April 25, 2025
Local NewsState & National

Mount Ayr hosts first game on new turf field

By SCOTT VICKER

Pictured is the progress made on Mount Ayr's new turf field as of late July. The Raiders played their home opener against Southwest Valley on Friday. Further renovations will be made to the press box and to make the bleachers handicap accessible. (Contributed photo)

MOUNT AYR – Friday night’s game against Southwest Valley marked the first game ever held on Mount Ayr’s brand new turf field.

The SprinTurf field made with a combination of slit film and monofilament fibers was completed in late July and features the largest center logo ever done by Mid-America Sports Construction out of Kansas City.

Construction of the field began May 22.

“We’re so blessed,” said Mount Ayr co-coach and activities director Delwyn Showalter. “The facility is awesome. Practicing out here is a lot of fun. Everybody feels better on the turf. It’s got all the markings on it and you just have a more business-like attitude when you come out to practice.”

Senior Marcus Daughton, who scored Mount Ayr’s first touchdown on the new field, said players were told it’s one of the nicest facilities in the state.

“They told us when we got it we’d have the best facility in the state of Iowa,” Daughton said. “They traveled all over. They went to Missouri, Nebraska and the state of Iowa to check out turf fields, and this is the best turf they found.”

Raider senior Brad Phelps was thankful for the opportunity to play on a turf field.

“Having the turf, it brings a lot of pride to the community,” Phelps said. “Not very many small schools our size get the opportunity to have turf. We just had a very generous donation and the turf came to our community.”

Mount Ayr no longer has to worry about tearing up the field on wet, soggy days. Plus, the field can be used for more than just football. Phelps noted the marching band and cross country teams have been using the field so far this fall.

“Game night in Mount Ayr is always special,” Showalter said. “Tonight, obviously being the first time under the lights with the crowd here was very special, too. I think probably our guys were feeling a little bit of pressure there. They’re carrying that with them wanting to get the first win on here. We’ve got another chance next week. We’ll see what we can do.”

A separate project to improve the home grandstands, making them handicap accessible began the first week of August. The press box and restrooms on the home side of the field will be demolished after the football season and a new press box will be ready for the spring track season.