Ponder tapped as interim city administrator in Prairie City
City administrator and city clerk roles looking to be filled in Prairie City
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Current Prairie City Library
Director Sue Ponder is taking on a new role. At a special city council meeting Aug. 25, Ponder was named interim city administrator while the city begins the search for a new person to fill the role.
“Sue is an invaluable member of the city team and her interim appointment reflects the trust and confidence place in her abilities,” Prairie City Mayor Chad Alleger said. Ponder, who recently celebrated 20 years with the city as library director, is taking over for former city administrator Jerry Moore who recently left the position. The role makes recommendations and guides future
Jasper County funeral assistance now only covers cremations
Supervisors change policy to be more in line with current trends, other counties
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Jasper County is now only allowing cremation services for indigent burials. The board of supervisors approved the policy changes for Jasper County General Assistance in a 3-0 vote this past week after discussing the matter briefly during a work session the week before.
Connie McQuiston, director of general assistance, said indigent burial services had previously funded traditional burials or cre -
mations. However, the new policy now only allows cremations to be covered by the county. McQuiston said the vast majority of the requests have been for cremation services.
“I see that trend continuing,” she said. “Along with that I would ask that we raise the maximum allowed for that service. Currently, it’s at $800, and I would like to raise that to $1,200. The guidelines pertaining to that category have not been updated for six
Local elections take the spotlight in 2025
Seats for local city councils and the school board available in the Nov. 4 election
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Several seats are up for grabs in the Nov. 4 election for Monroe City Council, Prairie City City Council and the PCM School Board. The filing period recently opened for interested parties to turn in nomination papers by the Sept. 18 deadline. City of Monroe
In Monroe, the mayoral seat and three city council positions will be on the ballot. While many citizens may only know about the votes taken at the monthly meetings, the city describes it as a much more interested undertaking.
“The reality of policy lead-
ership is more complex, challenging and interesting. In fact, the roles of mayor or council are multi-faceted, fluid and at times can be situational,” the City of Monroe said. “The many roles that policy leaders assume all require various skills and may rely on a variety of strategies and methods. Also, there are
general components of leadership such as communication or representation that are part of nearly all situations or roles.”
Elected officials work also includes acting as the official policy making body of the City, adopting all ordinances, resolutions and approving contracts required by the City. The council analyzes proposals to meet community needs, initiates action for new programs and determines the ability of the city to provide financing for City operations. The council also reviews, modifies and approves the annual budget and performs
WELCOME TO PCM
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Name: Caroline Vecchio
Position at PCM: Special Education Teacher
Education: Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, working on Master’s in Special Education Work history: I have worked as a paraeducator for the past two years while working on my special education license! I have also worked at Christian Opportunity Center this summer. What attracted you to PCM to teach? I have always loved small towns and the small town feel. I love the sense of community that it provides and Monroe seems to provide just that! I have always known that I wanted to teach at a smaller school district because I like to be able to genuinely know all staff and students.
What is your favorite teaching method, how do you like to interact with the kids? I love doing handson learning and learning that is applicable to the real world! I love for ev-
erything to be purposeful and to build meaningful relationships.
What is a valuable lesson you have learned about teaching? One lesson that I have learned in the two years working as a paraeducator is to really celebrate the small wins. I think celebrating students for the smallest of wins gives them confidence and also just deserves to be celebrated!
What are you most excited for this school year? I am so excited to meet the amazing staff and students at PCM! I love to teach and I am so excited to get my career started!
Name: Elijah Strong Position at PCM: English Educator Education: High School Diploma — Indianola High School, Bachelor’s Degree — Iowa State University
Work history: I have worked a large array of part-time jobs including childcare, waiting tables, sign-making, veterinary care, communications writing and more! This is my first year as a ful-
New teachers in the district ready for their first year
ly-fledged educator.
What attracted you to PCM to teach? Without a doubt, the familial rapport of every student, teacher, and faculty member at PCM attracted me to the district. Every individual involved in this
you like to interact with the kids? Discussions will always be my favorite method of teaching. No matter the context, text, or lesson, students will never shy away from a chance to argue their perspective. To me, it brings out the most passion in every student and the brightest ideas from all involved. What is a valuable lesson you have learned about teaching? The Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Six new teachers have
community knows and cares for their fellow Mustang in a way that truly resembles a family. It is incredibly endearing, and I cannot wait to be a part of it. What is your favorite teaching method, how do
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Sue Ponder, Prairie City’s current library director, will serve as interim city administrator for the city following the departure of former admin Jerry Moore.
started at PCM for the 2025-2026 school year.
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 Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays.
PCM Clothing Closet
The PCM Clothing Closet, 100 W. Jefferson St. in Prairie City, is open from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Upcoming events at The Gathering Place in Monroe
Thursday, Sept. 4
• 10am Senior Living Series - Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults
• 1pm Movement with Sean
• 5pm Acoustic Jamm
Friday, Sept. 5
• 9am Needle Art
Monday, Sept. 8
• 10am Video Exercise Class
Tuesday, Sept. 9
• 8am Coffee and Prayer
Wednesday, Sept. 10
• 4pm “Get Fit, Don’t Fall” with Amy Stephensen Thursday, Sept. 11
• 10am Patty Richards Show
• 1pm Movement with Sean
Cater 2U2 Chicken Dinner Fundraiser from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18. Menu includes mashed potatoes,greenbeans,pastasaladandroll.Mealmustbe purchased in advance. Tickets available at Monroe Foods,andTheGatheringPlace.
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.
OWLS program ‘North American Fire’
Jasper County Conservation Board will host an Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors (OWLS) program at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10 at the Jasper County Armory/Annex Building in Newton. The public is invited for coffee and a presentation given by Melanie Schmidt, who works for the Nature Conservancy’s North American Fire Program. Schmidt will talk about the use of prescribed fire, what it’s like being on the burn crew and fighting wildfires.
The OWLS program is a conservation program that encourages seniors to stay active and learn new things about the natural world.
Contact the Jasper County Conservation Board office at 641-792-9780 for more information.
Monroe City Hall changes hours
Monroe City Hall is observing new hours it is open to the public — 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Drive-Thru Fundraiser
The Gathering Place in Monroe is hosting a Drive-Thru Fundraiser of chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, pasta salad and roll, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. Tickets must be purchased in advance at Monroe Foods or The Gathering Place.
Monroe City-wide Garage Sales
The City of Monroe will host city-wide garage sales Saturday, Sept. 27.
your new baby in the
Explorer PCM
James Matthew Hewitt
Aug. 23, 2025
roe Fire and Rescue, the Monroe United Methodist Church or the Monroe American Legion. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
Weapons Meet Patch and a certificate from Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida as well as verbal recognition during the Cuban Missile Crisis
James Matthew Hewitt, 85 of Monroe, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at the Comfort House in Pella.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Monroe United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Silent City Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Coburn Funeral Home in Monroe. Memorials may be directed to the Mon-
The son of Ivyl Joseph and Ethel Leona (Rookstool) Hewitt, Jim was born on August 12, 1940, in Des Moines. He graduated from Bondurant High School in 1958. On February 19, 1959, he entered the United States Air Force. He attended basic training in San Antonio, Texas, spent five months in Amarillo, Texas for jet fighter school and then was stationed in Duluth, Minnesota. He served for four years on active duty and two years inactive as a Jet Fighter Mechanic Airman 1st Class. Jim was the responsible crew chief for the base commander’s plane. He received the William Tell
After his service in the Air Force, he returned to civilian life and did many different things such as, telephone pole man, department store attendant, ambulance driver, truck driver, carpenter hand, farm hand, service station attendant and continuing education.
After many years working for Eagle Iron Works, Armstrong/Pirelli/Titan Tire Company and Maytag Corp. he retired as a factory machine operator and forklift driver. Jim was a proud member of the UAW Local 164 and Local 997 unions.
On March 6, 1965, he married Patty Joan Kingery and celebrated 48 years together be -
fore her passing. To this union a daughter, Kelly, was born. He was a member of the Monroe United Methodist Church for 60 years, where he Served on many church committees over the years including Church Council, SPRC, Trustees and was a member of the United Methodist Men’s group. He also received a Special Mission Recognition pin in 2016 for his dedicated work in the church. He was also a member of the Monroe American Legion, and Moose Lodge. Those left to honor his memory include his daughter, Kelly (Jim) Phillips; two grandsons, Logan James Phillips and Jacob Don Phillips as well as many extended family and friends. Preceding Jim in death were his parents, wife, Joan, a brother Edward Eugene Hewitt and an infant sister.
PC Admin
Continuedfrompage1
capital improvements, financing, equipment, staff, economic development and operational needs, oversees city code development and enforcement, planning and zoning compliance and the daily operation of city government, in
coordination with the mayor and city council, is responsible for the supervision and actions of all city employees and the use of city-owned property and equipment and evaluates community needs and desires and provides qualified and quality direction and guidance for the community as a whole.
The city council also approved the resigna-
Explorer! Email birth announcements to: news@pcmexplorer.com years. So this will bring us more in line with other counties.”
tion of city clerk/finance officer Christie Busby during the special meeting. The position is charged with keeping the official record of council proceedings, maintaining Prairie City’s official records and receiving legal documents on behalf of Prairie City, overseeing purchasing and payroll activities, developing and maintaining systems of internal con-
Indigent burials are offered to individuals whose next of kin lack the financial means to pay for funerals. The new policy comes into effect Sept. 1. According to the new policy, assistance may be granted to eligi-
trol to safeguard Prairie City’s financial assets and assisting the city administrator and elected officials in developing the annual budget.
At the same meeting, the council approved Jadi Brown to serve as interim city clerk. Brown is currently the city’s utility billing clerk. Those interested in the positions can contact the city for more information.
ble applicants for cremations. The maximum funding of $1,200 is to cover the transfer of remains to the funeral home, the cremation, the cremation permit and a receptacle for the remains.
Explorer PCM
Elections
other miscellaneous duties, including appointments to various boards and commissions and responds to community groups and individual constituents. Each Council member is assigned to a city department.
Monroe does not have districts or wards. Each council member receives $50 per meeting and the mayor has
University
equal importance of connection and curriculum.
As an educator, it is imperative that you are not only progressing the students in an educational sense, but involving them in a whole “classroom community.” Students work best when they are comfortable, and establishing this community will ensure that students reach that point by developing socially with their peers.
What are you most excited for this school year?
Anything and everything!
Name: Shawna Clark
Position at PCM: Elementary Art Teacher
Education: Grand View
a salary of $2,500 per year. Regularly monthly meetings occur the second Monday of the month. Nomination papers require at least 10 signatures of Monroe residents. The three council seats open are for fouryear terms while the mayor is a twoyear term. For questions and nomination papers you can stop by the Monroe City Hall.
City of Prairie City
Prairie City voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots for mayor of the city along with three city council
Work history: This is my 9th year teaching Art. What attracted you to PCM to teach? I live in Prairie City. My husband is from Monroe and graduated from PCM. I wanted to become more involved in my community. What is your favorite teaching method, how do you like to interact with the kids? I enjoy seeing students’ excitement as they try new things and step outside their comfort zones. I strive to provide hands-on opportunities that encourage them to explore their creative side, think critically, and express themselves in meaningful ways. What is a valuable lesson you have learned about teaching? I have learned a lot about understanding others’ per-
spectives and how to approach challenges with more confidence and empathy.
What are you most excited for this school year? I’m excited to work within the communities I live in, bringing art to life and connecting with others through creativity. I’m especially passionate about working with students— sharing the joy of artistic expression, inspiring imagination, and helping them discover their own creative voices.
Name: April Gruver
Position at PCM: High School Special Education Education: Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University in elementary education, K-12 Special Education Endorsement from William Penn University, K-6 Reading Endorsement from Buena
seats. Nomination documents must be filed in person at Prairie City City Hall by 5 p.m. Sept. 18. Documents can be found at city hall or through the Jasper County Auditor website https://jaspercountyelections.iowa.gov.
City council meetings are held monthly the second Wednesday of the month and special council meetings are scheduled, as needed, at city hall.
PCM Community School District
Three seats are also open on the PCM School Board. Candidates are wanted for District 1, District 2 and
Vista University
Work history: Three years elementary special education at Fox Valley Community Schools, 24 years High School Special Education at Pella Community Schools
What attracted you to PCM to teach? The size of the school and observing the interest to educate the “whole” student.
What is your favorite teaching method, how do you like to interact with the kids? Every day is a new day, a new beginning and look at what life looks like through their lens as a teenager.
What is a valuable lesson you have learned about teaching? I might not think that I make a difference daily or get a thank you from a student. This might never come. If it does it will come years
District 6 for the upcoming election. Interested citizens can stop in to the district office at Monroe Elementary to pick up a candidate packet. Candidates must live within the PCM School District and the boundaries of the district seat they are seeking. Signatures for nomination can be acquired from any PCM resident.
Any questions about the openings or how to start the nomination process, contact school board secretary Becki Vasseau at bvasseau@pcmschools.org.
later when I least expect it and need it the most.
What are you most excited for this school year? I am most excited about meeting new people and learning from others.
Name: Riley Hjortshoj
Position at PCM: Middle School Special Education
Education: K-12 PCM
Community School District. College: DMACC and graduated from Iowa State University.
Work history: This is my first year teaching.
What attracted you to PCM to teach? I was attracted to teaching at PCM because it is where I grew up and I am happy to be close to family again.
What is your favorite teaching method, how do you like to interact with the kids? My favor-
ite teaching method is student-center. I like to meet kids where they are while also showing them that I believe in them and supporting them to reach those goals.
What is a valuable lesson you have learned about teaching? A valuable lesson I have learned about teaching is that it is important to be flexible. Nothing in life ever goes exactly to plan and that cannot be more true for education. Being flexible while teaching allows you to make the most of every day regardless of change. What are you most excited for this school year? I am most excited to learn so in this coming year and to create relationships with my coworkers, students, and community.
Facts about atrial fibrillation
The World Health Organization reports that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death across the globe. Various diseases are characterized as CVDs, which are disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
Heart attack and stroke are two well-known CVDs, but there are myriad additional threats to cardiovascular health, including atrial fibrillation, which is often referred to as “Afib.” Television viewers accustomed to seeing advertisements for Afib medications might recognize the name of the condition but still come away with questions about what it is, its risk factors and other details.
What is Afib?
The American Heart Association notes atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. When a person has Afib, the heart does not contract and relax to a regular beat. Instead,
the upper chambers of the heart, also known as the atria, beat irregularly. When that occurs, an insufficient amount of blood is being pumped out of the atria, which causes the blood to pool in those chambers. The AHA notes pooled blood can clot, which in turn can cause blood to be pumped out of the heart to the brain. When that happens, it blocks the blood supply to the brain, and that can ultimately cause a stroke.
What does Afib feel like?
The AHA notes that patients who have Afib have described their experiences as feeling like their heart is banging against the wall of their chest and feeling as though their heart is beating so fast they are gasping for air. However, it’s important to note that some reported no symptoms prior to an Afib diagnosis.
What are the risk factors for Afib?
The AHA reports that any-
one can develop Afib, but there are various risk factors that can increase the chances someone receives an Afib diagnosis.
· Age: Risk for Afib increases with age. Though instances are rare, children can be diagnosed with Afib.
· High blood pressure: Anyone with long-term, untreated high blood pressure is at elevated risk for Afib.
· Heart disease: Heart disease increases a person’s risk for Afib. Various heart conditions that fall under the heart disease umbrella, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease, increase risk for Afib.
· Lifestyle choices: An assortment of lifestyle choices, including some that might surprise people, can increase Afib risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol may increase Afib risk, but so can competing in sports at an elite level. But that shouldn’t deter people from physical activity, as a sedentary lifestyle is another risk factor for Afib.
How is Afib treated?
The AHA notes treatment for Afib is typically characterized by shared decision-making, which involves patients and their physicians making treatment decisions together. Treatment ultimately may incorporate medication, lifestyle changes and/or medical procedures. Understanding Afib can be an important first step toward improving cardiovascular health.
PCM opens season with strong runs at Knoxville
KNOXVILLE — The state-ranked PCM girls cross country team got off to a strong start in its season opener on Aug. 25. And two newcomers on the boys’ team finished in the first six positions as the Mustangs finished first and second, respectively, at the Knoxville Early Bird Invitational at Pine Knolls Golf Club.
Class 2A No. 3 PCM won the girls’ meet championship with 20 points.
Class 1A No. 2 Chloe Glosser of Pekin won the girls’ 5K race, but the Mustangs grabbed the next six spots and put all seven varsity runners in the top 10.
Pekin (62) edged Knoxville (63) for second place and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (94) was fourth in the four-team field.
while the Mustangs finished 5-6-9-10-1112 and scored 41 points.
Pekin (56) finished third and EBF (110) was fourth in the four-team field.
Class 3A No. 8 Isaac Rankin won the boys’ 5K race in 17:04.
Owen Osterhaus led the Mustangs in fifth. His time was clocked in 18:33. Brenden Lahart (18:43), two-time individual state qualifier Coby DeRaad (19:29) and Kash Fischer (19:30) were sixth, ninth and 10th, respectively.
Teeter’s time was clocked in 20:37. The next four Mustangs were separated by only 18 seconds.
Darbey DeRaad (22:21), Bailey Wheeler (22:36), 2A No. 27 and twotime individual state qualifier Lila Milani (22:37) and Ali Hilsabeck (22:39)
Abi Teeter, a two-time individual state qualifier, was the runner-up behind Glosser, who won the race in 19 minutes, 2 seconds.
came in 3-4-5-6 as the final scoring runners.
Annie Ford (23:27) placed seventh, while Jodi Jungling (23:41) was ninth in her varsity debut as the two non-scoring runners.
Knoxville edged PCM by four points in the boys’ race.
The Panthers grabbed the top three individual places and scored 37 points,
PCM volleyball starts season 5-1, splits with 4A Newton
NEWTON — Newton head volleyball coach Heidi Woollums didn’t like how her team finished last year’s Cardinal Early Bird Invitational.
The Cardinals were swept by PCM last fall but moved that matchup to the opening round on Aug. 26, and it paid off for the hosts as they won their early home tournament for the sixth time in the past seven seasons.
“Last year we had PCM as the last team we played, and I felt like playing the slower teams first hurt us,” Woollums said. “So we decided to face the toughest team right out of the gate and get to a high level right away.” Newton and PCM split the first two sets of their match, but the Cardinals pulled away late in the third set to post a 21-16, 13-21, 1510 victory.
It was the only loss of the day for the Mustangs, who edged conference rival Saydel in three sets and swept Des Moines Hoover.
“That first set against Newton it was a lot of jitters,” PCM head volleyball coach Sarah De Vries said. “It was interesting that we played them first. I don’t think we’ve ever played them first here, but I was OK with it. We wanted to come out and get going right away, too, but we just weren’t quite ready to go. That took some momentum away early.”
Newton (5-1) improved to 13-4 since 2012 against PCM. The Cardinals outscored the Mustangs by two points in the three-set win.
The Cardinals are 9-0 with nine sweeps since 2017 in their matchups against Saydel and Hoover.
Newton defeated Saydel 21-10, 21-13 in its second matchup before downing Hoover 21-6, 21-3 in its final contest.
PCM swept Hoover 21-6, 21-7 before escaping its matchup with the Eagles 21-12, 23-25, 15-10. Newton led PCM 4-0 in the opening set of their matchup. The Cardinals extended their lead to
6-3 following back-to-back kills by Morgan Frehse.
Libby Winters’ kill closed PCM’s gap to 7-5, but a Camryn Klein ace pushed the home team’s lead to 9-5.
PCM got within 11-10 following back-to-back aces by Addyson Pederson and a kill from Jorja Teeter. Two kills from Klein swelled the margin to 14-10, and Newton never led by fewer than two the rest of the way.
The Mustangs (5-1) recovered from another slow start in the second set. Frehse put down a kill that helped Newton open the frame with a 4-2 lead, but PCM rallied with six in a row that included a kill and a block from Pederson.
Winters blasted a kill and served up an ace that extended the Mustangs’ margin to 11-5. Newton got within 12-10 before PCM went back in front 15-10 following backto-back aces from Teeter.
The Cardinals got as close as three down the stretch, but PCM outscored Newton 6-3 in the final nine points.
PCM scored the first two points of the third set, but Newton rallied to even the game at 3-all.
The set featured three more ties before the Cardinals ended the match on a 7-1 run. The stretch in-
cluded a tip from Isabelle Rawlins and a pair of kills from Frehse.
The Mustangs missed eight serves against Newton and three came in the final set.
“We missed quite a few serves. That’s what killed us in the third set,” De Vries said. “It was our own errors. We missed three serves and probably had three hitting errors, too. We didn’t cover two different tips and that stuff adds up in a game to 15.”
Frehse finished with 12 kills and added five digs. Rawlins dished out 17 assists and put down two kills, Klein totaled three kills, nine digs and two aces and Quincy Davidson collected seven digs.
Sophie Greer contributed five digs, Addy Cibula put down three kills, Faith Roffey finished with four digs and Addie Ratcliff registered two blocks.
The Cardinals finished 45-of-48 in serves with five aces. Roffey was 17-of-17 in serves in her Newton debut, while Rawlins was 7-of-7 in the match and is 52-of-52 so far this season. Roffey was 23-of-23 in Newton’s three matches.
Winters led PCM with nine kills, 10 digs, two assists and two aces.
Rylan Edgington (19:59) was the final scoring runner in 11th. Camden Lahart (20:00) was 12th, Cademon Burkett (20:20) finished 14th and Kolby Clark (21:19) placed 15th as non-scoring runners.
Brenden Lahart and Camden Lahart made their PCM debuts after transferring in from Albia in the offseason. It was the varsity debut for Burkett.
Big third quarter lifts PCM football past S/K Cobras in season opener
A big third quarter propelled the PCM football team to a blowout win in its season opener against Sigourney/Keota on Aug. 29.
The state-ranked Mustangs outscored the Cobras by nine points in three of the four quarters but a 20-point advantage in the third allowed the hosts to win the non-district home game 47-18.
Chase Wagaman threw for nearly 200 yards and two scores in his first career start at quarterback, Shay Burns ran for more than 100 yards, and the Mustangs rushed 187 yards in the victory.
PCM led 7-0 after the first quarter and went in front 14-6 at halftime before a 20-0 advantage in the third put the game away for good.
Wagaman was 8-of-18 through the air for 197 yards and two touchdowns. He also gained 12 yards and scored the first two rushing TDs of his varsity career.
Burns gained 103 yards and scored one TD on 12 carries and he hauled in a 10-yard catch.
Jax Strait scored his first career varsity rushing touchdown and ran for 51 yards on 17 carries.
Evan Jones rushed for 21 yards on two carries, Danson Drake hauled in two catches for 89 yards and a TD and Gavin Steenhoek totaled three catches for 65 yards and one TD and also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score.
It was the second career varsity TD for Drake, and Alex Wendt made one catch for 27 yards.
Eleven Mustangs recorded at least three tackles in the game. Keegan Fenton led the team with 13 tackles and four tackles for loss.
Wagaman added four tackles and three interceptions. He snagged one pick all of last year.
Strait finished with five tackles, Ivan Shannon, Easton Morris, Mason Hjortshoj and Braedyn Lester posted four tackles each and Burns, Jones and Hayden Shannon each collected 3.5 tackles. Wendt contributed three tackles.
Class 1A Sigourney/Keota totaled 270 yards in the loss. Chase Clarahan’s only completion went for a 63yard TD to John Berg and Ike Molyneux gained 50 yards on 19 carries.
The Cobras (0-1) averaged 3.3 yard per carry. Jacob Libe led the defense with six tackles and a forced fumble. Berg made 6.5 tackles.
PCM Explorer
Teeter D. DeRaad
Osterhaus C. DeRaad
Photo by Jamie Steenhoek
PCM senior Gavin Steenhoek caught three passes for 65 yards and one touchdown in the Mustangs’ home win over Sigourney/Keota on Aug. 26. He also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score in the 47-18 win.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM sophomore Libby Winters receives a serve during the Cardinal Early Bird Invitational on Aug. 26. PCM was 2-1 in the tournament with its loss coming to Newton in three sets.
By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM sophomore Peyton Lathrum (9) and senior Claire Van Wyk team up at the net against Saydel during the Newton Cardinal Early Bird Invitational on Aug. 26. The Mustangs were 2-1 in their three matches.
PCM Explorer
Explorer PCM
PCM MUSTANGS CALENDAR
September 4
Volleyball
PCM at West Marshall tournament, 4 p.m.
September 5
Football
PCM at Nevada, 7 p.m.
September 8
Volleyball
West Marshall at PCM, 7:20 p.m.
September 11
Volleyball
Saydel at PCM, 7:20 p.m.
Cross Country PCM at Davis County, 4:30 p.m.
September 12
Football
Williamsburg at PCM, 7 p.m.
September 16
Cross Country
PCM coed at Oskaloosa, 4:30 p.m.
September 18
Volleyball
PCM at Perry, 6:30 p.m.
September 19
Football
PCM at Pella Christian,
7 p.m.
September 22
Cross Country
PCM home meet, 4:30 p.m.
September 23
Volleyball
PCM at South Hamilton, 6:30 p.m.
September 26
Football PCM at South Tama County, 7 p.m.
September 29
Cross Country
PCM coed at Nevada, 5:30 p.m.
September 30
Volleyball
PCM at Nevada, 6:30 p.m.
October 3
Football Albia at PCM (HC), 7 p.m.
October 4
Volleyball
PCM at Pleasantville,
8 a.m.
October 6
Volleyball
Roland-Story at PCM, 7:20 p.m.
Cross Country
PCM at Chariton, 4:30 p.m.
October 9
Volleyball Cardinal, Southeast Warren at PCM, 5 p.m.
October 10
Football
PCM at Davis County, 7 p.m.
October 11
Volleyball
PCM at BCLUW tournament, 8:30 a.m.
Teeter added two kills, 10 digs and two aces, Tori Lindsay chipped in 13 assists and two digs and Peyton Lathrum collected two assists, three kills and four digs.
Addi Hudnut contributed seven digs, Pederson put down two kills and served up two aces and Lindsay finished 10-of-10 in serves. The Mustangs were 40-of-48 as a team.
“We have a ton of talent on our team. We just need to find the right chemistry and right connection with our setter,” Coach De Vries said. “Newton is a tough serving team, and that threw us off in the first game.”
PCM controlled its match against Hoover (0-3), improving to 7-0 in the series with seven 2-0 sweeps since 2019.
Lindsay totaled 11 assists and four digs in the win, while Hudnut chipped in two assists, seven digs and two aces.
Teeter finished with six kills and two digs, Lathrum put down three kills and served up a career-high eight aces and Winters chipped in three kills and two digs.
Pederson added two kills and Claire Van Wyk registered two digs. The Mustangs were 37-of-40 in serves with 15 aces and Lathrum was 14-of-14 in the win.
PCM is now 26-1 against Saydel since 2012, but the Eagles pushed the Mustangs to three sets after an impressive second set.
PCM broke away from a 5-4 lead in the opening set with a 10-4 run and never trailed by less than five the rest of the way.
The 10-4 run featured back-toback aces by Winters and blocks by Pederson and Teeter.
Saydel stayed within striking distance for the entirety of the second set.
Neither team led by more than two points until PCM went in front 11-8 following a tip by Pederson, a block from Teeter, an ace by Lathrum and stab by Lindsay.
The Eagles rallied to even the set at 13-all, and it stayed close the rest of the way.
A PCM service error erased its first match point, and a combo block by Teeter and Pederson halted Saydel’s first set point.
Another service miscue doomed PCM at 23-22, but a Teeter kill gave the Mustangs another match point. However, Saydel scored the
Libby Winters
PCM sophomore Libby Winters finished with nine kills, 10 digs and two aces in the Mustangs’ loss to Class 4A Newton on Aug. 26 and then posted seven kills and six digs in the win over the Cardinals two days later. She leads PCM with 35 kills through six matches and also has 28 digs and six aces.
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final three points to force a third set.
PCM used a 5-1 start to grab momentum in the final set. Saydel closed the deficit to 6-4, but Lindsay and Pederson extended the Mustangs’ advantage with backto-back kills.
Pederson finished off the Eagles with four aces down the stretch. PCM led 10-7 before the Mustang junior closed out the win from behind the service line.
“Saydel has some talented players, and the new coaches are putting them to good use,” Coach De Vries said. “I know we have stuff to work on in the gym so that makes practice easier. It was a decent start to our season.”
Lindsay led the Mustangs with 15 assists, four kills, five digs and three aces. Hudnut had three assists, seven digs and six aces, Winters totaled eight kills, two digs and two aces and Pederson tallied three kills, two blocks and five aces.
Teeter registered three kills, two blocks and four digs, Lathrum added five kills and four digs and Ryan DeVore contributed two digs.
The Mustangs were 51-of-60 in serves with 17 aces in the win.
Teeter missed all of 2024 with an injury and played sparingly as a sophomore.
DeVore made her varsity debut in the loss to Newton and appeared in all three matches. Camden Webb, Seriah Nolin and Carly
Wilkerson played for the first time at the varsity level in the win over Hoover.
The Mustangs also will be without senior Lillian Humpal for the entire season. She suffered a season-ending knee injury during the second week of practice after finishing fourth on the team in kills and aces in 2024.
“It’s a disappointment for her being her last season,” Coach De Vries said. “It’s a big loss. She’s tight with a lot of the girls and not having her out there is a big deal. We have to find a way to move past it though.
“Our theme this year is ‘All In.’ Are we all in unless someone gets hurt? Are we all in unless we’re losing? We have to find ways to pull together and still be at our best every single night.”
Mustangs win L-S tournament
SULLY — Newton and PCM split their two matches last fall during the first week of the season.
The Mustangs downed the Cardinals at Newton’s home tournament to start the season, but Newton got redemption at the Lynnville-Sully tourney a few days later.
This year, the two teams flipped those results but each team came away with a win against each other as the Mustangs avenged their three-set loss to the Cardinals on Aug. 26 with a two-game sweep
of them on Aug. 28 during the Hawks’ home quadrangular. PCM was 3-0 on the day, while Newton scored wins over the host Hawks and Twin Cedars. Lynnville-Sully’s only win came against the Sabers.
Newton and PCM played in the second match of the night, and the Mustangs scored the 21-13, 22-20 win over the Cardinals.
Lindsay led PCM with 19 assists and six digs. Winters put down seven kills and posted six digs, Teeter added four kills and nine digs and Hudnut chipped in two assists and eight digs.
Pederson finished with five kills and two aces, Lathrum totaled five kills and two digs, Van Wyk put down three kills and the Mustangs finished with a kill efficiency of .288.
PCM was 36-of-42 in serves with three aces. Lindsay served 7-of-7, while Winters and Teeter both were 6-of-6.
Newton got 10 kills from Frehse, Klein tallied 10 digs and two assists and Rawlins posted 13 assists and four digs.
PCM’s win over the host Hawks was 21-13, 21-16. Lindsay led the way with 14 assists, two kills, three digs and two aces.
Hudnut totaled three assists and nine digs, Winters chipped in four kills, five digs and two aces, Teeter added two kills, two assists and two digs.
Lathrum put down five kills, Pederson registered four kills and three aces, Van Wyk tallied three kills and DeVore contributed two digs.
The Mustangs were 35-of-41 with eight aces and they had a kill efficiency of .222. L-S was 26-of-29 in serves with three aces.
Tatum Huyser led the Hawks (13) with three kills, two blocks and seven digs, while Kate Harthoorn added eight assists and six digs.
PCM swept Twin Cedars 21-10, 21-15, and the Mustangs were 32of-41 in serves with six aces. Their kill efficiency was .271.
Lindsay posted 17 assists and two aces, Lathrum put down six kills and Pederson contributed five kills and two aces to lead the way.
Winters totaled four kills and three digs, Teeter put down two kills and had three digs, Hudnut chipped in seven digs and Van Wyk finished with two kills.
Twin Cedars got four assists and four digs from Sage Hoksbergen, MJ Smith had two kills and Shyanne Evans served up two aces.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM senior Jorja Teeter served 13-of-13 in the Mustangs’ three matches at the Newton Cardinal Early Bird Invitational on Aug. 26.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM senior Tori Lindsay sets up a teammate at the net during the Newton Cardinal Early Bird
26.
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