PCM-04-25-2024

Explorer PCM

Prom on the Prairie

PCM alum Carson King donates

$5,000 to the Backpack Buddies Program

Finding the Leader in Me

PCM Elementary students share their experience working on the Lighthouse Team as leaders of the schools

PCM celebrates prom 2024 at Sacred Willow Farm

Decision made

PCM School Board approves upper and lower elementary building split

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

In a unanimous decision, the PCM School Board approved moving to preschool through second grade at Monroe Elementary, and third through fifth grade at Prairie City Elementary for elementary education. The decision was made for the 2024-25 school year during the April 15 board meeting.

In a statement, the board shared why it came to this decision:

“This was a tough decision to make, and it was not taken lightly as a lot of time was put into it. We believe, at this time, this is the best decision for PCM School District, both educationally and financially. We would like to thank all parents, staff and community members who have reached out and helped make this decision.”

Discussions on the topic started in February when the proposal of aligning third grade in Prairie City was brought before the board. At that time, PCM Elementary Principal Donita Geetings said with a retirement of a third grade teacher there would be three classes in Prairie City and one in Monroe, making it an ideal time to combine the students.

The board tabled the topic after wanting to explore more options. If all of third grade were to move to Prairie City, Monroe would be left with one class in kindergarten through second grade, along with all preschool classes. The board was uncomfortable with that situation.

At a work session, the board discussed the entire topic of grade alignment and if the district was moving too fast without a definite direction. Board president Ryan Van Der Kamp posed several questions about the topic: Are we rushing? Is there enough information? Have people been informed of a plan? It seems likes we have gone several directions lately? Superintendent Michelle Havenstrite said the administration hasn’t changed direction and is fully on board with total grade alignment, as was recommended by the Elementary Vision Team three years ago. The vision team, made up of parents, teachers and staff, researched how to best improve the elementary school and shared its findings with the board. They found having two sections in Monroe and one in Prairie City wasn’t the best

intersections near Monroe and Reasnor

County engineer says 8 intersections are seeing heavy traffic due to Hwy 14 construction

By Christopher Braunschweig

PCM Explorer

Frietsch said. “…A lot of these roads are hilly, the sight distance is

So between sight distance concerns and increased traffic on these roads it kind of warrants at least doing some all stop controls.”

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Explorer PCM

PCM Food Pantry

The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St., is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.

Events at The Gathering Place

April 25

• 5-8pm Acoustic JAMM session bring finger food

April 26

• 2pm Piano with Jacque Robinson

April 29

• 8am Coffee & Devotions with Pastor Ann

• 10am Video Exercise Class with Sandy May 1

• 6pm BINGO

TOPS

TOPS 1025 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City for weigh-in, with meeting to follow. Go to the north side parking lot at the church and enter in the north door. Call 515-994-2200 for information.

Men’s Recovery meeting

Lighthouse Recovery Ministries hosts a Men’s Recovery meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Alive Church, 703 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.

PCM Clothing Closet

The PCM Clothing Closet, on the second floor of the Family Life Center at 105 S. Sherman St. in Prairie City, will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

GriefShare at PC FRC

First Reformed Church in Prairie City hosts GriefShare from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through June 12. For more information, contact Mary Lemmertat 515-205-0835 or at hope2you@aol.com.

Pancake breakfast in Prairie City

Prairie City Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m Saturday, April 27 at the Prairie City Community Building. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and drink.

PCM Serves

PCM Serves is from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, April 29. If you have any yard work needing done or have questions, call PCM High School at 515-994-8222 or email Samantha Pohl at spohl@pcmschools.org.

Monroe announces spraying dates

The City of Monroe will be spraying for mosquitoes May 23, June 27, July 25 and Aug. 29.

Award-winning artist to perform in Pella

Multi-Dove and Grammy Award-winning recording artist, David Phelps, will be featured at the First Church, 605 Broadway St. in Pella, at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Joining Phelps for this special evening will be popular comedian, Mickey Bell. Perhaps best known as the powerful tenor for the multiple Grammy and Dove Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band, Phelps continues to constantly build on a career that has already been groundbreaking. He has performed at numerous prestigious venues across the globe, including the White House, New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Event information may be obtained by visiting davidphelps.com.

New Yard and Garden website offers timely info and answers

Home gardeners and homeowners can find timely information on the Yard and Garden website – launched this spring by the horticulture team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

The new website replaces Horticulture and Home Pest News, which was the go-to site for home gardening news for many years.Plants growing beside house in flower bed.

The biggest improvements are how content is organized and improved accessibility for those using mobile devices.

“The new website now features content organized by topic area and a fresh new look that works very

well on mobile devices,” Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, said. “This is important, because nearly three-quarters of our website visitors are using mobile devices.”

The popular website logged 3.2 million visitors last year and continues to be a destination for those looking for answers to common home gardening questions.

Topics in the menu bar include trees, flowers, edibles, lawn, houseplants, basics and problems. The site also covers timely topics and yard and garden news.

“All of these changes should make it easier for Iowans to find the in-

formation they are looking for,” Steil said. “This information is also valuable to county extension offices, which depend on the website to answer yard and garden questions within their counties.”

Steil encourages visitors to bookmark the new site or update existing bookmarks, for easy access. (Links to the old website will redirect to the new site.)

Gardeners can also sign up for the “Iowa Gardening News” newsletter, which provides timely information and reminders all year.

For more information, Steil can be reached at 515-294-8953 or ajsteil@iastate.edu.

Beekeepers anticipate a busy 2024 swarm season

With the short winter, beekeepers in the central Iowa region are expecting an abundance of honey bee swarms. “At a recent winter seminar, swarm preparation was at the forefront of everyone’s conversations in between sessions,” Julia McGuire, founder of Des Moines

Backyard Beekeepers, a club based in Des Moines, said.

Club members began to organize themselves over ten years ago as they encountered a large number of people calling about swarms with a rather small number of beekeepers to chase and relocate them.

With Chad Chicoine now leading the area’s swarm call list, the growing network currently has 16 beekeepers and covers Ames to Clarinda and Perry to Newton.

“It’s important to have the homeowner get a hold of me as soon as possible,”

Chicoine says, “because swarms typically leave within an hour.”

Where do swarms of honey bees come from? Probably from colonies living in trees or other structures with an opening high above people’s heads. When a colony outgrows its living space, it will issue a

swarm. Many homeowners who find bees on their property want them relocated without the use of chemicals.

McGuire, who also teaches beekeeping, will host a class to train beekeepers on removing established honey bee colonies from structures in late April.

“The segment of beekeepers who can chase swarms is small, and the segment of beekeepers who can cut bees out of houses and trees is even smaller,” McGuire said. “So we’re training more people to take this more labor-intensive work.”

Phelps

Screenshot of Iowa State University website

A trip to the prairie for PCM Prom 2024

School Board

Prairie City wasn’t the best situation and recommended grade alignment and all students and staff in one building.

The move of third grade was continuing what Havenstrite called a “slow and methodical pathway to everyone underneath one roof,” which was the recommendation in January 2022.

“Those who are saying we are changing direction, we aren’t changing direction,” Havenstrite said. “Our staff had told us, our parents involved, said we want to be together under one roof. We believe we can be more efficient and more effective as a team and provide high quality education. This team is willing to take it slowly to get it right and that is why the third grade recommendation was the next best step.”

At the March board meeting, Van Der Kamp started discussions by recommending the board hold on all changes and move for-

Frietsch estimated the stop signs would persist until the work on Highway 14 is completed and traffic returns back to historical trends. Any intersections that may need permanent stop signs afterward will be brought to the board of supervisors in a separate action.

ward as is for the next school year. Board member Jeremy St. Peter made another suggestion.

“My concern is we have everybody in a uproar and people are really wanting us to take action on this. I think if we don’t do that, we are letting people down because they want a decision,” St. Peter said. “Unfortunately we’re looking for another admin now (following the resignation of Geetings). I just hate to put another admin through this big fight of alignment of grades. If we could get that done and move forward with the plan that would

Supervisor Denny Stevenson consulted with county attorney Scott Nicholson about the technicalities of the board action. The temporary stop signs were presented as a resolution, but he worried it may take an ordinance in order for law enforcement to write tickets for drivers who fail to stop at the intersections.

“Ordinances are permanent,” Nicholson said. “I think you can do this by resolution, yes. And because it’s temporary I think resolution is even a better fit.”

take a lot of pressure off the admin and eliminate that part of the discussion.”

The idea of upper and lower elementary buildings started to take form and gain momentum with the board. A proposal was brought for approval at the April meeting and passed for the next school year.

In a letter sent by Havenstrite she said the first step will be hiring a new grades 3-5 elementary principal.

“We aim to complete hiring by April 29,” Havenstrite said. “Later this week, I’ll meet with the ele-

mentary administration and Mr. Rusty Vos to discuss the physical move, including classroom arrangements and any necessary building improvements. We’ll also plan how to move furniture and materials.”

She also recommended registering students as soon as possible so the district can start working on transportation and bus routes for the next year.

“I’m dedicated to making this transition smooth, and we’ll keep you informed as plans progress,” Havenstrite said. “Thank you for your patience and support.”

from Beacon

Several intersections around the Monroe and Reasnor areas will be installed with temporary stop signs, and Jasper County Engineer Michael Frietsch says it is largely due to the Highway 14 construction diverting traffic to other roads.

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Spending Time with my friends for one of the last times & MakingMemoriesnew - Tiffani Koonce

Laser Tag & Exploring Caves

- Carter Burns

Seeing New Places -Vincent Villarreal

The City Museum - Ryan Bennet

Going to the Cardinals Game - Easton Webb

Making Senior Memories that will last forever - Gabe Hobbs

Getting out of school & making memories with my freinds before we graduate

- Rylie Muck

Going

to the

GameCardinals

- Jacob Burns

Being able to hang out with my Friends for kinda a last horrah before we Graduate in a Month - Ella Schendal

Being with my friends and spending time with them before we all go our separate ways - Elle Davis

Putt-ing into Action!

Jeter Hartson Staff Writer

It is that time of year again, time for boys golf. Boys golf started in late March, on the first day after spring break was over. Some of the team members that are on the team include; Sophomores, Charlie Ford,Trent Nikelson, and Kevin Thomas; Juniors, Easton VanVeen, Konner Bell, Pete Keirnan, Jefferey McDanel, Tate Tangeman, and Finn Wilson; and finally seniors; Nick Farver and Mark Bussan, just to name a few of these returning team members include the following; Wyatt Schubert And Parker Dehaai. The first meet for the Prairie City Monroe Mustangs Spring Boys Golf Team was all the way back on April 8, 2024. In the Prairie City Monroe Mustangs Spring Boys Golf Teams first meet; the Prairie City Monroe Mustangs Spring Boys Golf Team finished in fourth place out of a total of six teams. Second year golfer Charlie Ford shares his thoughts about his first meet of the season, ¨I thought it was pretty good. Our team has a lot of potential for the season.¨ That golf meet was at the Terrace Hills Golf Course in Altoona. The Prairie City Monroe Mustangs Spring Boys Golf teams second meet was on April 11, 2024.there are no stats that state what place they got, but there were a total of six teams there. meet was at the Jester Park Golf Course. The Spring Boys Golf teams third meet was also on April 11, 2024. There were a total of nine teams, and the Boys finished in third place out of nine teams, which is really good for facing 8 other teams in one meet. This meet was also at Jester Park Golf Course. The fourth meet was set the following day, April 12, 2024. The Team finished in first place in that meet, which is the best you can possibly get in a meet. There were a total of four teams that were there, including the Mustangs Golf Team. The fifth meet, which is the most recent, the team took second place, out of a total of twelve teams, which is really impressive, even though they got second place in the meet. This meet was at Lincoln Valley Golf. The next meet is today at the preserve at HCR starting at 10 a.m.

WNBA Draft Shatters Records - Caitlin Clark Mania

April 15 - Brooklyn, New YorkCaitlin Clark was picked number one overall in the WNBA draft last week. The event averaged 2.45 million viewers and peaked at 3.09 million. The previous record was 601,000 in 2001. Clark is the highest draft pick to come from the Iowa Women’s Basketball program. The previous high pick was Toni Foster, who went eighth overall in 1997. Caitlin will join the Indiana Fever, and also become teammates with former South Carolina center Aliyah Boston, who Clark beat in the Final Four in 2023.

One surprise on the night was Kate Martin going 18th overall to the defending WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces. Martin says she was attending to celebrate her teammate and didn’t expect to hear her name called.

“All I wanted was an opportunity and I got it. I’m really excited” (ESPN), Martin said after getting selected. It’s undoubtedly true that Martin’s draft stock increased greatly throughout Iowa’s March Madness run to the National Championship, where she was reliable in all aspects of the game for the Hawks, and was playing her best basketball. Notably, putting up 21 points in the Elite Eight game vs. LSU, and also putting up a double-double in the round of 64 vs. Holy Cross. Caitlin Clark, on the other hand, was a shoo-in for the number one overall pick from the moment she declared for the draft on Feb. 29. She was so much of a shoo-in that the Indiana Fever were posting graphics of her as far as 22 days before the draft, and the Phoenix Mercury were advertising their game vs. the Fever as ‘The Goat vs. The Rook’ before Clark was drafted. They are referring to Diana Taurasi, who has said some weird things regarding Caitlin Clark’s fame in the past. Clark and Martin being drafted marks Iowa’s first time having two women selected in the draft since 1998. Martin will join her former Hawkeye teammate, Megan Gustafson, on the Aces. Gustafson is a former Naismith Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, and First Team All-American at Iowa (2019). She’s also a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year (2018-19). Gustafson and Martin were both on the team in 2019. Martin did not play that season due to an ACL tear that happened during preseason practice.

Cailtin will make her preseason debut with the Fever on May 3 at seven P.M. She will debut in the regular season on May 14 vs. the Connecticut Sun. Kate Martin will debut vs. the Phoenix Mercury on May 14. Clark and Martin will face off for the first time on May 25 in Las Vegas.

*THIS IS A BIASED OPINION!

George’s Pizza & Steakhouse in Pella, IA has 4.5 stars on Yelp, but I do not think they even deserve 3 stars. I went there for winter formal on December 9th 2023 and the wait time was very long because of how many people were there. I tried to call ahead, and they told me I could not make a reservation, but when we arrived there were people that would cut in front of us because they had reservations. I got the ‘Sirloin Steak’ and a ‘Chef salad’. The steak was moist and good, but it was a little cold when it came out, and the chef’s salad was very dry and came with a little ranch. When I asked for more ranch, they took out this little cup and charged extra for it on the bill. The ‘Chef Salad’ comes with fresh spring mix topped with turkey, ham, shredded cheese, eggs and tomatoes. It was not the worst salad I have ever had, but far from the best 5/10. ‘Sirloin Steak’ is served with your choice of french fries or baked potato; choice of tossed salad or cottage cheese; and Texas toast. The steak was pink and moist, was not overly warm when it came out, but overall had a good taste and flavor, 7/10. I got a side of their french fries, and they were probably the best thing I had the whole night. They were warm when they came out but very lightly salted. I had to add my own salt and seasonings, which made it a lot better. The overall experience was 6.7/10. Sophomore, Rylee Parsons also had a similar experience on that same night. She states, “It was my first time going there, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt about how busy it was. I had a group of 10 or so, and our food was out pretty fast, but not everyone had a good experience. Personally, I didn’t order pasta or a steak, which is what they’re known for, but others in my group did, and they said it wasn’t the best. From cold sauce and over salted pasta sauce there were just a lot of compliments going around the table. I ordered the BLT and, honestly, it was pretty good, and I had no issues with it. I hope to try it again on a night when it isn’t as busy and see if my experience and opinions will change!” Both of these experiences were long-time things. Neither had been to Georges before and this was their first experience. If they were to go back on a less busy night, the outcome might have been a little different.

Shay Burns Staff Writer

Riley Graber Staff

Last years (2023) PCM Boys Varsity Golf Team

11 8am PCM Shooting meet at TBD

vs Boone at PCM 7pm V, B S vs Boone at PCM 8 Monroe Trash & Recycling Day 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 12:15pm Fresh Conversations at TGP 1pm “Get Fit, Move More!” with Amy S. at TGP 6:30pm PC City Council, City Hall Monroe City Wide Cleanup Day 10am V, B Golf at IHSAA TBD 9 10am Patty Richards Music Show at TGP 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 4pm V, G/B Track at State Qualifying TBD 10 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 2pm Piano with Jacque Robinson at TGP Prairie City Tire Drop-Off 9am V, G Golf at Regionals TBD 5:30pm JV, B S vs DM Christian at PCM 7pm V, B S vs DM Christian at PCM

18 V, G/B Track at Drake TBD 8am PCM Shooting meet at Big Springs Shooting Range

17 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP V, G/B Track at Drake TBD 3pm Family Fun Night at HS Senior’s Last Day

16 9am PCM School Coffee Break at TGP 10am Focus Group at TGP 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP V, G/B Track at Drake TBD Middle School Spring Concert at MS 3:30pm JV2, BB vs Newton at PCM 5:15pm JV, BB vs Newton at PCM 7:30pm V, BB vs Newton at PCM

15 Monroe Trash 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 1pm “Get Fit, Move More” with Amy S. at TGP 5pm Community Meal at Monroe United Methodist Church 6pm PC Celebration Commission V, G G Regionals TBD 6:30pm Baccalaureate at HS 7pm Senior Awards Night at HS

14 9:30am Jasper County Board of Supervisors, Jasper County Courthouse 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 6pm Mon American Legion 6pm Bingo at TGP 6:30pm Kiwanis, Mon City Hall 7pm HS Band & Choir Concert/Awards at HS

13 90-minute late start for school 8am Coffee & Devotions with Pastor Ann at TGP 9:30am Video exercise with Sandy at TGP 10:30am PCM Jazz Choir at TGP 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 2-4pm Monroe City Council 7pm PC Fire Dept, PC City Hall V, B S TBD 10am V, B Golf Districts TBD

24 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 2pm Piano with Jacque Robinson at TGP 3:30pm JV2, BB at Saydel 5:15pm JV, BB at Saydel 5:30pm JV, SB at Saydel 7:30pm V,

23 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP Monroe mosquito spraying 5:15pm JV, BB vs Greene County at PCM 7:30pm V, BB vs Greene County at PCM 5:30pm JV, SB vs Pella at PCM 7:30pm V, BB vs Pella at PCM

22 Monroe Trash & Recycling Day 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 1pm “Get Fit, Move More!” with Amy S. at TGP PC Economic Development Commission 5:30pm JV, SB vs W. Marshall at PCM 7:30pm V, SB vs W. Marshall at PCM 6:30pm Freshman Orientation at HS

21 9:30am Supervisors, County Courthouse 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 6:30pm Mon Legion Auxiliary 3pm Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group at the PC FRC 3:30pm JV2, BB vs W. Marshall at PCM 5:15pm JV, BB vs W. Marshall at PCM 7:30pm V, VV vs W. Marshall at PCM 5:30pm JV, SB at Grinnell 7:30pm V, SB at Grinnell

20 8am Coffee & Devotions with Pastor Ann at TGP 10am Video exercise with Sandy at TGP 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 6pm School Board at ME 6:30pm PC Ambulance, City Hall 5:15pm JV, BB vs Pella at PCM 7:30pm V, BB vs Pella at PCM 5:30pm JV, SB vs Greene County at PCM 7:30pm V, SB vs Greene County at PCM

Graduation at HS

TRACK AND FIELD

Karr, PCM boys relay qualify for Drake Relays

The PCM girls and boys track and field teams will be represented at this year’s Drake Relays. The Mustangs qualified for the annual meet in two events.

PCM sophomore Morgan Karr is headed to the blue oval in the 100-meter hurdles, while the PCM boys qualified in the 4x100-meter relay.

The high school portion of the Drake Relays begins on April 25 and Karr kicks off the Mustangs’ weekend in the 100 hurdles at 8:30 a.m. on April 26 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

Her best time of 15.55 seconds is 19th

out of 32 qualifiers. The finals are scheduled for 10:29 a.m.

The final qualifying time was 15.91 and one athlete who posted that time did

not qualify. Both PCM and Newton will compete in the boys’ 4x100 relay prelims starting at 10:13 a.m. on April 27.

and Jack Jungling.

PCM’s group includes Griffin Olson, Gabe

Jacob

and Evan

and they enter the weekend with the 54th best time of 44.14. Their alternates will be Riley

The finals for the race will be at 4:24 p.m. and the final qualifying time was 44.87.

PCM wins team title at Van Meter

VAN METER — The Mustangs claimed six wins, doubled up in five individual events and the PCM boys track and field team finished at least third in five relays during the Bill Miller Invitational on April 15.

PCM split its six wins between individual events and relays and the Mustangs scored 135 points to win their first meet championship of the season.

Des Moines Christian finished second with 115.5 points, while the rest of the top five featured Baxter (86.5), Pleasantville (84) and host Van Meter (79). There were 12 teams total in attendance.

Evan Jones, Riley Graber and Mark Bussan grabbed the individual wins and the Mustangs won the 4x200, 4x400 and shuttle hurdle relays.

Jones won the 200-meter dash in a career-best time of 23.6 seconds. Tad Wilson’s 23.95 was fast enough for third. Jones also placed second in the 100 in 11.61.

Graber (55.11) won the 400 and Joey Ferneding (56.95) was fifth, while Griffin Olson (16.25) and Jake Winters (17.03) were 2-4 in the 110 high hurdles.

ning time of 1:04.98.

Carter Burns, Wendt, Hobbs and Graber finished second in the sprint medley relay with a season-best time of 1:38.

In the 4x800, the team of DeRaad, Carson Hansen, Shaver and Kolby Clark placed third in 8:57.69.

Relays lead Mustangs at Newton Coed Invitational

NEWTON — With qualification for the Drake Relays coming down to the final stretch, track and field teams from all over the state were hoping one last night would push them into next week’s annual event.

While PCM didn’t improve its standing on April 18, there was plenty to celebrate at the Newton Coed Invitational, including season-best times in three different relays. ADM ran away with the meet title.

400 as Graber won the race in 53.64.

Wagaman was the runner-up in the high jump with a leap of 5-10 and the Mustangs’ 4x100 relay team also was second.

The foursome of Olson, Hobbs, Wendt and Jones finished second in 44.25. The same group of four placed third in the 4x200 relay in 1:32.71.

Their best times in both events rank seventh and third, respectively, in 2A.

PCM was third in the 4x400, 4x800 and shuttle hurdle relays. Graber, Olson, Hobbs and Wendt posted a season-best time of 3:35.54 in the 4x400 relay, while the team of DeRaad, Hansen, Shaver and Clark finished the 4x800 relay in a season-best 8:48.07. Those two relays now rank in the top 22 in 2A.

The Mustangs also doubled up in the 800 as Coby DeRaad (2 minutes, 15.58 seconds) was fourth and Joe Shaver (career-best 2:15.64) placed fifth.

Gavin Steenhoek grabbed the last top-six individual finish. He was third in the 400 hurdles

Bussan won the shot put with a throw of 45 feet, 4 inches and Chase Wagaman (5-10) and Winters (career-best 5-4) finished 3-6 in the high jump.

in a career-best time of 1:00.85. Olson, Gabe Hobbs, Jacob Wendt and Jones teamed up to win the 4x200 relay in 1:32.

The 4x400 relay team of Graber, Hobbs, DeRaad and Wendt won the race in 3:41.2 and the shuttle hurdle relay foursome of Jaden Houser, Winters, Steenhoek and Olson posted a win-

The Tigers, who are ranked No. 1 in the Bound Power Rankings, scored 151 points at the top of the standings.

Newton and PCM found their way into the top five, but Nevada scored 96 points in second and Grinnell totaled 88 in third.

The Cardinals (77) edged the Mustangs (70) for fourth in the 13-team field.

PCM’s lone win came in the

Teeter’s win leads PCM at Eddy Relays

EDDYVILLE — The PCM girls track and field team claimed two wins, finished second and third twice and the Mustangs were seventh at the EBF Eddy Relays on April 15.

Abi Teeter claimed the team’s lone individual win and the 4x800-meter relay team also won to lead PCM to 66 points.

North Mahaska won the meet title with 162 points, while the rest of the top five were host Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (144), Pella Christian (107), Montezuma (103) and Sigourney (84).

BGM (72) was sixth, Iowa Valley (66) tied PCM in seventh and the rest of the 11-team field was Chariton (54), Albia (49) and Centerville (32).

Teeter won the 3,000-meter run in 11 minutes, 56.83 seconds.

The winning 4x800 team posted a time of 11:16.62 with Bailey Wheeler, Addison Steenhoek, Ali Hilsabeck and Raegan Vannoy.

The distance medley relay team finished second. Alyssa Buckingham, Lillian Humpal, Lexi Fagg and Lila Milani posted a time of 4:41.97.

Morgan Karr was the runner-up in the 100 with a time of 13.04 seconds, Teeter (2:37.85) and Wheeler (career-best 2:43.16) were 2-5 in the 800 and Fagg (14-11) finished fifth in the long jump.

Paiten Rumbaugh was sixth in the 400 in 1:09.63, Vannoy took sixth in the 1,500 in 6:05.53 and Tori Lindsay (18.85) took sixth in the 100 hurdles.

Karr leads Mustangs to seventh at Newton NEWTON — The Newton Coed Invitational featured girls track and field teams from ADM and Pella, who are both ranked in the top four of the Class 3A power rankings on Bound.

That presented plenty of challenges for PCM, but the Mustangs saw some success on April 18.

ADM won the meet championship with 194 points, while Pella (101), Newton (81.5), Pella Christian (69) and Oskaloosa (58.5) completed the top five.

The Mustangs’ shuttle hurdle relay team now sits 10th in 2A after the foursome of Gavin Van Gorp, Houser, Winters and Olson placed third in a season-best 1:03.48. ADM won the race in 1:03.01 and Newton was second in 1:03.03. Jones (11.39) and Wilson (23.69) posted career-best times and placed fourth in the 100 and 200, respectively, while Bussan (46-2) was fourth in the shot put.

Mustangs score win at home triangular

MONROE — Nick Farver’s career-best nine-hole round led the PCM boys golf team to a win during a home triangular on April 18.

Farver’s career-best 38 and Easton Van Veen’s 39 lifted the Mustangs to a six-shot victory over Grinnell at Gateway Recreation Golf Course.

PCM won the day with a 157, while Grinnell (163) finished second and West Marshall (183) took third.

Farver was the runner-up medalist as he and Grinnell’s Levi Jack both shot 38s. Jack was the medalist due to a card off.

Van Veen was one shot back in third and Tate Tangeman and Pete Kiernan both shot 40s to complete the counting scores. Charlie Ford (43) and Jeffrey McDanel (44) turned in non-counting scores.

Mustangs finish second at West Marshall

Karr had an impressive night for PCM. She won the 100 hurdles in 15.56. Karr’s best time of 15.55 ranks third in Class 2A.

Karr also was third in the 100. Her season-best time of 12.7 currently ranks eighth in 2A.

Teeter grabbed a silver medal in the 1,500 as she registered a career-best time of 5:15.11.

Teeter also anchored PCM’s distance medley relay team to third. The team of Humpal, Stella Stravers, Tiffani Koonce and Teeter completed the race in a career-best 4:38.97.

The rest of the 15-team field included Grinnell (56), PCM (45), EBF (40), Knoxville (21), Ames (12), Baxter (10), Saydel (9.5), South Tama County (7), Newton JV1 (5.5) and Newton JV2 (3).

STATE CENTER — The Mustangs’ second-best 18-hole score of the season was not quite enough during the West Marshall tournament on April 15.

Van Veen, Tangeman and McDanel all finished in the top five, but the Mustangs fell one stroke shy of Nevada at Lincoln Valley Golf Course.

The Cubs shot 317 in first and PCM was next with a 318. Oskaloosa (339), South Tama County (343) and Carlisle (346) completed the top five of the 11team field.

Van Veen finished fourth with a 78 and Tangeman and McDanel tied for fifth with 79s. The 79 was a career best for McDanel.

The final counting score was Kiernan’s 82. Ford (84) and Farver (85) had non-counting scores. Cody Weaver of East Marshall was the meet medalist with a 70 and Nevada’s Parker Rodgers was the runner-up with a 73.

Hobbs,

Wendt

Jones

Graber, Tad Wilson, Carter Burns

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Olson Hobbs Wendt Jones

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

BOYS GOLF

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PCM sophomore Raegan Vannoy, right, cheers on teammate Abi Teeter during the distance medley relay on April 18. The Mustangs were third in the event and seventh in the final team standings.

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer PCM sophomore Coby DeRaad, left, competes in the 4x800 relay at the Cardinals’ home coed meet on April 18 at H.A. Lynn Stadium.

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

Van Veen

GIRLS GOLF

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The Mustang girls golf team won a road quadrangular at Chariton on April 18. PCM shot a season-best 212 at Lake View Golf & Country Club.

Davis leads PCM to win at Chariton

CHARITON — The top three scoring teams at Lake View Golf & Country Club on April 18 were separated by only five strokes.

PCM and Davis County had the top individual score and the Mustangs’ second-best score matched Chariton’s second-best score, but the PCM girls golf team won a road quadrangular thanks to its depth in the final two scoring positions.

Led by Emilyn Davis, the Mustangs won the day with a season-best 212, while Chariton (216) edged Davis County (217) for second.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (258) completed the field.

Davis tied for medalist honors with a career-best score of 49 and Gretchen Uitermarkt turned in a 53. The final counting scores came from Brelee Berger and Meredith Chipps, who both carded 55s. The 55 from Chipps was her career best.

Kayla VanderLinden (69) and Seriah Nolin (73) had non-counting scores for the Mustangs.

Davis County’s Elexis Perry tied Davis at the top of the standings with a 49 and Chariton’s Mckenzie Snook shot a 51 in third.

Davis, Berger lead short-handed Mustangs at Pella

PELLA — Short-handed PCM did not have enough golfers for a team score on April 15 during a road quadrangular at Pella Country Club.

Uitermarkt, Chipps and Nolin all were gone for state FFA, but Davis and Berger finished in the top 12 individually.

Pella won its home meet with a 192, while Knoxville finished second with a 219. PCM and Pleasantville did not have enough golfers for a team score.

Davis shot a 55, Berger carded a 57 and VanderLinden turned in a career-best 63 on the par 36 course.

fall to Knoxville in low-scoring affair

KNOXVILLE — Terrell Wood made a career-high 13 saves, but the PCM boys soccer team managed just four shots during a 1-0 loss to Knoxville on April 15.

Joseph Finnegan scored the match’s only goal as Knoxville had 21 shots and put seven of them on goal.

It was Finnegan’s third goal of the season, and the Panthers (3-4) registered their second 1-0 win of the spring.

Carson Cecil made three saves to complete the Panthers’ shutout. Both Cecil and Wood played 80 minutes in goal.

PCM (2-6) was shut out for the third time this year.

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Attendees

Voting Members Greg Ingle, Board Member District 2: Term 2023-2025 Mr Steve Nearmyer Vice President District 7: Term 20232027 Mr Ryan VanDerKamp President District 6: Term 20212025 Mr Rod DeHaai Board Member District 4: Term 2023-2027 Lori Jungling, Board Member District 1 Term 2021-2025 Jeremy St Peter, Board Member District 5: Term 2023-2027 Non-Voting Members Michelle Havenstrite, Superintendent Becki Vasseau, Board Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm II APPROVE AGENDA A motion was made to approve the agenda Motion made by: Greg Ingle Motion seconded by: Mr Rod DeHaai Voting: Unanimously Approved III. Closed Session - Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(e) “To discuss whether to conduct a hearing or to conduct hearings to suspend or expel a student, unless an open session is requested by the student or a parent or guardian of the student if the student is a minor. A motion was made to go to Closed Session - Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(e)”To discuss whether to conduct a hearing or to conduct hearings to suspend or expel a student unless an open session is requested by the student or a parent or guardian of the student if the student is a minor.” Entered closed session at 4:31 pm Resumed open session at 6:00 pm Motion made by: Jeremy St Peter Motion seconded by: Mr Steve Nearmyer Voting: Greg Ingle - Yes Mr Steve Nearmyer - Yes Mr Ryan VanDerKamp - Yes Mr Rod DeHaai - Yes Lori Jungling - Yes Jeremy St Peter - Yes i. Action regarding recommended

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of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prev ent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation and that individual requests a closed session.”

“A motion was made to move to Closed session pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(i), To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation and that individual requests a closed session. Moved to closed session at 7:04 pm Moved to open session at 7:59 pm Motion made by: Greg Ingle Motion seconded by: Mr Steve Nearmyer Voting: Greg Ingle - Yes Mr Steve Nearmyer - Yes Mr Ryan VanDerKamp - Yes Mr Rod DeHaai - No Lori Jungling - Yes Kelsey Fiorentin - Yes Jeremy