Slash marks in the win column have been hard to come by for the Independence Mustangs in recent years.
But behind a workhorse effort from Blaize Cabell, the Mustangs snapped a 27-game losing streak with a come-from-behind 27-24 win over Waterloo Columbus to kick off the 2010 season Friday,
Cabell rushed 33 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns, including 141 yards and three scores in the second half as Independence erased a 17-7 halftime deficit.
“Three years has been too long, it feels pretty good,” Cabell said.
Independence dominated the second half and …

Prep golfers hit the course for Iowa High School Athletic Association championship meets today as 35 sectional meets in all three classes across the state.
Decorah senior Andrew Peter will look to defend his individual state title, and help lead the Vikings back to the Class 3A state meet. The Vikings, who placed fourth at state last season, travel to Charles City for a sectional with Clear Lake, Crestwood, Forest City, Hampton-Dumont, Iowa Falls-Alden and New Hampton. The top four individuals and top two teams advance to next week’s district play, joing a Manchest …

CEDAR RAPIDS — This is the time prep tennis coaches are put to the test.
With rosters due Monday for Thursday’s Class 1A and 2A district meets, boys’ tennis coaches are challenged to find their best possible lineup.
It turns out that determining lineups for district competition is more complex than filling out a sheet with names. Coaches implore strategy to try to advance as many athletes to the state meet as well as improving the team’s chances to reach team substate.
Coaches and players have to decide whether to compete in singles …

In a meeting held last night between administrators of both school districts, members of the Independence and West Delaware wrestling communities have agreed to join wrestling programs.
The agreement marks one of the biggest truces between heated rivals since Jenny Hatfield married Ben McCoy.
The new consolidated program will be the only team to compete in Class 4A. The new colors will be Maroon and orange and the team will be called the Hawkstangs.
And as many could suspect: APRIL FOOL’S DAY!

Marion’s Mike Manderscheid and Solon’s Brad Randall were conference coaches of the year in their respective divisions. Their teams shared the overall Wamac title.
Here are the complete teams:
2009-10 Wamac Boys Basketball

INDEPENDENCE — Chris Johnson was losing a battle he waged alone.
In the process of trying to cope with the loss of his father, emotions put Johnson on his back, leading him to become withdrawn from his friends and activities, including wrestling and his teammates. The Independence junior 135-pounder, who had wrestled since first grade, left the wrestling room around the holidays. But, it soon became apparent he didn’t have to handle the situation it alone.
The support Johnson received from the Independence coaches and wrestlers has helped Johnson pick himself up …

The Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association have released their final set of Class 1A and 2A dual rankings. The rankings are used to seed the state duals tournament. Teams across the state are competing in regional dual meets Wednesday to earn a berth to the State Duals tournament Feb. 27 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids.
Class 1A
1. Don Bosco (19-1)
2. Logan-Magnolia (24-2)
3. Nashua-Plainfield (13-3)
4. East Buchanan (22-2)
5. Eddyville-Blakesburg (19-2)
6. Coon Rapids-Bayard (25-2)
7. Louisa-Muscatine (6-3)
8. New London/WMU (13-7)
9. Lisbon (18-4)
10. Interstate 35 (11-4)
11. Guthrie Center (19-5)
12. Greattinger-Terril (11-4)
13. …

Mother nature has caused a hiccup in the posteason season wrestling schedule. All but one regional dual across the state are postponed until tomorrow evening.
The Class 2A regional dual event at Winterset, featuring  Centerville, Harlan, Creston/orient-Macksburg and Clarke (Osceola) is the only one that will be competed. All others are scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m.
CLASS 2A ASSIGNMENTS
AT: GILBERT (POSTPONED UNTIL WEDNESDAY, 2/10, SAME TIME)
Semi-Final Round
Bondurant-Farrar vs. Webster City
Ballard vs. PCM, Monroe
After the completion of the semi-final round, the winners will compete to determine
the team advancing to the State Dual Team Tournament.
AT: …

East Buchanan is attempting to claim its first state duals berth, but if the Bucs are going to end their season in Cedar Rapids they will have to earn it.
The third-ranked Bucs host a competitive Class 1A regional dual at Winthrop, featuring No. 9 Lisbon, Alburnett and West Branch. East Buchanan opens with West Branch, while Lisbon takes on Alburnett in the semifinals, starting at 6 p.m.
Opening round winners then compete for a trip to the state duals Feb. 27 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids.
East Buchanan Coach …

DYERSVILLE — The celebratory meals and the congratulatory pats on the back will have to wait, because the Denver-Tripoli wrestling team wasn’t wasting any time to get back to work.
The Titans had practice scheduled just hours after they powered their way to a team title in what was considered one of the tougher sectional fields.
Denver prevailed in fine fashion, advancing 10 to next week’s district meet and winning the Class 2A sectional wrestling tournament at Beckman High School. The Titans had eight champions and tallied 265½ points, 41 more than …