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Watch Kade Pieper, other Iowa offensive linemen compete in Solon’s annual hay bale toss

Pieper bested teammates Tyler Elsbury, Cael Winter, Leighton Jones

Iowa offensive lineman Kade Pieper competes during the annual Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss in Solon, Iowa on Friday, July 19, 2024.(Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Iowa offensive lineman Kade Pieper competes during the annual Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss in Solon, Iowa on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

SOLON — Iowa football has a new Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss champion.

Offensive lineman Kade Pieper won the annual competition in Solon, which entails throwing hay bales over incrementally taller heights. He topped out at 12 feet.

“It means a lot because they talk a lot about who’s the best,” Pieper said after his win. “Coach (Kirk) Ferentz was asking about who’s doing it, and I wanted to do it last year, but I didn’t. But I’m glad I did it this year.”

Pieper, a redshirt freshman from Norfolk, Neb., bested a field of 22 others, including teammates Tyler Elsbury, Leighton Jones and Cael Winter. Reigning back-to-back champion Gennings Dunker was in attendance, but did not participate.

Iowa offensive lineman Kade Pieper celebrates with quarterback Cade McNamara and Tyler Elsbury as wella s Elsbury’s brother Nick Elsbury during the annual Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss in Solon, Iowa on Friday, July 19, 2024.(Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Iowa offensive lineman Kade Pieper celebrates with quarterback Cade McNamara and Tyler Elsbury as wella s Elsbury’s brother Nick Elsbury during the annual Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss in Solon, Iowa on Friday, July 19, 2024.(Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Elsbury and Winter’s highest successful throws were at 11 feet before coming up short a 11 feet, 6 inches. Jones was eliminated at 10 feet.

Here is video of Pieper, Elsbury, Winter and Jones competing in the annual Solon tradition:

Watch on YouTube

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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