continue Friday at 10 a.m. (CT). The championship round and consolation round will begin simultaneously on eight mats. ESPNU and WatchESPN are providing television and online coverage of Session III.

IOWA’S SECOND ROUND NCAA RESULTS

125 – #3 Spencer Lee (Iowa) major dec. #14 Sean Fausz (NCST), 12-3
133 – #7 Austin DeSanto (Iowa) dec. #10 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU), 7-2
141 – #22 Max Murin (Iowa) dec. #6 Michael Carr (ILL), 4-3
149 – #10 Pat Lugo (Iowa) dec. #26 Ryan Blees (VT), 4-2 SV1
157 – #6 Kaleb Young (Iowa) major dec. #11 Ke-Shawn Hayes (OSU), 14-2
165 – #1 Alex Marinelli (Iowa) major dec. #16 Thomas Bullard (NCST), 12-4
184 – #5 Max Dean (Cornell) dec. #12 Cash Wilcke (Iowa), 6-4 SV1
197 – #21 Thomas Lane (Cal-Poly) dec. #5 Jacob Warner (Iowa), 4-2 SV1
285 – #28 Sam Stoll (Iowa) dec. #12 Conan Jennings (NU), 1-0

QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS

125 – #3 Spencer Lee (Iowa) vs. #6 Sean Russell (MINN)
133 – #7 Austin DeSanto (Iowa) vs. #2 Stephan Micic (MICH)
141 – #22 Max Murin (Iowa) dec. #3 Nick Lee (PSU)
149 – #10 Pat Lugo (Iowa) vs. #2 Micah Jordan (OSU)
157 – #6 Kaleb Young (Iowa) major dec. #3 Ryan Deakin (NU)
165 – #1 Alex Marinelli (Iowa) vs. #8 Mekhi Lewis (VT)
285 – #28 Sam Stoll (Iowa) dec. #4 Jordan Wood (LEHIGH)

CONSOLATION MATCHUPS

184 – #12 Cash Wilcke (Iowa) vs. #22 Mason Reinhardt (WISC)
197 – #5 Jacob Warner (Iowa) vs. #27 Joshua Roetman (NAVY)

Scholarships Available for Students Studying Healthcare

News

March 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Cass County Health System say several scholarships are available to area students through CCHS and its affiliate organizations:

  • Cass County Health System offers a $1,000 scholarship to southwest Iowa students pursuing a four-year degree in a health-related career. Deadline is April 1, 2019.
  • Cass County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary provides grant-in-aid scholarships for students pursuing a health-related career. Deadline is April 1, 2019.
  • Cass County Health System Foundation is offering $10,000 in scholarships to students who are enrolled and have been accepted into a nursing or medical doctor educational program.

The scholarships were established by a bequest from Louie and Elsie Hansen. Deadline is April 1, 2019. Applications are available on the Cass County Health System website, www.casshealth.org, and can be turned in to the Human Resources Office or the guidance office at any Cass County high school by the respective deadlines listed above.

Tyler Cook named to NABC All-District Team

Sports

March 22nd, 2019 by admin

COLUMBUS, Ohio — University of Iowa junior Tyler Cook was named Thursday to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 7 Second Team.

Cook, who was also tabbed to the USBWA All-District Team and a second-team all-conference by the Big Ten media honoree earlier this month, ranks third in the league in free throws attempted per game (6.16), sixth in rebounding (7.9), 11th in field goal percentage (.528), and 12th in scoring (14.9). Cook (6-foot-9, 250 pounds) is one of only nine players in program history to total more than 1,200 points and 600 rebounds. The native of St. Louis, Missouri, has posted a team-best six double-doubles this season and is one of 15 players in Iowa history to record at least 15 career double-doubles. He recorded at least 15 points and five rebounds over a 10-game span from Nov. 30 to Jan. 12, becoming the first Hawkeye to accomplish the feat since James Winters 25 years ago (1993-94). The junior forward was named to the 2K Empire Classic All-Tournament Team, averaging 17.5 points and nine rebounds in wins over Oregon and Connecticut at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Joining Cook on the second team were Zavier Simpson (Michigan); Anthony Cowan (Maryland); Ignas Brazdeikis (Michigan); and Lamar Stevens (Penn State). First team honorees included Cassius Winston (Michigan State); Carsen Edwards (Purdue); Ethan Happ (Wisconsin); Bruno Fernando (Maryland); and Jordan Murphy (Minnesota).

Iowa (22-11) will open play in the NCAA Tournament on Friday against No. 22/24 Cincinnati (28-6). Game time is set for 11:15 a.m. (CT) at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Shayok named NABC All-District

Sports

March 22nd, 2019 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior Marial Shayok has been named to the All-District 8 First Team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Shayok leads Iowa State (23-11) and ranks second among Big 12 averaging 18.6 points per game. The Ottawa, Ontario native is shooting 49.4 percent from the field, 38.9 percent behind the arc and 88.3 percent at the free-throw line.

Shayok was recently named the Big 12 Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after averaging 18.0 points in leading the Cyclones to their fourth conference tournament title in the last six seasons. He has also earned All-Big 12 First Team accolades and is a finalist for the Julius Erving Award.

Shayok and the Cyclones open NCAA Tournament play Friday at approximately 8:50 p.m. against Ohio State. The game will be televised on TBS.

District 8

First Team

Dedric Lawson, Kansas
Marial Shayok, Iowa State
Barry Brown, Kansas State
Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech
Makai Mason, Baylor

Second Team

Dean Wade, Kansas State
Alex Robinson, TCU
Kerwin Roach, Texas
Christian James, Oklahoma
Jaxson Hayes, Texas

Bluder Named Finalist for Naismith Coach of the Year

Sports

March 22nd, 2019 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder has been named one of four finalists for the 2019 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Thursday.

North Carolina State’s Wes Moore, Baylor’s Kim Mulkey, and Mississippi State’s Vic Shaefer round out the four finalists.

Bluder has led the Hawkeyes to a 26-6 overall record. Iowa captured its first Big Ten Tournament Title since 2001 on March 10, and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It marks Iowa’s highest seed since 1996.

In 19 years at the helm, Bluder has led the Hawkeyes to 12, 20-win seasons. The Hawkeyes have won 20 or more games in 10 of the last 12 years.

Iowa is ranked No. 8 in both major polls, marking the highest ranking for the program since 1996. Iowa ranks in the top-10 nationally in five categories. The Hawkeyes lead the country in field goal percentage (51.9), rank second in assists per game (21.9), third in assists (702), fourth in assist/turnover ratio (1.61), and ninth in free throw percentage (77.7).

This year, Bluder has guided senior center Megan Gustafson to national prominence. The ESPNW Player of the Year ranks in the top-four nationally in eight categories.  She leads the country in field goal percentage (69.6), points per game (28.0), total points (897), and field goals made (369), ranks second in double-doubles (30) and defensive rebounds per game (10), third in total rebounds (424), and fourth in rebounds per game (13.3).

Bluder looks to become the second Hawkeye head coach to win the Werner Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Award. C. Vivian Stringer won the award in 1993.

Beginning March 22, 2019, fans will be able to support their favorite finalist by visiting naismithfanvote.com until April 3, to cast their ballot. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall final vote. The 2019 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year will be announced on April 6, and the winner will be honored at their school at a later date.

The Hawkeyes open NCAA Tournament action Friday, hosting Mercer at 1 p.m. (CT) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Dispatch center manager accused of falsifying time sheets

News

March 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — The manager of an eastern Iowa county dispatch and communications center is accused faking hours on her time sheets, hours that investigators say she spent working as a bartender. Muscatine County court records say 46-year-old Beverly Griffith is charged with misdemeanor records tampering. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for her.

An arrest affidavit says she recorded hours on several time sheets in January and February that she didn’t work because she was tending bar. The Muscatine Journal reports that Griffith was hired May 31 to manage the Muscatine County dispatch center after spending the past 10 years as a dispatch supervisor in Naples, Florida. She’s been placed on administrative leave.

Ida Grove halts treating water with fluoride amid concerns

News

March 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

IDA GROVE, Iowa (AP) — A small town in northwestern Iowa has ended its decades-long practice of treating the city’s drinking water with fluoride. The Sioux City Journal reports that the Ida Grove City Council voted Monday to halt fluoride treatment in the city’s water supply. The move comes after city leaders and residents questioned whether fluoride in the water was effective at preventing tooth decay or presented health risks.

The city clerk’s office says a recent survey distributed through utility bills found that most respondents didn’t support fluoridation. Many cities use the mineral in drinking water to promote dental health, but the practice has been debated across the country. The city of roughly 2,000 residents began the practice in 1971.

Major interstate traffic shift in Council Bluffs due to road construction begins Sunday night, March 24

News

March 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS – Officials with the Iowa DOT’s Council Bluffs Interstate Project Office report the westbound Interstate 80/northbound I-29 segment of the dual, divided freeway is expected to open to traffic on Wednesday, March 27, weather permitting. Several overnight closures and detours will be in place on the evenings before the traffic shift occurs. Closures will occur as follows:

Sunday, March 24:

Westbound I-80 is expected to be closed at southbound I-29 (exit 4), from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. During this closure, motorists on westbound I-80 and southbound I-29 will use the westbound I-80 Express and will not have access to South Expressway, 24th Street, or northbound I-29. Northbound I-29 traffic will follow the westbound I-80 Express detour and continue to 13th Street (exit 454), where drivers can turn around and use northbound I-29 (exit 1a). The southbound I-29 exit to westbound I-80 (exit 51), is expected to be closed from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Drivers will continue on southbound I-29 to 24th Street (exit 52), and follow the detour to westbound I-80. Drivers wishing to access westbound I-80/northbound I-29 between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. at 24th Street and South Expressway will need to follow the detour to U.S. 275/Veterans Memorial Bridge Road.

Monday, March 25:

Westbound I-80 will be closed at southbound I-29 (exit 4), from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Motorists on westbound I-80 and northbound I-29 will use the westbound I-80 Express and will not have access to the South Expressway, 24th Street, or northbound I-29 during the closure. Northbound I-29 traffic will follow the westbound I-80 Express detour and continue to 13th Street (exit 454), where drivers can turn around and use northbound I-29 (exit 1a). Drivers wishing to access westbound I-80/northbound I-29 between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. at 24th Street and South Expressway will need to follow the detour to Nebraska Avenue and I-29. Tuesday, March 26:

The 24th Street on-ramp to westbound I-80/northbound I-29 northbound will remain closed for the day.

At the West System Interchange, westbound I-80 drivers traveling to Omaha will need to use the right lanes to access westbound I-80 (exit 51). Northbound I-29 motorists will use the left lanes to travel on northbound I-29. Westbound I-80 will be closed at southbound I-29 (exit 4), from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Drivers should follow the detour to U.S. 275/Iowa 92, where drivers can turn around and use northbound I-29.

By Wednesday morning, March 27, drivers will be able to travel on newly constructed westbound I-80 Express and northbound I-29/westbound I-80 local dual, divided freeway. This design physically separates through traffic on I-80 from local traffic on I-29 destined for Council Bluffs. Drivers wanting to travel within Council Bluffs will choose local lanes to access exits. If drivers accidentally choose Express lanes and need to go back to a Council Bluffs exit, drivers can exit at 13th Street in Omaha, Nebraska and turn around.

Drivers should note that westbound I-80 Express traffic destined for northbound I-29 (exit 1) will not be able to access the exit until the permanent pavement is constructed in approximately three months. In the meantime, drivers should use northbound I-29 /westbound I-80 local lanes. The Iowa DOT encourages motorists to follow signs and use caution while becoming accustomed to the traffic shift.

3rd District Judge from Schleswig to interview for IA Court of Appeals vacancy

News

March 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The State of Iowa’s Judicial Nominating Commission has posted the interview schedule for the thirty Iowans who have applied to fill the two vacancies on the Iowa Court of Appeals. The vacancies were created when Chief Judge David Danilson retired on January 4, 2019 and Judge Christopher McDonald filled the Supreme Court vacancy on March 7, 2019. Among the Iowans who has applied for one of the vacancies, was 3rd Judicial District Court Judge Julie Schumacher, from Schleswig, who’s set to be interviewed 9:40-a.m. Friday, March 29th.

You can view her application here: https://www.iowajnc.gov/media/cms/SchumacherPart1_98C9A2D4DB5E0.pdf

Backyard & Beyond 3-22-2019

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

March 22nd, 2019 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Cass County Youth Coordinator Shelby Van Horn about the 4-H Pancake Supper and more.

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