Grimm’s fairy tale
GRUNDY CENTER — Allyson Grimm sits cross-legged on a jump box in the Grundy Center High School weight room. She has a certain type of preparedness on her face. Donning a vibrant pink volleyball shirt — one of many she’s obtained during the past seven years of playing the sport — black athletic shorts and tennis shoes, she’s just wrapped up the second-to-last volleyball practice of her high school career. [Read More...]
Fixed the Fib
STATE CENTER — Isabelle Gradwell walks across the West Marshall High School gymnasium hardwood toward the far sideline, exchanging a pair of athletic sneakers for some basketball high tops. It’s hot and humid as track and field athletes wrap up a high jump exercise at the far end of the court, while some boys finish a shoot-around at the hoop nearest the concession stand double doors. [Read More...]
Simpson reigns in 1,500-meter Rio Rematch
DES MOINES — It was, without a doubt, a Rio Rematch.
Iowa-born Jenny Simpson, who joined elite Drake Relays company by becoming the second athlete to win five-straight titles (Jeff Hardwig, pole vault, 1995-2000) clocked a time of 4 minutes, 16.10 seconds for the 1,500-meter title. But it was a time shared by three other competitors. [Read More...]
Moline, McLeod log world-best times in rain
DES MOINES — The Olympic athletes came and went, but the fans were there to stay.
During the course of the three-day weekend, track and field fanatics weathered some of the poorest-thought up conditions to watch high school, collegiate and professional athletes vie for top honors on the Blue Oval. [Read More...]
Bolden’s vision for Drake Relays materializes with Olympic field
The Drake Relays have become a staple in a lot of Iowan’s lives. The spring classic gathers fans and athletes alike every year in late April to showcase some of the best prep, collegiate and professional talent. [Read More...]
Netten’s new view
AMES — In marriage, a couple will often begin sharing nearly everything. Bank accounts, living quarters, laundry and both sides of the refrigerator. But nothing could be more nerve-wracking or thrilling to share for Iowa State kicker Cole Netten and his fiance, Kate Netten (formerly Kate Britten), than the ups and downs of his final season on the field. [Read More...]
STC spins new records
LE GRAND — The South Tama County girls’ track and field team is running as good as anybody in Class 3A right now, and half of it has to do with their demeanor off the track as it does on it.
Senior Shae Slaven said a big reason for the Trojans’ 98-point, second-place finish at the Mustang Relays on Thursday night — and success thus far this season — is due to exceptional team chemistry not only in the relay events, but inside and outside the oval as well. [Read More...]
Iowa elite pace
1,500-meter field
DES MOINES — With the announcement of the women’s 1,500-meter race field, the Drake Relays is already poised to have one of its best years in recent memory with now more than 50 Olympic athletes slated to perform at the Blue Oval.
Headlining the 1,500 will be two runners who rarely need introduction in the professional track and field world, let alone Des Moines. [Read More...]
Niang with one last selfless act
AMES — On a sub-freezing night in January, Iowa State senior Georges Niang stands outside in the cold; misty rain settling at his feet, waiting like he had so many times before, indoors, for groups of fans to congratulate him on a game well played. [Read More...]
Not so Cinderella
GRUNDY CENTER — In 1950, the Disney movie ‘Cinderella’ hit the theaters, unknowingly paving the way for one of the most lovable and inspiring phrases in sports jargon: A Cinderella Story.
Teams such as the 1969 ‘Miracle Mets’, the 1983 North Carolina State Wolfpack and the 2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons cemented their names in history with improbably victories against favorable giants. [Read More...]
Rebels reign again
CEDAR FALLS — For the first time since 2009, a team defended its state title at the Class A level.
The second-ranked Gladbrook-Reinbeck football team used its best-in-the-state defense to fend off a late answer from No. 4 Bishop Garrigan to win its second-straight state title. It’s the first time in school history a Rebel team went undefeated (13-0) on its way to a state championship. [Read More...]
Living the dream
CEDAR FALLS — A seventh-grade John Olson paced the sidelines of a fifth-grade basketball team. Mostly clueless to what he was really doing, a passion was instilled in him then; a way for him to make young kids better men.
He loved it; he knew since he was in 10th-grade that he wanted to be a coach. So after a handful of opportunities, years of up and down teams; losing records and state championships, Olson is still smiling and still loving what he’s doing.[Read More...]
ISU students 'give back'
Nestled back in the northern most part of the Armory building stands a group of students surrounding a table of sticky notes. The Industrial Design 302 class is in its early-most stage of planning and creating bikes for the bike share program. [Read More...]
ROTC programs put rivalry aside
TAMA — The Cyclones defeated the Hawkeyes on Friday, but the points weren't being tallied by touchdowns and field goals.
The Army ROTC programs from Iowa State and the University of Iowa competed in a food donation version of the Cy-Hawk rivalry, one that was less heated than the one students saw Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium.[Read More...]
Robertson back as a champion
WEST BRANCH — Tumbling past the living room television set, jumping off the couch and climbing trees started the gymnastics process for Jori Robertson.
The road to becoming a national gymnastic champion started at 4 years old for the West Branch High School senior, by chasing her brothers around outside, bouncing off almost anything. [Read More...]