Sports

Dordt Names New Cross Country Coach

Sioux Center, IA — Dordt College Athletic Director Glenn Bouma has announced Nate Wolf will be joining the Dordt College coaching staff as men’s and women’s cross country head coach. He will also assist Dr. Craig Heynen with the Defender track and field programs.

“We are thrilled to have someone of Coach Wolf’s caliber join our coaching staff,” said Bouma. “His ability to recruit outstanding student-athletes and coach and prepare them for competitive running and life after college became very evident through our search and interview process. Nate’s faith is integral to his work as a coach, and I am confident the cross country programs are in good hands. His experience as a track and field head coach will serve him well as he assists Coach Heynen.”

Wolf comes to Dordt College after spending the last three years at Southwest Minnesota State University as head coach for both cross country and track and field.

Prior to his work at Southwest Minnesota State, Wolf coached the Northwestern (Iowa) cross country teams for one season and assisted in its programs for seven years. He was the head women’s and men’s track coach at Northwestern for eight seasons from 2005-2012. During his tenure at Northwestern, 75 student-athletes earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition, and five of his teams were accorded NAIA Scholar-Team accolades.

Wolf competed at Northwestern in both cross country and track from 1999-2003 and qualified for NAIA Track Nationals in both the mile and 3,000 meters. He graduated from Northwestern in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in biology health professions and earned his master’s degree in 2005 from the University of South Dakota in athletic administration.

“I was drawn to the consistency of message and mission of the Dordt College Human Health and Performance department, the Faculty Senate, and the administrative team. Touring campus, it was easy to feel the excitement and see the growth that is taking place here. When I recruit students, I talk with them about the importance of finding the right fit. I believe that in Dordt College I have found the right fit for my family and me,” said Wolf.

The Dordt College women’s cross country team won its third straight GPAC title in 2014 and qualified for the NAIA National Championships where the team finished fifth. The Defender men finished third in the GPAC Championships this season and had a pair of runners qualify for the 2014 NAIA National Championships.

“It is a privilege to step into the incredible program that Greg Van Dyke has built,” said Wolf. “I look forward to starting immediately and working to continue the God-centered holistic development of the student athletes in the program. I believe the athletes and I can build on their strong success, and I am committed to making their running experience here an incredible part of their overall college experience.”

kiwaJuly 6, 2015July 6, 2015

West Lyon Sweeps Sheldon

Sheldon Iowa — Sheldon played host to West Lyon Thursday night with the Wildcats winning the baseball match up 8-7 in ten innings while West Lyon took the softball game on a 3-2 final score.

after 12 runs were scored by the two teams in the first three innings the baseball game turned into a defensive battle that saw West Lyon score a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to tie it at 7-7 and then score an unearned run in the top of the 10th to win it 8-7.

Jordan Van Beek drove in 6 of the 8 West Lyon runs with a pair of two-run homers in the first two innings and a two-run single that drove in a pair to tie the score in the seventh. Mitch Te Slaa scored twice from the lead off spot. Dylan Whalen scored twice as well. Also crossing the plate were Tanner Oleson and Logan Brugeman.

Sheldon scored 3 in the first inning as Ross Van Kley and Colby Kleinhesselink singled followed by Travis Sterler who reached on a fielders choice. Travis Buyert drove in a run with a single and the other 2 scored on a Cody Van Meeteren single to left field.

The Orabs put 2 more on the board in the second as Matt Buenger doubled and scored on a single by Ross Van Kley. Van Kley would later score on an error to tie the score at 5-5.

Sheldon took a 7-5 lead in the third innings when Max Tolk singled and Payton Radke reached on a fielders choice. Buenger then delivered a two-run double off the fence in left.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the seventh when West Lyon plated 2 runs to send it into extra innings.

In the top of the tenth Tanner Oleson was hit by a pitch, stole second and then scored what turned out to be the winning run on an overthrow at first base on a ground ball off the bat of Mitch Te Slaa.

Dylan Wahlen earned the win in relief going the final inning and two-thirds. Travis Buyert took the loss going the final 4 innings for Sheldon. He gave up 3 hits walked 2 and struck out 2.

The Orab baseball team will have the weekend off before returning to conference play next Monday at Central Lyon.

On the softball diamond West Lyon scored 3 runs in the top of the sixth inning for a 3-2 come from behind win. Katie Kneifl homered to drive in a run. The other rbi belonged to Macy Jacobsma. Kneifl and Kelsey Den Hartog crossed the plate for Sheldon as they scored both of their runs in the first inning . Kami TeGrootenhuis had the hot bat for West Lyon driving in all three runs on a 3-for-4 night.

TeGrootenhuis also earned the pitching win scattering 5 hits and striking out 3. Sami Kleinwolterink took the loss. She walked 1 and struck out 1 and did not give up an earned run.

Next action for the Orab softball team comes Friday at the Storm Lake Tournament.

kiwaJuly 2, 2015July 3, 2015

July 2nd Iowa DNR Fishing Report

Spirit Lake, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For more information contact the Spirit Lake fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

NORTHWEST

West Okoboji Lake

Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth can be found under boat hoists, near weed lines, and on the drop offs. Fish these spots with football jigs, crankbaits or Texas rigs. Bluegill – Good: The canals are loaded with bluegills. Large and small fish are being caught in good numbers. Pocahontas point is holding a good population of bluegills with anglers catching large fish with little sorting. Crappie – Fair: The trestle is being reported to be a good bite. The canals are starting to fill with larger crappies. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouths have moved off beds and are headed towards the rocky drop offs. Areas to fish include rock points that shoot out into the main basin of West Lake, Pillsbury, Fort Dodge, and Gull Point. Fish with jerk baits, football jigs, or swimbaits. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being caught by shore anglers fishing the canal bridges after dark. Successful anglers are fishing darker crankbaits and bottom jigs with leeches. 13-19inch fish are being caught. Yellow Bass – Good: In Smiths bay just north of the amusement park anglers are reporting a high catch rate of large yellow bass. Anglers using orange twister tails or plain hook with worm and split shot are catching yellows on every cast. Yellow Perch – Fair: Quality perch (8-10 inch) can be found in the shallows where substrate is exposed. Fish Breezy point, Pillsbury and Fort Dodge with wigglers and a small jig.

East Okoboji Lake

Yellow Bass – Good: Large numbers of yellow bass are being caught near East Okoboji beach near the boat docks. Fish vary from small to a few larger 8-9 inch fish. Throw soft plastic shad for them. Anglers fishing under the highway 9 bridge are catching fair numbers of yellows using small plastic minnows. Yellow Perch – Fair: Numbers of smaller yellow perch are being caught while anglers are fishing for yellow bass. Pulling similar baits near the bottom will force more perch into your bucket. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish near the inlet to upper gar along the rocks to find a fast paced bass bite. Anglers are seeing bass bedding up in upper gar then swimming into East Okoboji. Walleye – Fair: Parks Marina and Lone Tree Point are reporting a hot bite for walleye. Anglers are drifting minnows along the bottom before dark. Larger walleye are being caught in 10-12 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching low numbers of 8 inch bluegills while fishing docks throughout East Okoboji. Anglers are fishing small jigs under docks tipped with wax worms.

Big Spirit Lake

Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass can be found near weed choked areas at this time as they are protecting their fry. Fish are being caught in trickles using top water frogs. Anglers are also catching bass on boat hoists along the north banks in the deeper water. Try crankbaits or swimbaits to pull these bass out from under the hoists. Walleye – Good: Local anglers are catching walleye around 5:00 till dark at the North Grade. Fish above and below the slot are being caught and creeled. Successful anglers are using dark deer hair jigs tipped with leeches. Yellow Perch – Good: A majority of anglers creeled are catching yellow perch. Most anglers are keeping around 6-9 inch fish. Numbers are still low but perch are biting up at the grade. Black Bullhead – Fair: The bullhead bite at the north grade is slowing. Creeled anglers are taking home single digits. These fish are 12-14 inches. Successful anglers are leaving the worm on the bottom and fishing around submerged vegetation. Northern Pike – Good: Fishermen fishing in Templar bar are catching large numbers of small northerns. Most fish are in the mid-20 inch range. Successful anglers are using Meps or small spinnerbaits. Johnson silver minnow tipped with a leech also been catching these fish.

Center Lake

Bluegill – Fair: 6-8 inch bluegill are being caught in low numbers along the north bank of. Fish were being harvested using small lipstick jigs tipped with night crawler. Crappie – Good: Smaller crappies are being caught on the north and east side of Center lake. Anglers are using jigs tipped with wax worms.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching limits of walleye on Silver lake in Lake Park. Many anglers are catching limits using leeches, crankbaits while trolling, or slip bobbers with minnows. Anglers are catching these fish throughout the water body.

Five Island Lake

Walleye – Fair: Anglers fishing just north of town bay are catching 14-17 inch walleye. Anglers using bottom bouncers are stumbling upon numbers of walleyes as they approach the shallows.

Lost Island Lake

Yellow Bass – Good: Large yellow bass can be caught at the outlet of little lake. These fish are being seen and caught under the overhang of the outlet structure. A large number of smaller fish can be caught near the bridge where Lost Island dumps into little lake. Black Bullhead – Excellent: A very large number of bullheads are being seen while crews are electrofishing on Lost Island. These large numbers of bullheads are being seen at the mouth of little lake just west of the bridge. Crappie – Fair: Crappies are starting to group in the shallow coves of little lake. These fish are swimming into the cattails in preparation for the spawn.

Lake Pahoja

Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are schooled up off the jetties. Bluegills are very large with many 7-8 inch fish. Fish a worm and bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth are beginning to bed in the shallows along the south banks in shallower water. Throwing spinner baits or soft plastics for the aggressive males will produce bites.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Boaters should use caution around the dredge barge, booster pump barge, and pipeline. Walleye regulations for Storm Lake are three fish per day, all fish between 17 and 22 inches must be released and only one over 22 inches may be kept. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up walleye trolling crankbaits in the dredge cuts between the islands on the east side of the lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish using dip baits, cut bait, and chicken liver. They are having the best luck fishing the north shore areas. White Bass – Fair: White bass are being caught on spinners and crankbaits while fishing for walleyes. Anglers are also having luck fishing spinners and crankbaits in shallower areas near shore.

tomJuly 2, 2015July 2, 2015

Orabs post 1-0 Softball win over Sioux Center

Sheldon — The Sheldon Orab softball team made a third inning run hold up the rest of the way as they downed Sioux Center 1-0 Wednesday night at Orab Field. Strong defense and timely hitting backed a three hitter by Sheldon senior Sami Kleinwolterink.

In the third inning Katie Kneifl doubled off the fence in left then reached third on a fielders choice off the bat of Kelsey Den Hartog. Sami Kleinwolterink followed with a liner to the edge of the grass in left that scored Keifl with two outs. It would turn out to be the only run of the ball game.

Kleinwolterink gave up just 3 hits in the contest. she struck out 2 and did not walk a batter. Megan Cleveringa threw a 6 hitter at the Orabs. she struck out 7 and walked just 2 batters over 7 innings.

With the win Sheldon improves to 11-12 on the year and 7-6 in the conference. The Orabs close the regular season at home Thursday night against West Lyon. State ranked Sioux Center stands at 19-6 on the year and 10-3 in the conference. The Warriors close out the regular season Thursday hosting Boyden Hull Rock Valley.

kiwaJuly 1, 2015July 1, 2015

Help County Wild Turkeys This July And August

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for volunteers to help with its annual wild turkey survey this summer.

The work is pretty simple: while outdoors in Iowa this July and August, keep an eye out for wild turkeys. If you see one, determine if it is an adult female or adult male (males have beards on their breast), and whether there are young poults (baby turkeys).

Count the number of young, make a note of the date and the county in which you saw the turkey(s) and then report your sighting online to the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau at http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2115256/Iowa-Wild-Turkey-Reports.

kiwaJune 30, 2015June 30, 2015

Fourth of July Weekend Looking Good for State Park Visitors

Iowa State Parks are gearing up for the Fourth of July weekend and are ready to welcome thousands of campers, cabin renters, picnickers and outdoor enthusiasts. The weather forecast for most of the state and weekend is favoring plenty of outdoor activity.

“State Parks are great destinations for these major summer holidays,” says Todd Coffelt, DNR State Parks Bureau chief. “Whether you are staying for a week or making a day trip, they provide great opportunities for families and friends to gather and make memories.”

Reservable campsites have been filled for three months. Last minute campers can take their chances with walk-in campsites, as 25-50 percent of all state park campsites are first-come, first-served. Most of these sites are non-electric and realistically most will be occupied by Thursday. Best chances to secure a site will be at smaller, more remote parks. Visit www.iowadnr.gov/parks for a list of parks and their amenities.

Despite recent wet weather in some areas, nearly all state parks are in good shape and getting ready for the big weekend.

Here are a few reminders for those planning a trip to specific state parks this weekend.

· Only one state park campground is closed due to recent weather. Walnut Woods State Park, southwest of the Des Moines metro area, is still cleaning up from Raccoon River flooding. The park is expected to reopen late next week.

· Canyon Drive at Ledges State Park has reopened to vehicle traffic, but visitors are cautioned that any rain event in the area will likely close it again. Potential visitors wanting to drive into that area of the park are encouraged to call the park office at 515-432-1852 for closure information. The campground, trails, other roads, parking lots and both open shelters remain accessible by vehicle.

Visitors to Lake Macbride State Park in Johnson County and Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area in Linn County are reminded that those beaches will close at 6 PM each day. Due to high use and limited parking at the beach area at Lake Macbride, visitors should expect a beach closure on weekends and holidays. Access to the beach may be closed for up to 2 hours. During these times, people in vehicles will be stopped at the park entrance and asked to return to the beach at a later time or asked to visit one of the other beaches in Johnson County such as Sandy Beach, Sugar Bottom, West Overlook or Kent Park.

Equestrian trails are currently closed due to wet conditions at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area (except for the 12-mile Wet Weather Trail), Elk Rock and Waubonsie state parks and Shimek Forest (except the 3-mile Wet Weather Trail) and Stephens Forest. However, if dry weather conditions continue, equestrians are encouraged to call individual areas for re-openings.

Closure information is posted on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/parks and the parks reservation site at http://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com. Current information is also available by calling individual park offices directly.

kiwaJune 30, 2015June 30, 2015