Weekend Wrap Up
I know it is Tuesday but we took Monday off to be with the ones that did not have school. Seems that lately-- this happens a lot. Been flirting with doing a weekend recap for awhile now-- this seems to be a good time to start. Maybe if it goes well, we can do a daily recap. So if you like it, let us know.
So here are some interesting stories from the weekend...
Bettendorf's Ella Schmit becomes 3rd female ever to qualify for the IAHSAA Boy's High School State Wrestling Tournament.
Ella placed 2nd in the 106lb weight class this past Saturday at the District meet held at Bettendorf High School. The top 2 wrestlers at each weight class advance to the state tournament. You can read more about Ella from the QC Times Matt Coss article that was published on Sunday.
Ella, a Junior at Bettendorf, is a two time girls state wrestling champion. She collected a 2nd place finish as a Freshman.
A female wrestler has never placed at the Iowa Wrestling Tournament but with Ella's wrestling skills the possibility is high that Ella make HERstory (see what I did there??)
Ella was a guest on our local sports talk radio show, "Don't Hassle Us Were Local" two years ago and we were so impressed with her maturity and poise!
Good luck, Ella Schmidt!!!
"Sanction Girls Wrestling"
Speaking of Ella...
A local screen printing company made t-shirts to spread the message that the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union has yet to sanction girl's wrestling in this state. It seems to be ridiculous that this state has yet to do so but I feel confident it will be sooner rather than later.
The screen printing company, Brand 2306, decided to make the "Sanction Girls Wrestling" shirts shortly after Ella's mom, Heather, posted this about her daughter's wrestling match that was purposely forfeited last Wednesday night at substate wrestling duals.
I need your help!
Ella is wrestling for the #BettendorfBulldogs in the state duals next Wednesday. She has been...
Posted by Heather Dohrn on Thursday, February 11, 2021
The representatives from Brand 2306 said that there were over 300 orders for shirts and those orders expand all across the state. Local wrestling teams from the Quad Cities, as well as programs from Wuakee and more, will be wearing these shirt at the state wrestling tournament to support the sanctioning girls wrestling.
See Ella's interview with KWQC' Joey Donia here.
If the University of Iowa adds female wrestling to their list of athletic programs before the IGHSAU does, there is going to be some big issues.
Plus, I will be wearing my "SANCTION GIRLS WRESTLING" shirt today on the "Don't Hassle Us We're Local" Facebook Live show.
Former Iowa Strength and Conditiong Coach, Chris Doyle, Resigns From Director of Sports Performance For The Jacksonville Jaguars 36 Hours After Hiring Was Announced
Chris Doyle was let go from the University of Iowa football program this past Summer amid claims from former players of biased behavior.
On Thursday Jags HC Urban Meyer announced the hiring of Coach Doyle as the Director of Sports Performance. The announcement/hiring was not met with open arms by the talking heads of the sports media.
On Friday, Doyle resigned from his position because of what Coach Meyer said that Doyle "did not want to be a distraction as to what we are building in Jacksonville."
There was reaction to the resignation, as well...
I think there is more to the story than what has been shared to the media and by the media but that is just reckless speculation on my part.
Quad City River Bandits Get A New Deal, a New "A", and a New Division
Earlier this year, it was announced that the River Bandits would no longer be a Low Class A MiLB organization but now an advanced Class A MLB affiliate. Which means more 1st round draft picks will make their start here in the QC before jumping up to MiLB Class AA-- Northwestern Arkansas.
On Friday, MLB announced new minor league teams, new divisions, player salary increases, modernized facility standards, and reduced travel. The River Bandits will now play in the High-A Central WEST DIVISION. Here is a look at how the High-A looks...
East Division
Dayton Dragons (Reds)
Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres)
Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers)
Lake County Captains (Indians)
Lansing Lugnuts (A’s)
West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers)
West Division
Beloit Snappers (Marlins)
Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins)
Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals)
Quad Cities River Bandits (Royals)
South Bend Cubs (Cubs)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers)
Congratulations to the River Bandits! Looking forward to getting a beer and a dog down at Modern Woodmen Park soon!
That's all for today. Tune into "Don't Hassle Us We're Local" daily on ESPN 1170AM.
If you like this recap, let us know! We need to know if we should continue or work toward daily... thanks in advance.