University of Northern Iowa wrestler John Simon was still processing the tragic events in Parkersburg Wednesday morning. The former Aplington-Parkersburg football player was still in a state of disbelief, like many in the community, about the shooting death of long-time football coach Ed Thomas.

High school sports are full of excitement and emotion.
An excess of either can lead to very bad things, said Jim Bellamy, retired football coach at Mount Vernon High School.
“Let’s just say that things like this can happen. People get excited and emotional. You hope it (subsides and) goes away.”

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High school sports are full of excitement and emotion.
An excess of either can lead to very bad things, said Jim Bellamy, retired football coach at Mount Vernon High School.
“Let’s just say that things like this can happen. People get excited and emotional. You hope it (subsides and) goes away.”

Bellamy was an associate of Aplington-Parkersburg Coach Ed Thomas, who was shot to death Wednesday morning at the school’s weight room.
Mark Becker, 24, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting, which happened around 7:45 Wednesday morning at …

Last May, Ed Thomas lost his home.
Wednesday, he lost his life.
But Thomas’ legacy won’t be that of a victim, according to Tom Stone.
“He had ‘WINNER’ written all over him,” said Stone, veteran football coach at Pekin High School. ”He touched so many lives. He brought out the best in so many people. He had a real knack in getting along with kids.”

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Residence react to the shooting of Aplington-Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas on Wednesday. (Photo by Jim Slosiarek)

Last May, Ed Thomas lost his home.
Wednesday, he lost his life.
But Thomas’ legacy won’t be that of a victim, according to Tom Stone.
“He had ‘WINNER’ written all over him,” said Stone, veteran football coach at Pekin High School. ”He touched so many lives. He brought out the best in so many people. He had a real knack in getting along with kids.”

Thomas, the iconic Aplington-Parkersburg football coach and athletics director who led the community’s …

JIM BELLAMY, former Mount Vernon H.S. football coach
“It’s a sorry time for the state of Iowa as a whole, to lose a fine person like that.”
“He was a class act, from all of my observations. It’s hard to believe that something like this could happen. His program, his demeanor … what a class act.”
“He was involved with so many activities. He was a strong supporter of the community. It’s unbelievable.”
“You deal with the youth of today, and you have to deal with parents. You never know how far people are …

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Tuesday evening’s rains may have washed out nearly all of the ball games for area teams, but that failed to keep Charles City’s baseball team off the diamond at Sportsmen’s Park.
Newly-named  Charles City activities director Todd Forsyth estimated the crew had removed over 1,000 gallons of water as of 8:45 p.m., and the work was ongoing well into the early summer evening.
 
Source: Charles City Press

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DES MOINES, Iowa – Another year and hopes of a state baseball title in the minds of many
teams across the state. Who will advance to this years Iowa high school
state tournament in Des Moines?  Let’s…
Source: Iowa Sports Connection