K.J. Pilcher

Fourth-seeded Iowa Central scored two runs in the top of the seventh and limited top-ranked Kirkwood’s rally in the bottom half to hold on for a 3-2 victory in the second round of the NJCAA Region 11-A Division II softball tournament Friday.

The postseason is rapidly approaching for Iowa high school boys’ and girls’ golf teams. Now, they all know their paths to state.

UNI commit Kara Maiers owns team highs in multiple categories, helping Kirkwood claim an Iowa Community College Athletic Conference softball title. She will step into the circle Friday when the Eagles host the NJCAA Region 11-A tournament.

Cedar Rapids Washington’s Mya Messenger and Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp handled the constant wind at Aiport National better than the rest. They shared medalist honors, shooting 73 at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet. The Lions also won the team title.

Jayna Witzany struck out 18 batters, tying a Mount Mercy single-game record, and pitched her 39th career shutout in a 7-0 victory over Graceland Saturday in her final home start.

Iowa’s Denali Loecker belted a two-run home run in a 5-3 loss to Rutgers Friday at Pearl Field. It was her eighth of the season and 22nd for her career, tying her for seventh on the Hawkeyes’ all-time HR list.

Hawkeye Wrestling Club’s Spencer Lee has withdrawn from the U.S. Open, according to his father, Larry Lee, in an interview with Flowrestling’s Christian Pyles.

Hawkeye Wrestling Club members Spencer Lee and Austin DeSanto earned a spot in Thursday night’s men’s freestyle semifinals at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas.

Iowa City Regina’s Mikey Takacs has been a regular at the state golf tournament. He has his sights set on getting back, doing even better personally, and bringing along some company.

Iowa set the single-season record in wrestling attendance with 118,870 fans over eight home duals. The Hawkeyes led NCAA Division I in total attendance for the 16th straight season.

The U.S. Wrestling Open started with Greco-Roman competition Wednesday, with the freestyle field starting Thursday. Here are five Iowa storylines to follow in Las Vegas.

Rick Heller was more than happy to oblige the familiar faces from the Upper Iowa community following Iowa’s win over the Peacocks. He is a former multiple-sport athlete and coach in Upper Iowa’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

Iowa didn’t experience a let down after a key Big Ten sweep over Nebraska last weekend. The Hawkeyes used a 12-run first inning for 16-0 victory over Upper Iowa Tuesday at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City.

Iowa’s Marcus Morgan demonstrated his command and posted his third straight quality appearance for his second win in his last three Big Ten series. He pitched six scoreless innings and Iowa beat Nebraska, 8-0, Saturday at Duane Banks Field.

Keaton Anthony has wreaked havoc on pitchers, following a fantastic freshman campaign with a successful sophomore season. The Hawkeyes’ batting leader went 4-for-4 with four RBIs to power Iowa past Big Ten leader Nebraska, 11-6, Friday in the opener of a three-game series at Duane Banks Field.