Sports

Iowa Mennonite boys were knocked out of tournament play, 53-49, by Guthrie Center in the quarterfinal round of the boys Class 1A state basketball tournament Monday, March 7 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
The unranked Tigers (20-7) will face St. Mary’s, Storm Lake (25-1) Thursday.
Coach Dwight Gingerich was proud of his team for for “hanging in there until the end.”
IMS came to within three points (49-52) following a 3-point shot by Ethan Gingerich with 8 seconds left on the clock.
Following the timeout, Jackson Brokaw got the steal off a pressure defense and passed it off to Gingerich, who went up but missed the trey, sealing the game for the Tigers.
“We got ourselves into a pretty big hole the seond half and just couldn’t stop the big guy (6-foot-5, 205-pound senior center, Dustin Clark) down low,” said Ethan Gingerich.
“They contested well and we just weren’t getting the looks that we wanted.”
IMS came out to earn an early lead on an 8-0 run in the first three and a half minutes of play, before Guthrie scored their first point.
“We got out to a good start but Clark took us to score,” said John Lackender.
The Tigers tied the game at 10 with their first possession of the second quarter.

Read more…

Three Mid-Prairie girls’ basketball players were recognized by conference coaches on the 2010-11 CVC All-Conference teams.
Sophomores Mariah Swartzentruber and Mallory McArtor were both named as 2nd team selections, while Erika Murphy was an Honorable Mention pick.
McArtor, an Honorable Mention pick a year ago, lead the Hawks in scoring, steals, FT attempts, FT makes, deflections, and FG made. She averaged nearly 9 pts. and 4 rebounds per game. McArtor typically had the task of guarding the opponents best player.
Swartzentruber, who played both guard and some forward, was the Hawks leading rebounder. She averaged 7 pts. and 5 rebounds per game. She was fifth in the conference in 3pt precentage and was second on the team in assists.
Murphy, who assumed the point guard position late in the year, finished the season averaging 6.5 p/g. She was the second leading rebounder with 4/g, led the team in assists with 34, and led the team with 16.3 pt. FG. She was the third leading 3 pt shooter in the CVC.
“I am very happy for these three girls in representing Mid-Prairie on the CVC All-Conference teams,” said head coach Marc Pennington. “All of them did a great job helping our team to a 4th place finish in the conference.”
“Mallory is one of the top defenders in our league and really improved her scoring and FT percentage. She definitely helped set the tone for us with her defensive intensity.
“Mariah is a very versatile player that knows the game very well. Her game will continue to improve as she gains more experience.
“I felt Erika really did a great job taking over at point guard late in the year. She is tough mentally and is one of the better perimeter shooters in the league. I look forward to these three helping move our program in the right direction in the future.”
Members of the 1st Team All Cedar Valley Conference are Zoe Dutchik, Iowa City Regina; Sidney Lilienthal, Durant; Carlee Grunder, Wilton; Katelyn DeWulf, Tipton; Kelley Trimble, West Branch; Jenna Lehman, Iowa City Regina; and Taylor Doehermann, Tipton.
Members of the 2nd Team All Cedar Valley Conference are Mallory McArtor, Mid-Prairie; Mariah Swartzentruber, Mid-Prairie; Jordan Arp, West Branch; Abby Feldman , West Liberty; Heather Poula, West Branch; Sydney Lehman, Iowa City Regina; and Leah Duffe, Wilton.
Those included in the All CVC Honorable Mention are Erika Murphy, Mid-Prairie; Amy Hurd, Wilton; Nikki Paulsen, Durant; Alyssa Armstrong, Tipton; Courtney Dewell, North Cedar; Marissa Kelley, West Liberty; Kirby Eagle, West Branch; and Sarah Kron, Iowa City Regina.

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks opened the football season Friday night with a loss against Class 3A Washington Demons at home, 21-13.
Washington’s Tyler Jaspering scored the first touchdown of the game just five minutes into the first quarter on a one-yard run to put Washington on the score board.
Mid-Prairie’s Brody Barthleman answered three minutes later on a five yard run to score the first M-P touchdown of the season and tie the game 7-7.
Washington scored again in the second quarter on a 65-yard punt return to take the lead 14-7.
Twice in the third quarter Mid-Prairie’s Austin Errthum converted field goals of 40 and 39 yards to trim Washington’s lead to one point.
With 10:24 left on the clock in the fourth quarter Washington Demon Parker Turner scored a touchdown on a 5-yard run to put the Demons on top 21-13.
Mid-Prairie quarterback Jaemin Powell sent a pass out that was batted down at the line of scrimmage on second down. Senior receiver Michael Aldeman picked it up and ran in for a touchdown on third down. The play was called back, as Aldeman was called for a a penalty.
Washington held the the line batting down a final attempt by Powell to pass into the end zone from the 17-yard line.
The Golden Hawks had one more chance at their own 45 with 2:49 seconds left on the clock. However, the Demon defense denied Mid-Prairie any further movement down field.
Brody Barthleman rushed for 105 yards on 22 carries with a 5-yard touchdown run to lead the Golden Hawks.
Mid-Prairie 7 0 6 0 – 13
Washington 7 7 0 7 – 21
Team Stats: First Downs 16; Rushing-Yrds 38-202; Passing Yds 75; Passes Att-Comp-Int 14-6-1; Punt Returns Yds 2-80; Penalities Yds 9-93.
Rushing: Brody Barthleman 22-110, Jaemin Powell 14-48; Gabe Yoder 2-5.
Passing: Jaemin Powell 7-16-0 84.
Receiving: Mark Aldeman 5-49; Kyle Mullet 1-37; Brody Barthleman 1-(-2).
Punting: Dylan Wertz 3-120. Punt Returns: Michael Aldeman 2-14;
Kick Returns: M. Aldeman 1-16; K. Mullet 1-23.

Tri-County South 12U Babe Ruth softball team, consisting of girls from Wellman and Riverside, played in the Mid-West Plains regional tournament in Newton, Kansas, last week earning fourth place.
Tri-County South played in the game opener versus the host team Newton. Lexi Duwa started the game with an inside the park home run that set the momentum for Tri-County and they never looked back. Tri-County won 16-7. Kylie Hogue hit a triple, Rylee Boyse had a double and Ali Naylor, Brynn Houge, Tara Mann and Paige Peck all had singles. Duwa took the win for Tri-County.
In game two, team Iowa played against Heartland, Missouri. Tri-County jumped to an early lead 4-2 going into the bottom of the second inning. In the fifth, Heartland added three runs to break open the lead 4-5 and win the game.
Brynn Hogue and Cheyann Adamson had two hits each for Tri-County. Kylie Houge took the loss.
Game three was another outstanding game for Tri-County as every girl on the team hit the ball well. Tri-County scored 15 runs in the first inning. The umpires called a time and pulled the girls from the field for a water break as it was 110 degrees and Wellington, Kansas, couldn’t get an out. Tri-County won the match-up 16-0. Lexi Duwa took the win.
The final game was on Sunday, July 25 against Davis County, Colorado. Tri-County lost the match and was eliminated from the tournament.
Lexi Duwa and Ali Naylor received MVP honors for their outstanding defense. Rylee Boyse and Brynn Hogue also received MVP awards for their big bats. Tara Mann and Lexi Duwa received the SHE award for Sportsmanship, Hustle and Enthusiasium. Mann received this award three times.
“I was so proud of the way this group of girls represented our community as well as our state,” said coach Tina Peck.
“The girls played their hearts out and did a great job. They received many compliments on their sportsmanship and their fun spirits. It was an experience that they will never forget.
“We are all very grateful to all of the generous businesses in our community that helped make this possible.”

Mid-Prairie faced Hinton in the final game. Olivia Lugar threw a no-hitter to topple Hinton 4-0 and earn a fifth place finish at state.
Leinen scored on an error in the third inning to take the lead 1-0. Then Mid-Prairie added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, one when pinch hitter Hannah Miller hit a sacrifice fly and the other was scored by pinch runner Arissa Marine.
Mid-Prairie scored four runs on four hits. Leinen, Erika Murphy, Schulty and Berg all tallied hits.
Hinton 000 000 0 – 0
M-P 001 210 X – 4
Mid-Prairie finished the season with a 23-17 record and fifth in the state in Class 2A.
Mid-Prairie returns eight starters next year, losing only two seniors – Berg and Shelby Shimon.

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks proved why they belonged at the state tournament following an opening game loss to Fort Dodge St. Edmond Wednesday, July 21.
The young unranked team took down IKM-Manning (24-14) 7-6 and Hinton (23-17) 4-0 in the consolation bracket to finish their season in fifth place in Class 2A state softball tournament at Fort Dodge.
IKM-Manning took advantage of an early M-P error to score a run in the first inning and then three runs in the second for a 4-0 lead.
Mid-Prairie’s Emmie Leinen started a rally in the third with a one out single and advanced to second on a passed ball. She stole third and scored on an error by the IKM catcher. With two outs Olivia Lugar doubled and scored on a single by Kelsie Berg. Mid-Prairie came within two, 4-2 score.
The M-P defense held tough in the fourth and fifth innings as Mid-Prairie pitcher Olivia Lugar allowed only 3 hits.
Leinen started things off again in the bottom of the fifth inning with a single. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and again to third on a ground out by Kaitlin Kaalberg. Leinen scored on a single by Lugar for one more point on the score board.
IKA-Manning made it interesting in the top of the sixth, loading the bases with no outs. IKA-Manning’s Kristina Halbur popped out to Kaalberg for the first out with bases loaded. Shortstop Mallory McArtor threw home on a fielder’s choice for the second out. With bases still loaded McArtor fielded and tossed the final out to the third baseman to end the inning. 4-3.
Mid-Prairie took the lead in the bottom of the sixth scoring two runs on three hits and taking advantage of an IKM-Manning error.
IKM-Manning came back to tie the game in the top of the seventh.
IKM-Manning fell apart in the seventh inning as the game went past the time limit. Senior Kelsie Berg was placed on second base in compliance with international rules. She later scored on a shortstop error to tie it up at 6 all.
Freshman Mariah Swartzendruber singled in the winning run with no outs.
Lugar led at the plate 3-4 with two RBIs. Berg was 2-4 with an RBI, and Leinen also had two hits. Swartzendruber, McArtor and Felicia Schulty each drove in a run.
Schulty got the win in relief, allowing one unearned run on six hits.
Lugar gave up five runs on six hits.
IKM- 131 000 1 – 6
M-P 002 012 2 – 7

IMS placed team members of the baseball team on first team and three players on second team. Two players were given honorable mention.
Catcher junior Riley Hochstedler, Outfielder sophomore Christopher Perez, and Utility junior Jackson Brokaw were named to first team.
Pitcher freshman Chance Miller, Infielder Senior Harlan Gingerich, and Outfielder junior Jason Litwiller were named to second team.
Senior Aaron Erb and senior Michael Darby were honorable mention.
North Division Standings
Conf. Season
Pekin 13-3 16-10
Highland 13-3 14-6
L& M 12-4 19-7
IMS 10-4 14-7
Wapello 7-9 8-12
Lone Tree 6-10 8-11
WMU/WACO5-11 5-15
Mediapolis 4-12 5-16
Columbus 0-14 0-14

The Mid Prairie girl’s golf team completed their 2010 season with an outstanding 4th place finish at the State Meet. This year’s event was held at the River Valley Golf Club in Adel. The 8 teams competing were Cascade, Clarinda, Emmetsburg, Keumper Catholic, Burlington/Notre Dame, South Hamilton, South Hardin and Mid Prairie.
The Golden Hawks were in 5th place by only one shot after the first day of competition and 10 shots behind the 3rd place team. Team scores after day one were, Clarinda with 383, Kuemper Catholic(386), Emmetsburg(392), South Hamilton(401), Mid Prairie(402), Cascade(412), South Hardin(423) and Burlington/Notre Dame(430).
Individual scores for the first day were, Kelsie Berg(87), Kate Yoder(100), Linsey Thomann(106), Allison McArtor(109), Nicole Adams(110) and Breanna McFarland(147).
The Golden Hawks improved their team score by 5 shots on day two, coming in with a total of 397. South Hamilton struggled to maintain their first round lead over Mid Prairie and that allowed the girls to jump from 5th to 4th. Second day individual scores were Kelsie Berg(88), Kate Yoder(100), Linsey Thomann(103), Nicole Adams(106), Allison McArtor(111) and Jordyn Kelso(139).
“What a great way for these kids to end their season and for the three seniors to end their High School careers,” said head coach tracy McArtor. “A second trip to state in consecutive years as well as two 4th place finishes. From the first day of practice this year, the kids had their goals set to get back to the state meet. They worked hard and did what they needed to do to get that accomplished. I’m so proud of what these girls have done. They worked so hard getting ready for the post season and it really paid off. ”
“Kelsie finished off a stellar career with an 8th place finish in the individual race and her second consecutive year of making 1st team all-state. Linsey Thomann and Kate Yoder also finished with great scores and finished their careers on a high note. Linsey has played steady all year and continued that play in Adel. Kate had been struggling as of late but turned her game around starting with Districts and Regionals and finished it off with two great rounds at state finishing in 27th place. Nicole and Allison each contributed to the team scoring as well with their steady play. Also being able to get Jordyn and Breanna the experience of playing at the state level will only make them better players down the road.”
The Golden Hawks finished the year with an overall record of 46-18, that included a win at their own Hawk Invite, 4th at Conference, 1st at the Conference Coed, 2nd at the Prairie Invite, 1st at Districts, 2nd at Regionals and finally 4th in class 2A at State.
“I don’t think you could ask anything more from a great group of girls and to say that this year was a success for them would be an understatement. I’m sure a couple of the kids will get some post season recognition for their efforts and all of it will be well deserved,” said coach McArtor.

Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks fell to Fort Dodge St. Edmond 5-2 in the first round of Class 2A State softball tournament Monday, July 19 in Rogers Park in Fort Dodge following a one hour rain delay.
Mid-Prairie plays in the consolation semifinal Wednesday at 10 a.m. against IKM-Manning (24-14). The winner will play either Hinton (22-17) or Jesup (27-16) at 2 p.m. for fifth or seventh place.
Fort Dodge St. Edmond pitching by senior Jordan Florey held Mid-Prairie to three hits and struck out 12 Golden Hawks.
St. Edmond took advantage of four singles and two Golden Hawk errors to take an early 3-0 lead in the first three innings.
Mid-Prairie came together in the batter’s box when Mariah Swartzendruber started the inning with a single, Mid-Prairie’s first in the game.
McArtor nailed a triple to the left field fence for an RBI and then scored on a ground out by leadoff hitter Kaitlin Kaalberg to make it 3-2.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, St. Edmond’s Caitlin Finucan got an infield single to get on base, then Josie Heesch nailed a home run into the left field seats to pull ahead 5-2.
Olivia Lugar takes the loss giving up five runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking two. She goes to 15-10 on the season.
Also getting a hit for Mid-Prairie was Kelsi Berg.

by Ranee Fladung
Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks advanced to the Class 2A State Softball tournament in Ft. Dodge following a win over Pekin 4-0 Wednesday, July 14 in Washington.
Olivia Lugar pitched a three hit shutout for the win against the Panthers. “This has been one of our best games of the season and I an so glad we have such a great defense as it takes a lot of pressure off my back,” said Lugar. “We knew we would have to play our best and we were able to get pumped up and focused.”
One Pekin runner made it to second base as Lugar struck out five and walked only one batter. The Mid-Prairie defense handled the other 12 outs.
The Golden Hawks took control in the third inning scoring three runs on two hits and taking advantage of two Pekin errors.
Mid-Prairie coach Justin Lutjen said, “ We have been so tentative that I told them to pretty much let loose.”
Mallory McArtor reached base on a single but was thrown out on a fielder’s choice when Emmie Leinen’s bunt fell and she went back to first. Leinen reached first safely.
Kaitlin Kaalberg sacrificed and the third baseman tossed the ball into right field moving Leinen to third and Kaalberg safely to second. “We we get on base we can do a lot of things,” said coach Lutjen.
Lugar singled to right field driving in Leinen, and Kaalberg scored on a wild throw to the plate. Lugar advanced to third. Kelsi Berg laid down a bunt and courtesy runner Sidney Bowlin scored the third run of the inning.
McArtor scored the final run in the fifth inning after stealing both second and third to get into position to score following a sacrifice fly by Kaalberg to center.
Mid-Prairie earned its fourth trip to the state tournament since 2005. When asked about this unranked teams advancement to state he said, “From the beginning I never had a doubt we could do this. The ability has been there since they have been little kids.” Lutjen makes his first appearance at state as the head coach, having taken over following the resignation of Amy Rath.
Olivia Lugar moves to 14-9 on the season. McArtor was 2 for 3, Kelsi Berg was 1-2 with an RBI, Lugar was 1-3 with an RBI and Kaalberg had an RBI.

Iowa Mennonite head soccer coach Marcus Miller was named co-coach of the year for the SEI Super Conference All-Conference soccer team along with Doug Petersen, coach for Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
IMS seniors Vince Rhodes, Truman Shetler, Jacob Yoder and Brian Miller were named first team All-Conference.
Senior Michael Darby and junior John Nicholson were named second team All-Conference.
Juniors Kyle Miller and Marshall Schrock were named honorable mention All-Conference.
Iowa Mennonite finished first in the conference at 7-0, and 14-0 on the season.

by Marcus Miller
On a wet dreary night May 20, IMS stepped on to a water soaked field in Burlington to take on Notre Dame. It didn’t take long to realize that play would be affected by the poor field conditions as the ball would hit a puddle of water and suddenly stop, or as guys slipped and fell while preparing to kick the ball. In spite of the conditions, IMS jumped to an early lead as Vince Rhodes slipped a ball to Jacob Yoder who pounded it by the goalie.
Notre Dame responded by bringing more guys forward in an attempt to equalize the score. They nearly succeeded when they were awarded a penalty kick halfway through the first period. Goalie Michael Darby stepped up and made the save to preserve the 1-0 lead. Play was back and forth the rest of the half as both teams struggled with the deteriorating field conditions.
In the second half, Notre Dame moved their seniors to the front line and they responded with energetic play. Their first goal came on a corner kick as Darby was able to deflect the first shot but was unable to grab the second shot. IMS responded as Truman Shetler took several shots but could not find the net. Rhodes and Yoder nearly combined for a goal but the shot bounced harmlessly off the post. As regulation time ticked down Notre Dame brought their players forward. As a defender slipped, a shot was put on goal. Darby went to grab the ball but with the wet conditions the ball slipped through his hands.

Read more…