K.J. Pilcher

Cornell baseball coach Robbie Dombrowski challenged Kale Rose in the offseason to become more of a leader. He has responded and the versatile contributor has helped the Rams contend for a postseason berth.

Joel Vaske spent the fall working a full-time job, helping on his family’s farm and coaching high school football. His competitive nature led him back to Mount Mercy for one last baseball season.

In The Gazette’s weekly Iowa high school golf notebook: Vinton-Shellsburg’s success has come at a good time, the IHSAA postseason begins next week and the Western Dubuque girls lead Class 4A in combined adjusted average.

Schedule conflicts have prevented the Cedar Rapids Washington girls’ golf team from fielding its best lineup. The Warriors were at full strength Monday for the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet at Ellis Golf Course and rolled to the team title.

Seventh-ranked Kirkwood hosted No. 8 DMACC in an NJCAA softball doubleheader Wednesday at Kirkwood. The Eagles and Bears split the twinbill and both games were decided in extra innings.

Kirkwood didn’t have a baseball field when John Lewis started at the school. Now, the diamond is named after the Hall of Fame baseball coach. The program revealed the new name during a doubleheader sweep Wednesday against Southeastern.

The Gazette’s high school golf notebook features Solon junior Isaiah Zoske setting a school record with a 7-under 29 at Lake MacBride Golf Course, Iowa City Liberty winning the Clash for the Club and an MVC girls’ Super Meet preview.

Coe head baseball coach and Athletics Director Steve Cook recalled the impact that the late Bill Quinby had on him, his program and Kohawk athletics. Quinby passed away Saturday at the age of 92.

Spencer Lee hasn’t been totally healthy for almost eight years, battling knee injuries and surgeries to both knees. After some time off, he’s been dominant in his return to freestyle, which includes an USA Wrestling Olympic Team Trials title.

Rylie Moss had two hits in the season opener, matching her career total from the first two seasons. She has continued to parlay offseason work into a breakout season at the plate, leading the Hawkeyes in hits and batting average,

Eighteen spots for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials are up for grabs Friday and Saturday at Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pa. Some former and current Iowa Hawkeyes will attempt to claim one of six in men’s and women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines. Here are five things to watch during the weekend event.

Hall of Fame boys’ wrestling coach Brad Smith will come out of retirement again, leading Clear Creek Amana as interim head coach. He will fill in for CCA Coach Kyle Forness, who will miss next season as he fulfills his obligation with Army reserves.

Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Kylie Wachtl posted her first hole-in-one on the No. 9 hole Wednesday at Twin Pines Golf Course in Cedar Rapids. She finished in a three-way tie for second, one shot back of Linn-Mar medalist Morgan Rupp at the CRANDIC golf meet.

Kirkwood’s Grace Zaugg displays resilience in softball while her biggest fan fights cancer to cheer her on. Her mother has been ‘Shelly Strong’ after a brain tumor was discovered in November.

Calli Janik brings a competitive and cheerful spirit to the softball diamond. She has emerged as an emotional and offensive leader for Mount Mercy this season.