Homers: What's going right

JUGGERNAUTS: For models of consistent excellence on a national sports stage, look no further than the University of Iowa wrestling team and the Kirkwood Community College women's basketball squad. Hawkeye wrestlers easily captured their third consecutive NCAA title and crowned three individual champs on March 20. Coach Tom Brands' dynasty is looking a lot like the Dan Gable era. Coach Kim Muhl's Kirkwood team captured its fourth consecutive junior college national title in Division II. It also was the school's sixth U.S. championship, tying the national record.

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STILL GROWING: Despite the worst natural disaster in our history and a national recession to boot, Cedar Rapids metro area grew in population by 1,413 to 256,324 from July 1, 2008, to July 1, 2009, the latest census data estimates show. That reflects in part the stability of our local economy. The Iowa City metro area grew even more, by 2,904, for much the same reason.

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BLOCK AND SING: Julian Vandervelde sings as well as he plays football. The University of Iowa starting offensive lineman sang the national anthem before President Barack Obama's speech at the UI.