Food prices cause increase to school meals, milk
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Meals and milk for students at PCM will increase for the 2025-26 school year. The PCM School Board approved a $0.15 hike for both products due to several factors, including rising food costs.
“Several factors, including rising food costs (a huge impact), equipment and repair costs and increased salaries,”
A $0.15 increase approved across the district for student lunches
PCM Nutrition Director Kerri Roling said. “In addition, the state encourages SFAs to have funding in their account to cover three months of expenses.”
For the next school year, K-12 breakfast will be $1.75, K-5 lunch $3 and 6-12 lunch $3.10.
Adult breakfast will be $2.05 and adult lunch
$5. Milk, which was approved to Anderson Erickson, will be $0.60.
“Other factors to
consider with the meal prices include decreased district enrollment, high school open campus and aging equipment. These factors need to be considered along with increased costs mentioned earlier,” Roling said. “We want to maintain our nutrition fund; we do not want to drop below the suggested three months of expenses balance.”
The board also approved Pan O Gold Bak-
ing Co. for bread services. Roling said Bimbo Bakeries came in with a lower bid but would only deliver to one site for the entire district. Pan O Gold Baking agreed to deliver to the three school buildings — Prairie City Elementary and PCM Middle School is one stop — saving the staff significant time.
“I priced out the difference by estimating what I would order for next school year - the
Holding on with hope
Spring City Pharmacy in Colfax is facing an uncertain future. The community staple is looking to local state legislators to work to pass legislation that will greatly benefit not only Spring City Pharmacy but all other pharmacies across Iowa.
“Our biggest struggle is that a large portion of the prescriptions we (or any pharmacy) fill, the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) pay us less than it costs us to buy the drugs,” Spring City Pharmacy owner Brad Magg said. “So it’s not uncommon to lose anywhere from $1-$200 filling a patient’s prescription before we even pay for overhead like lights, staff, labels and packaging.”
In just the three years Magg
and fellow owners Brittney Van Howeling and Brenda Tjaden have been in charge of the pharmacy, they have lost $105,884.57 just filling 9,790 prescriptions. Magg points to PBMs as middlemen or subcontractors that have minimal regulations or oversight managing the prescription drug portion of health insurance for insurance companies.
“For instance, Canada does not have PBMs, and their wholesale drug prices are 30 percent less on average than America’s,” Magg said. “Think of how much different healthcare would be if 30 percent of all of the prescription drug sales in America were split between pharmacies so they could be paid for the work they do, health insurance companies to reduce premiums and out-of-pocket prices for patients
lowered.”
Two bills are moving through the state house, Senate File 383 and House File 852. According to Magg, the legislation would require PBM’s and insurance companies to pay pharmacies what the drug actually costs and bans them from charging the insurance companies more for the prescription than they pay the pharmacy.
“Basically making them be transparent about the fees that they’re collecting instead of skimming their profits from what is intended to go to the pharmacies,” Magg said. “In its current form, the legislation also requires them to pay a small dispensing fee to help cover the overhead costs, as well.”
Iowa House Rep. Jon Dunwell recently addressed the issue saying HF 852 is on the House
difference is $658 based on estimated orders, but I feel having product delivered to our three sites would be more beneficial to us when we consider vehicle use, labor, potential work comp issues, etc.,” Roling said.
“Pan O Gold has made corrections or credits whether their mistakes or we were late to order in time. They have been satisfactory to work with this past school year.”
Interim superinten-
dent Art Sathoff recommended holding the current school fees for the next year and look to raise them for 2026-27. Currently, fees include book fees for elementary at $50, middle school at $55 and high school at $60. Full day preschool is $150 per month and band rental fees are $25 if rented through the district. Activity passes are $45 for students, $100 for adults and $50 for a 10-punch card.
Spring City Pharmacy looking at bleak future if state legislature doesn’t address middleman with prescription drugs
of dollars.
unfinished business calendar, ensuring it is “funnel-proof” and will remain under consideration for this session. It has already passed the commerce committee unanimously.
REARRANGING HISTORY
Jasper County Historical Museum opens for the 2025 season May 1 with updated exhibits, reorganized treasures and new displays
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Jasper County Historical Museum is going to look a bit different this year. Many of the displays have been altered and updated, and some new exhibits have even been added to pique the interests of returning patrons. Probably one of the biggest changes is the expanded viewings on the Main Street floor.
For years the recreated period home and its accompanying schoolhouse, drug store and other old timey businesses have been closed off and prevented guests from getting a closer look. Museum director Lynne Whelan said those areas are now open to let patrons see all of the small details hiding in the corners.
“You don’t see them unless you can walk back there and see what’s all there,” Whelan said. “… We’ve got
all these wonderful things on display now so you can see them. I got my exhibit committee together and said, ‘What do you folks want to do?’ They said they wanted to change some things. ‘Well, great! Let’s do that!’”
Other noticeable changes include the Victorian parlor being set up for a funeral or wake, complete with MUSEUM | 3
County engineer plans to replace more than 20 bridges in the next 5 years or so
HMA resurfacing and other kinds of pavement projects also listed as priorities
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Over the next five years, almost two dozen bridges in Jasper County are planned to be replaced, along with five HMA resurfacing projects, 10 or so pavement projects and a few surface improvement projects, according to the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) secondary roads five-year program. County Engineer Michael Frietsch said all construction projects — replacing in kind or repairing — are included in the five-year plan. Regularly scheduled maintenance work is not included in the plan. He noted the dates included in the plan are when the projects will be let and not necessarily when the work is done. However, there are a number of projects whose accomplishment year has been set for FY26, which is from July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2026.
Bridge R01 on East 40th Street South over Reasnor Creek will be replaced with pipe. The Bridge R20 project on West 24th Street South over Buck Creek will be let after July 1 and then be built within the next year. Bridge S33 on County Line Road over a branch of Skunk River is expected to be finished in fall.
Bridge C16 on North 99th Avenue East over
PRIORITIES | 3
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Spring City Pharmacy in Colfax is urging community members to talk to local state legislators about passing files related to pharmacy benefit managers, a “middleman” that is costing the pharmacy thousands
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer
Lynne Whelan, director of the Jasper County Historical Museum, showcases the newly established Maytag room, which features the many different endeavors the Maytag family was involved in over the years.
Worth Mentioning
Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com
Upcoming events at The Gathering Place in Monroe
Thursday, May 1
• 8-11am Playgroup
• 10am Senior Living Series “Moving? What do I do with all my stuff?”
• 12:30pm TAI CHI for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
Monday, May 5
• 10am Video Exercise Class
Tuesday, May 6
• 8-11am Playgroup
• 8am Coffee and Prayer
• 9:30am Peg’s Plants & Pots
• 1pm Game Time Wednesday, May 1
• 4pm Get Fit, Don’t Fall with Amy S.
• 6pm BINGO
Monroe City-Wide Garage Sales
Saturday
Monroe City-Wide Garage Sales are scheduled for Saturday, May 3 and registrations are available at City Hall, Monroe Post Office, Monroe Foods or online at www.monroeia.com.
PCM Food Pantry
The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St. in Monroe, is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.
TOPS
TOPS 1025 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City for weigh-in, with meeting to follow. Go to the north side parking lot at the church and enter in the north door. Call 515-994-2200 for information.
Lighthouse Recovery meetings
Lighthouse Recovery Ministries host a Men’s and Ladies Recovery meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Alive Church, 703 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.
PCM Clothing Closet
The PCM Clothing Closet, on the second floor of the Family Life Center at 105 S. Sherman St. in Prairie City, will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.
PC Library offerings each Wednesday
The Prairie City Public Library hosts regular “bring your own craft” times and Storytimes at 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoons. At 4 p.m. Wednesdays, you can read with therapy dogs. There are also book clubs for adults and middle school students.
Spring Clean-up in Monroe
Monroe Spring Clean-up day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7. For a list of unacceptable items, visit www.midwestsanitation.com.
Time to check and treat your herd for ticks
Temperatures are warmer, grass is greening up nicely, and yes, it’s time for ticks. But are ticks on cattle a concern? Absolutely, said Iowa Beef Center program specialist Beth Reynolds, because of disease transmission opportunities.
For example, anaplasmosis is a tickborne disease with an estimated U.S. beef industry impact over $300 million per year. The cost is realized in poor performance, abortions and death loss.
“For infected cattle that recover without medication, these animals remain carriers for life without showing clinical signs, which increases the likelihood for the disease to spread within the herd,” she said. “Anaplasmosis is in Iowa with cases trending higher in recent
years.”
There are various methods available to control tick populations on livestock, with use dependent on individual circumstances.
“Treating with chemical acaricides, like a pour-on, is the most common strategy,” Reynolds said.
“To prevent ticks from developing resistance, rotate the class of chemical used annually. When treating, treat all animals in the herd at the same time, and reapply product according to label directions for best results.”
Burning pastures in the spring can reduce tick populations in that pasture, although she cautions farmers to be aware of brush areas, etc., that can serve as tick refuges.
She said a recent BEEF maga-
Tickborne disease can impact performance, death loss
zine article titled “Dangerous hitchhikers” does a great job of describing and explaining cattle health threats caused by ticks, and encourages producers to take a look at it.
The three most common species encountered in Iowa are the blacklegged (deer) tick, American dog (wood) tick, and the lone star tick. All three are effective vectors for different diseases and pose a risk to humans as well as livestock and pets. In addition, lone star tick bites pose the risk of alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy). Awareness and prevention are crucial in keeping yourself and your livestock healthy.
For more information, check out this Iowa State resource available online, Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases PM 2036.
Tips for the gardening beginner
Gardening is a popular hobby all over the world. Ruby Home Luxury Real Estate estimates there are 71.5 million gardening households in the United States alone. That translates to around 185.9 million people engaged in some form of gardening, which places the U.S. among other countries where gardening is wildly popular, including Australia and China. Choose the best location Spend time in the yard and decide where to house a garden. A far-off corner may get the most sun, but will you forget about the garden if it is too far away? Ideally, the garden should be located where it will get at least six to eight hours of sun each day. There also should be a water source nearby. The spot also
Volunteer trail maintenance at NSNWR
Staff at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge will offer training on trail maintenance and invasive plant removal from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3. Volunteers will learn about the refuge, trail maintenance procedures, tools and safety. A lunch break will be provided.
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
Primary Health Care offers:
should be convenient so that it is easy to go and pick vegetables or prune flowers.
Start small
If you’re new to gardening, begin with a small garden footprint so that you can get your feet wet. A raised garden bed can be a good starting point because it is contained and easy to maintain.
Amend the soil
It’s possible but unlikely that the soil in the backyard is the perfect mix to grow healthy plants. It’s more likely that the garden will need some soil modification. You can test the soil makeup with do-it-yourself kits or work with a garden center. A garden typically requires a mix of compost to add nutrients to the dirt; peat moss or coconut coir to help with water retention
and to make the soil lighter; and vermiculite that helps to retain water. A compost bin set up at the same time as the garden allows gardeners to continually produce nutrient-rich food to add to the garden.
Plant starter guide
It’s best to keep a few things in mind when planning the garden. Think about what will grow well in your climate. Consider how big the garden will be and the size of mature plants. A small garden will not be able to accommodate corn, for example. Also, how would you like the space to look and what will be its function?
Start seeds inside
If you’ll be starting a garden from seeds, it’s best to start indoors before your region’s frost-free date. This
way the delicate plants will get the needed care and can establish before they go outdoors in the ground. Keep them humid by covering the seedlings in plastic wrap. You can start the seeds in different containers, even empty egg cartons. Transplant to larger containers after the seedlings grow a second set of leaves. Once you’re free from overnight frost, you can place the established, strong seedlings in the ground. An automatic watering system, such as a timer hooked up to the sprinkler, can keep the garden well watered, which increases the chances of success. Then it will only be a matter of weeks before the garden can be enjoyed throughout the season.
— Metro Creative
sweepstakes
• Free testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis
• Free hepatitis C testing (if qualified)
• PrEP (HIV prevention medication)
• PEP (emergency medication for preventing HIV after exposure)
• Help connecting to care & treatment for people living with HIV
• Free condoms, safer sex supplies & supplies for reducing harms of substance use
To make an appointment: Call 515-248-1500
Schedule online at: https://phctheproject.org/free-testing Also, look for Primary Health Care at community events!
Enter the Newton News Mother’s Day Sweepstakes for your chance to win! Three winners will be selected at random to win a $50 gift card. You may enter now through May 7th.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Locations:
Des Moines
Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PHC University Medical Clinic 1200 University Avenue, #120 Des Moines, IA
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2nd Wednesday of the month 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PHC Medical Dental Clinic 3510 W. Lincoln Way Ames, IA
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1st Monday of the month 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PHC Medical Dental Clinic 101 Iowa Ave., W, #102 Marshalltown, IA
Explorer PCM
Parents can feel comfortable using OTC meds
Consult your child’s pediatrician prior to needing those medications
Usage of over-the-counter headache medicines might be widely associated with adults, but children get headaches as well, and parents may wonder if youngsters can lean on the same remedies their parents look to when seeking relief. Nationwide Children’s Hospital notes rest and relaxation is the best
way to treat a headache, but parents also can utilize OTC medications like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol) or naproxen (Aleve) to help mitigate the symptoms of headache in children. Children’s versions of popular OTC headache medicines such as Motrin can be utilized. Parents are urged to read all product
run business is will be looking at hard times.
“Throughout my tenure, we’ve consistently tackled issues surrounding PBMs, yet progress has been stalled repeatedly by the Senate,” Dunwell said.
The owners are asking community members to contact any and all state senators and ask them to support SF 282. He singled out three specific senators Amy Sinclair, acting senate majority leader, Ken Rozenboom, senator for Jasper County and Senator Mike Klimesh, the bill sponsor as most critical to the cause.
“It’s expected to pass the Iowa House, but just like last year, despite having enough votes for it to pass, we’re afraid the senate will refuse to even bring it to a vote,” Magg said. “From what we understand, reaching out to these three senators is the most crucial.”
Should it stall again this year, Spring City Pharmacy is looking at a very different future. From no pharmacist on site to having to completely close, the locally
Museum
Continuedfrompage1
flowers, hymnals and black drapes covering portraits and mirrors. The Maytag Toy Racer has been moved to the first floor. The Rocky Marciano tribute has some notable additions, too. It feels like a new experience.
Whelan describes herself as an organizer, and she wanted the museum to avoid looking like a storage unit. She also wanted to showcase historic items that had been either stored away or hidden from public view. Whelan is also the type of person who wants to see follow-thru, and the
“There could be a possibility of someone taking it over as a telepharmacy, but that means there would no longer be a pharmacist on-site, and everything would be done via video conference,” Magg said. “Telepharmacies typically have reduced hours, such as being open only half of the day instead of all day.
“Honestly, though, that would be a best-case situation. Most likely, we would be forced to close, and there would no longer be a pharmacy in Colfax. No matter how badly we want to try and hang on for just six more months or even a year, we’ve run out of things that we can borrow against, and we have no cash left to pay the suppliers or the employees since we fill so many prescriptions at a loss.”
He also pointed out the lack of patronage from community members. While it is comforting knowing a pharmacy is available in Colfax, it hasn’t necessarily lead to locals using the services.
“It is disappointing some
museum is moving in that direction.
Perhaps one of the more notable new exhibits is the Maytag room. Whelan said the room’s purpose is to show that the company did more than just manufacture washing machines and blue cheese.
The Maytag family formed an airline, brewed beer, wine and spirits and even produced automobiles.
“Maytag was not just about washing machines,” Whelan said. “They will be astounded. Maytag was so big. So many of these things were here in Newton.”
Whelan hopes guests find their visit to the Jasper County Historical Mu-
labels and speak with their children’s pediatricians before administering children’s headache medicines. Such discussions are particularly important before giving older kids and adolescents OTC medications that are not designated as children’s remedies.
— Metro Creative
days to see the lack of patronage from community members,” Magg said. “We’ve had local customers talk about how they forgot to get something at Wal-Mart, and they’ll be happy we have the exact product they wanted. Some even mention that it’s slightly cheaper than what they got it for last time at the big box stores because we are trying hard to be affordable and competitive for the community. Only to never see that person in the store until a year later when they forgot something else.”
Since 1906, there has been a pharmacy on the corner of North Walnut and Howard streets in downtown Colfax. For the first 110 years, the Weirick and Patterson families had a well-run business that weathered world wars, recessions and everything in between. Mag, Van Howeling and Tjaden wanted to keep the business going and put a lot into making sure it wouldn’t disappear to history.
“We are also the only locally owned pharmacy in all of Jasper County, and I like to think the level of care we provide as members of the community,
seum fascinating.
“This is neat stuff that you don’t think about until you trip over it,” she said.
The museum officially opens for the season May 1.
Tours are held 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, except for Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. The last tour begins at 4 p.m. People are encouraged to call ahead for large group tours at 641-792-9118. The season ends Sept. 30. Jasper County residents are admitted free of charge.
Out-of-county adults pay $10, students ages 1118 enter at $5 and children ages 10 years and under have free admission.
versus owners and executives who can’t even find Jasper county on a map, is exceptionally different,” Magg said. “When we opened Spring City Pharmacy, we assumed the most significant service we would be helping were those who don’t have a vehicle or can’t afford to drive out of town. However, I quickly realized the people who depend on us the most are the loved ones pushing the limit for still living independently. Without us, they might not be able to live on their own anymore, forcing them to leave the community.”
Along with the pharmacy, the business boasts a robust selection of over-the-counter medical items, a large selection of greeting cards, toys, home decor and gift items. They were able to save the historic soda fountain and are proud to serve classics including vanilla Cokes and green rivers along with homemade ice cream.
“Those of us who grew up here remember it from our childhood,” Magg said. When the three of us, all lifelong residents born and raised in Colfax, came together to reopen
Priorities
Continuedfrompage1
probably won’t show up until summer 2026. HMA pavement is planned for North 51st Avenue East from Hilltop Estates to the Polk County line, which will reinforce the road to handle construction traffic at the subdivision.
Bridge S13 on East 64th Street South over a small stream is another local bridge replacement with pipe. Pavement improvements are planned for South Main Street in Reasnor, which was a quote approved last year. A box culvert replacement on South 20th Avenue West is also letting in July.
Pavement maintenance is also planned on Highway S-74 South, Im-
and save our only pharmacy, we knew it wouldn’t be easy and that we would be lucky to break even, but we were okay with that as long as we could pay our bills. Never did we imagine that it would be legal, let alone common, to be forced to fill so many prescriptions at a loss.
“Forty pharmacies closed last year in Iowa alone. Nationwide one independent and two chain pharmacies close every day. If this legislation doesn’t pass, or if something doesn’t happen very soon, there will be no pharmacies left. Imagine being sick and needing an antibiotic, but you have to wait for it to come in the mail three days after your doctor sends in the prescription. That is what it will be like in the next few years if something doesn’t happen.”
Monroe Community Pharmacy shared similar feelings about PBMs. On Facebook the pharmacy posted “Please help us and all independent pharmacies who are struggling with Pharmacy Benefit Managers. We have been and continue to do our part in speaking with legislatures, but could use your community support, as well.”
age Avenue and Highway T-38 North. Bridge S07 on Highway F-62 over Elk Creek will be let in December or January 2026. The FLAP grant project for improved access to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is being let in June. PCC paving will be completed at South 128th Avenue East near Co-Line Manufacturing, and that will also be let in July. The third phase of the HMA resurfacing project for Highway F-48 West from Colfax to the Polk County line is going to be let in March 2026.
“That’s what we got coming up in the accomplishment year as far as our program goes,” Frietsch said to the board of supervisors back in early April. “…We’ve got a variety of more projects after that in the priority years. But that’s kind of what we got coming up the next year or so here.”
The board of supervisors approved the FY26 five-year program for the secondary roads department in a 3-0 vote.
The PCM
Track takes on Drake Relays
The Drake Relays is a big track meet event that only takes the top relays/open events throughout Iowa, according to time. The meet was held at the Drake Stadium in Des Moines. The PCM boys’ track team qualified for two events that will be running on April 25 and 26. Seniors Tad Wilson, Adrian Robbins, Riley Graber, and freshman Lewis Daye got their spot at the Drake Relays with a time of 43.62 in the 4x100 relay. The other event that also qualified is the open 400-meter dash by Riley Graber, with a time of 49.33, also qualifying. On Friday, Graber ran an outstanding 49.17 in the 400 dash at Drake. He not only broke the school record, which was also previously held by him with a time of 49.33, but also placed fourth overall and third in his heat at Drake. The next day, Saturday, the boys’ 4x1 team ran in the morning. When they walked in, they were seeded seventy-seventh in the state, they left Drake placed forty-fifth overall. The team finished sixth compared to the other 2A schools. The finishing time of 43.99 landed them third in their heat. “I was very nervous and starstruck. The day before I ran, when I went up there, it was very cool, and it was just nice seeing everybody run and watching my teammate (Riley Graber). When Saturday came, I was in awe and was so scared to go out there and run, as it was my first time being on a big stage like that,” said Daye. When asked how his team did as a whole, his response was that the team performed well, but it was far from their best. Hand-offs could’ve been better, but he is happy with where they are now. As a team, they did decently, but there is only room for improvement in the future. “To improve us as a team, we are definitely going to go over our steps and handoffs and just make sure we prepare properly. I can’t really speak for the other guys, but me personally, one thing I’m going to do is have a better mindset and not be overly worried so I can go out there and do my best while being calm and loose.” Daye stated. The PCM track team will be back at it Monday, April 28, and tonight, Thursday, May 1, this week, at home. Come and support!
& Interviewing, NASCAR Driver; Kyle Larson
Edgett Staff Writer
Over the course of my time in journalism, I constantly try to find ways to make it better. This past week I sat down and created a list of things to do, and I shared it with Mrs. Grett. One major part of journalism is interviewing; it is probably the most central point of everything you do in journalism. And when it comes to interviews, one thing stands as the top goal, the one thing every young, starting journalist wants to accomplish. To interview a celebrity. Now, one part of interviewing a celebrity is to actually find a celebrity to interview. Being in the middle of Iowa isn't helping the problem. The only big events in Iowa that happen yearly occur in August with NASCAR, IndyCar, Knoxville Nationals, and NCAA football. And if you know absolutely anything about me, you know there is one person that I follow and watch race every week most of the year: Kyle Larson. Kyle Larson is commonly noted as one of, if not the best, race car drivers on the planet. He has won a NASCAR Cup Series championship, won the Chili Bowl 3x, won the Knoxville Nationals 3x (the last two being back-to-back, leading every lap flag to flag), and was the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year in 2024. Safe to say he has accomplished some things in his time, and he is only 32 years old. Some other notable accomplishments are that he holds the NASCAR Cup Series closest finish of all time, winning at Kansas Speedway in May of 2024; he beat Chris Buescher by 0.001 seconds, or about half an inch. When it comes to the racing world, this man stands alone. Now, yes, I can say that it would be great to interview him, but I would have to wait till August, and the interview would be irrelevant till season 9 of TTV. Luck would fall in my favor. Normally Kyle can't race anywhere else on the weekends due to NASCAR, so any chance of seeing him at a dirt track is almost impossible. Luckily the NASCAR Cup Series did not race Easter weekend, leaving Larson free. But I mean, what are the odds Larson is going to race on his only off week at Knoxville Raceway instead of going on vacation…? My phone then proceeds to send text after text saying that Larson is going to race at Knoxville Raceway on
Recap: Boys & Girls Track & Field Meet at Van Meter
Peyton Lathrum Staff Writer
PCM Track and Field traveled to Van Meter on Monday, April 21. Girls ended with a score of 53 points, which got them in 7th place overall. Alyssa Buckingham and Addison Shannon ran the 100-meter dash and ended in 15th and 21st place with times of 14.5 and 14.8. Ryan Devore and Stella Stravers ran the 200-meter dash and ended with times of 28.4 and 31.5. Which got them in 10th and 18th places. Lexi Fagg and Paiten Rumbaugh ran the 400-meter dash. Lexi ended with a 1:04 and Paiten with a 1:06. Which got them in 10th and 11th place. Abi Teeter ended in 7th place with a 2:31 in the 800-meter dash, while Bailey Wheeler got 11th place, running a 2:38. Darbey DeRaad, with a new PR in the 1500-meter dash with a 5:33, ended in 8th place. Ali Hilsabeck got 9th place with a 5:34. The 100-meter hurdles were run by Lillian Humpal and Tori Lindsay. Humpal finished with a time of 18.11 and Lindsay with a time of 18.56. Hilsabeck, also running the 3000-meter run, ended with a time of 12:08. Doubling in points, Katelynn Fagg got 3rd place and Lexi Fagg got 5th place. With jumps of 16-02 and 15-09. Libby Winters jumped 4-06, ending in 9th place. Scarlett Mosher threw 28-08 in shot put, with Ila Keuning throwing 27-09. With discus, Ila Keuning got 5th place with a throw of 91-11, and Scarlett Mosher threw 71-03. The boys got 1st place overall. Now starting with the 100 dash, Lewis Daye ended in 6th place with an 11.82. Wyatt Heater ending with a time of 12.04. Riley Graber ran the 200 dash and the 400 dash, getting first place in both, ending with times of 22.5 and 51.0. Tad Wilson running a 23.1 in the 200 dash. Also running the 400 dash was Joey Ferneding, running a 55.52. Getting first place with a time of 2:02, Kash Fischer. Coby Deraad ran a 2:08 in the 800 dash. Carsen Hansen ran 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute flat that got him in 4th place. Gavin VanGorp jumped 21-04, and Finn Wilson jumped 19-09 in the long jump, ending them in second and sixth place. Chase Wagaman jumped 5-10 in the high jump, ending him in 4th place. Alex Wendt and Hayden Shannon threw 44-07 and 41-08, ending them in 4th and 8th place. Wendt and Harlan Shannon threw 134-1 and 127-03 for discus.
his only week off instead of him going on vacation. I was awestruck; reality set in. I mean, what are even the odds that Mrs. Grett lets me try and… She approved it. Alright, but even with it now being almost an official assignment, I would still have to go to the race, wait till the end, get in his mile-long signing line, and ask him for the interview, then pray that he said yes. The racing started, and it was a great event. Larson went from 10th to just coming up short at the line in a photo finish to get 2nd. Then the plan was set in motion. I ran down through the dense crowd and got in line. I was fairly close to the front and only waited a short amount of time. Once I got up to him, I went through the process of explaining who I am and what I'm doing; he said yes. His line was extremely long, and I knew I only had time to ask him three questions. During the interview, my heart was pounding more than it ever had. As I asked him how his night went, he replied, “It was good; I just made a little too many mistakes at the end.” Then I asked him how he first got into racing; he said that “my dad bought me a go-kart when I was young.” I asked him what had been his proudest moment in his career, and he said, “First outlaw win, first Knoxville Nationals, Cup Series championship.” I don't like to brag, but I did it. I interviewed not only a celebrity but also the person I wake up to watch every week.
It’s time for Abby’s Angles! Normally I write about shows or movies that I love and have major feelings about, but not today. I am writing about how I am yearning for summer and my thoughts on the past school year as a freshman. In the beginning of the year I was intimidated by all the new opportunities, but as it seems, high school really isn’t that different from middle school. A few differences I noticed are more people, harder classes, more clubs, sports getting serious, and you having more class options. That looks like a lot of differences, but the atmosphere is pretty much the same, just with more stress. While we are in high school, we still, as underclassmen, have similar freedom to middle school students. We have to have our phones put in pockets, a new state law says we can’t have our backpacks in class, and we have limited bathroom passes. While I understand where these rules come from, it is still annoying for students. I also understand there is not much of an age difference between middle school and freshmen, but as a middle school student, I was always told that there was so much more freedom and fewer rules in high school. That was not the case. I often find myself wishing I was still in eighth grade; there are similar rules with less stress. As the weeks pass, I keep wishing for summer break. The weeks feel like they are getting longer. Classes keep getting more boring, and it doesn’t help that semester tests are creeping up on me. Though I feel prepared, I still don’t want to take long tests that determine a decent amount of my grade. I also don’t want to continue studying for the tests. It will be worth it when it’s over because it will be summer. Summer is my favorite time of the year. I get to spend most of my time outside in the heat. I think I am a little biased because I have my birthday in July. Anyway, I love hanging out with my friends anytime I want. I love the activities you can do in summer. For example, I love swimming. It is the perfect way to cool off when staying in the sun for a long time. Along with that, I think my family gets together more in the summer. Since the weather is nice, there are almost unlimited activities to do whenever you want to do them. I also love spending my time how I want. I am almost never stressed while in school. I find myself stressing about everything, so it is so nice to have a two-and-a-halfmonth break off of thinking and stressing. Continuing about stress, I find during high school my schedule is SO busy. I almost never have a night with nothing. Don’t get me wrong, I love being busy, but again, towards the end of the year, I just feel so tired and burned out. Obviously towards the end of summer I miss seeing my friends every day, but I miss summer more at the end of the school year.
Scan here to learn more about staff writer Abby Bradbury!
Graber headlines PCM boys at Drake Relays
By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer
DES MOINES — PCM senior Riley Graber was not surprised he reset the school record books in the 400-meter dash at the 115th Drake Relays on April 25.
“I don’t know how you can’t run fast here,” Graber said. “It’s a special place running in front of all these people. I know I’m going to run well here.”
Graber not only ran well. One could argue he made a big statement.
And his fourth-place finish on the blue oval in the 400 led the Mustangs inside Drake Stadium.
PCM also competed in the 4x100 relay on April 26. And only one runner from that quartet had ever been a participant in the Drake Relays prior to this season. Only two of the members had ever ran on the blue oval before period.
“I think we ran well for two of the guys being here for the first time,” Graber said. “It was easier for me today because I ran yesterday. But the other guys haven’t been in a while or never been at all.”
Graber anchored the 4x100 relay to a 45th-place finish. The Mustangs did not post a season-best time, but the foursome of Lewis Daye, Tad Wilson, Adrien Robbins and Graber turned in a time of 43.99 seconds.
That’s the team’s second-best 4x100 time this season. They came into the meet with the 77th-best qualifying time.
“I think we’re happy with our time, but we know we could have done better,” said Robbins, who ran on PCM’s 4x100 team as a sophomore. “I think we could have done better on handoffs. We ran up on each other too much, and that hindered our times.”
McDanel leads PCM boys to team title at Mohawk Invitational
MORAVIA — Jeffery McDanel won a two-hole playoff to earn medalist honors, the Mustangs turned in four scores under 80 and the PCM boys golf team won the Mohawk Boys Invitational on April 25.
PCM registered a season-best 18-hole score by 11 strokes and edged Albia and Knoxville in the final standings. The Mustangs won the tournament with a 303. Albia (306) and Knoxville (307) were not far behind and the rest of the top five featured Washington (312) and Williamsburg (313).
The next best five in the 17-team field included Pleasantville (314), Nevada (328), Chariton (330), Mount Ayr (332), Fort Madison (336) and Oskaloosa (336).
McDanel turned in a ca-
The Mustangs’ time was the fifth-best in Class 2A. They needed a 42.65 to make the finals.
“Once we got things rolling, it was really fun for me,” Daye said. “I’m not satisfied. I think we can be better and our handoffs can get better.
reer-best 71 as the meet medalist. He defeated Washington’s Drew Conrad (71) in a playoff.
Charlie Ford (76), Easton Van Veen (77) and Tate Tangeman (79) had the other counting scores and Pete Kiernan (81) turned in a non-counting score.
Mustangs finish third at West Marshall STATE CENTER — McDanel finished in the top five, Van Veen also was under 80 and the Mustangs were third at the West Marshall tournament on April 21.
PCM shot 316 in third. East Marshall won the meet with a 298 and the rest of the top five in the 10-team field included Nevada (309), West Marshall (337) and Boone (338).
“It was a humbling experience. This was basically us getting ready to state.” Daye and Wilson made their debuts on the blue oval. Both athletes admitted to being nervous before the race.
“It was what I expected,” Wilson said. “It’s just like another meet, but the mindset is different. We did all right. I think we could have done better.”
Johnston (41.84) edged Cedar Rapids Kennedy (41.89) for the championship later in the day.
DRAKE RELAYS | 7
PCM girls golf wins at Chariton, finishes second in Knoxville
CHARITON — The Mustangs shot under 200 for the second time this season, Emilyn Davis and Gretchen Uitermarkt finished 2-3 individually and the PCM girls golf team won a road quadrangular at Lake View Golf & Country Club on April 24.
PCM shot 196 as the winners. Davis County (208), host Chariton (219) and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (222) completed the four-team field.
Davis carded a career-best 46 as the runner-up medalist and Uitermarkt shot 47 in third. The other two counting scores came from Seriah Nolin (51), Meredith Chipps (52) and Brelee Berger (52). Nolin and Chipps both posted career-best scores.
Davis County’s Jayden Koenig was the meet medalist with a 46. She won a card back against Davis.
Mustangs finish second at Knoxville KNOXVILLE — Berger turned in a career-best score and the Mustangs finished second at a road quadrangular at Pine Knolls Golf Club on April 21. Pella won the meet with a 193 and had two of the top three scores. PCM shot 205 in second and the rest of the field included host Knoxville (243) and Pleasantville (270). Berger finished fourth with a career-best 49 and Uitermarkt turned in a 50 in fifth. The other two counting scorers were Annie Ford (52) and Nolin (54). Chipps (55) and Davis (57) turned in non-counting scores. Knoxville’s Caelie Smith was the meet medalist with a 44. Pella’s Karsyn Lyons
and Harper Phillips
and
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM senior Riley Graber, second from the left, finished fourth in the 400-meter dash at the 115th Drake Relays on April 25.
(45)
(45) were second
third, respectively.
PCM Explorer
BOYS GOLF | 6
PCM Explorer
GIRLS GOLF | 6
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM senior Easton Van Veen putts during a tournament earlier this season in Pella. The Mustangs turned in their best score of the season last week in Moravia, and Van Veen had one of the counting scores that day.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM junior Emilyn Davis hits the ball toward the green during a meet earlier this season. Davis was the runner-up at Chariton last week, and the Mustangs left with a team win, too.
Explorer PCM
Knoxville too much for PCM soccer
Boys Golf
East Marshall’s Cody Weaver was the meet medalist with a 66 at Lincoln Valley Golf Course.
West Marshall’s Hunter Polley carded a 69 as the runner-up medalist.
McDanel shot 76 to lead PCM, while Van Veen had a 78. Ford (81) and Tangeman (81) had the other two counting scores and Wyatt Schubert (85) and Kiernan (86) posted non-counting scores. Schubert’s 85 was a career best.
PCM competes in Dutch Masters Classic
By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer
MONROE — PCM head soccer coach Darrin Telfer can’t complain about his team’s effort. But the Mustangs simply didn’t have enough soccer skills to hang with Knoxville on April 21 and the Panthers delivered a 7-0 victory during non-conference action.
“We play hard, but when you don’t do a lot of travel ball, it takes a little bit to get going and to get the confidence back,” Telfer said. “And the ones who have confidence need to work on trusting their teammates more.”
Knoxville led 4-0 at halftime and added three goals in the second half.
Jensen Finnegan, Rylan Robinson and Kaison Wilder each totaled two goals and one assist for the visitors. Robinson now has a team-best five goals this season. It was the fourth goal this spring for both Finnegan and Wilder.
The Mustangs were out-shot 35-5 in the contest, and the Panthers had a 20-3 advantage in shots on goal.
A lot of the Panthers opportunities at the goal were set up with through balls that got by PCM’s back line.
“They have some good soccer players and good athletes,” Telfer said. “We’re still learning the game
Girls Golf
CONTINUED FROM 5
and may be underestimating some opponents. We do have a new back line this year, and they are trying to find their groove.”
Jaxson Straight had a couple of opportunities in the first half. But his shots in the 44th and 46th minutes were stopped by Knoxville keeper Carson Cecil.
PCM goalie Matt Wing made 13 saves for the Mustangs.
“We battle. We play hard. We haven’t quit,” Telfer said. “But we need to keep working on our skill. I’m proud of their effort. They just need to keep fighting.”
It was the fourth straight win for Knoxville, which ended that streak following a tie against Chariton on April 25.
The Panthers (4-1-3) registered their second shutout of the season. They also downed Albia 7-0.
PCM (1-6-1) dropped its fourth straight match, and it has been shut out in three straight contests.
“We’re starting to put a few passes together, and the attitude is good,” Telfer said. “We have lots of leaders out there who are setting the bar.
“They are sticking together and hopefully we are through the toughest part of our schedule.”
Notes: PCM’s home contest with Central Iowa United was postponed on April 24.
PELLA — The Mustangs competed in a two-day tournament at Bos Landen Golf Course on April 18-19, and they finished 12th in a 17-team field at the Dutch Masters Classic.
PCM had a two-day score of 675 after firing a 341 and a 334.
Pella led the competition after the first day with a 314 and then finished off the win with a 324 in the second round. The Dutch’s 638 won the tournament, and the rest of the top five featured Solon (644), Clear Lake (648), Pella Christian (650) and ADM (651).
Nevada’s Parker Rodgers (147) edged Gilbert’s Ryan Lynch (148) and Clear Lake’s Eli Anderson (148) by one stroke to win medalist honors.
Complete results for PCM were unavailable at press time.
Tangeman led the Mustangs on Day 1 with an 83, and Ford (79), Kiernan (81) and McDanel (85) led PCM on the second day. CONTINUED
PCM takes seventh in first 18-hole tournament
STATE CENTER — Four Mustangs carded career-best scores and PCM was 20 strokes better than last season at the West Marshall tournament on April 22.
The Mustangs shot 409 in their first 18-hole tournament of the season at Lincoln Valley Golf Course. Roland-Story won the tournament with a 351. Grundy Center (362), West Marshall (371), Nevada (376) and BCLUW (395) completed the top five.
Uitermarkt had a career-best 95, while Ford made her varsity 18-hole debut and turned in a 101. Davis’ career-best 105 and a 108 from Nolin, Chipps and Berger were the final counting scores. Nolin also had a career-best number.
Roland-Story’s Brinley Carlson was the meet medalist with a 79.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM sophomore Jaxson Straight, right, battles Knoxville’s Ezra Schmidt during a non-conference contest in Monroe on April 21. The Panthers downed the Mustangs, 7-0.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM junior Charlie Ford checks his distance to the hole during a tournament earlier this season.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM senior Brelee Berger lines up a putt during a tournament earlier this season.
McDanel
Explorer PCM
Eight wins power PCM boys to meet title at Van Meter
VAN METER — Riley Graber was part of four wins, the Mustangs claimed victories in five relays and the PCM boys track and field claimed another meet championship at the Bill Miller Invitational on April 21.
PCM’s eight wins led to 140 points. Knoxville was the runner-up with 116 and the rest of the top five featured Des Moines Christian (104.5), Baxter (62.5) and Pleasantville (59).
The Trojans edged host Van Meter (58) by one point for fifth and the rest of the 13-team field included Panorama (41), Nodaway Valley (38), Ankeny Christian Academy (32), Grand View Christian (28), Albia (25), Saydel (23) and West Central Valley (11).
Graber’s two individual wins came in the 200 (22.58) and 400 (51.0). Tad Wilson (23.19) and Joey Ferneding (55.52) gave the Mustangs double points in the 200 and 400, respectively.
The other individual win came from Kash Fischer in the 800.
He posted a career-best time of 2 minutes, 2.83 seconds and Coby DeRaad
Drake Relays
“I’m proud of how the boys competed in the relay,” PCM head track and field coach Logan Bieghler said. “It was a great learning experience that they will cherish and use to their advantage in the future. You could tell the nerves got to them a little bit, but that’s to be expected.”
Graber moved into the top five in the 400 despite running in the first heat. Graber set the tone with another career-best and school-record time.
(2:08.19) placed fourth.
Gavin Van Gorp was the runner-up in the long jump, placed third in the 110 high hurdles and anchored the shuttle hurdle relay team to a win.
His silver-medal leap in the long jump covered a career-best 21 feet, 4 1/4 inches, which ranks sixth in Class 2A.
Finn Wilson was sixth with a leap of 19-2 1/2.
Van Gorp (15.54) and Jake Winters (career-best 15.93) were 3-4 in the 110 high hurdles, Carson Hansen (career-best 1:00.4) placed fourth in the 400 hurdles and Alex Wendt (44-7 1/2) took fourth in the shot put.
Lewis Daye (11.82) finished sixth in
He finished fourth with a time of 49.17. He edged Newton’s Caden Klein (49.26), who was the runner-up in the second heat.
Three of the top five finishers came from the opening heat.
“That’s why you practice every day and go hard in meets,” Graber said.
“To get one more opportunity to do that is blessing. To finish fourth is all I could have asked for. Especially coming out of Heat 1.”
Johnston’s Jashua Anglo won the 400 in 48.836. He edged Center Point-Urbana’s Nathan Miller (48.838).
“I wish I could have ran against
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the 100 and Chase Wagaman (5-10) came in sixth in the high jump.
PCM won the 4x100, 4x200, 4x800, sprint medley and shuttle hurdle relays and set season-best times in the first four.
The sprint medley relay team featured Daye, Finn Wilson, Tad Wilson and Graber and they posted a season-best time of 1:35.13, which ranks fourth in 2A.
Daye, Tad Wilson, Robbins and Graber won the 4x100 in a season-best 43.62 seconds, which ranks tied for seventh in 2A.
The 4x200 relay team set a season-best time of 1:34.31 with Jaden Houser, Robbins, Finn Wilson and Wyatt Heater.
Houser, Winters, Robbins and Van Gorp won the shuttle hurdle relay in 1:01.17 and the 4x800 relay team of DeRaad, Joe Shaver, Hansen and Fischer won the race in 8:27.98.
PCM girls finish seventh at Van Meter
VAN METER — Girls track and field teams from PCM and Baxter faced a tough field at the Bill Miller Invitational on April 21.
The Mustangs claimed one victory
Klein, Anglo and Townsend,” Graber said. “I don’t know them personally, but you hear about them and to not get to run against them was a little disappointing.”
Bieghler said moving up from the ninth-best time to a fourthplace finish is all anyone could have asked for out of Graber.
“(Graber) was the first PCM male individual qualifier in fiveplus seasons, which is an accomplishment in itself,” Bieghler said. “He went out and attacked his 400 and gave it his all. Leaving the Drake Relays with another PR and bettering his own school record is pretty special.”
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and placed seventh in the 15-team field, but the Bolts scored just 12 points and their best finish was fourth.
Host Van Meter won the meet championship with 121 points, while Des Moines Christian (101), Carlisle (95), Grand View Christian (72) and Panorama (59) completed the top five.
Ankeny Christian Academy (56) was three points better than PCM (53) in sixth and the rest of the field featured Interstate 35 (44), Pleasantville (34), West Central Valley (27), Central Decatur (26), Nodaway Valley (18), Albia (16), Baxter (12) and Saydel (7).
PCM’s win came in the 4x800-meter relay. The quartet of Abi Teeter, Bailey Wheeler, Darbey DeRaad and Lila Milani had a season-best time of 10:15.64.
Katelynn Fagg and Lexi Fagg gave the Mustangs a 3-5 finish in the long jump. Katelynn finished third with a leap of 16-2 1/2 and Lexi was fifth with a jump of 15-9 1/4.
Ila Keuning (91-11) placed fifth in the discus, Ali Hilsabeck (12:08.21) took fifth in the 3,000 and Lillian Humpal (18.11) was sixth in the 100 hurdles.
Fischer A. Teeter
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer PCM’s 4x100-meter relay team placed 45th at the Drake Relays with (from left) freshman Lewis Daye and seniors Tad Wilson, Adrien Robbins and Riley Graber on April 26.