Sequels regularly fall short of the originals that precede them. Decorah boys’ golf team would prefer a Godfather 2 performance to a Weekend at Bernie’s 2 showing. The Vikings will attempt to repeat as state champions at Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A state golf meet at Ames Golf and Country Club. The two [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – More contributors to Hawkeye Downs Speedway’s auto racing tradition will be recognized Friday. Ten men and women will be honored during the track’s 12th Annual Keith Fleck Memorial Wall of Fame Night. A ceremony will be held during the intermission of weekly points races of six regular divisions. Gates open at 6 [...]

University of Iowa’s Mike Evans possesses brains and brawn. The Hawkeyes’ 174-pound sophomore added an honor for his work in the classroom to his sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in March. Evans was named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division I All-Academic Team, according to a news release from the UI sports information department Tuesday. [...]

Kurt Backes faced a dilemma that led to a tough decision, but it was one he said he had to make. Backes confirmed Tuesday that he will be leaving his position as volunteer assistant after three seasons with the University of Iowa wrestling program to pursue another career option. His last day on staff is May 31. [...]

MARION - Ali Lindo, M.J. Kamin and Taylor Utter like to play golf with each other. The Metro trio earned the right to compete in one last varsity tournament together. All three secured individual berths to the state meet at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Class 5A regional meet Monday at Gardner Golf Course. Kamin [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – Ali Lindo combines a fun-loving attitude with the love of golf. The combination has produced a successful prep career at Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Before she graduates and continues her golf career at Catawba (N.C.) College, Lindo will try to shares some more laughs and maybe a few birdies Monday as she tries [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – It’s a safe bet Brad Keith will jump at the chance to come back to Hawkeye Downs Speedway. The Eastern Iowa track has produced memorable moments for the 29-year-old race car driver from West Bend, Wis. Keith will leave Cedar Rapids with another fond memory and the Mid-American Stock Car Series points lead after claiming [...]

WILLIAMSBURG – Fore in golf is bad, but four is welcome by the Williamsburg Raiders. To be more specific, four straight trips to the state golf meet. Williamsburg earned its fourth consecutive state berth, winning its first Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A district meet team crown Friday at Stone Creek Golf Club. The Raiders pulled [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – Matt Petrzelka’s heart starts racing before his hobby stock race car does. The 22-year-old thrives on the “intense” adrenaline rush accompanying0 the green flag to drop. The same could be said for the tests presented by other drivers and a desire to keep winning. He has done plenty of it at Hawkeye [...]

Corbin Blythe’s favorite sport depends on the weather and time of year. With temperatures on the rise and shoulder pads and headgears packed away, the Williamsburg senior favors his clubs. “It seems like the sport I’m in is my favorite,” said Blythe, admitting that football still ranks highest. “Golf is right there with football and [...]

Four Metro golfers and two from Iowa City earned first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors after the two-round competition (MVC Super Meet and divisional play) to determine all-conference selections. Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Maddie Bertsch and Grace Winker and Cedar Rapids Washington’s M.J. Kamin were first-team all-MVC performers in the the Valley Division. Cedar Falls’ Allison Rolinger [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – A treat for local fans and a test for some local drivers. The Mid-America Stock Car Series returns to Hawkeye Downs Speedway for the first time in four years Friday, competing in a 45-lap feature as part of the weekly race show. Gates open at 6 p.m. with hot laps at 6:35 and [...]

INDEPENDENCE – Independence Motor Speedway plans to honor American military personnel on Armed Forces Day. Current military members and veterans will receive free grandstand admission to the track’s weekly race program Saturday by showing their service identification card. The track will also hold a ceremony during the evening’s race, saluting those in the service and encourage active [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – Mark Ironside owns a reputation of having an unrelenting motor. The continuous attack and motion he displayed on a wrestling mat resulted in success, including two state titles at Cedar Rapids Jefferson and two NCAA titles with four All-American finishes for the University of Iowa. Ironside will get the chance to show off [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – The brakes have been applied to the start of the auto racing season at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. The local asphalt track announced Thursday that it was postponing the season-opening night due to Friday’s less-than-favorable weather forecast. Hawkeye Downs will begin its weekly points races Friday, May 10 with Innovative Signs Night, starting with hot [...]

MARION – Maddie Bertsch devoted extra time to her golf game in the offseason. In addition to playing basketball, Bertsch dedicated more time than ever before to indoor practice. The hard work is paying dividends. Bertsch fired a 3-over-par 75 for medalist honors, helping Cedar Rapids Xavier capture the team title at the CRANDIC girls golf meet Wednesday at [...]

CEDAR FALLS – Cedar Rapids Xavier Coach Julie Kadlec has some homework. The Saints girls golf coach needed to research where her team’s latest finish ranks. All four Xavier scorers hit 89 or better, posting a 343 team total and earning a runner-up performance at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet on Monday at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course. Cedar Falls won [...]

MEET THE DRIVERS AT HAWKEYE DOWNS Name: Cory Houdek Age: 29 Hometown: Cedar Rapids Racing class: Sporstman Car number: 19 Favorite local driver: Max Corporon Favorite racing movie: Days Of Thunder Best season finish at Hawkeye Downs: 2009 IMCA Stock Car Champion, 2011 Sportsman Champion Most memorable racing moment: Last lap pass for the win on championship night, winning the championship by a margin of [...]

MEET THE DRIVERS AT HAWKEYE DOWNS Name: Brody Willett Age: 11 Hometown:Alburnett Racing class: INEX Legends Car number: 00 Favorite local driver: Bryce Bailey Favorite racing movie: Talladega Nights Best season finish at Hawkeye Downs: Willett is a rookie this season. Most memorable racing moment: Winning Maxxis Nationals in Neeces, SC When and why did you start racing: Age 5. My Dad raced What is your favorite [...]

MEET THE DRIVERS AT HAWKEYE DOWNS Name: Matt Petrzelka Age: 21 Hometown: Norway Racing class: Hobby Stock Car number: 22 Favorite local driver: Mike Schulte Favorite racing movie: Days of Thunder Best season finish at Hawkeye Downs: First (hobby stocks season points, winning 10 features in 2012) Most memorable racing moment: My most memorable moment was winning my first Points Title in 2011. When and why [...]