By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

High school baseball and softball seasons are about two-thirds of the way through their respective seasons. I decided to take a look at who is leading in the major statistical categories for ACGC and Panorama, as well as across the entire state.

Minimum 13 games played *

ACGC baseball

• Batting average: Blaize Dorsey, .382
• HRs: Joseph Fagan, one
• RBIs: Thomas Skram, 10
• Runs: William Skram, 14
• Hits: Thomas Skram, 17
• Walks: Chase Slaybaugh, 11
• Steals: William Skram, eight
• Strikeouts: Blaize Dorsey, 26

ACGC softball

• Batting average: Caydence Boals, .381
• HRs: None
• RBIs: Caydence Boals, 12
• Runs: Kailee Kautzky, 14
• Hits: Caydence Boals, 16
• Walks: Olivia Mahaffey, 15
• Steals: Kailee Kautzky, seven
• Strikeouts: Jerzee Huss, 24

Panorama baseball

• Batting average: Brayden Meinecke, .318
• HRs: None
• RBIs: Brayden Meinecke, eight
• Runs: Brayden Meinecke, 11
• Hits: Brayden Meinecke, 14
• Walks: Brody Steenblock, 11
• Steals: Cruz Crandall, eight
• Strikeouts: Nolan Sheehy, 25

Panorama softball

• Batting average: Bridgete White, .486
• HRs: Bridgete White, two
• RBIs: Andrea Knode, 11
• Runs: Emma Walker, 15
• Hits: Bridgete White and Andrea Knode, 17
• Walks: Hannah Dishman, five
• Steals: Lexi Galvan, 10
• Strikeouts: Andrea Knode, 25

1A baseball

• Batting average: Anthony Harrington of Midland, .731
• HRs: West Cole of Newman Catholic, seven
• RBIs: West Cole of Newman Catholic, 37
• Runs: Cal Heydon of Coon Rapids-Bayard, 41
• Hits: Colton Wight of Martensdale St. Marys, 39
• Walks: Cal Heydon of Coon Rapids-Bayard, 22
• Steals: Caek Wishman of Baxter, 29
• Strikeouts: Colton Moffit of Baxter, 85

1A softball

• Batting average: Olivia Ridgeway of North Mahaska, .659
• HRs: Lexi Gilbert of Woodbury Central, nine
• RBIs: Maisey Bierstedt of North Union, 33                     
• Runs: McKenna Baker of West Monona, 32
• Hits: Faith Dugan of Edgewood-Colesburg, 37
• Walks: Olivia Price of North Union, 18
• Steals: McKenna Baker of West Monona, 44
• Strikeouts: Avery Wise of Central City, 177

2A baseball

• Batting average: Blake Davis of Central Lee, .625
• HRs: Chance Georgius of Roland-Story, five
• RBIs: Chance Georgius of Roland-Story, 34
• Runs: Aiden Frey of Roland-Story, 43
• Hits: Kale Murphy of I-35, 33
• Walks: Tate Ries of Beckman Catholic, 28
• Steals: Aiden Frey of Roland-Story, 38
• Strikeouts: Lincoln Roethler, 71

2A softball

• Batting average: Brooklyn Gilbert of Westwood, .720
• HRs: Bri Blush of Beckman Catholic, 12
• RBIs: Bri Blush of Beckman Catholic, 34
• Runs: Aubrey Leonard of Ogden, 34
• Hits: Grace Christensen of Ogden, 40
• Walks: Gracie Schroeder of MMCRU, 19
• Steals: Aubrey Leonard of Ogden, 44
• Strikeouts: Jenna Collins of Denver, 181

3A baseball

• Batting average: Kamden Jorgensen of Saydel, .571
• HRs: Kamden Jorgensen of Saydel, eight
• RBIs: Colton Schnieder of Harlan Community, 28
• Runs: Jonathon Hope of Bishop Heelan, 33
• Hits: Gavin Merrill, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 33
• Walks: Jacob Pierro of Wahlert Catholic, 25
• Steals: Tate Garmen of Algona, 33
• Strikeouts: Mason Hayes of Perry, 58

3A softball

• Batting average: Libby Winters of PCM, .692
• HRs: Payton Harris of Mediapolis, nine
• RBIs: Olivia Chapman of Osage, 32
• Runs: Taylor Schwenn of Clear Lake, 35
• Hits: Taylor Schwenn of Clear Lake, 38
• Walks: Julia Roth of Wahlert Catholic, 15
• Steals: Sophia Claude of Assumption, 28
• Strikeouts: Grace Pence of Albia, 176

4A baseball

• Batting average: Bryce Pauly of Davenport North, .596
• HRs: Tru McBride of Fort Dodge, nine
• RBIs: Callan Koch of Sioux City East, 38
• Runs: Cal Jepsen of Sioux City East, 45
• Hits: Cal Jepsen of Sioux City East, 38
• Walks: Cal Jepsen of Sioux City East, 23
• Steals: Paxton Bell of Iowa City High, 26
• Strikeouts: Ryan Stedman of Valley, 62

4A softball

• Batting average: Aubree Davis of Lewis Central, .655
• HRs: Kyla Schulte of Clear Creek Amana 15
• RBIs: Ellie Doster of Fort Dodge, 48
• Runs: Bailey Moreau of Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 45
• Hits: Bailey Moreau of Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 44
• Walks: Chloe Book of Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 23
• Steals: Aubree Davis of Lewis Central, 35
• Strikeouts: Avery DeHaan of Storm Lake, 140

5A softball

• Batting average: Tessa Jones of Dallas Center-Grimes, .641
• HRs: Jordyn Kennedy of Ankeny Centennial, 14
• RBIs: Jordyn Kennedy of Ankeny Centennial, 47
• Runs: Alexa Schmidt of Bettendorf, 32
• Hits: Kari Rose of Valley, 36
• Walks: Molly Carlson of Iowa City High, 24
• Steals: Kiarah Hummel of Sioux City West, 21
• Strikeouts: Sophia Schlader of Waukee Northwest, 135

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

When I began to write this column, I figured I planned to focus on one story only: Texas Tech’s quarterback Brendan Sorsby. But, as the week moved on, I realized there were at least two other things to write about: The NBA Finals and the beginning of the World Cup.

Brendan Sorsby

One court’s decision sent a shockwave across the college football landscape this week. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Texas Tech’s quarterback, Brendan Sorsby, had a bit of a gambling problem. And by a bit, I mean betting more than $90,000 on his own team’s games. Sorsby then checked himself into rehab for his gambling problem in the aftermath. Naturally, the NCAA ruled him ineligible for these bets. Sorsby responded by filing a lawsuit against the NCAA, which is where we find ourselves today.

A Lubbock County (yes, Lubbock County, Texas) ruled on Monday to grant Sorsby a temporary injunction to play football. As of now, Sorsby, despite gambling nearly six figures on his own team’s games, will miss just the first two games of TTU’s season. Breaking the cardinal sin of gambling on your own sport, something that got Iowa State’s Hunter Dekkers completely iced out of the NCAA, something that resulted in multiple NBA and MLB players being arrested earlier this year, ruled null and void. Reactions from college football seem to universally condemn the move. Some teams are threatening to not show for their games and to not schedule games against any TTU athletic program in the future. The NCAA filed an appeal Monday afternoon, but there is no telling where this will go from here.

NBA Finals

The NBA finals have been an absolute doozy. The San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks have been locked in close-scoring, nail-biting games since game one tipped off. Yesterday’s game four produced the biggest comeback in finals history and arguably one of the greatest game winners ever seen.

At one point during the game, the Knicks, in front of a sold-out, star-studded Madison Square Garden, were down by a mammoth 29 points to the Spurs. There was a calamity of errors in the final moments, a terrible De’Aaron Fox turnover, immediately followed by an improbable Josh Hart missed layup, followed up a blocked layup attempt, led to this. Just listen to that MSG crowd lose its collective mind.

2026 World Cup

The World Cup is the greatest sporting event on the planet. The greatest sport puts the greatest players in their home colors and puts them on the biggest stage. Elite performances have launched careers, wins have cemented legacies, and nations have become united. I can’t get enough.

There are some things I have not liked about the U.S. hosting the World Cup, though. Ticket prices are astronomical. Fifa tried to ban tailgating (stop someone in Kansas City from tailgating at your own risk, Fifa officials). It also banned reusable water bottles into stadiums. Public transit available to those visiting has even seen price-hiking. The U.S. has made life difficult for Iranian players and staff, going as far as to deny entry to a referee of the year Omar Artan because he is Somalian. All of these things perturb me. But, I will now allow the U.S. and Fifa, despite their efforts, to fully destroy my enjoyment of this tournament.

The opening game happened in Mexico City yesterday between Mexica and South Africa. For me, what has been the most fun in the buildup to this year’s World Cup is the fans experiencing the U.S. Whether you agree with why our international reputation has soured in recent years, the image is improving by fans from various countries showing the beauty that can be found in this country. Quite possibly, none are doing that better than German Twitter user, FreddyLA7.

When this account hit my timeline for the first time, he had around 70,000 followers. As of linking his account to this column, Freddy is at 383,000. He has been sharing his experiences in the south through Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Here are some highlights: Going to Bass Pro Shops. 1 a.m. dinner at Buc-ee’s on piles of corn. Attending a friendly match at Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium. My personal favorite post, he found our holy land.

Things like this remind me there is so much beauty to be found and to experience in this country, and we sometimes take it for granted. It is also part of what makes the World Cup such a great event, bringing countries and cultures from around the globe to experience sport together. Like the Algerian national team choosing Lawerence, Kansas for their basecamp. Their song was even played on a banjo at a local bar. Maybe the Algerians even said hi to Zach Lahn while in town.

Reach out with comments, suggestions, story ideas and more to cyote@dmcityview.com.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

As much as I enjoy the fact that we experience every season to its fullest in Iowa (except when I have to drive in the worst of it), the summer has a special place in my heart. I get outside and stay active as much as possible, whether it be pick-up basketball, rec-league soccer, disc golf, regular golf, swimming, hiking, you name it. It made me wonder what kind of opportunities there are for these types of things in Guthrie County. Much of this information can be found in our upcoming Discover Guthrie County Guide, which will be mailed to all homes in the county next week. 

Swimming:

• Guthrie Center Aquatic Center, 206 W. State St., Highway 44, Guthrie Center
• Springbrook State Park, 2437 160th Road, Guthrie Center
• Lake Panorama National Convention Center Pool, 5071 Clover Ridge Road, Lake Panorama
• Stuart Municipal Pool, 324 S. Second St., Stuart
• Coon Rapids Aquatic Park, 925 North St., Coon Rapids

Basketball courts:

• Springbrook State Park, 2437 160th Road, Guthrie Center
• Mitchell Park, 507 W. State St., Guthrie Center
• Boulder Beach Sports Courts, 4900 Lynn Drive, Panora
• Sunset Beach Sports Courts, 6274 Panorama Drive Lake, Panora

Disc golf courses:

• Lake Panorama Disc Golf, Off of Northwest Third Street and Chimra Road, Panora
• Nations Bridge, 2997 Wagon Road, Stuart
• Coon Rapids, 925 North St., Coon Rapids

Hikes:

• Sutcliffe Woodland, Frost Trail, Guthrie Center
• Springbrook State Park, Highway 25, Guthrie Center
• E. Robinson Wildlife Area, 3181 255th St., Panora
• Nations Bridge Park, 2997 Wagon Road, P28, Stuart
• Whiterock Conservancy, 1390 Highway 141, Coon Rapids

Golf courses:

• Lake Panorama National Golf Course, 5071 Clover Ridge Road, Panora
• Lake Panorama West Golf Course, 6616 Panorama Road, Panora
• Coon Rapids Golf Course, 731 South Fifth Ave., Coon Rapids
• Guthrie Center Golf Club, 2604 State St., Highway 44, Guthrie Center

This is what I was able to find of interest as someone who has spent his time in Guthrie County mainly in Panora and Guthrie Center. Do you know some great spots I missed elsewhere? Feel free to let me know at cyote@dmcityview.com.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Panorama and ACGC’s baseball and softball seasons are officially underway. Baseball players hit the diamonds last week, and the softball players did so this week. Just like we do at the Guthrie County Times Vedette each season, our summer sports guide will be releasing soon with interviews from the respective coaches of both schools. They both have their teams, and me, excited for the summer.

The ACGC baseball team is led by Nick McCool. His Chargers reached double-digit wins at 10-14 after only winning two games the previous season. Plus, against 1A competition, the Chargers went 10-2. That’s the unfortunate reality in the West Central, as you are going to up against some bigger schools. The team did get some solid production out of seniors, but ACGC returns its two best hitters in Tommy and Will Skram. It will be fun to see how the rest of the season goes for them.

For ACGC softball, the girls had a down season last year, finishing 2-21. This was partly expected, due to losing a large and talented senior class heading into the year. With those seniors gone, a young crop of talent stepped into their places and gained plenty of worthwhile experience that should help them greatly this season. Karli Kautzky was the team’s best hitter last season and is expecting another great year. Tyler Merical’s team could improve a great deal this season, and it will be enjoyable to follow along.

On the Panorama side, the baseball team had its own struggles, and they happened in a similar manner to the ACGC softball team. The Panthers had many talented seniors in 2023-2024 who led them to double-digit wins. Replacing them was difficult. The team went 5-18 with several close losses. With fewer seniors to replace this season, and younger players gaining plenty of experience last season, Coach Brian Bahrenfuss says the Panthers could start to right the ship this season.

Panorama softball struggled in the West Central last year, finishing at the bottom of the conference despite winning nine games. The WCAC is no joke, plus the Panthers were leaning on young talent. But that young talent absolutely produced. The four best hitters for the Panthers were an eighth-grader, two freshman and a sophomore — all who put up solid stats, all who are returning. Plus, two of those great hitters, Lexi Galvan and Andrea Knode, were the team’s best pitchers last season. Head Coach Ismael Galvan told me his seniors are leading the way, and his younger players are following along. With plenty of playing time gained last season, and with few players to replace, it is entirely possible that these Panthers hit double-digit wins for the first time since 2021.

Baseball and softball were not my favorite sports growing up, but as time has gone on, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for both. Baseball is America’s past time after all, and softball brings its own charm to the plate as well. It will be fun to follow along this summer.

Reach out with comments, suggestions, story ideas and more to cyote@dmcityview.com.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

While watching game one of the NBA Western Conference Finals, I couldn’t help but notice that ESPN was turning down the volume on the crowd in the some of the biggest moments in this instant classic, which featured double overtime between two of the game’s biggest super stars and two of the most talented teams the league has seen.

The game was being played in Oklahoma City, known for having one of the loudest, most passionate fanbases in the NBA. As the clock wound down to its final moments, big shot after big shot was being hit, and the OKC crowd was going ballistic. But you wouldn’t be able to tell this if you were watching at home. I had to find full game highlights to hear it. Skip to 13:30 in the video to hear for yourself. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the back-to-back league MVP, hits a game-tying shot as time winds down, but the crowd noise is quieted so we can hear Mike Tirico.

Don’t get me wrong, Tirico is my favorite announcer in all of sports. But why quiet the fan noise so we can hear him? Massive crowd pops are one of the best things about sports. An entire arena with fans jumping and screaming at the top of their lungs is part of what makes these games so entertaining. I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

This video shows the ESPN broadcast being drowned out after a Jayson Tatum game winner in the 2022 playoffs. Mike Breen (another excellent commentator) can barely be heard over the Boston crowd (another notoriously raucous fan base). I mean, how much better does that sound? Listen to this Portland crowd for a recent WNBA game. Fans are going nuts for this clutch basket, and it only adds to the product.

Fans watching at home also complained that the New York Knicks crowd, again, another famous fan base, seemed way too quiet on the broadcast. This, despite Jalen Brunson orchestrating the second-biggest fourth-quarter playoff comeback of the last 30 years. Inside the building? A much different story. This Knicks fan put together an edited version of the broadcast that accurately reflected the crowd noise. It sounds so much better. It sounds like sports.

I decided to find some of my favorite crowd pops over the years from various sporting events. Crowds going bananas during big moments scratches that ear worm for me. A recent one: Nate Heise’s go ahead three against Houston this season. Three seasons ago, Reiss Nelson scoring for my favorite soccer team capped off an insane late comeback against Bournemouth with a wonderful strike, sending the north London crowd into a frenzy. For you older wrestling fans, there’s probably no moment louder than Mankind defeating The Rock for the WWF title thanks to Stone Cold Steve Austin.

So, please, ESPN, ABC, NBC or whichever it may be, leave the crowd noise alone. It’s part of why we watch.

Reach out with comments, suggestions, story ideas and more to cyote@dmcityview.com.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The state-qualifying meets for ACGC and Panorama boys and girls track were last night, and the student-athletes impressed. It is something I marvel at each year. Making it to state felt like a rarity when I was at high school, but between ACGC and Panorama, across many sports, it feels like the norm.

ACGC

The ACGC boys, coming off a second-place finish at last year’s state track and field meet, showed they still have what it takes. First-year head coach Jacob Lacey, who admittedly has been with the team for several years, proved he can get the Chargers to the big stage, winning this year’s state-qualifying meet at Audubon. The boys won four events: Brexton Schneider in the 110-meter hurdles (something he has made a habit of this season), Preston Kent in the 3,200-meter run, the sprint medley relay team of Joe Crawford, Schneider, Thomas Skram and Talon Noland, and the 4×110-meter shuttle hurdle team of Skram, Morgun Nolte, Collin Stringham and Schneider. Plus, plenty of top-10 finishes. It will be fun to see how the Chargers finish this season versus last.

The ACGC girls did not win their meet outright but still won an event and will be sending a few girls to the state meet. The 4×200-meter relay team of Meranda Gruber, Savannah Akers, Cadence Petersen and Nora Langgaard came out on top and will be heading to state.

Panorama

The Panorama boys will be sending at least two athletes to the state meet: Reed Draper and Syler Shaffer. These two were the most likely to advance to state based on their performances this season. Draper in the long jump, and Shaffer in the 400-meter hurdles, were both consistently placing in the top two all season long. It will be interesting to see how they stack up against the rest of the state.

As for the girls, a familiar name will be at state on the blue track in Des Moines: Kylie Rochholz. Rochholz has become a staple in postseason events in both track and cross country since her freshman year, and this year is no different. Despite running limited races this season due to rehabbing from an injury, Rochholz waltzed into the state qualifier by winning the 1,500-meter run and placing second in the 3,000-meter run. Both are impressive feats. Let’s hope she continues to add to her impressive list of accolades at state.

It is great that these two schools continually have some of the best athletes in the state. I often find difficulty in rooting for my beloved Lincoln Rails. We are not good at much, except for soccer, much to my delight. But, come postseason, at least one of these two schools will give me someone or some team to root for. When it comes to track and field, that gives me almost too much to keep track of. I hope it stays that way.

Reach out with comments, suggestions, story ideas and more to cyote@dmcityview.com.