rock,
we
salute you’
Broken Strings Inc. gifts two guitars to Colfax-Mingo students with help from Tigerhawk
By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
A room full of Colfax-Mingo sixth-grade students, each with a ukulele in their hands, started their music class ready to make beautiful sound. One student left with an upgrade to his instrument after he was gifted a guitar thanks to Broken Strings Inc., a nonprofit organization who’s mission it is to inspire Iowa’s youth through the gift of music.
“These students represent the heart of what we’re trying to do,” founder Scott Kirkhart said. “It’s about finding that spark in a young person and giving them the tools to keep it alive. Music is more than notes and chords — it’s a way to connect, to heal and to grow.”
The sixth-grade student, Chris Lopez, along with eighth grader Zella Perry, were lucky enough to be selected by the
organization to each receive a guitar in recognition of their passion, dedication and potential as a young musician.
A celebration of dance
Kids rush the lawn to grab as many eggs as they can at Bethany United Church of Christ for Baxter’s annual Easter egg hunt April 12 ‘For those about
alum
The Colfax-Mingo Dance Team and friends show off all of their hard work during the annual spring show April 12
Stay calm and camp on
Quarry Springs Park RV camping preparing to start first season
By Jamee
Come one, come all to the newest RV campground in Central Iowa. RV@QSP (Quarry Springs Park) Campground in Colfax is set to open May 15 with 40 stalls equipped with everything needed to have an amazing weekend in the great outdoors.
“We are working on the finishing touches of the 40 RV stalls with leveling the sites and hydroseeding in preparation of our May 15 opening day,” Quarry Springs Park Board President Kim Seebeck said. “We are also conducting a tree planting event with 50 trees on May 3.”
A project a long time in the making, the RV campground will add a much-anticipated amenity to the park and community. With primitive camp sites already available, Quarry Springs can now host any camper looking for a fun weekend in nature.
The RV sites will be available for reservation beginning May 15. Reservations can be made at www. quarryspringspark.com.
Each RV site has both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical hookups, picnic tables and fire rings. Also available for use at the park is a dump station, water spigots and a new restroom and shower facility. Firewood can be purchased ahead of time for $7 and then delivered to the campsite prior to arrival as long as there is 24-hour notice.
“All of the park’s amenities are available to campers which include fishing, kayaking and boating with trolling motors only,” Seebeck said. “We have several miles of walking and hiking trails and wide tire bike trails, picnicking, bag toss, tetherball, rope toss, disc golf putting area and our newly installed ADA boat dock.”
The Camp Host will be available to campers for any needs that may arise during their stay. They will greet the guests when they arrive and can share information about the park and greater Colfax area.
“This will also allow us to have someone on site
Jasper County recruits help of local tinkerer to fix pneumatic clock now on display
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
courthouse, but when it comes to repairing the inner workings of an antique pneumatic clock that is over a hundred years old, he calls a local tinkerer with a proven track record of solving these kinds of problems. Even so, Dave Simons knew the task would be difficult. It is not every day you come by a clock that uses air pressure to drive its internal components. With many now relying on electricity or some kind of gear mechanism to operate — heck, most people just use their phone — a pneumatic clock is a relic of the past.
It took a little time and a little patience, Simons said, but it was worth it to see the pneumatic clock still operate as it was originally intended using air pressure. It is on display in the west wing of the Jasper County Courthouse, where Sparks has created a small museum of sorts to exhibit the building’s historic artifacts.
“I just always wanted to get this to work the way it used to, and fortunately he was the guy to do that,” Sparks said. “There are
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The guitars were presented by Broken Strings Inc. Ambassador Benton Taylor and sponsor Todd Bowman, a Colfax-Mingo
alumni and owner of Quality Outdoor Solutions in Altoona.
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Sponsor Todd Bowman, a Colfax-Mingo alumni, and Broken Strings Inc. Ambassador Benton Taylor present sixth grader Chris Lopez with a new guitar April 11 as a part of the nonprofit’s mission to get music in the hands of kids.
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Sponsor Todd Bowman, Colfax-Mingo student Chris Lopez and Broken Strings Inc. Ambassador Benton Taylor show the guitar donated to the sixth-grader during a presentation April 11.
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Jasper County Maintenance Director Adam
A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
Colfax Historical Society
The March 17 meeting of the Colfax Historical Society was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by president Kevin Williams. Members present were: Kevin and BJ Williams, Larry and Charlet Daft, Aaron Bartholmey, Peggy Dvorak, Chris and Tranquility Smith, Steve and Cindy L Van Dusseldorp, Stan Daft, Joyce Jessen and Rachel Wilty Minutes for the Feb. 17 meeting were read and approved. Aaron presented the treasurer’s report. There was $14,628.45 in the checking account and $26,528.67 in the building account. We did have a renter’s check bounce but the renter paid the penalties and then her check cleared. Aaron reported that we received $920 from Principal that Peggy had applied for through their program.
It was reported that Dave Wharf gave us a couple of items: a 1910 map of Colfax and also a scrap book of the train wreck that happened in Colfax. Very interesting.
Club News
Malachia and Josh Williams came to bring us up to date on Malachi’s Eagle Scout project to rebuild the log cabin. He gave a report that outlined materials needed, possible costs, a timeline, and possible fundraising. We indicated that we would like to see him move ahead with the project. Larry will check with the city to see if we need a building permit. We also discussed insurance. Josh said there would be insurance coverage from the scouts but we thought we should also check with our own insurance about coverage for this project.
It was suggested that we add another name and phone number besides Tranquility’s to the sheet of paper on the front door. Rachel said we could add her for a second contact.
Larry discussed the program we want Dave Baker to give regarding coal mines. Peggy talked to the library and they do want to partner with us. The date we’d like to have this is June 24. It would be at our facility in the evening and we’d
Church Schedules
HOWARD ST. CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Disciples of Christ)
Pastor Josh Burns 101 N. Locust St., Colfax Cell - 515-779-3148
SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Fellowship;10:30 a.m.
Worship, in person or online via YouTube
MONDAY - Pastor Josh day off
TUESDAY - 9:30 a.m. Coffee Time; 2:30 p.m. Chair Yoga
WEDNESDAY - 3:30 p.m. After school elementary youth; 6:15 ChiRho and CYF youth supper; 7:30 p.m. Youth Group
THIRD SUNDAY - 8 p.m. Elders meeting, Board meeting after church; Collect for Food Pantry
FOURTH SUNDAY - Potluck Dinner
FIFTH SUNDAY - Potluck Breakfast
FIRST MONDAY - WIC appointments
FOURTH & FIFTH TUESDAY - 3 p.m. Table of Grace
IRA UNITED CHURCH
Pastors Doug Cupples and Phil Butler
SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church service; 10:30 a.m. Sunday school
Communion first Sunday
METZ COMMUNITY CHURCH
3253 W. 62nd St. S., Newton Pastor David Rex 641-521-4354
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:10 a.m. Worship
Last Saturday of month - 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, Colfax Minister, Pastor Cody Dyer Church Office 674-4165
FRIDAY, April 18 - 7 p.m. Good Friday Communion
SUNDAY, April 20, Resurrection Sunday - 9
a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer
TUESDAY, April 22 - 3:30 p.m. Women’s Prayer and Coffee
WEDNESDAY, April 23 - 9 a.m. Busy Bee
Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer; 6:30 p.m. AWANA Awards Night, No Family Meal
THURSDAY, April 24 - 6:30 p.m. Outreach Meeting
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH Newton, Iowa
SATURDAY - 4 p.m. Mass
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass
COLFAX FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
S. Locust & W. Division St. Office - 674-3782 Rev. Phil Dicks pastor
SUNDAY - 10:30 a.m. Family Worship; Sunday School
HOPE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 126 E. Howard Rev. Paul Avery, pastor Church: 674-3700 hopeassemblyofgod@yahoo.com
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening Service
have refreshments and museum would be open. Peggy suggested trying to have something in the local newspaper prior to the event to generate more interest. We’ll need to talk to the library about publicity.
We approved the business cards Aaron designed and will order 500 of them.
Tranquility has had more requests to have rental access prior to 8 a.m. She may occasionally need help with these earlier rental requests.
The library currently has two plastic totes full of materials from the LaFemme Women’s Club. They would like to have the museum take these. There was discussion and it was decided to table it until the next meeting.
The first Sunday we will be open is May 24, from 2 to 4 p.m.. Kevin and BJ volunteered for that day. Larry and Charlet will work on Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to noon and Don and Joyce from noon to 2 p.m.
Meeting adjourned 8:18 p.m.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
CATHOLIC CHURCH
302 E. Howard St., Colfax Fr. Marty Goetz
515-674-3711
SUNDAY - 11 a.m. Mass
MINGO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Phil Dicks
515-689-4926
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Worship service (Sunday school not meeting at this time)
ASHTON CHAPEL
8887 W. 122nd St. N., Mingo Pastors: Larry Craig & Mark Eddy
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship
BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 5627 N. 95th Ave. W., Baxter 641-227-3402
Pastor Chris Hayward
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday School (Sunday
after Labor Day to second Sunday in May); 10 a.m. Sunday Worship. First Sunday communion. All are welcome. baxterbethanyucc.org
EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH BAXTER
Mike Mclintock, Pastor
SUNDAY - 9:15 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Worship; 6 p.m. Awanas
WEDNESDAYS - 1st & 3rd - 6:30 p.m. Mens Bible Study 2nd & 4th - 6:30 p.m. Men’s and Womens Bible Study
THURSDAYS 10 a.m. - Womens Bible Study
BAXTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
218 S. Main, Baxter Pastor Ben Spera Church: 641-227-3382
SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 6 p.m. Bible Study
THIRD THURSDAY of month - 6:30 p.m.
Theology on Tap at Bea’s Place on Main Street Check us out on Facebook and baxtercongregational.com
CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
1000 E. 12th St., Newton Rev. Josh Farver, pastor Phone 641-792-4650
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:15 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study; Youth Group HERITAGE WORD OF LIFE
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
102 Second St. NW, Mitchellville Pastor Dave Adams 515-967-3330
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Bible classes; 10 a.m. Worship service; 6 p.m. Evening service
WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening activities
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE Capitol II Theatre in Newton
SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Livestream Worship Service
MITCHELLVILLE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
210 Third St. NW, Mitchellville Text/Voicemail 515-519-0206
The church schedule is brought to you by Coburn FUNERAL HOMES
Colfax-Prairie City-Monroe 515-674-3155
www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
Community Calendar
Send items to news@jaspercountytribune.com
MONDAY
• Colfax Historical Society meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of month at the museum
TUESDAY • C-M Education Foundation Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of month in Central Office
THURSDAY
• AMVETS meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of month at the Colfax Fire Station.
• Mingo Park & Recreation regular meeting meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Thursday of month at City Hall
REAL ID enforcement date approaching: What Iowans need to know
Starting on May 7, all travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card or another acceptable document (like a passport) to board domestic commercial flights. A REAL ID will also be required to access certain federal buildings or enter nuclear facilities. If you need clarification about entry into federal facilities, we recommend contacting the specific federal facility directly before your visit.
You do NOT need a REAL ID to:
• Drive
• Vote
• Purchase alcohol or cigarettes
• Access hospitals
• Visit the post office
• Access federal courts
• Apply for or receive federal benefits such as social security or veterans’ benefits When to get a REAL ID:
Iowans who fly commercially or visit certain federal buildings should obtain a REAL ID soon to avoid any issues or delays after the May 7 enforcement date. Appointments are highly encouraged and can be scheduled through the Iowa DOT Service Selector (or go to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s website at IowaDOT.gov and search appointments).
If you are not flying or visiting a federal facility that requires a REAL ID until later in the year, you can wait to get your REAL ID. We strongly recommend getting it two months in advance of when you need to use it.
REAL ID Compliance in Iowa (Iowans are ahead of the national average!):
As of March 2025, 75 percent of all Iowa driver’s licenses and IDs are REAL ID compliant. The national average is 60 percent.
Data from TSA checkpoints over a five-month period last year shows that approximately 85 percent of Iowans traveling domestically already possess a REAL ID.
How to Check If You Have a REAL ID: Check the upper-right corner of your driver’s license or ID. If there is a gold star, you have a REAL ID. If the upper-right corner is blank or reads “NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES,” then your ID is not REAL ID-compliant. For examples, visit the Iowa DOT REAL ID page (or go to
the DOT’s website at IowaDOT.gov and search REAL ID).
Need a REAL ID? Here’s How to Get One:
To obtain a REAL ID-compliant credential, visit the Iowa DOT REAL ID website (or go to the DOT’s website at IowaDOT.gov and search REAL ID) for details on required documentation. This site will put together a checklist for you on the documents you need. To meet the federal requirements, just remember 1-12. You will need:
• 1 document that proves your identity and date of birth.
• 1 document that proves your social security number.
• 2 documents that prove Iowa residence and residential address.
*Name change documents (if applicable, marriage certificate/divorce decree, etc.)
Iowa Mobile ID
Iowa Mobile ID is a highly secure, digital version of your state-issued driver’s license or ID, carried in the Wallet or an app on your smartphone. If you have Iowa Mobile ID, your REAL ID status information is included with it and will be available to verifiers to check. TSA recently expanded acceptance of digital IDs to more than 200 airports. For information on Iowa Mobile ID, visit https://iowadot. gov/mvd/Mobile-ID.
REAL ID History:
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards. The standard purposes are:
• Accessing certain federal facilities.
• Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.
• Entering nuclear power plants.
To learn more about REAL ID, visit the Department of Homeland Security website at: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/ about-real-id.
SUNDAY - 10 a.m.
Coffee Time; 10:30 a.m. Worship Time, in person or via YouTube Live at 1040 am
WEDNESDAY - 5:30pm
W.O.W Youth Group with supper provided Visit mitchellvillechristianchurch.org and follow us on Facebook
Spring show in Colfax
Guitars
Continuedfrompage1
Having local ties highlights a full-circle moment — having community members give back to inspire the next generation.
“Todd is actively out there donating guitars. We got to give two away today,” Taylor said. “Hopefully you guys will go on to entertain us in the future.”
Taylor said musicians across the state are realizing how critical it is for kids to start playing music. They want to keep the arts going and are partnering with Broken Strings to keep the momentum growing.
“Right here is the future of music,” Taylor said. “If you love it now, hopefully you keep loving it.”
Lopez was all smiles
Clock
Continuedfrompage1
as the guitar was placed in his hands. While he didn’t immediately break into song it was evident the gift meant a lot to him.
“This is really cool,” he said.
Broken Strings Inc. has presented more than 100 guitars to students in more than 50 districts across the state. Its goal is to place a guitar in the hands of at least one student in each of Iowa’s 327 school districts.
While it is ambitious, this nonprofit strongly believes in the power of music to change lives, and it wants to continue to build on the momentum thanks to community support and a shared belief in the transformative power of music.
“If we can give back, do something to get these things in their hands, it is amazing,” Taylor said. “I love it.”
probably a handful of people who can make things like this happen. I’m not one of them. I just kept asking is about all I did. He made this thing work, and it is amazing.”
Known as a master clock, the large pneumatic clock synchronized all the other smaller, secondary clocks in the courthouse. If the master clock said it was 9 o’clock, the others in all the other rooms of the building also said it was 9 o’clock. The clocks were connected to the master clock through air lines.
To show how they used to work, maintenance connected one of the lines from the 1910 master clock to a secondary clock — also known as a slave clock — in the west entrance display. Keen eyes will notice a small pump inside the master clock, and when it deflates the hands of both clocks will move simultaneously.
Hidden away are small air
Scrambling for Easter eggs in Baxter
RV@QSP Campground is set to open May 15 in
will have 40 sites available and all of the amenities of
for campers to enjoy.
RV Park
Continuedfrompage1
to assist guests with questions, use of certain facilities and overall provide oversight of the park grounds,” Seebeck said. A grand opening event dedicating the park is set for Memorial Day weekend, a traditionally popular camping kick-off weekend for the summer season. The public is invited to stop by from 1 to 4 p.m. May 24 and 25 to see the new RV@QSP Campground. Take an ATV or horse and wagon tours of the park, play games, enjoy the trails, cast a line, hit the water in a kayak or boat and finish the day off with ice
tanks that allow the pneumatic system to operate within the master clock. Simons found this solution to work just fine. Sparks said Simons had to mimic how much air line the courthouse had in the building, tinkering away until he knew just how much air pressure was needed.
“He is just that guy who we have found can do anything and everything,” Sparks said. “He built a tool to reload the door cuffs — the springs — on the third floor. Literally went to his shop and built something to use to load it. We had no idea how to do it, and he figured it out.”
By trade, Simons is a toolmaker; he builds plastic injection molds. He traces back his experience with clocks back to childhood. He starting “fooling around” with an old kitchen clock his mom brought home for her basement antique shop. The clock wouldn’t run, so he gave it a look. Over time he got it running.
Simons was the perfect man for the job.
“Adam has called me off and on with various problems that
I’ve helped him fix,” Simons said. “The Lord’s just given me an ability to understand mechanical stuff.”
It is satisfying for Simons to see the master clock operate again, but even more so to see the secondary clock working alongside it. Simons said it was challenging to get the master clock to work alongside only one secondary clock. Normally, the master clock would help power about 20 or so other clocks.
“When you try to run just one clock off of that, it’s like taking a dump truck full of sand and trying to fill a thimble,” Simons said. “It’s just so overpowered. So what I had to do was make a whole bunch of extra air tanks, if you will, to make up for that volume. And that was experimental.”
cream and cookies.
The weekend will be a celebration of not only the RV campground but also 10 years of Quarry Springs Park adding outdoor recreation to Colfax, Jasper County and more. Even with as much as they have accomplished, those most passionate about the park aren’t even close to done.
“We hope to have a new, 18-hole disc golf course open before the end of the summer,” Seebeck said. “One of the more popular areas of the park is our sand dunes where kids of all ages love to play.”
For more information about RV@QSP or any other park attractions or upcoming event, visit the Quarry Springs Park website and Facebook page.
Pneumatic clocks are not likely to appear on any shelves in Walmart or Target. Combined with the fact many are ultimately electrified to have them in working order, Sparks said there is something interesting about keeping its air system in place. He still wonders how someone thought of this system 100 years ago.
“The knowledge it took to do that with very little tools or whatever it is that they had,” Sparks said. “How did one think of that? How did one even make that happen after they thought of that? So to have a gentleman that understands clocks and clock movements is invaluable.”
Sparks has a love for the courthouse and its history. Although he wants to keep the building update to date, he also wants to preserve its original character.
“If we can find the people to bring something back to its original state, I don’t see anything neater than that,” he said. “It’s just amazing.”
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune
Jasper County Maintenance Director Adam Sparks explains how the 1910 Hahl pneumatic master clock operates alongside its secondary clock. The master clock was recently restored so that it could still operate using compressed air.
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Colfax. The RV campground
Quarry Springs Park
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
All we needed to secure the border was President Trump
For the past four years, our southern border has been in chaos. Under President Biden, the United States saw an unprecedented surge in illegal immigration — more than 10 million individuals crossed into our country unlawfully. Fentanyl poured into our communities, crime spiked, and our Border Patrol agents were stretched beyond their limits, forced to process migrants instead of protecting our border.
Updates from the Iowa House
Victory for Iowa Schools: Senate File 167 Finalizes
SSA Agreement
After months of negotiations, we’ve passed a final Supplemental State Aid (SSA) agreement that delivers substantial new investments for Iowa’s public schools. While House Republicans initially pushed for even more funding, this compromise secures several key wins:
• 2 percent SSA Increase + $5 Per Student: This translates to over $105 million in additional school aid for Fiscal Year 2026.
• Teacher Salary Boost: Phase two of our teacher salary increase adds nearly $35 million to support our educators.
• Per-Pupil Funding Rises: The state cost per pupil increases to $7,988, up $162 per student, including $5 for per-pupil equity—a priority for House Republicans.
• Operational Sharing Cap Expanded: The cap rises from 21 to 25, unlocking an extra $942,087 for schools.
• Transportation Equity: A 3 percent increase, on top of the 2 percent SSA boost, adds $1.55 million for school transportation needs.
All told, these measures represent a 2.8 percent increase in state funding for public schools, with House Republicans securing over $4.7 million in additional investments over the Senate’s original proposal. These targeted increases address specific needs we’ve heard from school districts, ensuring funds make a real impact where they’re needed most. Setting the Record Straight on School Funding: Some have claimed we’re prioritizing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) over public schools, citing a “44 percent ESA increase” versus a “2 percent public school increase.” This is misleading. ESA funding grows this year due to the final phase of program expansion, but it still accounts for just 2.01 percent of the state budget, compared to 43.62 percent for public schools. Both programs follow the same per-pupil funding formula. Public schools remain, by far, our top priority.
Protecting Classroom Focus: House File 782 Limits Cell Phones
We’ve passed House File 782, a bill requiring schools to prohibit cell phone use during instructional time, and it’s now headed to the Governor’s desk. The Department of Education has been instructed to develop model policies by May 1, with exemptions for medical needs and clear methods for parents to reach students in emergencies. Schools can opt for stricter rules if desired. Why does this matter? Smartphones and social media can distract students and harm mental health. Schools like those in Ottumwa and Des Moines that have already restricted phone use are seeing “better grades and fewer suspensions.” This bill ensures classrooms remain places for learning, free from digital distractions.
PBM Reform: The Fight Continues We’re still working to deliver much-needed reform for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). The House has consistently passed strong PBM reform bills, only to see them stalled or heavily amended in the Senate. These reforms are critical to ensuring fair practices, transparency, and preserving our rural pharmacies. We remain committed to pushing for meaningful change and will keep fighting to get this done.
Let’s keep the conversation going!
Our District
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
The Biden Administration’s “catch and release” policies sent a dangerous message to the world: America’s borders are open. The result was predictable — record-breaking crossings, overwhelmed towns, and a national security disaster that reached all 50 states, including Iowa.
Now, after just two months back in office, President Trump has proven that strong leadership and com-
mon-sense enforcement can restore order. According to new Customs and Border Protection data, March saw the lowest number of southern border crossings ever recorded in U.S. history. Crossings are down 96 percent compared to the peak of the Biden-era border crisis.
How did we get here? Not by throwing billions in taxpayer dollars at a broken system. Not by launching flashy apps or foreign aid programs. We got here because President Trump took swift executive action, ended Biden’s failed policies, and empowered our Border Patrol agents to do their jobs.
The message is now clear: the border is closed to illegal crossings, and those who violate our laws will face
real consequences. Deportations of criminals are up, the fence and its technology is being rebuilt, and border agents finally have the tools and backing they need to protect our nation.
In Iowa, we know how devastating illegal drugs and crime have been in our communities. This didn’t require new legislation or endless red tape in Washington — it required a president willing to enforce our laws. The Biden Administration created this crisis. President Trump is ending it. We welcome you to this great nation-legally. will continue to work with President Trump in Congress to ensure we finish the job and keep Iowa — and America — safe.
I must be getting old. I find I can now sit down and read and enjoy high-brow intellectual, philosophical, God-consciousness books and get a lot of good out of them. It probably has something to do with me being ill with what might be a catastrophic illness and thinking about mortality. Don’t get me wrong, if I go, I know where I’m going, and I’m at peace with that. If I stay it’s because there is more work for me to do, people to help, God to serve.
There was a time, say 20 years ago, when I couldn’t read an author like Joseph Campbell because he was just too over my head in comparative mythology, religion and big words.
When the pupil is ready the teacher will appear.
I was searching through my library looking for some books I had read quite some time ago, because I was considering writing a book sort of like the ones I was looking for. I finally found them. The author is Marilynne Robinson. She taught at the Writer’s Workshop at the University of Iowa, and earned a Pulitzer Prize for “Gilead” back in 2005. “Gilead” is a mythical town in Iowa close to Tabor. At the time, I couldn’t even pronounce “Gilead.” I was saying “Gi-lead.” An educated friend told me the correct pronunciation, “Gilly-Ad.” For a little background, Gilead is also referenced in the Bible as well as the book and movie,”The Handmaid’s Tale,” written by Margaret Atwood. Anywho, Robinson’s fictional books,
YOUR VIEW
Having read the latest from our State Representative Dunwell, the only response really available is WHEW! A truly amazing effort to justify the quest for racial purity and the true American spirit. The representative, in attempting to justify our current legislature and its ongoing efforts of enforcing purity in our institutions of higher learning and government administration whether city, county, or state, uses words and concepts of which he has no understanding. His educational background has none of the attributes he and others are so apparently desirous of achieving — by getting rid of them.
The truly amazing quality of his latest opinion piece in the Newton News justifying our legislature’s actions is the concern with our “higher education” in Iowa as it experiences “skyrocketing costs, declining intellectual diversity, and the encroachment of identity politics.”
Let’s begin with the last “the encroachment of identity politics.” Clearly, identity politics, assuming the representative knows what it is, is not what the
which are some of the best fiction I’ve ever read, are “Gilead,” “Jack,” “Housekeeping,” “Home,” and “Lila.” In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Robinson has won a slew of awards, like Seabiscuit and his blue ribbons. I had read “Gilead,” “Housekeeping,” and “Home” back when Robinson won the Pulitzer. So I read them again. “Jack” and “Lila” were new to me, so I read them also. I am stunned by her writing. Then I happened to notice on my Kindle that Robinson also has a number of philosophical books. They include “Reading Genesis,” “What Are We Doing Here? Essays,” “Absence of Mind,” “When I Was a Child I Read Books,” “The Givenness of Things: Essays,” “Mother Country: Britain, the Welfare State and Nuclear Pollution,” “Absence of Mind: The Dispelling of Inwardness from the Modern Myth,” and “Death of Adam.” Robinson is the author of more than sixty books, and is also a well known public speaker, lecturer and teacher. She even teaches Sunday School. Can you imagine being in her class? What the heck? Nothing ventured nothing gained. With nervous fingers I selected several of the philosophical
representative objects to. He is objecting to other people’s “identity politics.” He is objecting to any politics not identical to his own. These include ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, denomination, gender, sexual orientation, social background, and political affiliation to name but some.
Then we have “intellectual diversity.”
How one can say, with a straight face, that by getting rid of diversity, one can achieve it really can only come from a person who is just repeating words he has heard others say or is being misleading purposefully? But this is, in fact, what Dunwell and his cohorts in the legislature do not want — “intellectual diversity.” It really frightens them that our colleges are there to educate and to hopefully produce people that may not have the same beliefs they have and are able to question our everyday assumptions. The purpose of our educational establishment is not simply to train people to go work for corporate America. Also, our legislators don’t want any “historical distortion” like what our history really is and how we got here, since this, apparently, would be an “ideological agenda”. Some of our history is not so great; ad-
books, judging by their title. I chose “Reading Genesis,” “What Are We Doing Here? Essays,” and “Death of Adam.” Wow, I was blown away. It’s tough reading, but oh so educational and well written. How can a famous fiction writer also be an expert in philosophy and religion? It’s a gift. Here’s some of her quotes I’ll use as teasers: “humankind are a family. Ultimately they share a common descent, a common nature, a common enjoyment of God’s grace in His covenant with all flesh.” “Man’s free will depends not on his own free will and acts but was predestined from the beginning,” “Biblical anthropology begins with an exalted conception of humanity, then ponders our errors and deficiencies and our capacities for grace and truth, within the world of meaningful freedom created for them by an omnipotent God,” and “the soul of the poorest child is of equal dignity with the soul of Adam.”
I’m kind of thinking that with all this downtime I’m having due to physical illness, I was led to these books. I needed exposure to the history of religion and God’s plans for us, more so than what I was getting from daily Bible reading. Everything happens for a reason. I’m pleased that my mind is still sharp and creative, and I can be at peace with the world, come what may. Robinson’s books help with that.
Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@ yahoo.com
mitting it might actually have some benefit.
So rather than the use of euphemisms and nonsense to explain and justify their behavior as our legislators, let’s just call it what it is: bigotry. The war against the other will not be successful no matter how hard they try but to continue to try they will. There was an article recently that what little gain in Iowa’s population has occurred in recent years, 94 percent of it is from international immigration. This does not please them — these people coming here are different from us — this is not good.
It is really not a healthy situation when the people who are in control of our government are so afraid of the other that they will go to any length to exclude them. The idea how an institution such as a university has a diversity and equity office can give our legislatures such discomfort is seriously discomforting in itself. The people in charge of our state government are afraid of the other and fear is not a healthy attribute to have when they are in charge and make the laws that affect us all. Richard Phelps II Mingo
Marilynne Robinson, fiction writer and philosopher
State Rep. Jon Dunwell
State House
Hunsberger, Hosbond lead
Tigerhawk girls at North Mahaska
NEW SHARON — Grace Hunsberger won the high jump, Ashlynn Hosbond finished second in the 1,500-meter run and the Colfax-Mingo girls track and field team used three top-three finishes to place sixth as a team at the Steve Ehret Coed Relays on April 10.
The Tigerhawks scored 66 points in sixth and edged South Iowa Cedar League rivals Montezuma (63) and Belle Plaine and also bested BGM (19).
Pella Christian won the meet title with 143 points, while the rest of the top five included host North Mahaska (111), HLV/TC (99), Iowa Valley (72) and Sigourney (69).
Hunsberger won the high jump with a season-best mark of 4 feet, 10 inches and Claire Hunsberger was fourth with a career-best leap of 4-6.
Hosbond’s runner-up finish in the 1,500 was clocked in a career-best 5 minutes, 31.06 seconds. She also was fourth in the 3,000 in 12:02.11.
The shuttle hurdle relay team of Trinity Smith, Jesse Purdie, Lily Anderson and Evalyn Anderson grabbed a third-place finish in 1:23.87.
The Tigerhawks doubled up in the shot put as Lexie Aller (29-4) and Emma Cook (29-3) were fifth and sixth, respectively.
Britney Keeney placed sixth in the discus with a career-best throw of 865, Purdie took sixth in the 100 hurdles in a career-best 18.62 and Laila Kwaskiewicz (3:12.32) finished sixth in the 800.
Smith leads Tigerhawks to eventh at Lynnville-Sully
SULLY — Smith grabbed a pair of individual top-five finishes and led off the shuttle hurdle relay team which placed third at the L-S Hawk Coed Invitational on April 8.
The Tigerhawks placed seventh in the team standings with 54 points. They bested SICL rival BGM (33) by 21.
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont won the meet title with 166 points, while host Lynnville-Sully was the runner-up with 124. HLV/TC (108), North Mahaska (103), Pleasantville (79), and Sigourney (60) completed the eightteam field.
Smith placed third in the long jump with a season-best leap of 14-2 1/2, finished fifth in the 400 hurdles with a season-best time of 1:18.44 and the shuttle hurdle relay team of Smith, Purdie, Lily Anderson and Evalyn Anderson took third in a season-best 1:18.46.
Grace Hunsberger finished fourth in the high jump with a leap of 4-10 and Cook (30-11) and Aller (30-0) were 4-6 in the shot put and Arndt (82-0) was sixth in the discus. Arndt delivered a career-best throw.
Hosbond delivered a pair of sixthplace tallies. She was sixth in the 1,500 with a time of 5:54.92 and posted a career-best time of 11:52.17 in the 3,000 in sixth.
Colfax-Mingo girls pass biggest test yet, rally past Van Meter
COLFAX — Lily Anderson just wanted to be available near the goal if Meadow Lane needed her.
That’s what she was thinking before she put a shot past Van Meter goalie Josie Bemis in the 61st minute of an April 11 matchup against the Bulldogs.
Lane attracts quite the defensive crowd when she has the ball and sometimes the best play is to pass it an open teammate.
Anderson was ready and able to extend the Tigerhawks’ advantage to two goals and Colfax-Mingo’s girls soccer team went on to defeat Van Meter, 5-2, at Tigerhawk Stadium.
“You always want to be ready for the cross pass,” Anderson said. “It looked like
Meadow was getting hammered by multiple girls so I just tried to be open for an opportunity if it was there.”
Lane continued her hot start to the season with three goals and two assists in Colfax-Mingo’s toughest test yet.
The Tigerhawks also faced their first deficit of the season when Mady Schnell scored in the 10th minute to put Van Meter in front 1-0.
A slow start by Lane didn’t deter the standout freshmen as her first goal of the contest came in the 36th minute and tied the match at 1-all.
The Bulldogs have been super aggressive at the beginning of their matches this season. Once it got to halftime tied at 1-all, Tomas knew his girls were up to the challenge.
“We knew we’d know more about where we were at after tonight,” Tomas said. “That’s a well-coached team that has a lot of speed and is physical.
“I think we started to settle in at the end of the first half. Our conversation at halftime was that we can play with these guys. We weathered the storm, and it was time to play our game. I’m proud of them. I won’t take the credit. This is a good group of girls.”
While Lane came into the match with 15 goals, Van Meter’s Schnell entered with 10. She scored her 12th goal when she put a shot past Colfax-Mingo keeper Emmalyn Buchman that tied the match at 2-all in the 44th minute. Then Anderson scored back-to-back goals to put Colfax-Mingo (4-0) in front for good.
Lane dribbled past and through multiple defenders all night. She managed to get enough on the ball that it went through a diving Bemis and snuck just inside the left post. Lane put the Tigerhawks in front for the first time when she made it 2-1 in the 42nd minute.
state, respectively.
“My sister Bianca (Lane) helps me a lot,” Meadow Lane said. “I missed some shots early that I normally get, but I just kept shooting and eventually they went in.”
She now has 18 goals and 39 points this season, which ranks second and third in the
Richardson, Handorf lead Bolts at PCM, Van Meter
MONROE — Matt Richardson won a pair of distance events, Max Handorf joined him in the top four of both and the Baxter boys track and field team finished fifth at the Joel Grier Coed Invitational on April 8.
The Bolts posted six top-three finishes and scored 70 points in fifth. The rest of the top five featured host PCM (136), Knoxville (116), Bondurant-Farrar (99) and North Polk (87). Chariton (59), the PCM JV (11) and Twin Cedars (6) capped the eight-team field.
Richardson won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs, Carter Smith collected a win in the discus and the Bolts’ distance medley relay team also won.
Richardson won the 1,600 in 4 minutes, 39.84 seconds, while Handorf was fourth in 4;44.25.
“It’s a great start to the season so far,” Richardson said. “Hopefully a lot more to come.”
The duo went 1-2 in the 3,200. Richardson won with a career-best time of 9:53.56 and Handorf was second in a career-best 9:56.05. Richardson and Handorf are both ranked in the top six for times in Class 1A in both events.
Besides competing against each other, the field also featured Knoxville’s Isaac Rankin, who spent a big chunk of cross country season ranked in Class 3A.
Colfax-Mingo head girls soccer coach Zach Tomas said the key to the match was weathering an early barrage from Van Meter.
Lane again dribbled through multiple defenders and withstood some contact before dumping it to Anderson in front of the net for a 3-2 lead.
Anderson’s second goal of the game also was assisted by Lane and came after a beautifully placed corner kick by Victoria Woods, who added one assist in the victory.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Colfax-Mingo freshman Meadow Lane, center, scored three goals and dished out two assists in the Tigerhawks’ 5-2 home win over Van Meter on April 11.
Jasper County Tribune
By Troy Hyde Sports Editor
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter junior Ashlyn Finch, left, competes for possession of the ball during Colfax-Mingo’s soccer win over Van Meter on April 11. Colfax-Mingo is now 4-0 this season.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter senior Logan Rainsbarger finished third in the 110-meter high hurdles at Van Meter on April 10.
Jasper County Tribune
C-M boys finish second at Montezuma triangular
Jasper County Tribune
MONTEZUMA — The Colfax-Mingo boys golf team improved its team score by 23 shots during a triangular hosted by Montezuma on April 10.
The Tigerhawks opened their season with a 213 but carded a 190 at Montezuma Country Club. That resulted in a second-place finish in the South
Iowa Cedar League triangular.
HLV/TC won the meet with a 174 and host Montezuma was third with a 236.
HLV/TC’s Peyton Roth won medalist honors with a 36, but C-M’s Jace Lewis carded a career-best 44 in second.
Shane Hostetter tied for fourth with a career-best 46, Jadyn Patten posted a career-best 49 in seventh and Luke Padgett
had a career-best 51 in eighth. Gavin Sydnes posted a non-counting, career-best 53 and Sean Ament had a non-counting, career-best 59.
Tigerhawks finish fourth in BCLUW quadrangular CONRAD — Hostetter opened his season with a 49 and Padgett turned in a 53, but four other Tigerhawks made their
Woods, Wilkins lead Colfax-Mingo boys at North Mahaska
NEW SHARON — Xavier Woods won the high jump, Sullivan Wilkins ran to a win in the 3,200-meter run and the Colfax-Mingo boys track and field team won a pair of relays at the Steve Ehret Coed Relays on April 10. The Tigerhawks posted nine top-three finishes for the day and placed third in the team standings with 115 points.
Pella Christian won the meet championship with 143 points and Iowa Valley (119) edged the Tigerhawks for second.
Sigourney (106), BGM (76), Montezuma (65), host North Mahaska (45.5) and HLV/TC (43) completed the eight-team field.
Woods won the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 8 inches and Wilkins posted a time of 10 minutes, 53.11 seconds to win the 3,200.
ished second in the sprint medley in a season-best time of 1:42.83.
The 4x800 relay team of Josue Rodriguez, Mario Rodriguez, Willie Fitzgerald and Ament took second in 10:00.57.
Woods leads Tigerhawks to third at L-S
Woods also was the runner-up in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:01.57.
Colfax-Mingo had a pair of third-place finishes. Isaiah Baucom (35-6) was third in the shot put and Wyatt Thornton took third in the 110 highs with a career-best time of 17.54.
Wilkins (5:12.5) and Owen Ament (5:23.16) finished 4-5 in the 1,600, Teagan Dybevik was fifth in the discus with a career-best toss of 113-11 and Fisher Grove ended up sixth in the 400 in 58.98.
Tony Buenrostro finished fifth in the long jump with a career-best leap of 17-10 1/2 and was fifth in the 100 in a career-best 12.07 seconds.
The Tigerhawks won the distance medley and 4x400 relays and placed second in the sprint medley and 4x800.
In the distance medley relay, the team of Woods, Thornton, Chase Trotter and Wilkins won the race in 4:02.57. Trotter, Thornton, Izaiah Lewis and Woods won the 4x400 in 3:44.25 and Baucom, Buenrostro, Thornton and Trotter fin-
SULLY — Woods won a pair of individual events and the Tigerhawks piled up a handful of third-place finishes during the L-S Hawk Coed Invitational on April 8.
The Tigerhawks scored 121 points in third, but host Lynnville-Sully won the meet title with 150 points.
Pleasantville (139.5) finished second and the rest of the eightteam field included Sigourney (105), BGM (76), HLV/ TC (62.5), Montezuma (51) and North Mahaska (32).
Woods won the high jump with a season-best leap of 6-0 and finished first in the 400 hurdles in 1:00.45. Thornton was third in the 400 hurdles in a career-best 1:00.79.
Trotter and Wilkins claimed the two runner-up finishes.
Trotter was second in the 400 in a career-best 54.32 and Wilkins (5:09) and Ament (5:28.75) finished 2-5 in the 1,600.
The Tigerhawks were third in four individual events and the team of Baucom, Cam Cunningham, Buenrostro and Thornton finished third in the sprint medley relay in a season-best 1:43.4.
Baucom (38-5 1/2) took third in the shot put, Wilkins and Ament were 3-5 in the 3,200 and Trotter (25.03) and Grove (25.99) finished 3-5 in the 200.
Wilkins posted a career-best time of 10:46.66 in the 3,200 and Ament finished in a career-best 11:30.77.
Wilkins (2:17.88) also took fourth in the 800 and Trotter (17-9 1/4) placed fourth in the long jump.
Trotter was sixth in the 100, too, in a career-best 12.1.
varsity debuts and Colfax-Mingo finished fourth in a road quadrangular on April 8. Colfax-Mingo shot 213 in fourth. Grundy Center, which qualified for the Class 2A state tournament last season, won the meet with a 139. East Marshall (146) and host BCLUW (189) completed the field at Oakwood Golf Course. Lewis (54), Patten (57),
Sydnes (60) and Wyatt Jay (69) all made their varsity debuts. Sydnes and Jay had non-counting scores. Grundy Center’s Judd Jirovsky won medalist honors with a 32 and his teammate, Jaxon Kiewiet, was the runner-up with a 34. East Marshall’s Jackson Bidwell and Cody Weaver both shot 35.
Nine top-three finishes propel Baxter girls to second at PCM
County Tribune
MONROE — Camryn Russell won two individual events, the Bolts doubled up in four of them and the Baxter girls track and field team finished second at the Joel Grier Invitational on April 8.
The Bolts scored 101 points in second. They trailed meet champion and host PCM (160) and the rest of the top five featured Knoxville (94), Montezuma (73) and North Polk (68).
Chariton (58), the PCM JV (11) and Twin Cedars finalized the eight-team field.
“We are deeper than last year but need to continue to get stronger over the next month if we want to achieve some of our team goals,” Baxter head girls track and field coach Josh Russell said. “It was good to see some girls move up in distances. One of those examples are the Krampe twins in the 400 and 400 hurdles.”
Russell won the 100-meter hurdles in 16.13 seconds and scored a win in the long jump with a leap of 15 feet, 7 1/2 inches.
Anderegg was fifth in the long jump with a career-best leap of 140, and she placed sixth in the 100 hurdles in a career-best 18.32.
The other win for the Bolts came from Makayla True in the 3,000. She won the race in 12 minutes, 12.14 seconds and Zoey Gliem was third in 13:16.01. True (5:55.47) also was fifth in the 1,500.
Callie Cross registered a career-best throw of 29-0 to place third in the shot put. Sydnee Hibbs (career-best 13.77) and Russell
(13.79) were 4-5 in the 100, Avery Wonders (28.35) placed fourth in the 200 and Gwen Tichy (career-best 2:50.82) finished sixth in the 800.
Kamdyn Krampe made her debut in the 400 hurdles and finished fourth in 1:24.86. But there was one set of hurdles missing on the track and the times cannot be posted to Bound. There also were timing issues throughout the meet. The events affected that were not auto timed were the sprint medley and 4x400 relays.
The Bolts’ 4x400 relay team of Alyvia Burdess, Tichy, Russell and Wonders finished second in an unofficial time of 4:37.
The distance medley relay team posted a season-best time of 5:03.53 to place second with Anderegg, Kamdyn Krampe, Kaylyn Krampe and Kendall Brummel.
The 4x200 relay team of Burdess, Kaylyn Krampe, Piper Redman and Brummel finished third in a season-best 2:02.24.
Kamdyn Krampe, Rossi Swihart, Kaylyn Krampe and Wonders also placed third in the shuttle hurdle relay in a season-best 1:19.86.
“Alyvia Burdess had an outstanding meet with some of her best splits ever and stepped up to run in the 4x400 when we needed her to,” Coach Russell said.
Notes: Camryn Russell competed in the 100 hurdles at Harlan on April 10 and posted a career-best time of 15.72 seconds, which moves her into fourth in Class 1A. It’s also inside the top 32 for Drake Relays qualifying at 29th.
Jasper County Tribune
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Colfax-Mingo freshman Cam Cunningham, right, hands the baton to senior Tony Buenrostro during a meet this season. The Tigerhawks finished third at Lynnville-Sully and fourth at North Mahaska last week.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune Colfax-Mingo junior Kyle Wood battles in the shuttle hurdle relay during a meet this season.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune Baxter junior Callie Cross used a career-best throw to place third in the shot put at the Joel Grier Coed Invitational on April 8.
Jasper
Baxter golfers open season at West Marshall
STATE CENTER — Char-
lie Maher and Masyn Titus led the Baxter boys golf team in their varsity debuts on April 8, but the Bolts finished third in a road triangular at Lincoln Valley Golf Course.
The Bolts shot 194 in third.
Host West Marshall won the meet with a 173 and Saydel
Soccer
Continuedfrompage5
carded a 182 in second.
Maher carded a 44 in his debut and placed fifth, while Titus turned in a debut score of 47.
The other two counting scores for Baxter came from Stadan Vansice (50) and Colten Damman (52), who made his varsity debut, too.
Hudson Bethards turned in a non-counting 56 and Cainan Travis carded a non-counting 57
“I just tried to get that one in there,” Anderson said. “I saw and I went after it.” Anderson is playing soccer for the first time in three years but also is dual sporting with track and field this spring. She doesn’t mind coming off the bench in soccer because it allows her to see what she’s up against when she does enter the pitch.
“It’s very nice to be able watch the match early to know how I need to play,” Anderson said. “I love it. These are awesome girls. I haven’t played in three years. It’s hard doing two sports, but I would not change anything.”
Lane finished off the victory with a penalty kick in the 73rd minute. Colfax-Mingo was awarded the PK after Lily Webster was fouled in the box.
“Her and her sister play off each other so well,” Tomas said about Bianca and Meadow Lane. “Any time those two have the ball, be ready because they will make a good decision and find the open player. They give it to you in a good spot and they both have that ability to take over and that’s a calming feeling for the rest of the girls.
“We wanted to feed Bianca in the middle. When we did that, good things happened.”
Colfax-Mingo out-shot Van Meter 13-11 and had an 8-6 surplus in shots on goal. Buchman finished with four saves for the Tigerhawks.
Notes: Colfax-Mingo has made a case to be ranked in Class 1A. The Tigerhawks are outscoring their opponents 29-2 in their first four matches. They defeated Albia 10-0, while 1A No. 15 Pella Christian edged the Lady Dees, 2-1. Van Meter’s other loss came against 1A No. 4 Des Moines Christian, but the Lions won 3-0. … While Colfax-Mingo is undefeated, Tomas said his squad needs to learn to handle other team’s speed up front and seeks a consistent second option to go with Meadow Lane. “I’m really happy with where we’re at. It’s been fun so far,” Meadow Lane said. “I want to be ranked. And I’m trying to be the top scorer in the state. That’s
Baxter Boys
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Both Handorf and Richardson knew Rankin would take the lead for the first few laps.
“Max and I started off slow like usual, and I just figured I’d gain ground throughout the race,” Richardson said. “Isaac was leading the first two laps. Max and I want back and forth after that and knew my kick would be a strength today.”
Handorf also knew his teammate’s final kick is a strength. He did his best to avoid that situation.
“I was hoping (Rankin) would lead the first three or four laps,” Handorf said. “My goal was to push the pace on lap five and six and try to gap Matt so he can’t out-kick me like he usually does. We both had personal bests though. I think it was a great race for both of us.”
They both helped Baxter win the distance medley relay. The foursome of Logan Rainsbarger, Eli Dee, Richardson and Handorf won the race in 3:53.35.
Dee also placed sixth in the high jump with a career-best leap of 5 feet, 6 inches.
There were timing issues all night and a few events won’t be able to be posted to Bound due to not being auto timed.
Rainsbarger would have placed in the 110 high hurdles, but there was an error with the second heat of the event.
Other events affected by the tim-
in his varsity debut.
Ryan VanHouten of Saydel was the meet medalist with a 39. West Marshall’s James Decker, Hunter Polley and Yuk Yin Wong all shot 42s in a tie for second.
Baxter girls finish second at West Marshall
The Bolts opened their season with a 234 at Lincoln Valley
Golf Course, but that resulted in a second-place finish in a triangular hosted by West Marshall on April 8.
The host Trojans won the meet with a 188 and Saydel did not have enough golfers for a team score.
one of my goals. We also want to be successful as a team. We want to win. We hate losing.” … Anderson now ranks second on the team with four goals and is tied for second with Bianca Lane with eight points. “That’s two games now that she’s had two goals in,” Tomas said about Anderson. “She has a knack for being in the right spot and always gives everything she has.”
Colfax-Mingo 10, Albia 0
ALBIA — Meadow Lane scored five goals, Woods and Bianca Lane both put in two and Colfax-Mingo broke open a close match at halftime with a big second half during a 10-0 win over Albia on April 8.
The Tigerhawks led 2-0 at halftime but scored eight goals in the second half to remain undefeated.
Woods and Bianca Lane both had two goals and one assist in the win, while Lilyan Hadsall had one goal and Webster dished out two assists.
Colfax-Mingo put 20 of its 30 shots
on goal and Buchman made two saves. Bianca Lane has four assists this spring, which ranks tied for sixth in 1A. Webster pushed her season assist total to three.
Albia (2-3) has lost three straight matches after winning its season opener.
Colfax-Mingo 10, Clarke 0
COLFAX — The Tigerhawks used a fast start to down Clarke in their home opener on April 7.
Meadow Lane scored a career-best six goals, Anderson posted the first two goals of her prep career and Bianca Lane delivered two assists during the team’s 10-0 win over the Indians.
Hadsall and Webster each added one goal and Woods and Karmylia Snyder dished out one assist apiece.
It was the first career assist for Snyder.
Colfax-Mingo put 19 of its 31 shots on goal. Clarke (0-3) has been outscored 17-0 this spring.
ing miscues were the sprint medley relay, the second heat of the 4x100, the 4x400 and the 200 dash. Smith won the discus with a toss of 134-3 1/2. He also was third in the shot put with a career-best heave of 43-10.
“My Dad and I have been working after practice on getting more speed,” Smith said. “The whip is the biggest part. It’s going well so far. I was falling back in the ring. That’s why I didn’t get too far today.”
Short-handed Bolts compete at Van Meter
VAN METER — Baxter took a small contingent to Van Meter on April 10 and Richardson came away
with the team’s only win. Richardson (9:51.07) and Handorf (10:06.31) finished 1-2 in the 3,200 and also went 2-4 in the 1,600. Richardson edged Handorf with times of 4:30.52 and 4:31.51, respectively.
“I made a lot of improvements over the winter,” Handorf said. “My focus was on injury prevention because my season was cut short last year because of an injury. I feel a lot better this year.”
Smith, who has a top-15 distance in 1A in the discus, placed second in the event with a toss of 137-10 and Rainsbarger finished third in the 110 high hurdles with a time of 16.31.
The other three scoring golfers were Hannah Huffaker (57), Rilynn Titus (63) and Klaire Shanks (65).
Maddie Reimers (74) and Caydence Sulzle (74) had non-counting scores. It was the varsity debut for Sulzle.
West Marshall’s Rachel Randall carded a 45 as the meet medalist and her teammate, Natalie Nichols, was the runner-up with a 46. Baxter was led by Karlee Koehler, which finished fourth with a 49.
Brenner leads C-M girls to win at SICL triangular
MONTEZUMA — Lily Brenner posted the second-best nine-hole score of her career to lead the Colfax-Mingo girls golf team to a road victory on April 10.
The Tigerhawks competed in a South Iowa Cedar League triangular hosted by Montezuma, and Colfax-Mingo won the meet with a 208. HLV/TC (233) and host Montezuma (236) also played at Montezuma Country Club.
Brenner led the Tigerhawks and won medalist honors with a 47. Dakota Allen was the runner-up with a 53.
Lillie Jones and Faith Allen both posted career-best 54s as the final counting scores. Lily Webster (55) and Chloe Clements (57) had non-counting scores. It was the varsity debuts for Dakota Allen and Webster.
Brenner leads Tigerhawks to second at East Marshall
MARSHALLTOWN — Brenner’s career-best score led the Tigerhawks to a runner-up finish at the East Marshall triangular on April 8. Colfax-Mingo shot a 218 and finished three shots back of BCLUW, which won the meet with a 215. Host East Marshall carded a 226 at Wondering Creek Golf Course.
Brenner won medalist honors with a career-best 44. Faith Allen was sixth with a 55 and Jones (58) and Clements (61) had the other counting scores. Cadence Linn turned in a non-counting 75. It was the varsity debuts for Linn and Faith Allen.
BCLUW’s Delaney Legg and Marissa Schnathorst and East Marshall’s Delaney Ryan all carded 51s. BCLUW put three in the top five.
Camryn Russell
Baxter junior Camryn Russell posted a career-best time of 15.72 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles at Harlan on April 10. That ranks fourth in Class 1A. She also posted a mark of 16 feet, 1 inch in the long jump during the Bolts’ home meet on April 14.
Jasper County Tribune
Jasper County Tribune
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune Baxter senior Carter Smith won the discus at the Joel Grier Coed Invitational at PCM High School on April 8.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Colfax-Mingo senior Lily Webster, left, and sophomore Dakota Allen, right, battle for possession at the offensive end of the pitch on April 11. The Tigerhawks downed Van Meter 5-2 to stay unbeaten.
