K.J. Pilcher

Iowa combined for a five-hitter with 12 strikeouts, while Izaya Fullard and Ben Tallman provided RBI singles in the fifth inning in a 2-1 win over Minnesota.

Former Cedar Rapids Xavier prep Olivia Richards has always loved both volleyball and softball. She’s continued her success in both sports at Cornell College.

Solon is one of the state’s top Class 3A boys’ golf teams team after a state runner-up finish last year. The Spartans have won each of their first three competitions.

Nicki Wood took a simple approach to the plate. She looked for a pitch she liked and swung. Wood hit an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth, sparking a four-run inning and helping Coe to a 5-1 victory and doubleheader split with Grinnell.

Brendan Sher entered Iowa baseball’s series opener hitting just .193 with three runs. He went 2-for-3 with two runs and his second home run of the season in a 4-2 victory over Illinois.

Zach Becicka was a former Cedar Rapids Prairie wrestler, who recently helped lead Solon wrestling and its female competitors. He was named the Hawks’ first official girls’ wrestling coach.

Kyle Hayes capitalized on the conditions and belted home runs in his first three at-bats in Kirkwood baseball’s wild 21-17 loss to NIACC. The teams combined for seven home runs and tallied more than 30 hits.

Emilee Linder expected a big jump from her small high school at Pekin to college softball at Kirkwood. In her second season, she ranks among the Eagles’ offensive leaders.

Here are some of the Gazette area individuals and teams to watch during the 2022 Iowa high school boys’ golf spring season.

Here are some of the Gazette area individuals and teams to watch during the 2022 Iowa high school girls’ golf season.

Dyersville Beckman junior Nate Offerman started playing golf at 8 years old and at 12 was taking 20-minute bike rides to play for two hours. His dedication and determination to be his best resulted in his Class 2A state title last spring.

Northern Iowa freshman Mya Dodge has set the tone for the Panthers batting, leading the team in seven offense categories and tying for the team-high in home runs.

Chase Moseley spent the last two seasons with Kirkwood. After a semester at Mount Mercy, he opted to return to the Eagles for one more semester available from the canceled 2020 season. He has served as a leader for the fifth-ranked Eagles.

Iowa freshman Sam Petersen is an infielder by trade. He realized that his best chance to contribute was a move to the outfield. He made his ninth start, and two diving catches, against Central Michigan Saturday.

K.J. Pilcher and Dick Briggs discusses the biggest takeaways from the 2022 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and takes a closer look at Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa on the Pinning Combination podcast.