116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

K.J. Pilcher
Prep sports and Hawkeye wrestling reporter. Sign up for K.J. and the Prep Sports Team text alerts. Or listen in to our Podcast or get our Prep Sports Newsletter.
Latest Articles by K.J. Pilcher
Iowa High School Wrestling Feb. 1, 2023 3:29 pm3d ago
Dubuque Hempstead recorded five pins and avoided bonus points in the final bout for a 36-34 victory over No. 7 Linn-Mar. The Mustangs earned their third state duals berth and first since 2018.
Iowa High School Wrestling Jan. 31, 2023 12:04 pm5d ago
Girls’ wrestling hit the postseason. There were conference tournament results. Iowa State and UNI turned Oklahoma programs away with just one dual win. Here is the Wrestling Weekend That Was.
Iowa High School Wrestling Jan. 30, 2023 5:35 pm5d ago
Lisbon finds itself in an uncommon and unique situation. Seventh-ranked Lisbon will host No. 24 Pleasantville in a regional dual semifinal Tuesday night at Lisbon. The winner advances to face No. 5 Wapsie Valley in the final immediately following with a state duals berth on the line.
Iowa High School Wrestling Jan. 31, 2023 12:07 pm5d ago
West Delaware sophomore Brent Yonkovic moved up a weight and claimed the 160-pound title, helping the Hawks win their sixth straight Wamac Conference team title.
Iowa High School Wrestling Jan. 31, 2023 12:10 pm5d ago
Linn-Mar crowned a tournament high four champions and advanced six to the inaugural IGHSAU state wrestling tournament Feb. 2-3 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Iowa High School Wrestling Jan. 28, 2023 4:40 am8d ago
East Buchanan advanced six to the finals at the Region 6 girls’ wrestling tournament Friday at Alliant Energy PowerHouse. The six finalists are automatic qualifiers for the first IGHSAU state tournament.
Iowa High School Wrestling Jan. 27, 2023 9:47 am9d ago
Cedar Rapids Washington received pins from heavyweight Alex Taylor and Sam Brennan at 106. Senior Brennan Geers added a decision to secure the Warriors’ 42-34 dual win over Cedar Rapids Kennedy.
Iowa High School Wrestling Jan. 27, 2023 9:44 am9d ago
Eight regionals at four sites will serve as the inaugural IGHSAU state wrestling qualifiers. The Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids and Luther College in Decorah will join Des Moines and Sioux City as hosts.
Hawkeye Wrestling Jan. 27, 2023 9:39 am9d ago
Iowa’s Spencer Lee is one of the most accomplished wrestlers from his state, national and World titles. The top-ranked 125-pounder has been on a dominant streak, pinning six straight entering the second-ranked Hawkeyes’ showdown at No. 1 Penn State
Pinning Combination Jan. 25, 2023 8:06 pm10d ago
This week’s episode of the Pinning Combination podcast with K.J. Pilcher and coach Dick Briggs looks ahead to a big weekend of Iowa high school wrestling, previewing regional tournaments for the girls and conference tournaments for the boys.
Pinning Combination Jan. 25, 2023 8:02 pm10d ago
This week’s episode of the Pinning Combination podcast with The Gazette’s K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs features a preview of Friday’s No. 2-vs.-No. 1 dual between Iowa and Penn State.
Hawkeye Wrestling Jan. 23, 2023 7:14 pm12d ago
The Hawkeyes had an interesting weekend. Plus, Coe and Upper Iowa picked up impressive wins, Brad Smith got his 700th dual victory and the IHSAA released regional dual pairings.
Iowa High School Wrestling Jan. 21, 2023 6:41 pm14d ago
Ella Brown is Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s most experienced wrestler. She understands the responsibility that comes with that distinction, recruiting classmates to come out before the season, sharing her knowledge with teammates in practice and performing in competition.
Hawkeye Wrestling Jan. 21, 2023 1:34 pm15d ago
Spencer Lee recorded his fifth straight pin and third over a top-eight opponent, igniting the second-ranked Hawkeyes to their 14th straight dual win and 14th in a row against No. 11 Nebraska.
Iowa High School Wrestling Jan. 20, 2023 11:36 am16d ago
Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Alex Bumba dedicated more time to the offseason. He qualified for the Junior Nationals in freestyle at Fargo, N.D., last summer. The improvements are a direct result of his spring and summer wrestling.