By Mark Schafer | The News-Review
I understand the unique and sad irony about this. It is April 1st and this all seems like a pretty elaborate April Fools Day prank.
Unfortunately, the sad reality is that this is the last issue of the News-Review, unless a new buyer emerges and continues the over century-long tradition that the newspaper has built.
I am a relative newcomer to Sigourney, having accepted this job in the fall of 2024. However, my sadly brief time covering the schools of Sigourney, Keota (and of course Sigourney-Keota), English Valleys, Tri-County and Pekin has been entirely wonderful.
The past year and a half have provided me with memories of great games and memories that will stick with me. From Pekin winning their first playoff football game in over a decade, to the dominance that was Isaac Bruns running up and down the Sigourney football field.
From watching Reanah Utterbeck capture her second-straight state wrestling title. To the record-breaking year that all of the basketball teams seemed to have last year.
Last year, watching the track stars of Gage Heyne, Ava Gerhking, Chloe Glosser and Anna Hadley dominate at the Blue Oval in Des Moines, was one of the highlights of the season. Witnessing the Sigourney boys golf team return to the State meet, and set some records along the way was another highlight I won’t forget.
This past summer I witnessed as Sigourney’s baseball team won a high-pressure game against Lynnville-Sully. Then, as playoffs rolled along, the surprising emergence of Pekin’s baseball team as they came two runs shy of the State tournament.
In softball, Keota had a strong season as they turned some heads. Sigourney came within a few outs of returning to the State tournament. Both teams showing that this summer could be strong ones for them.
The fall seemed to fly by as Pekin stayed undefeated for the regular season, winning their district with a high-emotional come-from-behind win over Danville on a foggy Friday night. Sigourney-Keota rallied from a rough start to their year, to make it to the second round of the playoffs.
The cross country season featured the next generation of runners as the English Valleys girls team returned to the State meet, and Pekin’s boys made a return trip as well.
In wrestling Sigourney-Keota’s girls continued to build their program, and Pekin’s girls also showed the consistency that is sure to carry on.
The English Valleys girls basketball team surprised many as they played with seven girls, but still managed to get within two games of the State tournament. Keota’s girls continued their strong turnaround as well.
The Pekin boys basketball team was one of the toughest teams in the area this winter, before their season came to an unexpected end, two games too early.
In boys wrestling Sigourney-Keota proved that they are still strong with three wrestlers making the State tournament.
While I don’t know what the future holds for the newspaper, or the athletics of the area schools, I do know that I was blessed for my time here, getting to know the schools, the athletes and the school administrators.
I plan to stay in the area, and hope to see you all and continue to tell your stories in the future. Thank you for the incredible memories.
Mark Schafer, The News-Review sports editor
