Turner commits to Bearcats

Creston senior quarterback Cael Turner announced Wednesday he has committed to play football at Northwest Missouri State University beginning next fall.

Turner was the Class 3A first team all-state quarterback, completing 181 of 284 passes for 2,993 yards and 34 touchdowns. He led Class 3A in passing yards and passing touchdowns and set school records for single-season passing yards and touchdowns and pass completions. His 34 TD passes in a season ranks 35th all-time in Iowa high school football history.

Creston set a school record for victories in an 11-1 season, falling to state runner-up Sioux City Bishop Heelan in the Class 3A semifinals.

Other commitments to date from 2023 Panther seniors include defensive lineman Max Chapman to NCAA FCS national champion South Dakota State, and running back Brennan Hayes and offensive tackle Quinten Fuller to Wayne State College.

Wrestler of week

SIOUX CITY — Morningside freshman wrestler Chris Aragon of Creston has been named the Great Plains Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week.

Aragon pinned his opponent, scoring six points during the Mustangs’ 40-11 dual win over Northwestern last week. This is Morningside’s first wrestler of the week for the 2023-24 year.

Former Creston wrestler Kaden Street is a teammate of Aragon’s on the Morningside squad.

300 wins

ROCK RAPIDS — Creston native Ben Gerleman achieved his 300th coaching victory Jan. 5 when his Central Lyon boys basketball team defeated Rock Valley, 70-66. The Lions are 7-4 and play at Class 3A eighth-ranked MOC-Floyd Valley (11-2) on Friday.

Gerleman, all-state guard on Creston’s 1997 state tournament championship team, has coached state titles at both George-Little Rock and Central Lyon.

1,000 points

PERU, Nebraska — Senior Samantha Stewart of Mount Ayr reached the 1,000-point career scoring mark for Peru State College in a 77-73 home victory over Graceland University on Jan 3. Stewart scored 16 points with 11 rebounds and three steals in the win.

Stewart is averaging 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 1.2 assists this season.

The Bobcats are 9-8 overall and 6-7 in conference play and travel to Cedar Rapids Saturday to face Mount Mercy University.

Bearcats third

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Going into this weekend’s games the Northwest Missouri State University women’s basketball team is in a three-way tie for third place in the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) standings at 6-3, and 12-3 overall.

Northwest center Kelsey Fields of Creston ranks third in the conference in offensive rebounds at 3.0 per game. Overall, Fields is averaging 8.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, with eight blocked shots in 14 games. Teammate Emma Atwood of Central Decatur is averaging 5.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.

The Bearcats were scheduled to host Central Oklahoma Thursday night and Newman on Saturday afternoon.

Winning streak

INDIANOLA — The Simpson College women’s basketball team won its fifth straight game on Jan. 10, 75-55 over Buena Vista, improving to 10-6 overall and 5-2 in conference play. Maddax DeVault of Nodaway Valley scored 10 points for the Storm and freshman Doryn Paup of Creston finished with eight points and three rebounds.

Simpson started its January schedule with a 94-48 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan, when DeVault scored a career-high 18 points.

The Storm play at Dubuque Saturday.

Home duals

KEARNEY, Neb. — The seventh-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team hosts the annual Younes Hospitality Duals (formerly the Midwest Duals) this weekend (Jan. 19-20) at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds.

The Lopers are 9-3 to date with new national rankings slated for release on Jan. 22. Creston graduate Jackson Kinsella is one of five nationally-ranked wrestlers in the Lopers lineup, listed at fifth at 197 pounds with a 12-4 record. Crew Howard of Clarinda is ranked second at 285 pounds.

10th league win

DES MOINES — The Grand View University women’s basketball team rebounded from a narrow 71-69 loss to defending national champion Clarke University with a 65-45 win over Mount Mercy University on Monday. The Vikings also topped Park University on Jan. 10, 75-47.

Brianna Fields of Creston is a reserve forward for the Vikings, now 14-2 overall and 10-2 in conference play. She was 0-1 from the field in Monday’s victory and had one rebound and one steal in the win over Park.