Sports briefs

Tigers win three events at Cornell

MOUNT VERNON— The Iowa Valley boys track and field team won three events at the Hilltop Co-ed Invite at Cornell College Monday.

Caleb Haack won the 200 in 23.11; Jeffrey Crawford, the 400 in 53.29; and Nolan Kriegel, the long jump with a mark of 20 feet and two inches.

Three area event winners at Central

PELLA— English Valleys’ Gage Heyne took home the 1600- and 3000-meter run titles at the Central College High School Indoor meet Thursday.

Heyne ran times of 4:28.23 and 9:49.63.

Iowa Valley was also in action at the meet and won the 4x400 relay in 3:40.35. English Valleys placed fourth.

English Valleys and Iowa Valley each had several other place winners, highlighted by Iowa Valley’s Caleb Haack who finished third in the 200.

On the following day, the girls’ meet was held at Central.

Iowa Valley’s highest three finishers were Lydia Kriegel in shotput (4th) and Kennedy Thisessen in high jump (13th) and the 400-meter (14th).

Hilton Magic comes to boys state basketball

The Iowa High School Athletic Association State Boys Basketball Tournament will be going to a new venue in 2027 after a long run in Des Moines.

The IHSAA announced Tuesday that it reached a five-year agreement with Iowa State University to host the tournament at James H. Hilton Coliseum.

With the nickname “Hilton Magic,” both sides hope the change can bring an new excitement to the state tournament.

“We couldn’t be more excited about what this opportunity will offer our student-athletes, schools and supporters as they experience an elite basketball environment at Hilton and an awesome new tournament community in CyTown and Ames,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said in a press release.

“Our sincere appreciation goes to everyone who has helped make this possible at Iowa State University, Discover Ames and Cyclone Athletics.”

The arena has a capacity of 14,267 and will have its CyTown district done in 2027.

“On behalf of Iowa State University, thank you to the IHSAA board, Tom Keating, and Tom’s staff for deciding to bring the Athletic Association’s state basketball tournament to Ames to experience Hilton Magic,” Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said.

“We are excited to host this great event, and our staff looks forward to working with the IHSAA to make this special for the athletes, coaches and fans whose teams reach the state tournament each year.”