His ferocious dunks used to send the Indians faithful into a frenzy. His hustle and grit made him a fan favorite inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. But it was a tweet that made former Spirit Lake High School and University of Iowa basketball player Ryan Kriener a champion...

When Kevin Costner's character Ray Kinsella had dreams of building a baseball diamond in the middle of Iowa, no one believed in his "Field of Dreams" aspirations. But, when Brett Hetland had a real-life dream of bringing hockey to a chain of lakes near the Minnesota border, people have lined up to lend a hand...

Due to concerns regarding COVID-19 the NJCAA announced the cancellation of the 2020 season for spring sports. As such all Iowa Lakes contests in the sports of baseball, men’s golf, women’s golf, softball and sports shooting have been canceled. All athletic facilities will be closed until further notice...

It started with foosball tables being donated to local school districts, and the Shaw Family had hoped their vision for a local foosball tournament would come true this weekend. But with gatherings over 50 people now discouraged by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, organizers have decided to cancel the inaugural Foosball Shenanigans event...

Anyone who has grown up in Spencer in recent decades will know who Mr. Steve Bomgaars is. Maybe you called him Coach Bomgaars, however you addressed him, he was going to be respectful to you. From northwest Iowa to New Zealand, Bomgaars has had immense influence on those he taught and coached...

Iowa Lakes Community College softball player, Taylor Beane, has been recognized as last week’s Iowa Community College Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week. Beane, a sophomore from Dexter, is the first Iowa Lakes softball player to receive this award for the 2020 season. She was selected for this award based on games played this weekend of March 6-9. Beane produced big numbers for the Lakers during their 3-3 weekend...

Four Iowa Lakes Community College student-athletes were named to the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference, Division II Women's Basketball All-Region teams. Breanna Wendland was named to the ICCAC All-Region 1st Team, Shareece Smith and Safiyer Coleman were both named to 2nd Team and Tyler Pacheco was named to 3rd Team...

The Spencer Tiger girls track team competed in their first indoor track meet of the year at the University of Northern Iowa on Monday, March 9. “Most individual events had over 200 athletes competing,” head girls track coach Al Pierce said. “The highlight for us was our seventh place finish in the 4x800 relay. ...

The Spencer Archery Team is having a fundraiser Saturday at Spencer Middle School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A silent auction will go on during the hours of the event. You do not need to be present to win. 3 p.m. — Parent Shoot Noon to 1 p.m. — Scholarship Shoot Off...

The Spencer Archery teams are having success at a high level. The team of young archers recently competed at the state level archery meet in Des Moines. Three teams competed for Spencer at the state level in the high, middle and elementary school divisions The middle school is moving on to the national tournament after a first place finish...

Iowa Lakes Community College softball dropped their final game of the weekend against Iowa Central Community College. Although the Lakers put up five runs on 11 hits, they ultimately fell 13-5 in six innings. Iowa Central jumped out to the early lead in the bottom of the first, hitting two solo home runs...

This weekend at the Mid-American Center in Council Bluffs, the Iowa Lakes wrestling team had seven wrestlers competing. When the dust settled Saturday night the Lakers finished in 13th place as a team with three All-Americans led by Matt Jordan, freshman from Des Moines...

MASON CITY — The Iowa Lakes Community College Lakers ended their season, 82-54. The Lakers were led by Destiny Broussard with a double-double, scoring 15 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. Shareece Smith also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Breanna Wendland added 12 points...

Four players from the 2019-20 Iowa Lakes men's basketball team were honored by the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference as being all region performers. The NJCCA 10th-ranked Lakers finished the year at 26-6 overall and 11-4 in ICCAC play to earn a third place finish...

Iowa Lakes Community College head softball coach Katie Larson has announced Allison McCabe to the 2020-21 recruiting class. She is the daughter of Kelly McCabe and Rachel Dauk and attends St. Peter High School in St. Peter, Minnesota. A catcher, McCabe, is a four-year letter winner for the Saints. ...

Iowa Lakes Community College softball went 1-2 on Saturday at the Cloud County Tournament. They dropped game one to Central Community College 10-1, beat Southeast Community College 11-0 in six innings, and lost 6-5 in nine innings against Cloud County. The Lakers are now 3-2 on the season...

The Studio YDC Company Dance team showcased their skills in their second competition of the season. “We competed in the Diamond Dance Showcase,” Stephanie Zahrt said. “We received a Judge’s Award, Spunky Attitude, which is very difficult for the dancers to earn.”...

CRESTON — The Iowa Lakes Lakers defeated the fourth seeded Southwestern Spartans Wednesday night, 81-71. The victory sends the Lakers to the semifinal round of the conference tournament to face North Iowa Area Community College. Leading the charge for the Lakers was Fort Dodge’s Shareece Smiths with 23 points and Richfield, Minnesota, native, Breanna Wendlend’s 21. ...

COUNCIL BLUFFS — Iowa Lakes has seven wrestlers competing at the national tournament on March 6-7 in Council Bluffs at the Mid-American Center. The Lakers enter the tournament ranked 20th in the nation. Coach Cody Alesch indicated he “doesn’t mind that ranking because he knows where his team is and a finish much higher than that should be achieved once the tournament is concluded.”...

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes men’s basketball squad defeated Ellsworth, 101-75 to advance to the semifinals of the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference Tournament. This was the third time this year the Lakers were victorious over the Panthers. With the playoff win, the Lakers go to 26-5...

URBANDALE — The Spencer gymnastic enthusiast team known as the GK Storm and Blaze, competed in their last regular season meet over the weekend in Urbandale at the Mardi Gras Invitational. Two GK Storm gymnast earned all around champions while the gold team placed fifth overall...

Iowa Lakes Community College head softball coach Katie Larson announced the signing of Alison Narveson to the 2020-21 recruiting class. Narveson is the daughter of Mitch and Jen Narveson and Heidi Frankum and attends Pine Island High School in Pine Island, Minnesota...

The Spencer YMCA is home to a group of youngsters known as the Tigersharks. During February and March the young swimmers compete throughout the state. On March 7 and 8, they will travel to the Marshalltown YMCA and swim against the top swimmers throughout the state...

Spencer High School Tigerettes Dance Team junior Kaylee Hansen has been selected to join the All-Iowa Honor Dance Team which will perform Thursday through Saturday in Des Moines. Forty teams qualified for the state basketball tournament after days, weeks and months of practice. ...

The Lakers finished out the regular season with a win at Ellsworth 66-39. The Lakers were led by Breanna Wendland with 17 points, while Shareece Smith added 10 points and seven assists. “Was proud of our effort today. Excited to see what our team can do in post season play,” ILCC women’s coach Ashley Martin said. Beth Rehse (above) and her Laker teammates finish the regular season 18-10 and 9-7 in conference play. The Lakers tied for third place in the conference but lose the tiebreaker and will earn the No. 5 seed and travel to Creston Wednesday to take on Southwestern Community College at 5:30 p.m.

JOHNSTON — As Iowa girls battle for a ticket to the state basketball tournament, Iowa PBS is preparing to provide live coverage of the championship action, victories and heartache. Iowa PBS's 2020 coverage of Iowa girls high school championships begins, as teams from across the state take to the court for the 2020 IGHSAU Girls State Basketball Championships. ...

For 10 Spencer boys and three Spencer girls they are exactly where they want to be. As the youth wrestling season is winding down for most, it’s just ramping up for them. Tomorrow, these wrestlers, joined by their coaches and families will depart for Des Moines, ready to compete at the Iowa AAU State Wrestling Tournament at the Wells Fargo Arena — the same venue which just last week hosted the Iowa High School wrestling tournament. ...

CARROLL — It's been a long year for the Spencer athletic programs when they have had to face Sergeant Bluff-Luton. Whether on the football field, wrestling mat or archery course — the SB-L squad has come out on top a majority of the time in 2019-20. Add the basketball court to the list...

Iowa Lakes was proud to honor the following student athletes of the 2020 Hall of Fame Class at the induction ceremony on Feb. 21. Each of these athletes made a lasting impact during their time at Iowa Lakes. Those inducted this year were: Cesar Camacho, 2002-04, baseball; Kristina (Manser) Welch, 2007-09, softball; Eric Willey, 2001-03, men’s golf; April (Wolf) Wells, 2007-09, women’s golf; and John and Carolyn Walz, special contributors...

DES MOINES — The Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships concluded on Saturday. Both the Sioux Central Rebels in Class 1A and the Spencer Tigers in Class 3A, were represented at the event. Sioux Central sophomore Chris Ferguson wrestled in the 120-pound class, advancing to Saturday’s consolation, round two. ...

From February through May, the Spencer YMCA is home to the YOC Company Dance Team. The young dancers demonstrate their talents and skills at contests throughout the state. The sponsors and coaches are Erin Elliot and Kaylene Mortenson. The YOC Company dance team competed in Cedar Rapids recently, with more than 360 entries who performed for top honors...

The 48th Annual Iowa Shrine Bowl — All Star Football Classic will be played on Saturday, July 18, in Cedar Falls at the UNI Dome. Tiger lineman Brady Schlaeger and cheerleaders Kiersten Hogge and Emaly Ganzevoort have been selected to represent Spencer...

EMMETSBURG — The Sioux Central Rebel girls basketball season ended Friday night in the Class 2A Region 2 semifinal, falling to Emmetsburg, 51-31, on the E-Hawks home floor. “We knew going into the game we had to contain two girls and we were unable to do that,” Sioux Central Rebel girls basketball coach Kasey Krager said...

MASON CITY — The Spencer Tiger girls ended their season in Mason City Saturday evening in the Class 4A Region 2 regional semifinal against the 12th-ranked Mohawks 68-48. The Mohawks, a state tournament team one year ago, who had seven seniors on the squad, were pushed hard by the Tigers throughout the entire contest...

The Spencer Tiger girls basketball team had three players named to the 2019-20 Lakes Conference basketball teams. Sophomore Allison Piercy made the second team; while freshman Jada Piercy and sophomore Alexa Johnson both earned honorable mention. Allison Piercy led the Tigers in scoring with a 13.6 per game average. She was tied for second in rebounds with 108 and shot 81% from the free throw line...

The 2019-20 All Lakes Conference basketball teams have been announced. Two Spencer Tiger boys were voted to the first team, sophomore Karter Petzenhauser and senior Gage Garnatz. Honorable mention honors went to senior Kyle Morony. “We were pleased to be able to have two guys on the first team all conference voted by the coaches,” Spencer Tiger boy’s coach Kory Petzenhauser said...

SIOUX RAPIDS — Sioux Central Rebel Mackenzie Magnan has signed a letter of intent with Simpson College located in Indianola. The graduating senior will compete with their trapshooting team. She will major in political science and global management.

DES MOINES — Four Spencer Tigers advanced to state on Thursday, one is still standing. Junior Case Cauthron moves on to the quarterfinals in the 106-pound class, after losing to Dustin Bohren, from Bettendorf, who brought in a 34-1 record into the first match of the afternoon. Cauthron regrouped and defeated the No. 8-ranked Niyo Grady from Marion. With the victory, a 7-5 decision. Cauthron is set to wrestle in the quarterfinals on Friday. His opponent was not listed as of press time...

DES MOINES — Sioux Central Rebel Chris Ferguson advanced to the state quarterfinals in Class 2A by winning in the consolation side of the bracket. Ferguson would lose his first match of the day, 8-6 to freshman Brandon Paez of Lisbon. Ferguson would bounce back strong and win by fall in 2:47 over junior Bracket Locke of WCM qualifying for Friday’s mat action...

While love of sports teams is hard to miss inside Weasy’s Lounge & Grille on a regular day, Thursday the entire staff made a gesture in support of the hometown team. As the Spencer Tiger wrestlers began battling in state competition, all of the Weasy’s staff donned Tiger wrestling shirts in solidarity with the young athletes. One staff member quipped, “It’s good to support your squad.”...