K.J. Pilcher

Cedar Rapids Kennedy averages more runs per game than any other Class 4A team through its first 15 games. The Cougars are in the top-five in at least 11 offensive categories, during a 12-3 start.

Week 3 of the Iowa high school baseball season includes top-10 battles, conference rivalries and games between streaky teams. Here is a look ahead to some noteworthy contests this week.

Mid-Prairie was a state semifinalist last season. The Golden Hawks are 5-2 this season, beating Bettendorf, 2A No. 4 Williamsburg and West Branch in their last three games and replacing Van Meter as 2A’s No. 1 team in the IHSBCA rankings.

The National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals event will return to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The multi-divisional dual competition was last held at Northern Iowa in 2011.

Linn-Mar sophomore Morgan Rupp demonstrated poise and came up clutch, sinking about a 6-footer for birdie and outlasting Cedar Rapids Washington’s Jane Petersen in a back-and-forth affair for medalist honors at the Class 4A state golf meet.

Cedar Rapids Prairie junior Logan Wagemester was equipped with his lucky tank top, a good defense and a potent offense for a no-hitter against Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The Hawks beat the J-Hawks, 11-0, in six innings.

Linn-Mar junior Jackson Mishler may have put too much pressure on himself to start the season. Coaches challenged him to relax and have more fun. He continued a big week with four hits and six RBIs in the Lions’ sweep at Iowa City West.

Linn-Mar will make its sixth straight girls’ state golf appearance this week. The Lions will look to improve on two straight ninth-place finishes.

North Linn senior Ben Wheatley has been a four-sport athlete his entire high school career, playing baseball, football, basketball and running track. He is off to a good start in his final season on the diamond.

Washington, Iowa’s Roman Roth led throughout and pulled away from the field to win the Class 3A state golf individual title. Iowa City Regina’s Mikey Takacs won a sudden-victory playoff hole to capture the 1A state crown Tuesday in Ames.

State track has concluded and some Iowa high school baseball programs will welcome back regulars that competed over the weekend. Here is a look ahead to some noteworthy matchups this week.

Solon earned its first state runner-up team finish in 2021 and followed it up with another in 2022. The Spartans are back again and they are tired of silver.

Kaden Frommelt played in his first varsity baseball game before he even took his first high school class. The two-time all-stater is now the lone senior for the Class 3A second-ranked Wolves.

Class 3A No. 3 Cedar Rapids Xavier scored four runs in its opening at-bat for a 6-3 win over No. 2 Marion Thursday night at Marion. Preston Lang had two doubles and three RBIs, while Carson and Cooper Schenck combined for a strong outing on the mound.

Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Mehar and Meera Julka finished first and second, respectively, and the Saints march on to state golf for the first time since 2019. Mehar fired a 71 for medalist honors. Meera was runner-up with 76 Wednesday at Twin Pines.