Sports

Thomas enjoys, learns from Iowa Shrine Bowl experience

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 8:28am

   Owen Thomas got the chance to play among the best high school football players from the Class of 2022, during the 50th annual Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Football Classic July 23 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

   But he was ever mindful of the game’s primary purpose, which is to raise money for the Shriners Hospitals.

   “You’re not playing the game just for yourself or a team; you’re playing it for an association for kids,” Thomas said.

Dubuque shuts down Cubs' bid in Dyersville Tournament

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 8:26am

   Monticello’s hopes of a lengthy run in the Dyersville Semi-Pro Baseball Tournament were cut down in a 12-0, five-inning loss to the Dubuque Packers July 31 at Dyersville’s Commercial Club Park.

   Dubuque pitcher Jakob Kirman fired a two-hitter with seven strikeouts in the game. Michael Reuter was the only Cub to get hits off him, going 2-for-2 with a double.

   The Packers scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, two in the third and seven in the fourth. The game was cut short by the tournament’s eight-run rule after five innings.

Monticello 12U team wins title at state tournament

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 8:22am

   The Monticello 12-and-under baseball team brought home some hardware from the USSSA State Class A 12-and-under Baseball Tournament July 23-25 in Cedar Rapids.

   The team bounced back from an 0-1-1 start to win three straight games and the state title in the Silver Division.

   Monticello trailed 5-0 in each of the first two games, and wound up losing the first one 8-5 and tying the second one 7-7.

Moser students are recognized nationally

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 8:21am

   Moser School of Dance and Gymnastics students and coaches have earned national recognition by USTA Power Tumbling, the Iowa USTA organization, and the Moser school for the 2022 competition season.

   Those honored are listed below.

   • Annie Gulick, Dyersville, voted Female Athlete of the Year (Nissen/ Griswold Winner), National Level 4-D Dennis Harget Scholarship winner, winner of the Iowa Achievement Award, State of Iowa USTA Scholarship Winner, nationals and state Elite level recognition, and seniors honors.

COLUMN: A season of gratitude

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 8:18am

   Sports-related things I am grateful for as we bolt into August:

   • The Great Jones County Fair is over. Just as significantly from an Express standpoint, the Great Jones County Fair Souvenir Issue is off our desks and in your hands.

   Of course, we’re never really done with the fair.

   • The Monticello Cubs. They made a late-week announcement that they were making up an Eastern Iowa Hawkeye League game against Rickardsville Friday evening.

COLUMN: It's August; Cubs are sellers again

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 8:17am

   Just like last year, the Cubs are in the process of dismantling by trading the few good players they have in hopes of landing prospects as they rebuild for the future.

   We all saw this take place last season when Cub favorites were dealt away at the trading deadline. Rizzo, Baez, Schwarber and Bryant. It made sense but peeved off a lot of Cub fans.

DNR expresses optimism as pheasant counts begin

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 8:15am

 

   Iowa pheasant hunters had an excellent season last year, harvesting the most roosters since 2008, and many are looking forward to what 2022 has in store. That fall forecast will be based on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) annual roadside pheasant counts, that began Aug. 1.

Strong week of GJCF sports; Yates wins

Published by admin on Fri, 07/29/2022 - 7:57am

   Strong auto racing, harness racing and tractor pull events helped make the Great Jones County Fair successful from a sports standpoint last week.

   Locally, the highlight was a victory for Monticello’s Doug Yates in the American Iron Racing Series (AIRS) feature race during Saturday’s Mid-Summer Dirt Classic auto racing event.

   Another notable achievement came from the July 21 harness racing program, in which driver Adam Hauser won five of the day’s nine races.

Panthers celebrate successful year with annual awards night

Published by admin on Fri, 07/29/2022 - 7:55am

   A winning season was celebrated by the Monticello High School baseball team during its annual awards event Monday, July 18 in the MHS Commons.

   The Panthers went 15-7 this past season, including 11-5 in River Valley Conference play, and reached its district championship game before falling.

   Among those seven losses, head coach Kolby Harms said at the event, “We lost to five teams. Four of them made State.”

   A list of the awards that were presented follows.

 

MONTICELLO

BASEBALL AWARDS

COLUMN: Are the lights on?

Published by admin on Fri, 07/29/2022 - 7:52am

   One of the first things I do Monday morning after fair week is over is to look and see if the lights are on in both Kim and Pete’s office. If both offices are well lit, I breathe a sigh of relief, yes, they both came in to work after the fair.

   Even though I joke with both of them about it, there is some truth to this. Over the years, the fair has ended several of our editors’ employment with us. We have never not had one of them show up that Monday, but within a few weeks they have handed in their two-week notices.

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