COLUMN: State of the union address

   With nothing specific to write about this week, I will share my thoughts on a few subjects. First off, bowl season will be over with by the time you read this column. Tonight’s championship game remains and I selected Georgia to defeat Alabama in our bowl pickem’ contest a few weeks ago.

     Pete Temple already paid me my winnings ($1.00) in case you were wondering who won our bet. I currently sit at 27-13.

     While I am on the subject of bowl games, hats off to both the Hawkeyes and Cyclones for picking up victories over Boston College and Memphis. Both games were exciting and close.

     Another fun fact, Iowa’s opponents were 8-1 in bowl games this season. The Big Ten finished 7-1 in bowl games. The Big 12 finished 5-3. The low end of the conference bowl records were the Pac 12 at 1-8.

     College basketball. The Hawks sit at a disappointing 9-9. Iowa State isn’t exactly lighting the college basketball world on fire either, sitting at 9-5 though they did defeat the Hawkeyes.

     I better mention UNI as well or my oldest daughter will let me know there is a third D-1 team in our state. The Panthers sit at 8-8. I don’t remember a year where at least one of these three teams was not having an excellent season.

     If you are looking to see some decent basketball I suggest you look no further than the Iowa women. The Lady Hawks are ranked #17 and sit at 15-2.

     Iowa Wrestling. The big news out of the Hawkeye wrestling room is true freshman, Spencer Lee, has recovered from knee surgery and is no longer being considered for a red-shirt season.

     Lee was the number one recruit last year. The Hawks plucked Lee out of the back yard of Penn State. Many consider him one of the best Hawk recruits ever.

     Spencer made his debut last week against Michigan State and pinned his opponent in 46 seconds. I will be in Carver Hawkeye arena this Sunday to watch the Hawks wrestle Oklahoma State.

     I would also like to give a shout out to our Panther wrestling team who are having a pretty decent season so far. Several young guns are having nice debut seasons and returning State place winner Chase Luensman has picked up right where he left off last year.

     NFL playoffs. With my Packers not making the NFL playoffs their incredible eight-year streak has come to an end. I probably will cheer for the Falcons, hope that Pittsburgh eliminates the Patriots and hope the Packers have a good draft.

     Green Bay has fired several coaches and office people. Time will tell if the post Ted Thompson era will change from a draft and build from within program to a team that invests in the free agent market a bit more. I’d be surprised to see a change.

     NHL. I am excited to see the Blackhawks take on the Blues this coming April in Chicago. Thank you Darcey for the awesome Christmas present.

     Speaking of Christmas, I truly appreciate all of the great compliments I received for not only my Christmas lighting display but for our whole neighborhood. I think it’s safe to say our street is the best-lit street in Monticello.

     I am now in the process of taking my lights down, a process that isn’t nearly as fun as to put them up. I have a couple of new twists I hope to add to next year. I know a couple of neighbors are thinking the very same thing.

Happy New Year everyone!