Iowa sports highlights alongside heartfelt losses in the game

This cluster follows a busy stretch of Iowa sports, from high school playoff runs and standout performances—like Ava Heiden’s 28-point rally for No. 9 Iowa and Zander Murray’s record night for CR Xavier—to college showdowns featuring Iowa, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa. It also showcases rising prep talent and resilience, such as Louden Bloxham’s injury-defying wrestling campaign and Sira Doumbia’s emergence ahead of the state tournament. Interwoven with these achievements are somber notes: the deaths of legendary Iowa high school baseball coach Gene Schultz and record-setting MLB umpire Bruce Froemming, reminding fans of the long-lasting impact of figures who shaped the sport. Together, the posts capture both the immediacy of current competition and the enduring legacy of those who officiated and coached the games.