Northwest Iowa — While farmers were worried what this year would bring when it started in January due to 182 straight weeks of drought — and even as spring neared, our very dry soil conditions had farmers concerned — it seems to be of less and less concern, especially in our area, due to timely rains.
According to the US Drought monitor at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, while there was a little area of “abnormally dry” conditions in our part of northwest Iowa two weeks ago, that area has disappeared, and, in fact, the state as a whole is showing less and less drought.
The latest USDA Crop Progress Report for Iowa showed continued improvement in moisture levels. Only nine percent of northwest Iowa topsoil was either short or very short of moisture compared to 19 percent the previous week. 67 percent of northwest Iowa has adequate moisture, with 24 percent surplus.
All of the recent rainfall is also having a direct impact on lake levels. Mike Hawkins, a fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources tells KUOO news levels on the Iowa Great Lakes have risen considerably recently.
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And with more rain in the forecast, Hawkins says those levels are likely to come up even more. Rain is possible this Monday and Monday night.
(With help from fellow Community First Broadcasting stations KUOO in Spirit Lake and KAYL in Storm Lake)
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
University of Northern Iowa posted a signature win over Nebraska Sunday at the McLeod Center. Iowa City High claimed Zimmerman Invitational title. Clear Creek Amana boys’, Vinton-Shellsburg girls’ earn runner-up finishes in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.
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UNI SHUCKS THE CORNHUSKERS
The 10 th-ranked Panthers earned a marquee victory, defeating No. 4 Nebraska Sunday at the McLeod Center. UNI came up one point shy of knocking off the Cornhuskers last season, but this time they left no doubt in their 24-9 triumph, winning seven of 10 bouts.
“They’re really a good team,” UNI Coach Doug Schwab said in the post-dual interview. “That’s a good win for our program. Feel like things have been building and that’s just evidence for everybody we’re building and where we’re going as a program.”
It was UNI’s first win over Nebraska since 1991, tying in 2000 when current Nebraska Coach Mark Manning was the Panthers’ head coach.
“That’s a long time,” Schwab said. “I didn’t know. None of these guys were alive.”
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The Panthers had a little fun with the history lesson. They were quick for a quip on the streak-snapping win.
“That’s on Doug,” 157-pounder Ryder Downey said to extract laughs during the news conference.
“That was my parents’ wedding,” said NCAA champion Parker Keckeisen, who had a crucial pin at 184.
Everything seemed to go UNI’s way. Well, the Panthers imposed their will to force things into their favor. They nearly won all of the key toss-up matches and converted key moves, like Trever Anderson’s takedown at 125, a seven-point cradle from Cael Happel at 141, the third-period comeback from Wyatt Voelker at 197, heavyweight Lance Runyon’s reversals, Keckeisen’s pin and overtime takedowns from Downey and 165-pounder Jack Thomsen.
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Schwab noted the performances represented the grit, heart and fight of the program and how the wrestlers trust the preparation for competition.”
“As close as the matches were, we found a way to win a whole bunch of them,” Schwab said. “I think that makes it a whole lot of fun.”
UNI’s Trever Anderson celebrates after a win over Nebraska’s No. 5 Caleb Smith at 125 pounds in the Panthers’ 24-9 win Jan. 5, 2025 at McLeod Center, Cedar Falls. (Photo courtesy of Nic Ryder)
Anderson, Happel, Downey and Keckeisen scored wins over highly-ranked foes. Anderson beat No. 5 Caleb Smith, 5-2, with a second-period takedown. Anderson said he takes pride in providing a spark to ignite the rest of the lineup. He lit the powder keg Sunday.
“It’s my job to go out and start it off,” said Anderson, who was third at the Soldier Salute. “I go out and do that just rolls, like a snowball. It just keeps going.
“I think it’s a job that’s under emphasized … I think it helps the other guys.”
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Happel, ranked No. 8, extended his win streak over No. 5 Brock Hardy. He trailed 4-0 in the second when he locked up a cradle for a takedown and four nearfall, fending off a late takedown attempt for a 7-5 decision.
In a battle of top-five wrestlers who met for the second time in a month, No. 5 Downey scored a takedown in sudden victory-1 to beat No. 3 Antrell Taylor, 5-2. The win avenged a loss at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in December.
Schwab said he isn’t surprised Downey has ascended the ranks and capable of wins over top-tier wrestlers.
“He puts a tremendous amount of time into his craft,” Schwab said. “He works his tail off every day.”
Keckeisen helped set the nail in the Cornhuskers’ coffin that Voelker hammered shut. Keckeisen led 4-1 in the second when he cinched up a cradle for his second takedown and flattened unbeaten and fifth-ranked Silas Allred for a pin in 3:38. Keckeisen was asked if he was looking for a cradle.
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“No,” Keckeisen said. “I was just thinking wrestling.”
UNI improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12 Conference. The Panthers have notable dual wins over South Dakota State, Missouri and now Nebraska. They next step is to have the same effort for each dual.
“You’ve seen indications of our team being able to do that,” Schwab said. “I told our team if we’re going to go from a good team to a great team we have to do that in competition and we have to be consistent with it.”
IOWA CITY HIGH WINS ZIMMERMAN INVITE
Iowa City High started 2025 with success. The Little Hawks scored 234.5 points, beating runner-up Iowa City Liberty by 62, for the team title at Maquoketa’s Zimmerman Invitational.
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Kendall Kurtz (120), Chase Williams (126) and 190-pounder Blaine Heick each won titles for City High. Kurtz and Williams won each of their matches with bonus points. Kurtz tallied three technical falls, outscoring foes, 57-11. Williams had a pin and two major decisions.
Laith Alawneh (150), Marshall Sheldon (165), Mason Tilley at 175, Raphael Etuma (215) and heavyweight Shaaban Naim all placed second for City High, which wrestle at Cedar Rapids Jefferson on Thursday.
CLEAR CREEK AMANA RUNNER-UP AT VALLEY DUALS
Clear Creek Amana finished second at the West Des Moines Valley Duals on Saturday. The Clippers went 3-1 with victories over Muscatine (71-7), Ankeny Centennial (40-35) and Dallas Center-Grimes (43-33). Indianola went 4-0 to win the team title, topping CCA 41-29.
Iowa City West went 2-2 at the tournament, tying for third.
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VINTON-SHELLSBURG GIRLS’ PLACE 2ND
Vinton-Shellsburg finished second at the Denver Invitational on Saturday. Waverly-Shell Rock scored 198.5 points, 33.5 ahead of the Vikings.
Chloe Sanders at 140 and Sadie Burke (170) won championships for V-S. The Vikings’ Ellie Weets (115) and Camden Erhardt (130) posted runner-up honors.
LATE HEROICS FOR INDEPENDENCE
Independence received a pin from 190-pounder Braylen Bieber in the final match against Western Dubuque for a 39-33 dual victory Saturday.
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The teams split the 14 weight classes, but Independence won all by bonus points. Western Dubuque stormed back with three straight wins to tie the dual before the final match. Bieber capped the win with a 2:20 pin over David Theisen.
The Mustangs are ranked No. 6 in Class 2A, while the Bobcats are No. 14 in 3A.
Following the conclusion of the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2024 season, star offense tackle Mason Richman recently shared a heartfelt message to the Iowa community.
The Hawkeyes’ former cornerstone left tackle expressed his gratitude towards the program in an Instagram post last week.
Richman, a former three-star recruit out of Stilwell, KS, did not receive many D1 offers out of high school. However, he briefly discussed his journey to Iowa in the post, claiming that he was the “easiest recruiting job ever.”
“I was the easiest recruiting job ever. 11 Days from camp to commit. No money. Sure as heck no guarantees on playing time or living situation or any wack stuff. In fact if anything it was disincentive to put on knee braces and 60 pounds over 3ish years. But heck for a free education, I’d do it again.”
– Mason Richman via Instagram
After redshirting his freshman year in 2020, Richman became a four-year starter for the Hawkeyes at the left tackle position. Over the course of his career at Iowa, the former three-star developed into a core piece of the offense, as he was named honorable mention All-Big ten by league coaches and media in 2023.
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This year, he became one of the best offensive lineman in the country. Richman finished the 2024 season with a PFF run blocking grade of 81.4 while allowing two sacks in 743 total snaps.
Richman ended the post by stating his love for Iowa and everyone in the Hawkeyes’ program.
“I love this place and everything that it and god have given to me. I can say honestly and positively that I would rather struggle and fight with these brothers and this team than to go out scared. God Bless and Thank you for reading.”
Utah Utes (8-5, 0-2 Big 12) at Iowa State Cyclones (12-1, 3-0 Big 12)
Ames, Iowa; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: No. 3 Iowa State is looking to extend its nine-game win streak with a victory over Utah.
The Cyclones have gone 8-0 at home. Iowa State ranks fifth in the Big 12 in team defense, allowing 65.0 points while holding opponents to 40.9% shooting.
The Utes have gone 0-2 against Big 12 opponents. Utah has a 3-5 record against opponents above .500.
Iowa State scores 86.6 points, 16.7 more per game than the 69.9 Utah allows. Utah scores 17.7 more points per game (82.7) than Iowa State gives up (65.0).
The matchup Tuesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Joshua Jefferson is averaging 11.2 points, eight rebounds and 1.9 steals for the Cyclones.
Gabe Madsen is shooting 36.9% from beyond the arc with 3.2 made 3-pointers per game for the Utes, while averaging 16.5 points.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cyclones: 9-1, averaging 87.4 points, 33.6 rebounds, 17.2 assists, 9.9 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 50.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.3 points per game.
Utes: 5-5, averaging 78.1 points, 35.5 rebounds, 19.9 assists, 6.6 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.2 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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