After over a year of preparation, Ryan Nielsen was ready for a journey that would take him through some of the world’s most beautiful landscape and help alter his perspective on life. The 2013 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate’s thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail would include 14 states, ...

While other boys dreamed of being baseball players or football stars, Drew Bennett had a completely different goal in mind. The Fort Dodge Senior High star always wanted to be a collegiate wrestler. ‘‘Ever since I was a little kid, making my own Division I brackets and wrestling against ...

As the Dodger Stadium lights darkened for the final time in 2017 here on Friday, Fort Dodge senior Tyrnan Lara quietly camped out on the sidelines he’s called home for his entire high school career. Thirty minutes earlier, the Dodgers had dropped a 52-7 decision to Class 4A District 4 ...

Ryan Nielsen was at a crossroads. He had just finished school at Kirkwood Community College, but didn’t quite know what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Instead of going the traditional route, Nielsen followed the road less traveled and made the decision to take a year off and ...

ALGONA — Jon Borer and Marty Wadle are on opposite ends of the coaching spectrum at St. Edmond and Bishop Garrigan, respectively. Borer concluded his first year with the Gaels here Friday night, falling to the Golden Bears, 41-7. For Wadle and fifth-ranked (Class A) Garrigan, the second ...

Kevin Twait knew his Iowa Central football team needed a break mentally and physically and coming off of their bye. Now, the Tritons are hoping to break into the win column. The Tritons will face Coffeyville (1-6 overall) on Saturday inside Dodger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. The ...

The 17th-ranked Iowa Central volleyball team concluded action Saturday inside Hodges Fieldhouse with a five-set victory over Carl Sandburg. Much like the match itself, it was an eventful two days for the Tritons, who went 3-1 in their own invitational. Iowa Central (27-8) kicked things off ...

Eagles denied playoff spot JEWELL — South Hamilton’s rushing attack was too much for Eagle Grove to overcome o Friday night, as the Hawks punched a state playoff berth. Tenth-ranked South Hamilton (8-1 overall, 6-1 in district) earned a 21-7 victory over the Eagles (6-3, 4-3). Eagle ...

Eagles denied playoff spot JEWELL — South Hamilton’s rushing attack was too much for Eagle Grove to overcome o Friday night, as the Hawks punched a state playoff berth. Tenth-ranked South Hamilton (8-1 overall, 6-1 in district) earned a 21-7 victory over the Eagles (6-3, 4-3). Eagle ...

It was a tale of two halves and too many miscues that kept Iowa Central from breaking into the win column on Saturday inside Dodger Stadium. The Tritons (0-8 overall) jumped on the board first against Coffeyville (2-6), but the Red Ravens put together a string of 31 straight in a 45-21 road ...

HOLSTEIN — For a fourth consecutive year, the St. Edmond girls are headed to the state cross country meet. The Gaels finished third here Thursday at a Class 1A state qualifying meet, two points ahead of ACGC for the final team spot. They’ll get the chance to compete at home again next ...

With West Des Moines Dowling in the pool on Thursday night for the CIML Iowa Conference meet, Fort Dodge spent more time preparing for the long haul. The Maroons, who are ranked second in the power rankings, won 11 of the 12 events and accumulated 548 points to win the team championship. ...

Fort Dodge is on the verge of establishing new school records in many offensive categories heading into its final game against Southeast Polk here on Friday. Varsity kickoff for Senior Night is set for 7:30 p.m. inside Dodger Stadium. Head coach Matt Miller is proud of his squad and the ...

ALGONA — It’s been nearly three years since Bishop Garrigan lost a district football game. The fifth-ranked (Class A) Golden Bears look to make it 21 wins in a row when they close out the regular season against St. Edmond Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Garrigan, which has ...

We’ve reached the final week of the high school football regular season, and there is still plenty to play for as the clock winds down. A handful of area programs are in the running for coveted postseason berths, with several of them to be handed out on the gridiron Friday night. In Lake ...

MARSHALLTOWN — The Fort Dodge cross country teams saw their seasons come to an end here Thursday at a Class 4A state qualifying meet. The Dodger girls placed ninth overall, and the FDSH boys finished in 10th. Fort Dodge senior Gabby Estlund was 26th overall in 21:33 for the top finish. ...

BOYS Class 3A Orr, Engen each finish in Top-15 SPENCER — The Humboldt boys finished fourth here Thursday, just missing out on advancing as a team to the Class 3A state cross country meet. Quinton Orr is moving on after placing sixth overall for the Wildcats, along with Algona’s Trey ...

The St. Edmond volleyball team took care of business here Tuesday night, opening postseason action with a sweep over Eagle Grove. Scores were 25-14, 25-6 and 25-10. Next up for the Gaels (16-13 overall) will be IKM-Manning (22-17) on Monday night in a Class 2A, Region 3 quarterfinal. The ...

The 17th-ranked Iowa Central volleyball team took care of business once again at Hodges Fieldhouse Wednesday night, sweeping North Iowa Area. Scores were 25-14, 25-7 and 25-22. With the win, the Tritons (24-7 overall, 6-1 in ICCAC) assured themselves of no worse than a third place ...

The 17th-ranked Iowa Central volleyball team took care of business once again at Hodges Fieldhouse Wednesday night, sweeping North Iowa Area. Scores were 25-14, 25-7 and 25-22. With the win, the Tritons (24-7 overall, 6-1 in ICCAC) assured themselves of no worse than a third place ...