Volume 1
Issue 1
Iowans in the Majors Minor League Baseball Report High School Spring Sports Wrap-Up
JOEL HANRAHAN IS BUILDING QUITE THE RESUME FOR THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES
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MAKING WAVES
A freshman at Ankeny High School, Alexander Westercamp is making big waves in the pool as she strives towards her Olympic Dreams.
PAGE EIGHT
IOWANS IN THE MAJORS
We take a look at some of the brightest stars in Major League Baseball, who all started their career right here in the backyards and cornfields of Iowa. PAGE SIXTEEN
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL REPORT
A look around the Minor Leagues in baseball. We break down the Iowa Cubs, Burlington Bees, the River Bandits and so much more including player bios and stats. PAGE TWENTY
Welcome to the Iowa Sports Spotlight!
Iowa’s only statewide multi-media marketing company covering youth sports and active Iowan’s. Iowa Sports Spotlight where we put the “Spotlight”on the positive aspects of participation in sports and activities! We hope that you enjoy reading our very first issue. As summer heats up, so do sports around the state of Iowa. In this issue, we have everything from golf to track to archery. We’re featuring a junior high team striving to be the best and succeeding at the State Pentathlon. The high school State Tournaments for golf, soccer and tennis have all concluded and we have those results along with some great pictures for you to explore. An Ankeny freshman is following in her sister’s footsteps and working hard to realize her Olympic dreams; follow her trials and share in her successes in the pool. High School students from around the state shine, not only in athletic ability, but also in academics. Rose Ripslinger is our Student Athlete of the Month and we highlighted several other outstanding athletes. Swimming and archery had two representatives from Iowa at the Olympic Trials. These young women have worked hard to achieve their dreams and we’re giving you a front row seat to experience their athleticism. Drake also played host to the NCAA Track and Field Championships. Iowans once again showed their skills at the blue oval and one claimed the National title; read on and learn who it was and how she felt about it. One runner is a long way from home as she realizes her running
dreams. Christine Ajnjeru, from Uganda, discovers her talent with the Grinnell College Track and Field team. Now that school has finally let out, the baseball and softball stadiums are filling up with families eager to participate in the Great American Pastime. Take a trip to the diamond with us as we highlight five key players called up to the big leagues. Joel Hanrahan, Tony Watson, Jeremy Hellickson, Daniel Jennings and Ryan Sweeney all step up to the plate in the majors. The five Iowan baseball teams are smack dab in the middle of their seasons; catch up on your favorite team and how they’re doing this year. Racing is also well underway and big things are happening at the Knoxville Raceway to prepare for the Knoxville Nationals. Keep yourself updated and check out the happenings down at the track. Jay Haas steps up and conquers the Principal Charity Classic for the third time in a row, the first golfer to do so. We are also showcasing some important information about student athletes and concussions. Dr. Honkamp gives some useful advice about these scary injuries. This issue is packed with great sports stories and updates from around the State. Take a break, relax and read on. And be sure to check out our new website www.sportsspotlight.com (coming soon) and listen to all of our radio programs weekdays from 5pm-7pm and Saturdays 8am10am on our flagship station KRNT AM 1350 and all across the state on the Iowa Sports Spotlight Radio Network!
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OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS
Two young Iowans look to make it in the 2012 London Olympics in swimming and one sport that often goes unnoticed - Archery. Do not overlook this sport. PAGE TWENTY-THREE
JAY HAAS, OWNS THE P.C. CLASSIC
Jay Haas isn’t a member at Glen Oaks Country Club, but he sure does own this course. The 3-Time Principal Charity Classic winner talks about his weekend. PAGE TWENTY-SIX
Cover: Joel Hanrahan from Norwalk, Iowa makes a great showing as a Pittsburgh Pirate.
All rights reserved. The Iowa Sports Spotlight logo is trademark ™ Iowa Sports Spotlight. All stories and pictures produced by Iowa Sports Spotlight staff © 2012 Iowa Sports Spotlight. Stories, pictures and other content produced by contributors © 2012 their respective owners, with limited reprint rights reserved by the Iowa Sports Spotlight. The Iowa Sports Spotlight is published once per month with copies available by subscription. The magazine can also be found at all Casey’s General Stores across the state in addition
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Volume 1 Issue 1 | 3
Pee-wee profiles
TEAM OF THE MONTH The Collins-Maxwell-Baxter Junior High Girls’ take the State Pentathlon Championship Ashton Weis | Editor
Scott Ranck has been coaching the Collins-Maxwell-Baxter Junior High School girls’ track team for the last 11 years. His coaching responsibilities include taking a team of four or five athletes to the State Pentathlon Meet. On May 22, his team of Bridget Hurley, Toni Spencer, Kennedy Gulling and Bekah Pearson took home the gold from the State Championship Pentathlon Meet in Washington, Iowa. Ranck has been able to work with these girls both in the classroom and on the field. He is proud of his team on both accounts. “They’re just fantastic kids to work with. They’re very athletic kids and they understand hard work and dedication. They’re coachable and willing to try a lot of different things and do their best at those things,” Ranck said. The Pentathlon is an extension of the regular track season and based on a semi-volunteer basis. “One big thing in the Pentathlon is hurdles. During track season, a lot of these kids can do a lot of different things, but it comes down to hurdles. If somebody doesn’t like to hurdle or is nervous about hurdling, it’s kind of hard to have them do the Pentathlon. So we kind of
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13th with 1,489 points and Bekah Pearpick those who do do hurdles or are at The other two athletes rounded out the son came in 14th with 1,472 points. least willing to try hurdles. It’s somewhat top fifteen. Kennedy Gulling finished picked, but it’s kind of volunteering, too,” he said. Ranck was a little nervous about his team’s score, because he knew that Iowa City Northwest and Gilbert were going to bring good teams. Those two teams finished second and third, respectively. Collins-Maxwell-Baxter was able to bring home the win with 6,809 pointes. “It just came down to our kids, a couple of our kids did really well and got some needed points,” he said. “Until they announced it, I really didn’t have any idea where we stood. I knew it was going to be close between us three schools.” Two of his girls placed in the top ten. Bridget Hurley was fourth with Photo Courtesy of Scott Ranck 2,164 points and Toni The Collins-Maxwell-Baxter Junior High Girl’s Pentathlon Team - Bridget Hurley, Toni Spencer captured the 8th Spencer, Kennedy Gulling and Bekah Pearson, coached by Scott Ranck spot with a total of 1,684.
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PEE-WEE SPOTLIGHT
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Email them to editor@sportsspotlight.com to have them published on our Pee-Wee Spotlight page. SportsSpotlight.com
Volume 1 Issue 1 | 5
Did you miss Iowa Games registration? Don’t worry because several sports offer onsite registration. ONSITE REGISTRATION SPORTS First Weekend - July 7-8 Cycling - Gravel Grinder & Tour Ride Handball Strongman Main Weekend - July 12-15 3D Archery, Archery, BMX (Cedar Rapids), Canoe/Kayak, Cycling (Mountain Biking, Road Race and Time Trial), Disc Golf, Fencing, Fitness Walk, Judo, Midnight Madness Road Race, Shooting, Taekwondo and Weightlifting Third Weekend - July 21-22 Cross Country Race Final Weekend - July 28-29 Water Skiing The 2012 Summer Iowa Games will offer 58 sports for athletes of all ages and abilities taking place every weekend in July. For a complete list of sports from archery to wrestling, visit www.IOWAGAMES.org.
The Games sets itself apart from other sporting events due to the Olympic-style atmosphere. This year the Athlete Jamboree and Opening Ceremony will have a new format and will officially kick off the Iowa Games on Friday, July 13 in Ames. For complete details, visit www.IOWAGAMES.org.
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Prep Connection
ALEXANDRA WESTERCAMP LOOKS TO MAKE WAVES The second Westercamp sister strives for Olympic Dreams Tony Atzeni | Radio Account Manager
“One thing I really dislike is people who have talent and push it in people’s faces. I really love those who are humble in victory or defeat,” said Alexandra Westercamp. Before every event she prays. When she forgets to pray, things seem not to go as well. She forgot once and her times were much slower, she hasn’t forgotten since that meet. Alexandra Westercamp competes in the 100 backstroke, 100 freestyle and 200 backstroke and also swims on relay teams when she competes with YMCA and AAU teams. Since her early days, her mom has been her coach. The Ankeny YMCA is another the Photo Courtesy of Ron Westercamp pool the Westercamps Alexandra Westercamp competes in a meet at the University of Minnesota, posting some of the fastest times in the nation for her age. frequent. Linda Waite, a Y-staff member, is another of Alexandra science, but she feels her best results her body and mind. Westercamps’ coaches. come in math. Alexandra Westercamp quickly A few of Alexandra Alexandra Westercamp is a pointed out that Jesus is her role Westercamp’s accomyoung lady that gives back to her model and her family is a close secplishments include titles ond. Like her older sister, she would community. She trains Marine or at the Hy-Vee TriathAir Force Cadet recruits in central like to think that the Olympics lon in her age group Photo Courtesy of Ron Westercamp Iowa that may be a and winning The Iowa Alexandra Westercamp battles asthma and needs help possibilGames in past numerallergies that would discourage most young in swimity and at swimmers from competition. ous swimming events. ming and this stage Many of us could preparin her life, take a tip or two from ing for something It’s now 2012 and Gabrielle West- this young 14-year-old. She undersurvival training. Alexandra she hopes to pursue. If not, she stands that she needs balance in her ercamp’s younger sister, Alexandra, Westercamp also works with the life and once the swim season ends, hopes to become a registered nurse looks to make waves as a freshman food pantry, tutors kids, teaches and or be in the medical field in some she takes five weeks off to re-charge at Ankeny High School this fall. coaches swimming for younger kids way. Her favorite class in school is Not only is Alexandra Westerand helps kids understand the rules camp accomplishing what her sister and safety of bike and trail riding. did in the water, but now has set I realized that Alexandra Westnew standards for her age group and ercamp was giving me a second above. And like her older sister, Alchance. Gabrielle Westercamp exandra Westercamp battles asthma promised me a chance to cheer for and allergies. her if and when she ever was to The story in 2007 was about how compete in the Olympics. Now the grounded Gabrielle Westercamp question is will Alexandra Westerwas as a potential Olympic athlete at camp do the same? I just hope that that young age, while being smart, this young lady follows her dreams caring, selfless and God-fearing. and enjoys every stroke she takes Her family and friends came before along the way. any accolades. Well, how do I put Whether or not Alexandra Westit? We have a repeat performance ercamp makes it to the Olympics, in Alexandra Westercamp. The one she will be a success and somebody difference: back in 2007, the WestI will be cheering for because of her ercamp children were all homePhoto Courtesy of Ron Westercamp grounded, caring personality. schooled but since have moved to Smart, caring, and selfless - Alexandra Westercamp uses swimming as a Ankeny and are now in the Ankeny tool to not only better herself, but others as well. school system. In September of 2007, I was lucky enough to do a story about a 12-year-old girl who was on the national map as a swimmer to watch. Gabrielle Westercamp accomplished a lot in and out of the water and did it all while battling asthma. Gabrielle Westercamp has had to overcome other life-changing issues since the day I met her. She has since undergone brain surgery, which ended any hopes of continuing to swim competitively again. Now in college and a 4.0 student, she prepares for the future and hopes of becoming a chef.
8 | Volume 1 Issue 1
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Prep Connection Collegiate
A quick look at some of the state’s best performances from the Missouri to the Mississippi
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Hannah Stouffer (Jr., Urbandale): Stouffer won the Class
4A 100- and 200-meter events at the Iowa High School Girls State Track meet. She also helped bring the Urbandale J-Hawks to victory in the 4x100 Relay. With her contributions, her team earned third place at the State Meet. Shannon Laing (So., West Branch): Shannon Laing had a great showing as a freshman and is back on the softball field this season. The West Branch Bears just managed a 13-0 win over the Tri-County Trojans. Tristan Beaulieu (Fr., Bishop Heelan): Beaulieu hangs tough as the goalie for the Crusaders. Bishop Heelan was the runnerup in the 1A State Soccer Tournament this year. Alex Moorman (Fr., Centerville): Moorman was able to the win the Class 3A golf championship at the State Tournament as just a freshman. He finished three strokes ahead of the tied second-placers. Brandon Schiltz (Sr., Bishop Garrigan): Brandon Schiltz was a member of the Golden Bear golf team that won the Class 1A State Tournament. He finished the event with the highest score on his team. Tucker Culjat (So., St. Albert Catholic): Culijat will be going straight from track season into baseball season. The Falcons have won thirteen out of their sixteen games this season, as of June 19th.
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PREP SPOTLIGHT
Photos Courtesy: Impact Imagery
2012 State Track Championships
Iowa High School Boys Team Results
Class 4A - 1st) Iowa City West | 2nd) Cedar Falls | 3rd) Dowling Catholic ... Class 3A - 1st) Decorah | 2nd) Webster City | 3rd) Spirit Lake Park ... Class 2A - 1st) West Marshall (State Center) | 2nd) St. Edmond (Fort Dodge) | 3rd) Mount Vernon ... Class 1A - 1st) Manson NW Webster | 2nd) Earlham | 3rd) Lisbon
Iowa High School Girls Team Results
Class 4A - 1st) Waukee | 2nd) Dowling Catholic | 3rd) Urbandale ... Class 3A 1st) Dubuque Wahlert | 2nd) Davenport Assumption | 3rd) Solon ... Class 2A 1st) Cascade (Western Dubuque) | 2nd) Western Christian (Hull) | 3rd) Hudson ... Class 1A - 1st) Griswold | 2nd) West Hancock (Britt) | 3rd) North Linn (Troy Mills)
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Volume 1 Issue 1 | 11
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STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
BOY’S RESULTS
GIRL’S RESULTS Class 3A Championship
Saturday, June 9th • C.R. Kennedy - 2 v. Ankeny - 1
Class 3A Semifinals
Friday, June 8th • C.R. Kennedy - 1 v. Bettendorf - 0 • Ankeny - 2 v. Waukee - 1
Class 3A Quarterfinals
Photo Courtesy of Iowa City West High School
Iowa City West hoists the celebrating their 1-0 victory of Johnston in the 2012 3A State Championship Game
Class 3A Championship
Class 2A Championship
Class 3A Semifinals
Class 2A Semifinals
Saturday, June 2nd • Iowa City West - 1 v. Johnston - 0
Saturday, June 2nd • Dubuque Wahlert - 1 v. Norwalk - 0
Friday, June 1st • Iowa City West - 2 v. Ames - 0 • Johnston - 1 v. West DSM Valley - 0
Friday, June 1st • Dubuque Wahlert - 3 v. A-D-M (Adel) - 0 • Norwalk - 2 v. Spirit Lake/Okoboji - 0
Class 3A Quarterfinals
Class 2A Quarterfinals
Thursday, May 31st • Iowa City West - 8 v. Sioux City West - 0 • Ames - 2 v. Ankeny - 1 • West DSM Valley - 1 v. Iowa City High - 0 • Johnston - 3 v. Bettendorf - 0
Thursday, May 31st • Dubuque Wahlert - 4 v. Clear Creek-Amana - 1 • A-D-M (Adel) - 3 v. Webster City - 0 • Spirit Lake/Okoboji - 4 v. Pella - 1 • Norwalk - 2 v. Cedar Rapids Xavier - 1 (Double OT/PK)
Thursday, June 7th • C.R. Kennedy - 2 v. Iowa City West - 0 • Bettendorf - 2 v. Johnston - 0 • Waukee - 1 v. Dowling Catholic - 0 • Ankeny - 2 v. Linn-Mar - 0
Class 1A Championship Saturday, June 9th • Davenport Assumption - 2 v. Sioux City Bishop Heelan - 0
Class 1A Semifinals
Friday, June 8th • Davenport Assumption - 3 v. Nevada - 0 • Sioux City Bishop Heelan - 4 v. Columbus Catholic (Waterloo) - 3 (Double OT)
Class 1A Quarterfinals
Thursday, June 7th • Nevada - 1 v. Gilbert - 0 • Davenport Assumption - 5 v. Center Point-Urbana - 0 • Sioux City Bishop Heelan - 5 v. I.C. Regina - 0 • Columbus Catholic (Waterloo) - 7 v. Council Bluffs St. Albert - 0
Photo Courtesy of Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School
Cedar Rapids Kennedy vs. Ankeny in the 3A Championship Match
Class 2A Championship
Saturday, June 9th • C.R. Xavier - 3 v. North Scott - 1
Class 2A Semifinals
Friday, June 8th • C.R. Xavier - 5 v. Sioux City East - 0 • North Scott - 4 v. Glenwood - 2
Class 2A Quarterfinals
Thursday, June 7th • Sioux City East- 2 v. Pella - 0 • C.R. Xavier - 2 v. A-D-M/Van Meter - 1 • Glenwood - 2 v. Union - 1 (Double OT/PK) • North Scott - 2 v. Dallas-Center Grimes - 1
Class 1A Championship
Saturday, June 2nd • Columbus Catholic (Waterloo) - 2 v. Nevada - 0
Class 1A Semifinals
Friday, June 1st • Nevada - 1 v. West Liberty - 0 • Columbus Catholic (Waterloo) - 3 v. Iowa City Regina - 2 (Double OT/PK)
Class 1A Quarterfinals
Thursday, May 31st • Iowa City Regina - 1 v. St. Albert (Council Bluffs) - 0 • Nevada - 1 v. Beckman (Dyersville) - 0 • West Liberty - 1 v. Solon - 0 • Columbus Catholic (Waterloo) - 1 v. MOC-Floyd Valley - 0 Photo Courtesy of Iowa City West High School
Iowa City West’s go ahead goal
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Photo Courtesy of Rhodes Photography
The 2012 Class 1A Champions, Davenport Assumption Lady Knights Volume 1 Issue 1 | 13
STATE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS BOY’S RESULTS Class 3A Team Leaderboard 1 - Decorah | 308-308 ---616 2 - Clear Lake | 323-327 --- 650 3 - Humboldt | 323-330 --- 653
Class 3A Individual Top Three
1 - Alex Moorman, Centerville | 73-74 ---147 2 - Nick Nelson, Decorah | 77-73 --- 150 2 - Lucas Boyd, Pella | 77-73 --- 150
Class 2A Team Leaderboard
1 - Columbus Catholic (Waterloo) | 304-313 --- 617 2 - Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) | 302-328 --- 630 3 - PCM-Monroe | 313-327 --- 640
Class 2A Individual Top Three
1 - Shaan Desai, South O’Brien (Paulina) | 73-77 --- 150 (Won in playoff) 2 - Mitch Maiers, Columbus Catholic (Waterloo) | 77-73 --- 150 3 - Tanner Ludwig, Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) | 73-80 --- 153
Class 1A Team Results
1 - Bishop Garrigan (Algona) | 346-341 --- 687 2 - Treynor | 358-336 --- 694 3 - Belle Plaine | 364-334 --- 698
Class 1A Individual Top Three
1 - Carson Barron, Don Bosco (Gilbertville) | 76-75 - 151 2 - Levin Fink, Valley Community (Elgin) | 75-77 --- 152 3 - Brad Bailey, Treynor | 85-75 --- 160
GIRL’S RESULTS Class 4A Team Results 1 - Waukee | 345-298 --- 643
2 - Cedar Falls | 334-317 --- 651 3 - Pleasant Valley | 360-328 --- 688
Class 4A Individual Top Three
1 - Payton Minear, Waukee | 86-70 --- 156 2 - Allison Rollinger, Cedar Falls | 81-77 --- 158 3 - Jasmine Wyzgowski, Waukee | 86-73 --- 159 3 - Megan Furnish, C.R. Jefferson | 83-76 --- 159
Class 3A Team Results
1 - Clear Lake | 358-318 --- 676 2 - Charles City | 359-321 --- 680 3 - Grinnell | 366-336 --- 702
Prep Connection
DECORAH SHINES ON THE LINKS Decorah Boy’s Golf team wins the State Title, first time in 44 years Ashton Weis | Editor
It had been 44 years since Decorah’s boys golf team won a State Title. The last time they won was in 1968 at Fort Dodge. The Vikings had been close to the title in recent years, placing third in both the 2010 and 2011 State Tournaments. “We’ve been third place the last two years, with the same golfers, so it was their senior year. They really had a mission to try to come back with the State Championship,” said Coach Rich Gaard. The Vikings finished with a total score of 616 over the two-day tournament. Clear Lake and Humboldt took second and third, respectively. Clear Lake had a score of 650 and Humboldt’s was 653. Decorah had three top-ten finishers. Nick Nelson placed second with a score of 150. Maynard Newhouse was fourth with 151 and Michael Peter finished ninth with 157. Golf coach, Rich Gaard, was very pleased with his team’s performance. He cites their intense work ethic, positive attitudes and leadership as the main components in their successful season and the Championship win. Gaard knew going into the State Tournament that the competition was going to be tough. He even had his doubts going into the second day, although the Vikings were leading by 13 strokes. He knew that teams could make up that difference in a day. “In golf, you can have one bad hole or miss a put along the way and lose your confidence,” Gaard said. He had nothing to worry about. His golfers shot the same score both days, 308 strokes, a testament to their focus and level heads. They ended up 34 strokes ahead of the second place team. Nick Nelson, the second place finisher, said that this was a great way to finish up his high school golf career. He explains that one of the reasons
Photo Courtesy of Decorah Newspapers
Nick Nelson, a Senior for Decorah and the team’s Captain
behind the win was the great relationship the team members have with one another. “We’re really good friends on the course and off the course. We’re always hanging out together. It makes practices more fun and it helps us rely on each other on the course and that’s conducive to having a good team,” Nelson said. Nelson’s season is nowhere near over; he is entered in many tournaments around Iowa and one in Florida this summer to prepare for his college golf career. -The winning team will see three seniors, all four-year letter winners, graduate; but that isn’t stopping next year’s team, said Gaard. They are already on the links working toward a repeat. Nelson agrees that they will have a strong team going into next year’s golf season.
Class 3A Individual Top Three
1 - Jesse Sindlinger, Charles City | 79-73 --- 152 (3rd Straight Title)
2 - MacKenzie Black, Independence | 74-79 --- 153 3 - Meg Monson, Clear Lake | 83-73 --- 156
Class 2A Team Results
1 - Beckman (Dyersville) | 349-339 --- 688 2 - Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) | 373-374 --- 747 3 - Cascade (Western Dubuque) | 371-377 - 748
Class 2A Individual Top Three
1 - Ellie Ament, Beckman (Dyersville) | 75-79 ---154 2 - Brooke Klostermann, Beckman (Dyersville) | 84-81 --- 165 3 - Chantel Eicher, East Marshall (LeGrand) | 89-78 --- 167
Class 1A Team Results
1 - Bishop Garrigan (Algona) | 343-351 --- 694 2 - Grundy Center | 375-386 --- 761 3 - H-L-V (Victor) | 392-391 --- 783
Class 1A Individual Top Three
1 - Victoria Grasso, Ankeny Christian Academy | 79-81 --- 160 (3-Time Champion) 2 - Sheriden Berte, Bishop Garrigan (Algona) | 82-86 --- 168 3 - Katie Schachterle, AGWSR (Ackley) | 87-82 --- 169
Photo Courtesy of Decorah Newspapers
The Decorah Boy’s State Golf Championship Team 14 | Volume 1 Issue 1
IowaSportsSpotlight.com
STATE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
BOY’S RESULTS
GIRL’S RESULTS Class 1A Team Championships
Championship Match Camanche - 5 v. Waterloo Columbus - 4 3rd Place Match Dubuque Wahlert - 5 v. Red Oak - 3
Class 2A Team Championships
Championship Match Ames - 5 v. Cedar Rapids Washington - 2 3rd Place Match Urbandale - 5 v. Clinton - 3
Class 2A Championship / Singles
Championship Match Jessica King (Ames) defeated Katie Hammond (Cedar Rapids Washington) 6-3 | 6-1 Photo Courtesy of Iowa City West High School
Iowa City West hoists the 2012 Class 2A Team Tennis State Champion banner celebrating their 5-3 victor over Ames High.
Consolation Match Eve Small (Iowa City High/Regina) defeated Liera Bender (Johnston) 6-4 | 6-2
Class 1A Team Championships
Class 2A Team Championships
Class 2A Championship / Doubles
3rd Place Match Boone - 5 v. Maharishi (Fairfield) - 4
3rd Place Match Linn-Mar (Marion) - 6 v. West DSM Valley - 0
Championship Match Davenport Assumption - 5 v. St. Edmond (Fort Dodge) - 3
Championship Match Iowa City West - 5 v. Ames - 3
Class 2A Championship / Singles
Championship Match Naveen Nath (#1, DSM Roosevelt) defeated Riley Galbrath (#2, Cedar Rapids Kennedy) 6-4 | 6-1 3rd Place Match Will Hemminger (DSM Roosevelt) defeated Alex Huang (Ames) 6-1 | 6-4
Class 2A Championship / Doubles
Championship Match Alex Qin & Tommy Pitcher (Ames) defeated Calvin Song & Victor Wang (#2, Ames) 7-6 | 6-1 3rd Place Match Kyle Appel & Adam Dellos (#4, Iowa City West) defeated Adam Bolt & Karl Wenzel (Iowa City West) 6-1 | 3-6 | 1 (4)
Class 1A Championship / Singles
Championship Match John Ellis (#1, Boone) defeated Aaron Chalstrom (#2, St. Edmond, Fort Dodge) 4-6 | 6-0 | 7-4
Championship Match Ann Ku & Sophia Smarendescu (Ames) defeated Payton Kintz & Jenna Heil (Johnston) 6-4 | 6-1 Consolation Match Michelle VanRoekel & Madeline Heer (Urbandale) defeated Jenni Aldrich & Lucy Korsakov (West Des Moines Valley) 6-4 | 6-4
Class 1A Championship / Singles
Championship Match Jalyn Deering (Camanche) defeated Kylie Vogel (Camanche) 6-1 | 6-1 Consolation Match Mary Eide (St. Edmond, Fort Dodge) defeated Amanda Stefanik (Oskaloosa) 7-5 | 6-4
Class 1A Championship / Doubles
Class 1A Championship / Doubles
Championship Match Chad Moklestad & Mitch McPartland (#3, Boone) defeated Kyle Gacke & Eric Lammers (Davenport Assumption) 6-2 | 5-7 | 6-2
Championship Match Anne Nora & Abby Greenwood (Columbus Catholic, Photo Courtesy of Columbus Catholic, Waterloo High School Waterloo) Anne Nora and Abby Greenwood of defeated Lindsay McGonegle Columbus Catholic, Waterloo & Lindsay McManus (Columbus Catholic, Waterloo) 6-4 | 6-2
3rd Place Match Brandon Schneider & Tom Runde (#2, Dubuque Wahlert) defeated Sam Stickles & Thomas Weiss (#1, Maharishi, Fairfield) 6-2 | 6-4
Consolation Match Kimberly Graf & Mackenzie Johnson (Shenandoah) defeated KJ Veldman & Rachel Westergard (Spirit Lake/Okoboji) 7-5 | 6-3
3rd Place Match Alex Bernt (#3, Columbus Catholic, Waterloo) defeated Pete Walker (#4, Red Oak) 6-2 | 6-2
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Volume 1 Issue 1 | 15
Ryan Sweeney From Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sweeney made the move to Boston where he is currently an outfielder for the Red Sox. He has played in 41 games and has a batting average of .313, which includes 16 doubles and 1 triple with 13 total RBIs and 16 runs scored.
Joel Hanrahan Nicknamed the Hammer, Hanrahan is a right-handed pitcher currently playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. A Norwalk, Iowa native, Hanrahan has an ERA of 2.7 and has made 21 appearances for the Pirates. Before going to Pittsburgh, he was first drafted in 2000 by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tony Watson Watson, a Grimes, Iowa native, is also a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is a left-handed pitcher who has made 23 total performances and has an ERA of 3.86. Before becoming a pro, he pitched for 2 years at the University of Nebraska.
DANIEL JENNINGS
A current pitcher for the Miami Marlins, Jennings considers West Des Moines his home even though he was born in California. As a lefty, he previously played for the University of Nebraska.
Jeremy Hellickson Hellickson, from Des Moines, Iowa, is a pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. He has an ERA of 2.69 and has made 11 starts on the field for the Rays. After his debut season in 2011, he was named Rookie of the Year.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau Presents: The Iowa Spotlight Athlete of the Month - IowaGTSB.org
Rose Ripslinger
SPORTS YOU PLAY: Soccer, Track & Field ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS/HONORS: Honor Roll Student ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS/HONORS: Two-time Gatorade Athlete of the year, member of the Olympic Developmental Program for soccer, Quad Cities Female Athlete of the Year, two-time Drake Relays Champion in the 4x400 and State Champion in the 4x400 and twice in the 4x100. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO PLAY WHY? It’s hard to decide between soccer and my newest sport, track, but I think soccer is my favorite sport to play. I love soccer because I understand the game and I keep learning more and more through the years, which makes the game more exciting. I love using my knowledge and love for the game to have fun and play with my teammates and friends. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS MEMORY? My favorite sports memory would have to be from our last game of my freshman season with Assumption (June 2011) scoring with 3.6 seconds left in the last minutes of the State Championship Soccer game, making the score 3 to 1. Just a few seconds later, we had a huge celebration as the 1-A State Champions! DO YOU HAVE ANY FUN PRE-GAME “RITUALS” THAT PREPARE YOU FOR AN EVENT? I always kiss my lucky hair tie that I have and usually eat some starbursts or skittles (a trick I learned from my Club Soccer Coach, Paul Dayrell) for a little sugar boost before the game. Sometimes to pump the team up, I’ll start a five-second dance party where everyone just goes crazy and dances in a circle. Right before the whistle blows to start a game, I always say a little prayer. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL? WHY? My favorite subject would have to be science. I am so interested in the human body and I understand chemistry and biology pretty easily. I just think it’s fun!
WHO INSPIRES YOU? WHY? My older sister Grace inspires me. She also plays soccer and in the summer after her freshman year of college soccer at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, she blew out her knee. She was devastated and didn’t know if she would continue her soccer career because it wouldn’t be easy and would take a lot of hard work to get back. Grace missed her whole sophomore soccer season, but worked as hard as she could for an entire year, doing everything possible to get back to the sport she loved. I had never seen anyone push themselves like Grace did. She worked her way back into the starting line-up her junior year, and ended up playing even better than before her injury! She played her senior year as a Captain and had the best season of her life. She was awarded the Best Defensive Player in her Conference and even received All-American Honorable Mention, which is a huge deal! She inspires me to be the best soccer player I can be and to push myself no matter how hard it may seem. WHAT WAS THE BEST MOVIE YOU SAW IN THE LAST YEAR? “Bridesmaids” was definitely the best movie I’ve seen in a long time. It is hilarious and my friends and I quote it non-stop and it can always make us laugh! WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? My dream job is to become a physical therapist. I have had many injuries and I have become very interested in the rehab of athletes. I want to become a mother and coach my children’s soccer teams, and hopefully end up coaching some higher level teams in the future.
The best a man can get.
NUTRITION
HEALTH WELLNESS
MINOR BUT MAJOR
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL REPORT A look around the league at Iowa’s Minor League Baseball Teams Ashton Weiss | Editor
BURLINGTON BEES The Burlington Bees have had a roller coaster of a season. They started strong with two wins, only to be followed by two losses and then three more wins. It has been back and forth in that manner all season, as they try to find their groove and hold onto a winning streak. The season itself has thrown in a couple of curve-balls that the Bees have had to deal with. Chuck Brockett, the team’s General Manager, says weather has been a big change from the last couple of seasons. “We have had rain in the past few years and this year, we’ve actually had some heat to deal with early,” he said. Even with the weather being less than amiable, Brockett thinks that overall the season is going well and the players are a large factor in the success of the team. “Sean Jamieson, our short stop was voted to do the starting line-up of the All-Star game. And Drew Granier will be in the bullpen. (He) will be one of the starters coming out of the bullpen and who also made it along with Seth Frankoff. So, we have three All-Stars that will be playing June 19th. They will be playing in the Midwest All-Star game in King County,” Brockett said. He’s also looking forward to the new recruits that have recently joined the roster, including A.J. Cole, who is the number five overall prospect for the Oakland A’s. Brockett hopes that in about three years, Cole will be ready to join the majors. The Bees put a large focus on grooming the players for the next level in conjunction with winning games. There were a few places that the Bees need to improve upon, but getting through the bad spaces is what their team is all about. One of their other goals is to provide fun for the whole family, but at a good price. “Just so people come out and have a really good time throughout the summer and hopefully we’ll make the playoffs and get a chance to get in there. We won the championship in ‘08 and ran to the finals in ‘09, so we’d like to make another run at that,” Brockett said. CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS The Kernels have been struggling this season. They are currently in the midst of a three-game losing streak, but they have a couple of standout players that could help them turn the season around. “Probably our best player right now is third 20 | Volume 1 Issue 1
baseman, Kaleb Cowart,” Andrew Pantini, the Communications Manager for the Kernels. Cowart is not only a good infield player, but also a great hitter. He is a one of the best players in all of the Angel’s Affiliates, of which the Kernels are a part of. The Kernels knew that Cowart was going to be good, but they’ve had a couple of pleasant surprises on the team as well. Ty Kelley and Stephen Tromblee, both pitchers, have been selected to play in the All-Star game that is coming up in June. The Kernels are expecting bigger crowds as summer really hits its stride and they are also hoping to gain some momentum in their game on the field, so that they are able to qualify for the playoffs at the end of the season. This baseball team not only provides community entertainment and fun for the whole family during the games, but they genuinely try to stay involved in the Cedar Rapids area. “We run a summer reading program. We make visits. I believe this year we made visits to almost 60 schools in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Iowa City, with our mascot, Mr. Shucks. And players to get encourage kids to read throughout the summer,” Pantini said. “They receive prizes based on the number of minutes they read, with the top prize being an invitation to our 1,000-minute reader recognition day in August. They get to go on the field before the game and have a special autograph session with the players, last year we a set a record number of kids who participated and we’re looking to expand on that this year.” The second half of the season looks to be a bright one for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, with their players and their continued reputation of a family-friendly ball park. CLINTON LUMBERKINGS In the last four seasons, the LumberKings have yo-yoed from a first place standing to 13th place. They have struggled to maintain a consistency and this season has started out like a rollercoaster. They know they can gain some ground throughout the rest of the season though. Chad Seely, the voice of the LumberKings, has high hopes for the rest of the season and has reason to believe that they can pull through. “The season has been kind of up and down for us, inconsistent; but as of late, we started to swing the bats a lot better and hopefully we can gain some momentum going into the All-Star break and carry into the break. Last year, the team started out rough too and had a rough first half, but really came around in the middle of the season and ended up making the playoffs in the second half so we’re hoping we can do that again this year,” he said. There are several players that are contributing SportsSpotlight.com
Photos Courtesy: Each Respected Baseball Team
to the recent success the LumberKings are experiencing. Seely pointed some of them out. “Jordan Shipers is a guy who had been our best pitcher all season long. There’s some other guys too. A lot of guys are very young and we’ve had a lot of movement up and down. Jabari Blash has been here all season. And so has Anthony Phillips, he’s our shortstop. He’s one of the best, if not the best, in the Midwest league and that’s been helping us a lot,” Seely said. While the more experienced players are a big part of the team. Seely expressed high hopes for the younger and newer members as well. He knows that the newer players can provide some spark and drive. Some of the players are even as young as 19 and the coaching staff puts a lot of focus on honing their skills, so that they might get called up to the majors. “This league is very developmental and that’s obviously their goal. You still want to win ball games and create a winning mentality, but it’s very important for them to develop a lot of different skills and keep doing things that the Seattle Mariners Organization wants them to do,” he said. The LumberKings have already lost a couple of players to the next steppinge stones or even the majors, but even with the discontinuity there is hope for the playoffs and to finish the second half of the season strong. IOWA CUBS Baseball season is in full swing down at Principal Park, with the I-Cubs in second place in their division and only ten games behind the leader. Their losses just barely outnumber their wins and there is plenty to look forward to in the coming games. “The story of our season has been all the roster moves,” said Randy Woefer, a member of the ICubs’ front office. “We’ve already had 62 different transactions, which is more than one per game and we’re getting Michael Bowden, and he’ll be the 45th different player to play for us already this season. Just about the time we get to know who’s here, something changes. It’s been a busy season in that regard.” While Woefer acknowledges that there are usually a lot of transactions in the AAA, the amount the I-Cubs have had is way above pace. Injuries and acquiring new players have contributed to the number of roster moves. The I-Cubs recently had a 12-game road trip, of which they won the first six games, only to be followed by a six-game losing streak. The instability of their players may be what’s contributing to the back and forth shown by the win/loss record of the team. They are due to have a stretch of home games, which should help to put them back on track. Although the I-Cubs don’t have much control over which players stay and which get called up, there are some that could create some stability. Woefer said that they are looking to have Geovany Soto come off the disabled list shortly. Anthony SportsSpotlight.com
Rizzo has also been a standout for the I-Cubs. As a first baseman and a leader in the league in home runs, his tenure with the I-Cubs might not last too much longer. But for right now, he is a big contributor to the I-Cubs. Other than player development, the I-Cubs focus on creating a great environment for the fans. “We count on the Cubs to give us the best players that they have available and hope that they do well. We know the fans will respond if we put the fun along with it,” Woefer said, about creating a family-fun environment in the stands. Now that school has let out and summer is in full swing, the I-Cubs are putting together many different activities and promotions at the ballpark, which should up the attendance for the rest of the summer. QUAD CITIES RIVER BANDITS The River Bandits are currently only seven games behind the leaders of the Western portion of the Midwest League. And, they are one game away from overtaking third place team, the Kane County Cougars. For one new member of the front office team, this season has been great. Marco LaNave just recently joined the River Bandits and he is excited about what the team has been doing and their future. “It’s been a ton of fun for me. The team has had some ups and downs, but has been competitive the whole way and we’ve had a lot of different promotions happening and some big crowds and some exciting moments. It’s been fun,” he said. The River Bandits were able to win the Midwest League Championship last season, after receiving a wild card in the first half of the season. Currently, they are five games away from receiving that wild card spot for the second time in a row. Even though they are a little behind last season’s record, they have many new hopefuls for this season. “There are only about five returning that had any experience at this level or higher; so there are lots of new players from the rookie-level teams and the Cardinals organization,” LaNave said. The new talent on the team is making the future look very bright for the River Bandits. They are honing their collective skills to make a cohesive entity going into the second half of the season. And the players are earning honors right and left. Four of their players were named to the Midwest All-Star team, including: Colin Walsh, Juan Castillo, Luis Mateo, and Heath Wyatt. Walsh was also honored by the Saint Louis Cardinals as their Minor League Player of the Month for May and has been leading the River Bandits with some of the highest stats in the league. Along with the goal of having a winning season and taking home the championship, the River Bandits focus on creating a great atmosphere to watch a ball game. They will be continuing their season with a positive mentality and hopefully be able to win the championship once more. Volume 1 Issue 1 | 21
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AIB College of Business Honors Athletes of the Year
Amy Tagliareni | AIB Sports Information Director and Assistant Athletics Director
The rapidly expanding AIB College of in Sports and Event Management, has Schwaller, a junior who is pursuing a 37 on the back nine for a one-over-par 72 Business Athletics Department recently earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average Bachelor of Science degree in Business on the day. held its Year-End Celebration, honorat AIB. She also serves as the acting Administration, received Midwest ColSchwaller finished the 2011-12 season ing outstanding student-athletes for secretary-treasurer for the Sports and legiate Conference and NAIA National collecting eight top-10 finishes and was academic performances as well as athletic Event Management Association. Men’s Golfer of the Week honors for the team’s top finisher nine times. accomplishments during the 2011-2012 Howard played an integral part in the period ending March 25. He took Hagarty, who recently completed her season. helping the women’s basketball team the individual title at the Statesmen Bachelor of Science degree in Business “I would like Administration at to thank the the college, finished parents, profesher career at AIB sors, coaches, as the first player athletics departin school history to ment and above score 1,000 points, all else, I would totaling 1,131 points like to thank the in three seasons. student-athletes She led AIB in scorfor being part ing for the second of something consecutive season, special this finishing the 2011year,” said AIB 2012 campaign Vice President with 13.5 points per for Student Life game, which ranked Terry Wilson. seventh in the Wilson also MCC. Hagarty had introduced new 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 AIB Athletics assists and 1.8 steals Director and per game, ranking women’s basket14th, 11th and ball coach Keith ninth in the league, Coleman, who respectively. said he’s already From the floor determined what she shot 44.5 peran AIB Eagle cent for eighth in athlete reprethe conference, and Photo Courtesy of AIB College of Business from the line she sents. From Left to Right: Megan Howard, Johnny Schwaller and Caitlin Hagarty “It’s Excelwas at 75.7 percent, lence, Academgood for 15th in ics, Gallantry, Love, and Example,” advance to the conference tournament in Spring Classic hosted by William Penn the MCC. Coleman said. its first year of eligibility. She played in 31 University at The Preserve on Rathbun A well-rounded player, Hagarty holds Basketball player Megan Howard of games with 24 starting assignments. She Lake Golf Course, finishing seven-under seven career records for the Eagles, Elkhart (Iowa) was named Academic Stu- led her team and ranked fourth in the par over the two-day tournament. He led including top marks in rebounds (614), dent-Athlete of the Year. Golfer Johnny conference and fourth in the nation with the Eagles to the team title while shootsteals (270) and assists (223). She also Schwaller of Coon Rapids (Iowa) is Male 3.2 steals per game. She also led the team ing a 137 (69+68=137) and finishing six holds seven single-season records at the Athlete of the Year, and Female Athlete and ranked third in the conference and strokes ahead of his nearest competitor. college. of the Year is basketball scoring leader the nation with 99 total steals. She was He followed the victory at the StatesA third-team NJCAA all-region Caitlin Hagarty of Cedar Falls (Iowa). the second-highest scorer on the team men Classic with a first place showing at selection as a freshman, Hagarty has Howard, a sophomore working toward with 9.9 points per game, and she averthe Simpson Spring Invitational March averaged 13 points and 7.1 rebounds over an Associate Degree in Applied Science aged 4.3 rebounds per contest. 27. He shot a 35 on the front nine and a a school-record 87 career games at AIB.
22 | Volume 1 Issue 1
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Collegiate corner
Iowans Qualified for Olympic Trials
Archery and Swimming were both represented at the Trials Kelly Hendricks | Web Editor
ARCHERY
“I was never one of those kids who grew up dreaming about going to the Olympics. I always thought they were really cool of course, but for me, it just wasn’t practical,” said 19-year-old Miranda Leek, a 2011 Dowling Catholic graduate. For Leek, that all changed when she qualified for the Olympics on June 3 at the trials in Colorado Springs. Leek got involved with archery when she was only five. Her dad, Scott Leek, introduced her to the sport. “Archery was something that he had been doing since he was a boy, so he took me to the range, taught me the basics, and off I went,” she said. At first, archery was something she just did for fun. Eventually though, she started doing competitions. And then she started winning them. “That’s when I think we started to realize that I might be able to go somewhere in this sport, because I started to win tournaments and set records. When I was 12, I made the transition to shooting
Photo Courtesy of Miranda Leek
19-year-old Miranda Leek
an Olympic-style recurve, which is the only bow shot in the Olympics,” she said. “Since then, I’ve just been working on being the best I can be in archery and I ended up climbing through the ranks to where I am today.” Leek spends majority of her time practicing at Archery Field & Sports in Altoona. But recently, she’s been training at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. Leek shoots for about six to seven hours a day, totaling about 250 arrows. In addition, she does core workouts and cardio. Leek has stayed really humble through this whole experience. “Making the Olympic Team is really rewarding to me and all the work that went in it from myself, my dad, and my coaches, and shows that when people find their element, anything can happen,” she said. The mental aspect of the sport is what Leek finds the hardest. “It’s easy to shoot a 10. It’s not easy to keep repeating that. The mental game is the tool that allows you to keep repeating that 10. It takes a lot trust and discipline,” she says. As for the Olympic Games, Leek says she is more excited than nervous. “I can’t wait to get there and walk in the opening ceremonies and represent my country at an event as big and popular as the Olympics,” she said. Leek says she is keeping her focus on executing good shots and staying positive. She seemed to do just that when she competed at the trials as she went up against former Olympians. She says she wasn’t too intimidated and just tried to keep her concentration. “After all, in archery, you can only control what you do. You can’t do anything about how everyone else is shooting,” she said. When competition day comes at the Olympics, Leek says she will be fighting
hard in hopes of bringing home a medal. “I want to soak up the Olympic experience and shoot strong,” she went on to say. After the Olympics conclude, Leek will start classes at Texas A&M in August. She will continue shooting just not as heavily because she will be working on a degree in molecular and cellular biology.
SWIMMING
Twenty-four hours. That’s how long Imelda Wistey, a West Des Moines, Iowa native who now swims for Iowa State, spends in the pool each week during summer. That time in the pool has definitely paid off. Wistey will be competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. on June 26 in her premiere event, the 100-meter breaststroke. Wistey always had Olympic dreams – but when she was younger, they were for figure skating. Her interests changed when she turned seven and started swimming. “Now that I’m going to the Olympic Trials for swimming, I believe anything is possible,” she said. On Sunday, May 20, her dream became a reality, as she pulled off a qualifying time for the trials with her 1:11.74 performance in the first 100 meters of the 200-meter breaststroke. “I was shocked that I actually had done it and then relieved that it happened. I’ve been going for the cut for a year so I was very satisfied,” Wistey said. There are only 52 spots available on the 2012 Olympic Roster for swimming, but Wistey seems confident. “I love the thrill of competition, the satisfaction of excelling in a challenging practice, being physically fit, and achieving goals that I have set for myself,” she said. Wistey plans to live in the moment and just enjoy every minute of competition.
Photo Courtesy of Iowa State University
Iowa State swimmer Imelda Wistey “Going to the Olympic Trials is an honor and I am grateful that I can partake in that honor. It will be such an exhilarating experience and I want to treasure every second of it,” she went on to say. Her proudest moment in her swimming career was in high school when she competed for West Des Moines Valley. Wistey won the 100-meter breaststroke at the state meet and also broke the state record. Her achievements didn’t end there. She has been an elite swimmer at Iowa State and at Grinnell College where she attended before transferring to ISU. This year, as a junior, she placed eighth in the Big 12 Championships with a time of 1:01.97 in the 100-yard breaststroke. Wistey knows she will be competing with the best in the nation and even possibly the world at the trials. She is excited and nervous and has her hopes set high. Once the adrenaline kicks in, she’ll be ready to go.
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Volume 1 Issue 1 | 23
Collegiate corner
NCAA TRACK WRAP-UP Iowans come home to compete at Nationals Kelly Hendricks | Web Editor
Jordan Williams, a junior at the University of Northern Iowa, started off competition for the Iowans on Wednesday in the discus. Williams, originally from Monticello, finished seventh in his flight with a throw of 56.04 meters. Katie Flood, a fan favorite from Dowling Catholic, who now runs for University of Washington, qualified for the finals in the 1500 with a time of 4:12.65. “I felt comfortable. I think the main thing was making sure I was in the top five,” she said. Her goal in the final was to just run the best she could and finish
Ashton Weis/Editor
Ethan Holmes (Clinton), competes for the University of Iowa in the 400H and 110H.
strong. She did a lot more than that. As just a sophomore, she won it all. The crowd went wild as the hometown favorite became a National Champion in 4:13.79. “It’s so much fun. I get to run in front of a home crowd. There are a lot of supportive people and my family’s all here,” she said. Ashley Miller also competed in the 1500. She is an alumna from Tipton Prep, who now runs for the University of Nebraska. As a senior, she ran 4:14.12 in her heat and just missed qualifying for finals. Miller was the Drake Relays Champion in the 1500. Meaghan Nelson, a redshirt junior from Iowa State ran the longest race at the Championships as she competed in the 10,000. She earned five points for her team as she ran with the lead pack and finished fourth in 32:47.43. Danielle Frere, another redshirt junior from Iowa State and originally from Muscatine, threw shot put on Friday night. She concluded her season with her personal best throw of 54-7, which earned her a 10th place finish. A University of Iowa runner from Clinton, Ethan Holmes was one of only two men to qualify in both the 400H and 110H. He was sixth in his 400H heat with a time of 51.68s. As a junior, Holmes was
Kelly Hendricks/Web Editor
Katie Flood (Dowling Catholic) and Ashley Miller (Tipton Prep) line up for the preliminaries for the 1500m. not pleased with this and is set to make changes for next year. “It didn’t happen the way I wanted it to. I had a good week of practice, just couldn’t put it together in the meet. I have a lot to work on this summer,” Holmes said. He stated that the disappointment from this race would give him more motivation to run well in the 110H. And it seemed to do just that. He finished sixth in his heat and 19th overall with a time of 13.93s. Another University of Iowa competitor, Matt Banse, a senior who attended
Starmont High School in Arlington, competed in the hammer throw. He was 20th overall with a throw of 197-11. Coming in from Notre Dame, junior Brendan Dougherty competed in the 4x400. Originally from Sioux City and an attendee of Bishop Heelan, he led off his team’s relay and gave them a strong start. They finished in 3:13.35. UNI’s Justin Romero of Cedar Falls competed in the shot put on Saturday morning. As a senior, this was his last competition as a Panther. He finished 19th with a throw of 59-0. of 59-0.
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24 | Volume 1 Issue 1
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ON THE TEE
JAY HAAS, THREE-TIME CHAMPION Haas becomes the first golfer to win the Principal Charity Classic three times The Associated Press
Kirk Triplett put together the best round of golf anyone had ever played in the Principal Charity Classic. But Jay Haas was brilliant for three rounds instead of one, proving yet again that nobody can dominate the Glen Oaks Country Club like he can. Haas finished with a 16-under 197 total to win the tournament by five strokes, becoming the first golfer to win the Champions Tour event in Iowa three times. Haas, the winner in 2007 and 2008, led by three shots after shooting 65 in the second round and made it stand up with a final round 5-under 66. Haas’ 16-under tied the tournament mark set by Gil Morgan in 2006 and matched the largest victory of the season on the Champions Tour. “(Saturday) I really played well, but (Sunday) was a special round. And to kind of take hold of it and not give them a chance...that was pretty special,” Haas said. Triplett set the course record with a 9-under 62 and finished second at 11-under 202 along with Larry Mize. Fred Funk and Tom Lehman tied for third at 10-under. Haas couldn’t match Triplett’s theatrics. Then again, he didn’t need to. Haas had built up enough of a
26 | Volume 1 Issue 1
Photos Courtesy of Principal Charity Classic
The 2012 Principal Charity Classic winner Jay Haas lead to be able to play it safe -- notching a victory that felt strangely similar to his easy one at Glen Oaks in 2007. Haas birdied the par-3 second hole for some breathing room, and saved par on No. 9 despite three putts. Haas nailed another birdie on the 14th hole, giving him a four-shot cushion with four holes to play. Haas capped a brilliant weekend by leaving his tee shot on the par-3 No. 16 within two feet. He tapped in, but a
bogey on the next hole kept him from passing Morgan. “There was no smoke and mirrors. It was good solid golf, and hopefully it will boost me for the rest of the year,” Haas said. Triplett was playing just his fourth Champions Tour event this year, and a tie for eighth in Tampa Bay in April had been his best finish. He started Sunday in an equally unassuming fashion at 2-under, nine shots back of Haas, before playing the best round Glen Oaks had ever seen. Triplett notched birdies of half of his holes, including a 10-foot putt on the notoriously difficult No. 17 to reach the record low. He nearly went to 10-under, but his long putt on the 18th hole stopped a few feet shy of the cup. Triplett tied his personal best of 9-under when he shot at the Greater Hartford Open and the John Deere Classic in 2000. But the 73 he shot on Saturday doomed him to a tie for second. “I’m still kind of in shock I guess. I hadn’t really been playing that well. Every time I made a mistake it came up par, birdie, and then all of a sudden I felt like if I could get a couple more, I might shake those leaders up a little bit,” Triplett said. He certainly did. But while Triplett
was waving his famous white hat to a cheering crowd on No. 18, Haas was quietly wrapping up a birdie on the 11th hole. Haas did make the crowd smile on the 14th hole, known around Glen Oaks as “the beer hole.” Haas’s birdie putt had the gallery in a roar in part because the price of a beer is slashed on No. 14 whenever someone makes a birdie. The reaction didn’t surprise Haas. He’s made more than a few birdies on that hole and many more in Iowa over the years. “Every hole just kind of looks good to me. When I stand up on the tee, I see where I’m supposed to hit it. I’m not really uncomfortable on any hole out here, and the greens were at a really good pace this week,” Haas said. “This course just seems to suit me. I don’t know what it is. I just feel comfortable here.”
SportsSpotlight.com
PIT PASS
COMPETITION HEATS UP ON THE TRACK The Knoxville Raceway and its competitors prepare for the Knoxville Nationals Bill Wright | Contributor
As the Knoxville Raceway prepares for the biggest event in sprint car racing, the 52nd Annual Goodyear Knoxville Nationals in August, the name of the game this season has been close competition and outstanding racing action. Fans have been treated to a number of late-race heroics, daredevil moves in traffic, and a plethora of young talented drivers, who are raising the bar for an already talented group of competitors in all three sprint car divisions.
Photo Courtesy of Dave Hill Images
Track Champion Brian Brown The World of Outlaws have visited twice already this season. In their initial visit in April, it was Sammy Swindell emerging with the win, but local favorite, Brian Brown, led much of the race and had local fans on their feet. “The Mad
Man,” Kerry Madsen, a former track win at the historic champion at Knoxville, brought the June oval, edging close to WoO home to Australia, holding off the 100 mark. Fans of Swindell in a tight race. “The Dude” will be Young Minnesotan Davey Heskin is showing up in force in contention for the championship for as he tries to track the 410 sprints. He has already recorded down the record, a win this season, and continues to build and perhaps a fifth on a promising career. Brian Brown Knoxville Nationals missed a week, but the two-time champi- title in August. on still finds himself among the leaders. Three-time and Six-time track champion “TMAC,” Terry defending track McCarl also looms in contention. champion, Clint GarHis recent partnership with “Larry the ner, is running away Cable Guy” and his “Lord I Apologize with the 360 point standings. The Sioux BBQ Sauces” has bolstered the strength Falls, South Dakota native has three wins of the team. “Dynamite” Mark Dobmeier to his credit already this year, and has yet still makes the 10-hour tow one-way each to have an off night. Otley, Iowa’s Nate Saturday night from his home in Grand Van Haaften has a pair of wins already, Forks, North Dakota. The 410 driver and Matt Moro is also having a strong with the most wins in the last ten years year, running in the top three. Jon Agan has been on a roll lately, and it would has recorded a win as well, and is vying surprise no one if he snared his first for a top five standing along with Russ Knoxville championHall, Joe Beaver and ship. Casey Friedrichsen. The all-time feature Mike Van Haaften, winner leader at cousin of Nate, has two Knoxville, Danny 305 sprint car wins to Lasoski, is closing on a his credit and currently historic mark. On June leads those standings. 2, he grabbed his 98th On May 26, he joined Photo Courtesy of Dave Hill Images
Photo Courtesy of Dave Hill Images
Dale Blaney, Sammy Swindell and Kerry Madsen fight for position. Nate in Victory Lane, as the cousins won on the same night. Omaha’s Matthew Stelzer, and veterans Larry Ball Jr. and Mitchell Alexander hope that their efforts will also end in a championship. As the Knoxville Nationals (August 8-11) and the 360 Nationals (August 2-4) approach, more and more outsiders will be trying to take on the regulars in weekly competition to prepare for the big shows. Last year, over 100 entries were received for each event, representing 34 states and three countries.
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28 | Volume 1 Issue 1
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Sports spotlight
A RARE FEAT AND A RARE BACKGROUND Christine Ajnjeru Surprises Everyone With Her Determination John Martenson | Contributor
From Kampala, Uganda Africa to London, England to Grinnell, Iowa, USA, Christine Ajinjeru has traveled much of planet earth, but has landed on solid ground with the Grinnell College track team. In her second year at Grinnell, she was a part of several school record relay teams and wrapped up her year with not only a Midwest Conference title, but nearly a conference record in the 400 meters. Not bad for a person with no prior track and field experience, with her first 400 run at a college meet at just under :75. Head Women’s Track and Field Coach Evelyn Freeman just completed her 32nd year at Grinnell, awarded Ajinjeru the most valuable athlete for the 2012 season, has seen her share of outstanding student-athletes come through her program. Freeman says while she’s improved very quickly, “it’s not unusual for us to get student-athletes to come in with very limited experience. With her work ethic, good coaching and great teammates to train with, you just never know. She’s been a wonderful surprise and a delight to see how far she’s come after one year. Then to see her progress even more, I don’t know that we expected her to progress this much in her second year, so she’s setting a high standard.” She added that setting the school record in the prelims of the 400 dash at the conference meet and breaking it again in the finals in a time :57.37 was among the top team highlights of 2012.
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“Last year, at the conference meet as a runner-up, and running such an amazing time (in the 400) was a huge highlight , but to win it outright this year, and run the two fastest times in her career at the same meet, that was amazing,” added Freeman. Jen Jacobson has assisted Freeman the last
Photo Courtesy of Grinnell College
Christine Ajnjeru of Grinnell four years, working with the sprinters. She says what sets Christine apart is her “untapped talent.” “She’s tremendously coachable,” said Jacobson. “We did a lot of work running 100’s and 200’s so that she could get better with starts. She ended up running a creditable time in the
100, and our second fastest time all-time in the 200.” She adds that of the four relay teams that broke school records this past year, Christine was the common denominator in all four. She enjoys the 100 and 200 dash events as much as the 400. “I don’t feel the pressure to do as well, so every time I run the 100 or 200 I think, ‘wow, I can’t believe I’m getting faster’,” added Ajinjeru. The difference between her freshman and sophomore years, she says, is her personal growth. “When I joined the track team, I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know what a meet was, how to get out of blocks. My first year I was trying this, trying that, trying to find combinations that would work. Coming in my second year, I pretty much knew what worked last year and had faith in myself knowing I could do this. When asked what drives her to the successes she’s enjoyed, she looks to a couple of areas. “One is I love run, and secondly, I love my teammates. You know every day you show up, you’re not going there for yourself, but you have other people who rely on you, and who need you to be there for them,” said Ajinjeru. “I love running, and I do it everyday.” She attended school in Uganda through her sophomore year. Growing up there, Ajinjeru admits that her only connection to track and field was limited. She came to Grinnell by way of the United World College in England, an in-
ternational school that brings people of various backgrounds and cultures together. She’s accomplished some rare feats while at Grinnell. Just as rare, her mother, Margaret Babadiri, who raised her is blind, and has sat on Uganda’s parliament since 1996. “She first got in as a member of parliament representing people with disabilities for the northern part of the country. She currently represents my hometown. Most African countries are very conservative, and believe that the place of a woman is in the kitchen, so to find someone like that is the rare part,” said Ajnjeru. “My mom can’t believe that I run, and can’t believe that I’m fast. So every time I tell her, ‘I run another meet weekend and I run another fast time’, she goes, ‘oh, so you’re still running.’ She gets excited every time,” She’ll be part of a talented group of returning sprinters for next year’s team, including fellow junior-to-be Emily Clennon. The Philo, Illinois native, was named Most Improved Athlete on the Grinnell women’s track team, was the lead leg of the record setting relay teams. Ajinjeru has declared chemistry as her major and will be doing research during the summer around campus. She’s already set high goals for next year. “Make it to (NCAA Division III) Nationals. Jeff, Assistant Coach Pederson, keeps teasing me that he wants me to try out for the Ugandan Olympic team; 2016 isn’t that far away,” she said.
Volume 1 Issue 1 | 29
Health & fitness
CONCUSSION IN THE ADOLESCENT ATHLETE Nick Honkamp, M.D. | Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons, P.C.
Background Physiology of Concussion Concussion is a type of The concussion traumatic brain injury that injury can be thought of occurs after low to moderate as a two-part process. The level force impact common first insult is the concusin collision sports (hockey, sion injury itself, which football) as well as after causes cells in the brain bicycle or motor vehicle to become unstable. The accidents. A direct blow to outside wall of any cell is the head usually occurs, and a tightly regulated area, a minority actually has a loss and the concussion injury of consciousness episode destabilizes the cell wall, associated with it. The allowing changes in the post-concussive symptoms composition of the cell and typically follow a sequential its pH (acid/base balance). course toward resolution, The chemicals that cells realthough up to 5-10% of lease when they are injured cases may have a prolonged or dying cause the second (>2 week) recovery period. Photo Courtesy of DMOS injury. These chemicals Epidemiology cause increase inflammaDr. Nick Honkamp, M.D. There are an estimated tion, which can further 2-4 million concussion increase cell death. This is per year, as estimated by why concussion symptoms emergency room visits. This number likely often worsen during the first 24 hours. grossly underestimates the total number of Shortly after a concussion occurs in the concussions, as many are not diagnosed and/or brain, the brain cells attempt to stabilize themevaluated in an emergency room. The highest selves and their cell wall. To do this, the cells reported rates are in the 10-14 year old group, require more energy in the form of glucose followed by the 15-19 year old group. The most (sugar). Increasing the supply of glucose to common activities leading to a concussion are the brain is accomplished by increasing the bicycle accidents, football, basketball, soccer, delivery of blood to the brain. Unfortunately, and playground activities. These younger age after a concussion, the body often will decrease groups lend themselves to under-reporting as the flow of the blood to the brain during the many parents and coaches may not recognize exact time when the brain requires increased the symptoms of concussion, while other athblood flow to supply its increased glucose reletes may deliberately hide their symptoms to quirements. This unmatched demand is called avoid being removed from a sporting activity. a “metabolic mismatch” and is the fundamental
concept in how concussion symptoms are managed (see treatment section below). Signs and Symptoms Symptoms of concussion include headache, nausea, balance problems, altered vision, sensitivity to noise or light, sluggishness, memory and concentration problems, and a general feeling of “not being right.” Signs detected by a health care professional include inability to remember the score/opponent/time remaining, amnesia (forgetting events either prior to or after the concussion), balance problems, and short-term memory loss. The ability to answer simple questions like name, date, and time do not preclude the presence of a concussion. Additionally, loss of consciousness does not predict the severity of a concussion. Evaluation A sideline evaluation should include the mechanism of injury (an unexpected collision is typically worse), an examination for any focal neurologic deficits, balance testing, and simple questions to test cognitive function and memory. Focal neurological findings or worsening neurologic function (specific nerves not working, loss of speech, vision, hearing, etc…) should prompt transfer to an emergency room. In the absence of such findings, no further x-rays or CT scans of the brain are needed, as they are typically normal even in severe concussions. Treatment Concussion treatment is directed at easing the “metabolic mismatch” described earlier. This is accomplished by decreasing the demands on the brain. This starts with removal from the athletic activity. Athletes with a con-
cussion are prescribed a period of physical (no practice or exercise) and cognitive (no school) rest for a period of days until their symptoms resolve. Making the brain “work” during this period of time increases the glucose demands and can worsen symptoms. Return to Play Athletes typically follow a graduated return to play protocol as described below. The athlete progresses from one step to the next as long as they remain asymptomatic for 24 hours at each step. A recurrence of symptoms requires the athlete to return to the previous step: 1. Complete physical and cognitive rest until symptoms resolve at rest. 2. Low-level physical activity (walking, light jog or bike). 3. Moderate physical activity (faster jogging, skating, biking). 4. Noncontact sort specific drills 5. Full contact practice 6. Normal game play. Things to Remember: Most athletes return to play within 7-14 days; however, a small subset of athletes (510%) may experience prolonged symptoms of a month or more. Younger athletes and athletes with two or more previous concussions are at risk for a prolonged recovery. The brain is more susceptible to increased injury early in the process; therefore it is paramount to not allow adolescent athletes to return to play until they are fully symptom free. Dr. Honkamp specializes in sports medicine including shoulder and knee injuries. To reach Dr. Honkamp or to schedule an appointment phone 515-224-5205. Additional articles and information also available at www.dmos.com
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Free school and sports physicals good for the 2012-2013 school year!
30 | Volume 1 Issue 1
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