I’ve been around wrestling for as long as I can remember. Like many in the sport, I followed my older brother around to meets and then started wrestling myself. I’ve managed to stay involved for at least 25 years in one form or another. Loved watching IPTV meets and the IHSAA tournaments, listening to the voices of Doug Brown and Tim Johnson.
I love boxing. Something about the “Sweet Science.” Watching fights on TV was a regular occurrence. I still remember where I was when I heard Mike Tyson knocked out …

“I fought the law and the law won” could have a whole different meaning after Saturday night. That’s when CRPD officer Sarah Lacina jumps in the ring for her boxing debut. She looks like she could be one tough cookie in the ring.
 
CEDAR RAPIDS  – Sarah Lacina has been in her share of skirmishes.
Physicality is sometimes required as a member of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, but she’s starting to fight in a whole new arena.
Lacina, 25, of Marion, will compete in her first live boxing match Aug. 29 during …

Sarah Lacina has been a police officer for the City of Cedar Rapids for three years. Friend and fellow officer Tom Grubb, introduced her to Mixed Martial Arts and she took up boxing to help with striking.
Listen to Lacina discuss how she was turned on to boxing.

She is a member of the Apache Boxing Club which trains at Valhalla Boxing Club in SE Cedar Rapids. Watch Lacina, working out with coach Joe Ruiz, during a bit of a workout session before sparring two rounds with established boxer and mixed-martial artist Katy …

Jesse and Amy Lennox’ frozen wedding cake went from anniversary tradition to victory meal.
To go along with one year of marriage, the couple had plenty to celebrate this month.
Lennox, who had to forego eating cake due to cutting weight before his latest bout, scored a major victory in his mixed martial arts career. He notched a technical knockout out over Brazillian Danillo Villefort in a welterweight fight during the Ultimate Fighting Championship 101: Declaration pay-per-view Aug. 8 in Philadelphia.
“It was a very legitimate win,” said Lennox, who had one fight …

Cedar Rapids native Jesse Lennox got a taste of the really big time in mixed martial arts competition, earning a win on an undercard bout of UFC 101: Declaration. Lennox, known as “The Ox”, won by TKO in the third round against Danillo Villefort, who suffered a cut and swelling around his eye leading to a stop in the fight.
Lennox, a paramedic turned fighter, improved to 15-1 and appears to be rising in the MMA ranks. I don’t care if it’s an undercard or not, the 27-year-old welterweight was a part of the UFC PPV …

Listening to Sue Strasburger talk bowling, and it’s easy to determine her feelings about the sport.
Whether it’s her accomplishments, the time spending with family and friends at the alley or instructing youth bowlers, she has a contagious love of bowling.
The hall of fame bowler finds a strong mix of competition and fun in her favorite sport.
“Certain people have certain passions and I have a passion for bowling,” she said. “It means everything to me.”
Bowling is so special she dedicates many of her Saturday mornings during the year passing it on …

Bill Blanchard’s journey began on the sandlots of Iowa City.
The next stop for the 63-year-old longtime softball player and administrator is a hall of fame.
Blanchard will be one of three individuals inducted into the ASA Iowa 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame on Saturday during the 16-inch men’s slow pitch Major Open and A state tournaments this weekend at Tait Cummins Softball Complex. The ceremony will be held from 12:30 to 1 p.m.
“You can’t really put words to it,” Blanchard said about the honor. “I’m speechless on one hand and greatly …

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Baird Iowa Open is special to Molly Fiala, and her performances in the local tennis tournament have been equally as good.
Fiala has reached a championship appearance every year she’s played since she was 10 years old, and that streak was extended Sunday.
Fiala teamed with Marshalltown senior and defending Class 2A state champion Krissy Lankelma to win the Women’s Open Doubles title at Veterans Memorial Tennis Center.
Fiala and Lankelma defeated twin sisters Sarah and Leesa Cadwallader, 3-6, 6-1, 1-0 (10-8).
The Fiala family have been regular participants on …

I’m experiencing my first IGHSAU state softball tournament this week. Taking in some games and covering the Clear Creek Amana vs. Charles City Class 3A quarterfinal game tonight.
The highlight, so far, has been the host park – Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge. From what I’ve seen they have 7 -8 youth baseball and softball fields, including a very nice baseball diamond that I’ve been told both high schools (Fort Dodge and Fort Dodge St. Edmond) play.
Four of the diamonds are replica diamonds, attempting to reproduce famous Major League Baseball …

CEDAR RAPIDS — Dan Azinger remembers when the only slow pitch softball style in town was the large 16-inch brand of the game.
The sport that originated in Chicago thrive in Cedar Rapids, but now it faces a decrease in popularity.
The Amateur Softball Association 16-inch men’s slow pitch District III tournament concluded Saturday at Kirkwood Softball Complex, and those involved are hoping to rejuvenate the recreational sport.
“It’s not dead,” said Azinger, a 1997 Iowa Softball Hall of Fame inductee. “It’s stayed at an even keel the last few years.”
In its heyday, …