K.J. Pilcher

Peyton Johnson was a first-team All-American in her first season at Kirkwood. In her second season, Johnson has continue to produce and impress for the Eagles softball team.

Solon senior Isaiah Zoske was the Class 3A state runner-up after a weather-shortened tournament last year. He will try to make his last season his best.

A list of Gazette area golfers and teams to watch for the 2025 Iowa high school boys’ spring golf season.

Cedar Rapids Washington has all the ingredients for success - talent, depth and balance. The Warriors are also fueled by chemistry and camaraderie. They have the potential for another strong season this spring.

A list of Gazette area golfers and teams to watch for the 2025 Iowa high school girls’ golf season.

Cal Sullivan has emerged as a leader on and off the baseball diamond for Kirkwood. He leads the Eagles in multiple offensive categories and is reaping the rewards of his hard work. He had five hits, including two home runs, in a home doubleheader sweep of Iowa Lakes on Friday.

University of Northern Iowa head wrestling coach Doug Schwab was named Coach of the Year Friday by the Big 12 Conference. He led the Panthers to a 14-1 dual record and a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships last week in Philadelphia.

Cornell’s Elise Oleson doesn’t mind the pressure when she has the chance to help her team win. She connected on a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth for a 4-1 victory over Coe in the opener of a softball doubleheader at home. Kohawks rebounded for a 5-4 win in the nightcap.

The Pinning Combination with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Dick Briggs

Stephen Buchanan came to Iowa to become a champion. Iowa needed him to accomplish that goal. Both reaped the rewards when he captured the 197-pound NCAA title. Iowa produces five All-Americans, Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson pulls off major upset, Penn State wins again and more in the NCAA Wrestling Weekend That Was.

University of Northern Iowa 184-pounder Parker Keckeisen wrestled for his second national title and a chance to play spoiler against Penn State’s Carter Starocci, who was going for his unprecedented fifth NCAA crown. Starocci won, 4-3.

Iowa’s Drake Ayala, Michael Caliendo and Stephen Buchanan and UNI’s Parker Keckeisen won semifinal bouts Friday, advancing to the finals of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

University of Northern Iowa’s Cael Happel climbed the ladder and now will try to climb the NCAA podium. Iowa’s Drake Ayala continued his offensive approach through the quarterfinals. Friday started with major upsets. Here are five takeaways from Session III.

University of Iowa moved five into the quarterfinals and finished tied for fourth in the team race after Day 1 of the NCAA Wrestling Championships Thursday at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. UNI has all 10 alive with Cael Happel and Parker Keckeisen in the quarterfinals. The Panthers are in seventh place.

College wrestling’s crown jewel is the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. University of Iowa, Iowa State and University of Northern Iowa are competing at the event at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Here are five storylines from Thursday’s opening session.