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Perry football heading into Friday with hopes of continual improvement

Sports

October 10th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The 2-4 Perry Bluejays football team is feeling the growing pains from their 2024 campaign. Perry did start the year off with 1 35-21 win against Des Moines Hoover, but have seen tough losses against Greene County, Storm Lake, a 55-point shutout against Nevada and a 49-7 loss to Harlan last week.

For first year Perry head coach Josh Vannornam he knows that this season hasn’t been easy for his Bluejay squad. Still, he has seen small amounts of growth from Perry throughout the season.

Part of that refinement process for Coach Vannornam was looking back and finding the positive takeaways from last Friday’s loss to Harlan. Coach Vannornam noted that regardless of the score, he saw a gritty Bluejay team that stayed physical in all four quarters.

Perry’s physicality on defense stems from the leadership of leading tackler senior linebacker Jorge Ramirez with 30 total tackles on the year and senior Alec Burgin with 14. The way they carry themselves out on the field and in practice during the week has earned them some praise.

Offensively Perry has relied on senior quarterback Geren Kenney who has two touchdowns through the air and six from rushing. Kenney’s go to receiver has been junior Gustavo Drahos with 13 receptions and 153 yards on the year.

Coach Vannornam will be looking to his defensive leaders and quarterback Kenney for their toughest contest yet against the 5-2 Atlantic Trojans. With the film he’s watched, coach Vannornam is expecting a battle on Friday.

One of the major focuses for PErry heading into their matchup with Atlantic is the concept of belief. Coach Vannornam has been instilling the idea of unity within his team, that if they can buy in and stay motivated. That Friday will show them plenty of promise.

KJAN and KJANTV have the coverage for Pery against Atlantic with the pregame show beginning at 7:00 pm and kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.

Hawkeyes prepare to host Washington

Sports

October 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa takes a 3-2 record into Saturday’s game at home against Washington. It is their first meeting since the 1995 Sun Bowl and their first as Big Ten foes.

That’s Hawkeye lineback Nick Jackson. It will be a nine A-M Seattle time kickoff.

The Huskies are coming off a 27-17 win over Michigan and are 4-2 overall. Fellow linebacker Jay Higgins says he and the other veteran players have had to step up as leaders in the wake of a 35-7 loss at Ohio State.

It will be Iowa’s first home game in nearly a month.

Cyclone players preview West Virginia

Sports

October 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The 11th ranked Iowa State Cyclones bid for another road win Saturday night at West Virginia. Cyclone tackle Jalen Travis says a good run game will help keep the partisan crowd out of the game.

Tight end Ben Brahmer (bray-mer) says handling the crowd noise will be a key.

It is the third straight night game for the Cyclones which means a long day waiting for kickoff.

Both teams are 2-0 in the Big 12. Cyclone corner Jontez Williams.

Iowa women’s basketball Media Day

Sports

October 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A new era is set to begin for Iowa women’s basketball. Long-time assistant Jan Jensen was elevated after the retirement of Lisa Bluder and takes over a team that lost several key players from a team that played in two straight national title games, including two-time national player of the year Caitlin Clark.

The addition of Villanova star Lucy Olsen and a talented freshman class gives this team potential.

Jensen says there is no way to speed up the process of gaining experience.

A concern right now is a injury has left the Hawkeyes without a back up at point guard as well as off season injuries for Hannah Stuelke and Sydney Affolter. They have not practiced together since the end of last season.

The Hawkeyes open at home on November sixth against Northern Illinois.

Former Iowa star Luka Garza set for return to Des Moines

Sports

October 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Former Iowa star Luka Garza returns to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines On Friday night when the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Philadelphia 76ers in an NBA exhibition game. Garza says the fans in Des Moines embraced him during his time with the G-League Iowa Wolves.

Garza says his time in Des Moines helped him build confidence.

Garza was the national college player of the year for the Hawkeyes in 2021.

Iowa State Releases Wrestle-Off Brackets

Sports

October 10th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head wrestling coach Kevin Dresser released wrestle-off brackets for the 2024-25 season Wednesday evening.

What: Wrestle-off Semifinals
When: Sunday, Oct. 13 – 2 p.m.
Where: Lied Recreational Center Main Floor
Watch: IAwrestle on Rokfin
Admission: FREE

Wrestle-offs will be split into two dates with the semifinal round taking place Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. Best 2-of-3 finals matches will be contested on a date to be determined in early November.

Both dates will be wrestled on the main floor of the Lied Recreational Center and are open to the public free of charge. IAwrestle will stream all matches live on Rokfin.

Several wrestlers will be held out of wrestle-offs until November and are not currently included in the brackets: Zach Redding, Casey Swiderski, Owen Helgeson, MJ Gaitan, Nando Villaescusa, CJ Carter, Cody Chittum and Paniro Johnson.

*Semifinal Bout Order
125 – 
Osmany Diversent (Fr.) vs. Ethan Perryman (So.)
125 – Adrian Meza (Fr.) vs. Garrett Grice (So.)
133 – Evan Frost (So.) vs. Canon Acklin (Fr.)
133 – Blake Gioimo (R-Fr.) vs. Kysen Terukina (Sr.)
157 – Tucker Stangel (Fr.) vs. Christian Stanek (So.)
165 – Gabe Carver (Fr.) vs. Manny Rojas (So.)
174 – Aiden Riggins (R-So.) vs. Cade Schmidt (Sr.)
184 – Evan Bockman (Sr.) vs. Colby Runner (R-Fr.)
184 – Cole Carlucci (So.) vs. Caleb Helgeson (So.)
197 – Christian Carroll (R-Fr.) vs. Rowan Udell (So.)
197 – McCrae Hagarty (R-Fr.) vs. Sawyer Bartelt (Fr.)
285 – Xavier Bruening (So.) vs. Daniel Herrera (Fr.)

*At Coach Dresser’s discretion, any semifinal matchup could turn into a best 2-of-3 series.

Drake coach Todd Stepsis previews Butler

Sports

October 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Two teams with championship hopes in the Pioneer Football League race collide in Des Moines Saturday when Drake hosts Butler. Drake is 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the league race and The Bulldogs clinched the PFL title last season with a 13-9 win at Butler to close the regular season.

That’s Drake coach Todd Stepsis. Butler is using a pair of dual threat quarterbacks and is averaging better than 257 yards of rushing per game.

Stepsis says Butler has combined that run game with a big play passing attack that has 12 touchdowns in a 5-0 start.

Atlantic Cross Country to Host Pink Out Meet on Thursday

Sports

October 9th, 2024 by Christian Adams

The Atlantic Trojans and their cross-country team will host their annual meet on Thursday. With October being breast cancer awareness month, this one will be a little different than most as it will be a pink out. However, head coach Daniel Vargason says this one means a little more.

Although a quick decision for Vargason and the program,  he said it was a no-brainer to show support for the Kelley family.

Vargonson stated that there was no financial goal for the event, but merchandise will be available and the team will also be taking in-person donations.

For those looking to add a wardrobe item, unfortunately, they will not be unavailable at the meet. However, coach Vargason says there are plenty of football shirts still available.

In the true spirit of community, all of Atlantic’s pink outs have been combined into a single effort and thus far have raised over $1,700.

As pink outs stand for a little something extra for the program this year, Vargason said it was also an excellent teaching opportunity.

The Meet at the Nishna Hills Golf Club will start at 4:30 pm.

You can also purchase pink out apparel at Trojans Football Pink Out 2024 | A PLUS DESIGNS INC (itemorder.com)

Iowa Hoops Announces Start Times, TV Information

Sports

October 9th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa, in conjunction with the Big Ten Conference, announced Wednesday start times and television information for men’s basketball games for the 2024-25 season.

A minimum of 28 of Iowa’s 31 regular season games will be televised. The Hawkeyes will appear on FS1 12 times, BTN 10 times and NBC and FOX once, while the Jan. 11 home game against Indiana will be on either FOX or FS1.

Iowa will also be streaming services for seven games – Peacock (three games) and B1G+ (four games).

The Hawkeyes’ home game against Wisconsin on Jan. 7 will be televised on NBC, while the regular season finale at Nebraska on March 9 will be on FOX.

Iowa will be on FS1 for games at Michigan (Dec. 7), Iowa State (Dec. 12), at Wisconsin (Jan. 3), at USC (Jan. 14), at UCLA (Jan. 17), Penn State (Jan. 24), at Ohio State (Jan. 27), at Maryland (Feb. 16), Washington (Feb. 22), at Illinois (Feb. 25), at Northwestern (Feb. 28) and Michigan State (March 6).

Iowa will appear on NBC’s Peacock (subscription) three times – Northwestern (Dec. 3), Nebraska (Jan. 7) and Purdue (Feb. 4). The first three home games of the season along with the Nov. 19 game against Rider will be on B1G+ (subscription).

Hawkeye Wave Voted #1 College Sports Tradition

Sports

October 9th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — USA Today announced on Tuesday the ‘Hawkeye Wave’ as the 2024 Readers’ Choice Award for Best College Sports Tradition.

Surpassing some of the greatest traditions in college sports, 70,000+ Hawkeye and football fans alike turn their attention from the field to the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital overlooking Kinnick Stadium. At the end of the first quarter, fans wave to pediatric patients and their families watching the game, creating a moment of connection and hope.

The Wave began in 2017 and has quickly become one of the most beloved college sports traditions across the nation. The University of Iowa, along with the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital have collaborated on initiatives supporting young patients long before the distinguished Wave. In 2009, the Kid Captain program was introduced to honor these patients and share their inspirational stories. Each home Iowa football game features a Kid Captain, who receives a commemorative jersey, special recognition from both the hospital and the football team, and opportunities for behind-the-scenes experiences. Along with that, each Kid Captain chooses what song is played in Kinnick Stadium during the Hawkeye Wave.

There were several honorable mentions, including the Army-Navy Game, Purdue’s Big Bass Drum, and Wisconsin’s Jump Around, Texas A&Ms The 12th Man, Virginia Tech’s Enter Sandman and Script Ohio.