The Iowa Football Coaches Association is proposing changes to the number of football classes in Iowa. The plan calls for the largest schools as 5A followed by 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A, A and two eight-player classes. The proposal needs approval from Iowa High School Athletic Association Board of Control. The next meeting is next Thursday and the IFCA plan is on the agenda, IHSAA assistant director Todd Tharp said...

In NFL stadiums and in the high school bleachers of Colorado, Michigan, Maine, Florida, Washington and every state in between, we have witnessed an evolution in mainstream views on the use of Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery. Our Iowa school districts and communities have an opportunity to be on the forefront of this movement and should likewise evolve beyond the use of Native mascots...

While COVID-19 rules prevented organized youth sports practices, Spencer’s U-12 girls soccer team continued to work on soccer skills and technique. Girls completed 15,000 touches of a soccer ball during the pandemic shutdown. “The girls really brought into it with 500 touches a day,” coach Tracy Small said. The girls were given T-shirts recently at an indoor practice at the Spencer Community Soccer Complex. The team will compete in a tournament at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Feb. 12. (Above) Front row: Halle Sews, Ingrid Gustafson, Mini Matthoa, Hannah Mose. Back row: Athenna Hyft, Keely Stephenson, Marley Prealow and Alayna McEnter. Not pictured: Bailey Schuster, Lily Mchwarter, Mercedes King, Abigail Young, Missy Schmidt and Aluviah Bible.

GRAETTINGER — The Sioux Central girls basketball team earned its eighth win of the season and third in Twin Lakes Conference play with a 48-23 victory at Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire Monday in Graettinger. “We got off to a good start and maintained throughout the second half,” Sioux Central coach Kasey Krager said. ...

GRAETTINGER — Sioux Central shot better than 40% from the field and 3-point range as the offense continued to strengthen in a 63-44 Twin Lakes Conference win over Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire on the road Monday. Jacob Hargens just missed a triple-double as he led the Rebels with 22 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. ...

Spencer’s girls and boys basketball games at Estherville Lincoln Central scheduled for Friday were postponed until Saturday. The girls game will be at 1 p.m. and the boys at 2:30 p.m. The Thursday game at Algona was also postponed, with a makeup date to be announced. The Sioux Central girls game with Pocahontas Area was also postponed, with no makeup date was set as of press time. (Above) Spencer head boys basketball coach Kory Petzenhauser instructs the team for the final play with less than three seconds on the clock against Cherokee. The Tigers got a shot off but it missed. The Braves won the Lakes Conference clash 68-67 on Jan. 7.

SIOUX RAPIDS — The Sioux Central wrestling squad took on Alta-Aurelia with Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven Ayrshire Tuesday and the Rebels dropped two competitive matches. Alta-Aurelia won 46-30 and GT/RA was a 48-28 winner. One milestone was reached and two wrestlers went 2-0 for the Rebels...

SHELDON — Spencer wrestling coach Adam Gress mentioned before the duals against Le Mars and Sheldon/South O’Brien that the battles would be close. He was spot-on in his prediction, but the results did not go the Tigers’ way Tuesday as Spencer fell shy in both, 34-31 to Le Mars and 38-33 to Sheldon/South O’Brien. The coach said matches were decided by the Spencer forfeits...

HAWARDEN — Spencer’s wrestlers ventured to West Sioux for the Invitational Tournament and finished with one champion, a fourth place team effort with five finalists. Senior Case Cauthron was the champion at 113 pounds as he stormed through the bracket for two more wins Saturday...

A freshman continues to have a solid season as Reid Tigges gained two wins on the team’s senior night. Spencer’s boys swimming team battled Sioux City Metro Spartans at the Spencer Family YMCA in a dual meet Monday. Spencer freshman Reid Tigges won twice for the Tigers. He won the 110-yard Breaststroke and the 50-yard freestyle...

OGDEN — Seven Spencer girls wrestlers competed at the 27-team, 100-plus-individual Ogden tournament Saturday. Spencer freshman Olivia Huckfelt is ranked third at heavyweight and junior Morgan Griffin is ranked No. 3 at 160 pounds. “All of our girls wrestled hard this weekend,” volunteer coach Dave Storm said...

The Sioux Central wrestling team may be short on numbers but the Rebels individuals have some solid records. Sioux Central competed in dual matches at Sheldon Saturday as well as at Sibley-Ocheyedan Thursday. Coach Ben Edmundson explained several individuals are making strong strides with the Twin Lakes Conference tournament nearing...

WEST BEND — West Bend-Mallard got off to a strong start but the Sioux Central girls basketball team recovered with strong second and third quarters for a 50-33 Twin Lakes Conference win Friday. Senior Emma Lonning led the scoring for the Rebels with 16 points as she made 6 of 7 field goal attempts, including four 3-pointers and all four free throws. Taylor Krager contributed 12 points and three assists while Jenna Jensen had seven points...

Sioux Central’s boys basketball squad gained two Twin Lakes Conference wins last week. The Rebels improved to 5-4 overall, with a 51-36 win at West Bend-Mallard Friday. The squad also had the offense clicking in a 62-47 win over Pocahontas Area Thursday...

Spencer’s girls basketball team took on the No. 1 ranked in Class 3A and unbeaten Cherokee squad and Newell-Fonda, ranked No. 2 in Class 1A, and while the efforts were solid, the Tigers fell in both games. Cherokee and Spencer clashed with the Lakes Conference lead on the line Thursday. The host Tigers fell 80-65 to 9-0 Cherokee. Newell-Fonda registered a 76-43 win over the Tigers. Spencer was 7-3 after 10 games...

Spencer’s boys basketball team fell in a heartbreaker and had a rally come up short in the Tigers’ latest contests. Cherokee came to the field house and edged the Tigers, 68-67 Thursday. The Tigers had the final shot Thursday against Cherokee, but fell 68-67. Spencer had to try a shot from about half-court and it was missed. The Tigers a could not overcome an early double-digit deficit and fell to Newell-Fonda, 69-61 in nonconference play Tuesday...

The Spencer wrestling team had four dual meets this week as the squad returned to action and finished strong with three wins. The Spencer squad dominated both Cherokee and Estherville Lincoln Central in Lakes Conference duals Thursday. The Tigers beat Cherokee 63-12 and ELC 58-16 at Cherokee for a three dual-match winning streak...

SIOUX RAPIDS — The Sioux Central girls basketball team won the second half by 16 points as the Rebels pulled away from Ridge View for a 52-39 nonconference win Tuesday. Senior Taylor Krager led the Rebels’ effort with 19 points. Bradi Krager contributed 12 points, six rebounds, one steal and one block. Jenna Jessen contributed nine points...

SIOUX RAPIDS — Ridge View held off comeback bids by Sioux Central for a 59-51 win on Tuesday. The Rebels, 3-4, were led by Jacob Hargens who tallied 22 points and nine rebounds. Connor Christian contributed 17 points and six rebounds. Hargens had an eight of 16 field goal shooting night and Christian was six of 13...

Several schedule changes were announced over holiday break. Spencer girls and boys’ basketball games scheduled for the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City for Friday were canceled. The Tigers were slated to play Dakota Valley. The Sioux Central girls varsity basketball game with Pocahontas Area set as a makeup date Thursday was changed to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Sioux Rapids. The boys varsity basketball game is still on for 7:30 p.m. Thursday against the Indians...

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes Community College women’s volleyball team returns to the court Jan. 6 and is a thankful group due to NJCAA’s decision to push back athletics to the spring semester. “The 2020-21 season is, has been and will be very unique,” ILCC coach Mike Turnbull said. ...

• Originally published spring 2020 The resume for the Spencer Tigers was among the strongest in northwest Iowa. Spencer’s girls soccer had qualified for the state tournament in 2018 and 2019. The girls track and field squad was crowned the Lakes Conference champions the previous eight years and the district title four of the previous six. ...

Spencer Tigers baseball players, fans and opponents will notice additional improvements to McGaffin Field, the Tigers’ home complex next summer. “This past year prior to the 2020 season we put in new bleachers both at the softball and baseball complex, so fans have experienced our new seating,” Spencer activities director Taylor Chapman said. “The most noticeable change heading into the 2021 season will be our new netting backstop and new home and away dugouts.”...

Originally published Oct. 13, 27 For two Friday nights late in an unusual football season, the Spencer Tigers thrilled fans with exciting, close victories. First was an unexpected 27-24 win at Sergeant Bluff-Luton in the final regular season game. After a first round bye, old foe Humboldt was the second round playoff opponent. The Tigers did it again with a 42-35 win to advance to the third round of the Class 3A playoffs...

Spencer boys basketball statistics through seven games, 5-2 record. 168 points, 10th in Iowa (per Varsity Bound statistical service), 59 of 111 field goal attempts, 16th in Iowa, 15 of 43 3-point field goal attempts, 35 of 45 free-throw attempts, 35 rebounds, 17 assists, seven steals, one block...

Spencer girls varsity basketball team’s statistics after eight games, 7-1. --- 114 points on 36 of 86 field goal attempts, 13 of 43 3-point field goal attempts, 29 of 34 free-throw attempts, 40 rebounds, 33 assists and 13 steals. --- 13 points, 5 of 9 field goal attempts, 2 of 3 3-point field goal attempts, 1 of 3 free-throw attempts, 10 rebounds, four assists, one block...

Upcoming Spencer Tigers January games when school resumes Jan. 5: Jan. 5 ― 6 p.m., Varsity and JV wrestling, Spencer field house against Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Sioux Center; 6:15 p.m., girls basketball (7-1 record) at Newell-Fonda; 7:45 p.m., boys basketball (5-2 record) at Newell-Fonda...

SIOUX RAPIDS — Upcoming January games for the Sioux Central Rebels: The Sioux Central girls basketball team has a 5-3 record and will host Ridge View Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. when games resume. The boys, 3-3, will also host Ridge View. The basketball squads host Pocahontas Area in makeup games Jan. 7...

Originally published Nov. 17 Spencer wrestling coach Dave Schaefer guided the program as its head coach from 1994-2015. He presently serves as an assistant coach. He coached three Spencer wrestling champs and organized a summer camp for many years. His most recent honor is being named winner of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Service Award for its Iowa chapter. ...

Spencer girls varsity basketball team’s statistics after eight games, 7-1: --- Jada Piercy, 114 points on 36 of 86 field goal attempts, 13 of 43 3-point field goal attempts, 29 of 34 free-throw attempts, 40 rebounds, 33 assists and 13 steals. --- Maddie Morony, 13 points, 5 of 9 field goal attempts, 2 of 3 3-point field goal attempts, 1 of 3 free-throw attempts, 10 rebounds, four assists, one block...

Originally published Jan. 31 One of the first individual honors won by Spencer athletics came in late January as the 2019-20 regular season for wrestling was coming to a close. Tiger head wrestling coach Adam Gress won the Northwest District Class 3A Coach of the Year honor. ...

Retired Spencer High School golf coach Steve Bomgaars is featured for his decades of service to the Tigers golfers and is well-respected among northwest Iowa golf coaches. He has coached 23 Lakes Conference championships, 42 invitational championships, 17 sectional championships, seven district championships, 19 state tournament appearances, state tournament runners up in 1973, 1992, 2009 and 2010, 16 former golfers have earned college scholarships and the Spencer dual meet record under Bomgaars was 302-67-2. ...

Two Spencer High School senior wrestlers, Case Cauthron and Brogan Seier, concluded their Austin Roberts Memorial Tournament careers as champions Saturday at the Spencer field house. Spencer chalked up a fourth-place standing of 12 teams, Central-Lyon-George-Little Rock won the team title. Case Cauthron at 120 pounds and Seier at 195 pounds earned championships...

CHEROKEE — The Sioux Central wrestling team competed at nearly full strength and came away with a solid team showing at the Paul Fuhrman Invitational at Cherokee Saturday. The Rebels placed fourth in team standings. Chris Ferguson earned a title for the Rebels at 132 pounds. Runner-up finishes were by Keagan Riley, 113; Kaben Morrow at 120; Josh Ferguson at 152 pounds and Dakota Deuschle, 220 pounds...

STORM LAKE — The Spencer girls basketball team cruised past Storm Lake, 73-39, in a Lakes Conference contest Friday. “It was a danger game with it being the last game before break,” Spencer coach Matt Stevenson said. “We did good things offensively with four 3-pointers in the first quarter.”...

STORM LAKE — A late comeback by Spencer came up a few baskets shy as Storm Lake claimed a 62-55 win in Lakes Conference play Friday. Landon Ellis led the Tigers with 23 points and Evan Schmidt added 10 but the visitors could not overcome an 18-point second half deficit...

Okoboji track and field athlete Morgan Robinson recently signed her letter of intent to compete for the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Robinson, a senior, was unable to compete for the Pioneers this past spring due to the pandemic. She threw shot and discus for Spencer High School in 2019. She placed second in the conference in the shot and third in the discus that season.

The Spencer wrestling squad battled Western Christian in the home opener Thursday and won a majority of the contested battles in a 54-21 Lakes Conference victory at the field house. “It’s like it’s our first meet back,” Spencer coach Adam Gress said. “We have some things to work on but we had bright spots, too. The goal was to come out and put on a show and get takedown after takedown to lead to wins by fall.”...

STORM LAKE — A strong third quarter propelled the Sioux Central girls basketball team to claim a 47-30 Twin Lakes Conference road victory over St. Mary’s Tuesday. The Rebels held a close 19-17 halftime lead but doubled their score by the end of the third stanza for a 38-21 lead...

The Sioux Central girls and boys bowling teams traveled to Hawarden for duals Thursday. The squads split the team scores with the Rebels girls winning but the boys lost. The SC girls won, 1,827 to 962 and the boys lost, 2,267 to 1,826. Elle Mastbergen had the best scores, 195, 158, 353 series; Erin Cowell rolled a 130, 103, 233 series; Emily Smith recorded a 113, 98, 211 series; Alyssa Gibbons posted a 100, 92, 192 series and Sara Christensen recorded an 83, 98, 181 series...