Jeff Linder

Stephanie (Rich) Dacey will return to Iowa and coach girls’ basketball at Williamsburg. She was Miss Iowa Basketball 2001 at Washington (Iowa), where she won three state championships.

Duanna Coyle stepped in to save a softball doubleheader split for Cedar Rapids Xavier against Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

College softball: Former Iowa City High star Ayana Lindsey plays a supporting role in Northwestern’s run to the Women’s College World Series.

This Linn-Mar softball team is “bubbly,” and it’s also hungry for a trip to Fort Dodge. The Lions won their third straight game via knockout Friday night.

Marion High School athletics director Mike Manderscheid is hopeful that its new on-campus football facility will be ready for action in time for the Wolves’ home football finale Oct. 21.

Cedar Rapids Xavier blanked Clear Creek Amana 5-0, to return to girls’ state soccer for the fifth straight tournament. Alyssa McAleer and Ellie Koechner made rare appearances on the Saints’ scorecard.

Jenna Sprague fanned 11 in a two-hit shutout and Mount Vernon topped Lisbon in their softball border battle, 4-0.

Nine starters are back for a Mount Vernon softball team that is full of talent, long on joy and determined to take it one step further this summer.

Here are eight area teams to watch for the 2022 Iowa high school softball season.

Here are 17 of the top area players to watch for the 2022 Iowa high school softball season.

State track and field, Class 4A boys Saturday: Iowa City Liberty newcomer Eric Lucas won the 110-meter high hurdles. West Des Moines Dowling claimed the big-school boys’ title.

State track and field, Class 3A boys Saturday: Cedar Rapids Xavier started the season with no 4x100. Saturday, the Saints were state champions.

State track and field, Class 4A girls Saturday: Iowa City High freshman Ani Wedemeyer made an immediate impact, while Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Gabby Cortez bowed out with one final rush of glory.

State track and field, Class 3A girls Saturday: Western Dubuque’s Audrey Biermann made it back-to-back four-title years. Solon claimed the team title.

2022 Iowa high school state track and field overview: Solon (3A) and Mid-Prairie (2A) were among the state champions.