Mike Condon

Iowa high school girls’ swimming notebook: There will be para-swimming events in this year’s regionals, regional sites have been released, plus a look at the state leaders as the postseason nears.

There still is one game remaining at Thomas Park but the final homecoming game for Marion at the venerable field was one to be remembered. Alex Mota’s 80-yard touchdown run gave the Wolves a 14-13 win over Decorah.

Running back Abu Sama scored four times while quarterback Connor Moberly threw for three scores and ran for another as 5A No. 4 Southeast Polk dominated Linn-Mar from start to finish, racking up nearly 500 yards of total offense in a 49-27 win.

Linn-Mar senior TJ Jackson had a homecoming game for the ages. It started with him taking back the opening kickoff 88 yards for a score. That was followed shortly after by a 51-yard scoring pass from Austin Waller. He capped his short night with a 90-yard punt return for a score as the Lions rolled to a 56-6 victory over Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

Iowa high school girls’ swimming notes: Solon sophomore Grace Hoeper embraces a leadership role for Iowa City High while emerging as a state-title contender.

Friday’s Cedar Rapids metro football showdown between Kennedy and Jefferson started with a J-Hawk surprise, then turned into a Cougar romp.

Cedar Rapids Prairie scored the final four touchdowns of the contest en route to a 40-20 victory over Dubuque Senior. Prairie's creative running attack unofficially racked up 395 yards on 43 carries.

The Alburnett Pirates didn't panic. Two plays after Class A No. 4 North Linn took a 13-9 lead, Mason Neighbor connected with Grayson Carolan on a 75-yard touchdown pass with 2:02 remaining, giving Alburnett a 16-13 upset win.

Gazette area teams and individuals to watch for the 2022 Iowa high school girls’ swimming and diving season.

Tipton’s Avary Calonder has developed a routine to handle being a two-sport athlete in the same season, excelling in both swimming and volleyball.

The North Linn football team is ranked No. 4 in The Gazette’s Class A preseason poll, coming off a stellar 9-1 campaign.

Cedar Rapids Xavier tied the score in the seventh, but Independence scored on an error in the eighth and held on for a 5-4 win in a Class 3A substate final. The Mustangs earned a state baseball tournament berth for the first time since 2010.

Linn-Mar’s Dylan Muszynski made big plays at the plate and in the field in the Lions’ 7-2 substate baseball semifinal win over Iowa City West.

Waterloo Columbus ended Cedar Rapids Xavier’s dream of a third-straight girls’ state tennis title with a 5-4 upset win Wednesday.

Cedar Rapids Xavier’s boys’ tennis team completed a state sweep on Tuesday and the Saints girls want to do the same Wednesday.