The West Burlington School District doesn’t have a combined elementary and high school. The two schools are separated by just a few blocks, each with its own roster of teachers.

But Jeremy Henman, the new band director of the West Burlington Junior High and High School, has been teaching some of the same students for six years straight.

“It has such a joyous experience, getting to teach them,” Henman said.

Henman took on the role of band director at the high school at the beginning of the year, but taught music at West Burlington Elementary for six years prior to that. That means that he will have taught music to some West Burlington students for the entirety of their school experience once they graduate.

“I was very fortunate to get a job at the elementary,” Henman said.

By the age of five, Henman knew he wanted to be a trumpet player. Before getting a real trumpet, he carried a toy version everywhere. By the time he was in high school, Henman knew he wanted to be a musician — and possibly a teacher.

“I went into college thinking I wanted to be a jazz trumpet player,” Henman said. “Then, early on in college, I get exposed to a lot more orchestral music and found a love for the classical side of the trumpet.”

Unlike many of his peers, who pined for a life far away from their hometown, Henman wanted to come back home and teach. He applied for every job in pretty much every state he could and jumped at the elementary music teacher job when it became available.

As a Burlington High School graduate, he also found it a bit ironic. He credits BHS band director Derrick Murphy, who is still teaching, for helping to expand his love of music.

“That was kind of a neat thing for me, going through college and getting my degree and then getting to come back home to teach where I grew up,” he said.

Henman’s future was always going to be dictated by music. Both of his parents are accomplished singers, and all three of his older siblings went through band and choir, as did he.

Before taking the music job at West Burlington, Henman was hesitant to teach younger children. He has no children and recalls how his first pack of kindergartners trampled his plans on the first day.

But Henman learned, and so did the kids. Like any good music teacher, Henman’s ultimate goal is simple: to instill a student’s love of music.

Everything that follows is a natural extension of the students’ interest. Band is an elective in high school, so Henman now has the luxury of teaching students who want to be in the music room. They like talking about music theory and improving their skills.

“I’m able to get them to think even more critically about the music they’re creating. We’ll be rehearsing, and I’ll cut them off, and I’ll ask them, ‘What instrument has the melody here?’ And you’ve got some students who are paying attention, who’ve been listening not just to their own part but to the entire ensemble. And they’re able to pick out,” Henman said.

Now that he’s settled into high school, Henman is laying the groundwork for a long-term project.&nbsp;

He wants to increase the size of West Burlington’s marching band and its exposure and importance — perhaps even competitive contests someday.

But to do that, he needs interested students. Most of his band students have expressed disinterest in marching band, but Henman has found a middle ground at the school’s Friday night football games.

“I like to call it a Friday night football band,” he said. “We are there specifically to build the school spirit for the football games.”

The West Burlington-Notre Dame football team won its first-ever playoff game last Friday. Henman’s students celebrated with their synchronous instruments.

“It was such an exciting experience, getting to play for a playoff game. I think it was great for the students to witness a bit of school history,” Henman said.

Despite the hours he spends teaching others, Henman has always maintained his passion for the trumpet. Of course, he doesn’t play for the money.

“A lot of my students, they think, ‘Well, after I graduate high school, I’m done with music,” he said.

Burlington and the surrounding area are pretty musical, and Henman has found plenty of opportunity for this trumpet.&nbsp;

He plays with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, the Burlington Municipal Band, and several other organizations,&nbsp; including a salsa band he just joined.

Henman has everything he could want, and it was always just a few miles from his doorstep. It takes some a lifetime to realize their heart is at home.&nbsp;

Henman had it figured out before he ever started.

“I’m happy where I’m at. I really love teaching in West Burlington,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/11/1731221597781.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithThe West Burlington School District doesn’t have a combined elementary and high school. The two schools are separated by just a few blocks, each with its own roster of teachers.But Jeremy Henman, the new band director of the West Burlington Junior High and High School, has been teaching some of the same students for six years straight.“It has such a joyous experience, getting to teach them,” Henman said.Henman took on the role of band director at the high school at the beginning of the year, but taught music at West Burlington Elementary for six years prior to that. That means that he will have taught music to some West Burlington students for the entirety of their school experience once they graduate.“I was very fortunate to get a job at the elementary,” Henman said.By the age of five, Henman knew he wanted to be a trumpet player. Before getting a real trumpet, he carried a toy version everywhere. By the time he was in high school, Henman knew he wanted to be a musician — and possibly a teacher.“I went into college thinking I wanted to be a jazz trumpet player,” Henman said. “Then, early on in college, I get exposed to a lot more orchestral music and found a love for the classical side of the trumpet.”Unlike many of his peers, who pined for a life far away from their hometown, Henman wanted to come back home and teach. He applied for every job in pretty much every state he could and jumped at the elementary music teacher job when it became available.As a Burlington High School graduate, he also found it a bit ironic. He credits BHS band director Derrick Murphy, who is still teaching, for helping to expand his love of music.“That was kind of a neat thing for me, going through college and getting my degree and then getting to come back home to teach where I grew up,” he said.Henman’s future was always going to be dictated by music. Both of his parents are accomplished singers, and all three of his older siblings went through band and choir, as did he.“I just grew up with it,” he said.Before taking the music job at West Burlington, Henman was hesitant to teach younger children. He has no children and recalls how his first pack of kindergartners trampled his plans on the first day.But Henman learned, and so did the kids. Like any good music teacher, Henman’s ultimate goal is simple: to instill a student’s love of music.Everything that follows is a natural extension of the students’ interest. Band is an elective in high school, so Henman now has the luxury of teaching students who want to be in the music room. They like talking about music theory and improving their skills.“I’m able to get them to think even more critically about the music they’re creating. We’ll be rehearsing, and I’ll cut them off, and I’ll ask them, ‘What instrument has the melody here?’ And you’ve got some students who are paying attention, who’ve been listening not just to their own part but to the entire ensemble. And they’re able to pick out,” Henman said.Now that he’s settled into high school, Henman is laying the groundwork for a long-term project.&nbsp;He wants to increase the size of West Burlington’s marching band and its exposure and importance — perhaps even competitive contests someday.But to do that, he needs interested students. Most of his band students have expressed disinterest in marching band, but Henman has found a middle ground at the school’s Friday night football games.“I like to call it a Friday night football band,” he said. “We are there specifically to build the school spirit for the football games.”The West Burlington-Notre Dame football team won its first-ever playoff game last Friday. Henman’s students celebrated with their synchronous instruments.“It was such an exciting experience, getting to play for a playoff game. I think it was great for the students to witness a bit of school history,” Henman said.Despite the hours he spends teaching others, Henman has always maintained his passion for the trumpet. Of course, he doesn’t play for the money.“A lot of my students, they think, ‘Well, after I graduate high school, I’m done with music,” he said.But that’s just not true.Burlington and the surrounding area are pretty musical, and Henman has found plenty of opportunity for this trumpet.&nbsp;He plays with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, the Burlington Municipal Band, and several other organizations,&nbsp; including a salsa band he just joined.Henman has everything he could want, and it was always just a few miles from his doorstep. It takes some a lifetime to realize their heart is at home.&nbsp;Henman had it figured out before he ever started.“I’m happy where I’m at. I really love teaching in West Burlington,” he said.

 52 Faces: Homegrown harmony

Southeastern Community College’s men’s soccer team rallied from a two-goal deficit and ousted Iowa Central, 4-3, in overtime in the Division 2, Region 11 quarterfinals at Bracewell Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Juan Lagares scored in the 98th&nbsp;minute off a pass from Felix Martin for the sudden victory.

SCC (11-7-2), the tournament’s No. 4 seed, advances to Tuesday’s semifinal round at Norfolk, Neb., facing top-seeded Northeast (17-1-1). Western Iowa Tech (10-6-3) plays No. 2 seed Iowa Lakes (12-1-3) at Estherville in the other semifinal. The Region 11 championship match is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2, to be hosted by the higher seed.

“It was a really difficult game,” SCC head coach Jorge Sierra said. “It was a good opponent coming in so it was whoever wanted it more. Thankfully for is we wanted it more. We just have to be ready for Northeast Nebraska on Tuesday.

“I feel they (the Tritons) really wanted to advance,” Sierra said. “They wanted to win, same way we wanted to win. This conference is the best one in the country and any team can beat the other on a given day. Thankfully, today it went for us.”

The Blackhawks struck first with a goal by Timeo Cordiez in the 14th&nbsp;minute, Diego Lozano assisting, but Iowa Central tied the score two minutes later. The Tritons scored twice more in the first 23 minutes of the second half for a 3-1 cushion.

Cordiez scored, this time unassisted, in the 80th&nbsp;minute, and Lagares added the tying goal in the 87th minute, assisted by Javier Hernandez. That set up overtime and Lagares's game-winner.

Sierra is expecting pressure from Northeast in Tuesday’s semifinal. “They just beat the No. 1 team (Iowa Lakes) in the country,” Sierra said, “so it’s going to be a difficult game for us. But we’ll be ready for it.”

No. 1 ranked Iowa Lakes fell at home to Northeast, 3-2, on Oct. 23. On Sept. 28, the Lakers visited Bracewell Stadium and tied with the Blackhawks, 3-3.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/10/1730041733126.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By Joe GerenSoutheastern Community College’s men’s soccer team rallied from a two-goal deficit and ousted Iowa Central, 4-3, in overtime in the Division 2, Region 11 quarterfinals at Bracewell Stadium Saturday afternoon.Juan Lagares scored in the 98th&nbsp;minute off a pass from Felix Martin for the sudden victory.SCC (11-7-2), the tournament’s No. 4 seed, advances to Tuesday’s semifinal round at Norfolk, Neb., facing top-seeded Northeast (17-1-1). Western Iowa Tech (10-6-3) plays No. 2 seed Iowa Lakes (12-1-3) at Estherville in the other semifinal. The Region 11 championship match is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2, to be hosted by the higher seed.Iowa Central ended its season at 4-11-2.“It was a really difficult game,” SCC head coach Jorge Sierra said. “It was a good opponent coming in so it was whoever wanted it more. Thankfully for is we wanted it more. We just have to be ready for Northeast Nebraska on Tuesday.“I feel they (the Tritons) really wanted to advance,” Sierra said. “They wanted to win, same way we wanted to win. This conference is the best one in the country and any team can beat the other on a given day. Thankfully, today it went for us.”The Blackhawks struck first with a goal by Timeo Cordiez in the 14th&nbsp;minute, Diego Lozano assisting, but Iowa Central tied the score two minutes later. The Tritons scored twice more in the first 23 minutes of the second half for a 3-1 cushion.Cordiez scored, this time unassisted, in the 80th&nbsp;minute, and Lagares added the tying goal in the 87th minute, assisted by Javier Hernandez. That set up overtime and Lagares's game-winner.Sierra is expecting pressure from Northeast in Tuesday’s semifinal. “They just beat the No. 1 team (Iowa Lakes) in the country,” Sierra said, “so it’s going to be a difficult game for us. But we’ll be ready for it.”No. 1 ranked Iowa Lakes fell at home to Northeast, 3-2, on Oct. 23. On Sept. 28, the Lakers visited Bracewell Stadium and tied with the Blackhawks, 3-3.<figure>
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 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>

SCC rallies for regional win

Notre Dame struggled against No. 3 Holy Trinity in volleyball action on Thursday, and the Nikes' late surge down the stretch of the third game wasn't enough to avoid a sweep at Shottenkirk Gymnasium in Fort Madison.

The Nikes trailed the third set 15-9, but over the next five servers cut the lead to 18-17. The Nikes then took the lead at 20-19 and soon led 22-20. After trading side outs, Notre Dame led 23-21, but Adalyn Kruse for the Crusaders made a kill to return the serve. Presley Myers served out the set and the match, with Kruse making another kill to end it.

It didn't help that Notre Dame missed six serves in the first two sets. But Holy Trinity missed six serves in the final set.

Notre Dame drops to 18-10 overall, 4-2 in the South and plays in the New London Tournament Saturday.

Holy Trinity remains unbeaten at 5-0 in the South and is 19-5 overall. The Crusaders host Central Lee next Thursday.

“We've got some young players, and we couldn't get in system some times,” Notre Dame coach Susan Reid said.

“We had a pretty good game plan, and when we're in system, that game plan works.”

It's never easy taking on HTC on its home court.

“It's a big environment to play in,” Reid said. “They have some good players, and they're a tough team to play.”

HTC coach Melissa Freesmeier said, “We were doing the little things we've been working on in practice.

But in the third set, Freesmeier said there were “a lot of mistakes on our end that shouldn't have happened. But we still overcame it. We still stayed in the set, and we were able to pull it off.”

Freesmeier said that Notre Dame is a “great ball club. They continue to have a good season.”

So even though it was a three-and-out&nbsp;match, “you know it was a better match than that,” Freesmeier said.

Notre Dame had a balanced hitting attack. Addi Brockway made nine kills, Madelyn Knapp eight and Chloe Wenzel seven. McKenna Kipp added two.

Mallory Lily had 23 digs, Brockway 11, Knapp nine, Elmore five and Bella Drew and Addison Reid two each.

Wenzel made two blocks and also served an ace.

For Holy Trinity, Kruse had 14 kills and Myers 13 to lead the team. Anna Bendlage made 16 assists, and Elizabeth Griffith had 12.

Myers served four aces, and Olivia Bendlage three. Kruse led in digs with 12. Myers had three blocks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/10/1728060843131.jpeg" alt="Photo by Chris Faulkner" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Chris Faulkner</figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerNotre Dame struggled against No. 3 Holy Trinity in volleyball action on Thursday, and the Nikes' late surge down the stretch of the third game wasn't enough to avoid a sweep at Shottenkirk Gymnasium in Fort Madison.Holy Trinity 25-12, 25-20, 25-23.The Nikes trailed the third set 15-9, but over the next five servers cut the lead to 18-17. The Nikes then took the lead at 20-19 and soon led 22-20. After trading side outs, Notre Dame led 23-21, but Adalyn Kruse for the Crusaders made a kill to return the serve. Presley Myers served out the set and the match, with Kruse making another kill to end it.It didn't help that Notre Dame missed six serves in the first two sets. But Holy Trinity missed six serves in the final set.Notre Dame drops to 18-10 overall, 4-2 in the South and plays in the New London Tournament Saturday.Holy Trinity remains unbeaten at 5-0 in the South and is 19-5 overall. The Crusaders host Central Lee next Thursday.“We've got some young players, and we couldn't get in system some times,” Notre Dame coach Susan Reid said.“We had a pretty good game plan, and when we're in system, that game plan works.”It's never easy taking on HTC on its home court.“It's a big environment to play in,” Reid said. “They have some good players, and they're a tough team to play.”HTC coach Melissa Freesmeier said, “We were doing the little things we've been working on in practice.But in the third set, Freesmeier said there were “a lot of mistakes on our end that shouldn't have happened. But we still overcame it. We still stayed in the set, and we were able to pull it off.”Freesmeier said that Notre Dame is a “great ball club. They continue to have a good season.”So even though it was a three-and-out&nbsp;match, “you know it was a better match than that,” Freesmeier said.Notre Dame had a balanced hitting attack. Addi Brockway made nine kills, Madelyn Knapp eight and Chloe Wenzel seven. McKenna Kipp added two.Emma Elmore made 23 assists.Mallory Lily had 23 digs, Brockway 11, Knapp nine, Elmore five and Bella Drew and Addison Reid two each.Wenzel made two blocks and also served an ace.For Holy Trinity, Kruse had 14 kills and Myers 13 to lead the team. Anna Bendlage made 16 assists, and Elizabeth Griffith had 12.Myers served four aces, and Olivia Bendlage three. Kruse led in digs with 12. Myers had three blocks.

ND falls to HTC

Southeastern Community College's Taryn Havener took on  Northeast Community College on Wednesday at  SCC's Loren Walker Arena. SCC defeated Northeast 3-1. First set 25-20, second set 23-25, third set 25-15, and fourth set 25-21.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1726806669986.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaSoutheastern Community College's Taryn Havener took on Northeast Community College on Wednesday at SCC's Loren Walker Arena. SCC defeated Northeast 3-1. First set 25-20, second set 23-25, third set 25-15, and fourth set 25-21.<figure>
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SCC vs. Northeast Community College

West Burlington's ninth-ranked (Class 2A) volleyball team rallied from a 2-0 deficit at No. 5 (1A) Holy Trinity Catholic and sent the match into a fifth set.

But the host Crusaders defeated the Falcons 15-11 in the deciding set to win the two-hour, 10-minute match at Shottenkirk Gymnasium in Fort Madison.

West Burlington (14-2) plays Saturday in the Williamsburg Tournament. Holy Trinity improves to 3-2.

HTC won the first set 25-17 and had West Burlington down 20-11 and 22-15 in the second set. But the Falcons stormed back with five service points from Jayonna Hiley – including two from aces – to make it 22-20. West Burlington was serving match point, but Holy Trinity managed to stay alive and finally won 27-25.

West Burlington won the next two sets, 26-24, 25-17, getting big help from Brenna Beggs, who had 11 kills and a couple of big blocks in those two sets.

In the fifth set, through the first five rotations, West Burlington led 6-4. But HTC soon led 10-8 and pulled out the victory.

There were a number of long rallies in the two-hour night. West Burlington finished with 139 digs and Holy Trinity 124.

“I'm very, very pleased with the way they battled,” West Burlington coach Maureen Heath said of the Falcons. “That was a very good match. It didn't go our way, but that's going to make our team grow and grow.

“Everybody got their money's worth, that's for sure.”

Coach Heath praised Beggs for her contribution on the night. Beside Beggs' team-high 17 kills and six blocks, she also served 20 of 20 with two aces and added 15 digs.

Beggs' strength as a middle hitter is her swift windmill motion on her attacks that are hard for opposing defenses to dig up.

“No, I taught myself,” Beggs said. “It's just something I caught on.”

Taryn Snodgrass plays a big part in that as her setter. “We've been playing togther since like the sixth grade,” Beggs said. “We have a good connection.”

Coach Heath praised Snodgrass for her abilities.

“Snodgrass is like a workhorse out there,” Heath said. “You know you're going to get every maximum effort from that girl. She tries to move the ball around, running things down, but with control.”

Jayonna Hiley had 12 kills and served 14 of 14 with five aces, Mady Hamelton had 10 kills, Isabella Callison five and freshman Kaylee Webb four.

Webb came into the game as a middle hitter, “trying to mix things up,” Coach Heath said. “In this big of a game, she was very in tune, she was asking questions, the girls were helping her, I thought she did a great job.”

Hiley had a block and Webb and Snodgrass had one each.

Carli Cline led in digs with 42, Hiley had 31, Hamelton 20 and Snodgrass 15. Baylee Woodsmall added 12.

Cline served 21 of 22 with an ace, Hamelton was 16 of 16 with an ace, Snodgrass 11 of 12 with an ace and Woodsmall 12 of 12.

The Falcons served 94 of 96 on the night.

Holy Trinity is tough to beat at home, especially in the fifth set, but Crusaders coach Melissa Freesmeier didn't take anything for granted.

“When you play a team like West Burlington, and they're going to dig the ball, and they're going to keep the ball in play, they're not going to make a lot of mistakes, we're just going to have to go at them. Our hitters did that in set 5.”

HTC's 6-2 standout in the middle, Presley Myers, had a career high 23 kills and six blocks. Adalyn Kruse had 21 kills and Olivia Bendlage 13. Anna Bendlage made 38 assists. Teagan Snaadt had 33 digs and Elizabeth Griffin 32.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1726584171021.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Falcons rallied from 2-0 deficitBy Chris FaulknerWest Burlington's ninth-ranked (Class 2A) volleyball team rallied from a 2-0 deficit at No. 5 (1A) Holy Trinity Catholic and sent the match into a fifth set.But the host Crusaders defeated the Falcons 15-11 in the deciding set to win the two-hour, 10-minute match at Shottenkirk Gymnasium in Fort Madison.West Burlington (14-2) plays Saturday in the Williamsburg Tournament. Holy Trinity improves to 3-2.HTC won the first set 25-17 and had West Burlington down 20-11 and 22-15 in the second set. But the Falcons stormed back with five service points from Jayonna Hiley – including two from aces – to make it 22-20. West Burlington was serving match point, but Holy Trinity managed to stay alive and finally won 27-25.West Burlington won the next two sets, 26-24, 25-17, getting big help from Brenna Beggs, who had 11 kills and a couple of big blocks in those two sets.In the fifth set, through the first five rotations, West Burlington led 6-4. But HTC soon led 10-8 and pulled out the victory.There were a number of long rallies in the two-hour night. West Burlington finished with 139 digs and Holy Trinity 124.Falcons can grow from this“I'm very, very pleased with the way they battled,” West Burlington coach Maureen Heath said of the Falcons. “That was a very good match. It didn't go our way, but that's going to make our team grow and grow.“Everybody got their money's worth, that's for sure.”Coach Heath praised Beggs for her contribution on the night. Beside Beggs' team-high 17 kills and six blocks, she also served 20 of 20 with two aces and added 15 digs.Beggs' strength as a middle hitter is her swift windmill motion on her attacks that are hard for opposing defenses to dig up.Did someone teach her to do it that way?“No, I taught myself,” Beggs said. “It's just something I caught on.”Taryn Snodgrass plays a big part in that as her setter. “We've been playing togther since like the sixth grade,” Beggs said. “We have a good connection.”Snodgrass had 40 assists.Coach Heath praised Snodgrass for her abilities.“Snodgrass is like a workhorse out there,” Heath said. “You know you're going to get every maximum effort from that girl. She tries to move the ball around, running things down, but with control.”Jayonna Hiley had 12 kills and served 14 of 14 with five aces, Mady Hamelton had 10 kills, Isabella Callison five and freshman Kaylee Webb four.Webb came into the game as a middle hitter, “trying to mix things up,” Coach Heath said. “In this big of a game, she was very in tune, she was asking questions, the girls were helping her, I thought she did a great job.”Hiley had a block and Webb and Snodgrass had one each.Carli Cline led in digs with 42, Hiley had 31, Hamelton 20 and Snodgrass 15. Baylee Woodsmall added 12.Cline served 21 of 22 with an ace, Hamelton was 16 of 16 with an ace, Snodgrass 11 of 12 with an ace and Woodsmall 12 of 12.The Falcons served 94 of 96 on the night.HTC shines in Set 5Holy Trinity is tough to beat at home, especially in the fifth set, but Crusaders coach Melissa Freesmeier didn't take anything for granted.“When you play a team like West Burlington, and they're going to dig the ball, and they're going to keep the ball in play, they're not going to make a lot of mistakes, we're just going to have to go at them. Our hitters did that in set 5.”HTC's 6-2 standout in the middle, Presley Myers, had a career high 23 kills and six blocks. Adalyn Kruse had 21 kills and Olivia Bendlage 13. Anna Bendlage made 38 assists. Teagan Snaadt had 33 digs and Elizabeth Griffin 32.

HTC outlasts West Burlington in five sets

Notre Dame swept Van Buren County 25-9, 25-17, 25-22 in volleyball Thursday night at Father Minett Gym.

Madelyn Knapp made 13 kills, and Addi Brockway 11 to lead the winners. Chloe Wenzel added six kills, McKenna Kipp five, Addison Reid four, and Emma Elmore three.

Knapp made 13 digs, Mallory Lillie and Brockway 12 each, and Bella Drew 10.

Elmore served 13 of 14 with an ace, Brockway was 12 of 12 with an ace, Reid was 12 of 13 with two aces, Lillie was 11 of 12 with three aces, and Lexi Korschgen served an ace on her only attempt.

The team plays at Central Lee next Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1726252360221.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Beacon SportsNotre Dame swept Van Buren County 25-9, 25-17, 25-22 in volleyball Thursday night at Father Minett Gym.Madelyn Knapp made 13 kills, and Addi Brockway 11 to lead the winners. Chloe Wenzel added six kills, McKenna Kipp five, Addison Reid four, and Emma Elmore three.Emma Elmore made 36 assists.Knapp made 13 digs, Mallory Lillie and Brockway 12 each, and Bella Drew 10.Wenzel made four blocks and Reid two.Elmore served 13 of 14 with an ace, Brockway was 12 of 12 with an ace, Reid was 12 of 13 with two aces, Lillie was 11 of 12 with three aces, and Lexi Korschgen served an ace on her only attempt.The team plays at Central Lee next Tuesday.<figure>
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NDHS Volleyball vs. Van Buren 

Indian Hills spoiled Southeastern Community College’s soccer home openers, sweeping the Blackhawks at the Burlington Regional RecPlex Monday afternoon.

Indian Hills won the women’s match 5-1 and the men’s game 6-0. Indian Hills is an NJCAA Division I school; SCC is Division II.

In the women’s match, Kevynn Siefken scored SCC’s lone goal on the rebound of a Myah Rehman shot in the 50th minute. Rehman was awarded an assist. It was the first goal scored this season by SCC, now 0-4.

Siefken and Rehman were freshmen and teammates at Burlington High School last spring.

“We’ve been struggling with injuries the past couple of weeks,” Siefken said, “but we’re slowly getting those girls back, and we know we deserve it. We worked hard, that’s for sure.”

On her goal, she said, “It was good. It was well deserved. That first half was hard-fought, and that second half, we wanted it, and we got it.” 

          In the men’s game, SCC managed just five shots, three on goal. The defense held Indian Hills scoreless for the first 33 minutes. SCC fell to 1-4. 

It was the first time former SCC coach Zac Newton coached against the Blackhawks. He coached SCC to its spring 2021 national championship. Newton is currently in his first year as head coach at Indian Hills. 

“It’s a weird experience,” Newton said of his return to West Burlington, “and then to have the sort of result we had was tough because this place always has a special place in my heart. It’s very, very weird, but it does bring back a lot of good memories.”

The Indian Hills men improved to 5-0; the women are 3-1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1725582340335.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Beacon SportsIndian Hills spoiled Southeastern Community College’s soccer home openers, sweeping the Blackhawks at the Burlington Regional RecPlex Monday afternoon.Indian Hills won the women’s match 5-1 and the men’s game 6-0. Indian Hills is an NJCAA Division I school; SCC is Division II.In the women’s match, Kevynn Siefken scored SCC’s lone goal on the rebound of a Myah Rehman shot in the 50th minute. Rehman was awarded an assist. It was the first goal scored this season by SCC, now 0-4.Siefken and Rehman were freshmen and teammates at Burlington High School last spring.“We’ve been struggling with injuries the past couple of weeks,” Siefken said, “but we’re slowly getting those girls back, and we know we deserve it. We worked hard, that’s for sure.”On her goal, she said, “It was good. It was well deserved. That first half was hard-fought, and that second half, we wanted it, and we got it.” In the men’s game, SCC managed just five shots, three on goal. The defense held Indian Hills scoreless for the first 33 minutes. SCC fell to 1-4. It was the first time former SCC coach Zac Newton coached against the Blackhawks. He coached SCC to its spring 2021 national championship. Newton is currently in his first year as head coach at Indian Hills. “It’s a weird experience,” Newton said of his return to West Burlington, “and then to have the sort of result we had was tough because this place always has a special place in my heart. It’s very, very weird, but it does bring back a lot of good memories.”The Indian Hills men improved to 5-0; the women are 3-1.

Warriors sweep SCC soccer teams

The Southeastern Community College volleyball team scrimmaged against three other teams on Saturday, and the optimism in the Blackhawk camp is sky-high. 

“I expect us to take it all the way to nationals,” said McKenna Marlow, a sophomore from West Burlington.“I expect us to take it all the way to nationals.,” said Taryn Stephens, a freshman who played for Burlington’s Notre Dame High School last season. 

“That just seems like so much fun. We all want to go so bad. We’ve been working for it.”Read Joe Geren's story in this Friday's print edition of The Beacon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1724023610717.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaThe Southeastern Community College volleyball team scrimmaged against three other teams on Saturday, and the optimism in the Blackhawk camp is sky-high. “I expect us to take it all the way to nationals,” said McKenna Marlow, a sophomore from West Burlington.“I expect us to take it all the way to nationals.,” said Taryn Stephens, a freshman who played for Burlington’s Notre Dame High School last season. “That just seems like so much fun. We all want to go so bad. We’ve been working for it.”Read Joe Geren's story in this Friday's print edition of The Beacon.<figure>
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Spike in Optimism

By Joe Geren Beacon Sports When you’re already a national champion, perhaps only one goal remains. Perfection. That’s the goal for Odessa Cornick in the upcoming indoor archery season. Odessa, 16, of Burlington, and her sister Alina, 12, are three-time national champions. Their most recent titles occurred in July at the Scholastic 3-D Archery (S3DA) Eastern Outdoor National on the University of the Cumberlands campus in Williamsburg, Ky. Odessa won the female young adult (age 15-18) championship, and Alina captured the female Eagle division for ages 10-12. In June, Alina won an indoor national title in Rend Lake, Ill. “They shoot their first couple rounds, and that’s how they get into the shoot-off,” their dad, Zach Cornick, explained. After the shoot-off, “there’s a bracket-type system where they shoot against each other. It’s two full days.” In young adult competitions, “the top three finishers get academic scholarships,” Zach said. “There are probably 15 scholarships around the country. They’re adding up.” Last March, Odessa won the national title in the Eastern Indoor S3DA in Owensboro, Ky., and won several scholarships, including some to the University of the Cumberlands, Kentucky Christian, Southeast Illinois, and Lindenwood. With the win in Williamsburg, some of the scholarships were duplicated. Odessa, who soon begins her junior year at Burlington High School, has not decided which scholarship she’ll use. “I haven’t started looking too much yet,” she said. Zach and his wife Denissa founded the Flint River Archery Club in late 2020. Last Sunday, the Cornick sisters were among four Flint River Archery Club members who won state titles in the Iowa State ASA championship in Iowa City. Odessa won the young adult female pins division, and Alina captured the Eagle girls’ pins. Isaiah Mendenhall won the Eagle boys open division and Brody Foley won young adult male pins. Other club members competing in the state meet were Timothy Burns Jr. (2nd, Eagle boys open), Addison Ewinger (2nd, Eagle girls open), Raelle Miller (2nd, Eagle girls pins), and Abigail Foley (3rd, Eagle girls pins). Miller also finished 10th in the Eastern Outdoor National in Kentucky last month. According to a Flint River Archery Club Facebook post, Miller’s sights were going low left the first day of the competition. Coaches fixed the problem, and Miller shot a personal best the second day. “In a couple weeks, the ASA Outdoor National is in South Dakota,” Zach Cornick said. “We’ll be going to that.” Both Cornick girls have played other sports, but archery is their preference. “I did golf for a little bit, but mostly archery is what I do,” Odessa said. She played on the BHS girls’ golf team. “I started (archery) when I was four years old.” “I played volleyball and soccer, but not right now,” Alina said. In archery, “I like outdoor targets better. It’s cells (in 3D animal-shaped targets). Basically, it’s upper and lower cells.” Odessa has goals. “I want to win some more things, obviously,” she said, “get some more scholarships collected. Indoor season is next, so right now, my goal is to shoot an absolutely perfect score, a 150 with 30 Xs.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1723517598554.jpeg" alt="Photo by Joe Geren Odessa Cornick, left, and her sister Alina won national championships in archery recently. Alina won two in the Eagle (age 10-12) Division and Odessa captured a national outdoor championship in the Young Adult (15-18) Division. " />
 <figcaption>Photo by Joe Geren Odessa Cornick, left, and her sister Alina won national championships in archery recently. Alina won two in the Eagle (age 10-12) Division and Odessa captured a national outdoor championship in the Young Adult (15-18) Division. </figcaption>
 </figure>By Joe Geren Beacon Sports When you’re already a national champion, perhaps only one goal remains. Perfection. That’s the goal for Odessa Cornick in the upcoming indoor archery season. Odessa, 16, of Burlington, and her sister Alina, 12, are three-time national champions. Their most recent titles occurred in July at the Scholastic 3-D Archery (S3DA) Eastern Outdoor National on the University of the Cumberlands campus in Williamsburg, Ky. Odessa won the female young adult (age 15-18) championship, and Alina captured the female Eagle division for ages 10-12. In June, Alina won an indoor national title in Rend Lake, Ill. “They shoot their first couple rounds, and that’s how they get into the shoot-off,” their dad, Zach Cornick, explained. After the shoot-off, “there’s a bracket-type system where they shoot against each other. It’s two full days.” In young adult competitions, “the top three finishers get academic scholarships,” Zach said. “There are probably 15 scholarships around the country. They’re adding up.” Last March, Odessa won the national title in the Eastern Indoor S3DA in Owensboro, Ky., and won several scholarships, including some to the University of the Cumberlands, Kentucky Christian, Southeast Illinois, and Lindenwood. With the win in Williamsburg, some of the scholarships were duplicated. Odessa, who soon begins her junior year at Burlington High School, has not decided which scholarship she’ll use. “I haven’t started looking too much yet,” she said. Zach and his wife Denissa founded the Flint River Archery Club in late 2020. Last Sunday, the Cornick sisters were among four Flint River Archery Club members who won state titles in the Iowa State ASA championship in Iowa City. Odessa won the young adult female pins division, and Alina captured the Eagle girls’ pins. Isaiah Mendenhall won the Eagle boys open division and Brody Foley won young adult male pins. Other club members competing in the state meet were Timothy Burns Jr. (2nd, Eagle boys open), Addison Ewinger (2nd, Eagle girls open), Raelle Miller (2nd, Eagle girls pins), and Abigail Foley (3rd, Eagle girls pins). Miller also finished 10th in the Eastern Outdoor National in Kentucky last month. According to a Flint River Archery Club Facebook post, Miller’s sights were going low left the first day of the competition. Coaches fixed the problem, and Miller shot a personal best the second day. “In a couple weeks, the ASA Outdoor National is in South Dakota,” Zach Cornick said. “We’ll be going to that.” Both Cornick girls have played other sports, but archery is their preference. “I did golf for a little bit, but mostly archery is what I do,” Odessa said. She played on the BHS girls’ golf team. “I started (archery) when I was four years old.” “I played volleyball and soccer, but not right now,” Alina said. In archery, “I like outdoor targets better. It’s cells (in 3D animal-shaped targets). Basically, it’s upper and lower cells.” Odessa has goals. “I want to win some more things, obviously,” she said, “get some more scholarships collected. Indoor season is next, so right now, my goal is to shoot an absolutely perfect score, a 150 with 30 Xs.”

Cornick sisters claim national titles

Bryce Brown’s two-run double to center field in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Burlington Bees to a 7-6 win over Clinton in a Prospect League baseball game at Community Field Saturday night. It was the third win in the last four games for the Bees, who are now 11-7 in the season’s second half.

Clinton went up 2-0 in the first half-inning, but Burlington tied it in the second and led 3-2 after three innings. The score was knotted at 3-3 and 4-4, then the LumberKings scored twice in the sixth inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Bees came to within a run of Clinton at 5-6 on Cedric Dunnwald’s RBI double.

Both teams had 12 hits. Brown and Landon Akers had three hits each for the Bees. Jeremy Figueroa tripled for the Bees and Logan Reidelberger doubled. Catcher Noah Gordon went 3-for-5 to lead Clinton.

Erik Kiewiet (2-1) pitched the final inning and picked up the win. He allowed no runs on one hit and two walks. Clinton’s Kieran Bailey (2-1) took the loss.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722270737475.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Beacon SportsBryce Brown’s two-run double to center field in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Burlington Bees to a 7-6 win over Clinton in a Prospect League baseball game at Community Field Saturday night. It was the third win in the last four games for the Bees, who are now 11-7 in the season’s second half.Clinton went up 2-0 in the first half-inning, but Burlington tied it in the second and led 3-2 after three innings. The score was knotted at 3-3 and 4-4, then the LumberKings scored twice in the sixth inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Bees came to within a run of Clinton at 5-6 on Cedric Dunnwald’s RBI double.The LumberKings wouldn’t score again.Both teams had 12 hits. Brown and Landon Akers had three hits each for the Bees. Jeremy Figueroa tripled for the Bees and Logan Reidelberger doubled. Catcher Noah Gordon went 3-for-5 to lead Clinton.Erik Kiewiet (2-1) pitched the final inning and picked up the win. He allowed no runs on one hit and two walks. Clinton’s Kieran Bailey (2-1) took the loss.&nbsp;

Brown’s Double Lifts Bees

Tanner Gebhardt captured the 305 Winged Sprints class on Saturday, July 20, at 34 Raceway. 

Cole Helmerson of New London came in second and points leader Cody Wehrle finished third. John Barnard of Sherman, Ill., came in fourth, followed by a trio of Burlington drivers: Dugan Thye, Nathan Murders, and Nick Guernsey. Chase Young of Altoona was eighth, Travis Pence of Stronghurst, Ill., was ninth, and McCain Richards of Burlington 10th.

Wehrle leads the standings with 326 points, and Gebhardt is 14 back at 312. Guernsey is third at 278, Helmerson fourth at 264, and Thye is holding onto a top-five spot, ahead of Chase Richards, 259-252.

Because of rain late in the night, the features for Sport Compacts, Modifieds, and Stock Car didn't run. There will be double features this Saturday, which will be 34 for Kids Night, presented by the New Mix, 107.3. Kids 10 and under get in free with a paid admission. Pits open at 4 p.m., and the gates open at 5 p.m. All seven classes will run.

The Sprint Invaders event will run on Aug. 16, and the Pepsi Season Championship will run on Aug. 24.

John Oliver Jr. of West Burlington won the Sports Modified class, narrowing the gap to within one point, 299-298, of Sean Wyett of Danville. Wyett came in fifth. Oliver Jr. beat out Logan Cumby of Quincy, Ill., and Matt Thomas of Danville. Brian Schrage of Creston was fourth.

There's a tight race for third: Matt Tucker of Lomax, Ill., is third with 235, but Thomas is next at 234 and Kevin Goben of Sherrard, Ill., is fifth at 232.

Trenton Witt of Oskaloosa took the checkered flag in the Stock Car class. Chad Krogmeier of Burlington was second, Blake Woodruff of Knoxville, Ill., was third, Jerry Jansen of Plainville, Ill., fourth, and Doak Allen of West Burlington fifth.

Oliver Jr. holds a solid lead in the standings with 311 points. Krogmeier is a point ahead of Wapello driver Kirk Kinsley, 280-279. Corey Strothman of New London is fourth at 224, and David Brandies of Wilton is trying to hold off Derek Schwandt of Burlington, 155-153, for a top-five spot.

In the Modifieds class, Michael Claeys of Knoxville won the first heat, followed by Bill Roberts Jr. of Burlington. Dustin Smith of Long Grove came in third, followed by Blaised Lewis of Kewanee, Ill., and Zach Dockter of Norwich, North Dakota.

Austen Becerra of Carthage, Ill., won the second heat, and Jadin Fuller of Memphis, Mo., was second.

Roberts Jr. has an eight-point lead in the standings, 265-257, over Chris Zogg of New Liberty. Claeys is third at 241, and Becerra is a distant fourth at 191.

Brian Tipps of Wapello won the Mini Hauler class, with Sheldon Brockett second. Grady Jones of Monmouth, Ill., was third, followed by Darin Ronner of Gladstone, Ill., in fourth, and Lyle Timmerman of Wapello fifth.

Tipps leads Brockett in the standings, 198-189. Roger Brockett has 181 points, Ronner is fourth with 171 and Eric Detlefsen of Burlington is fifth, four points ahead of Jones for a top-five spot.

Larry Miller of Burlington won the first heat of the Sport Compact class, with Tim Schnathorst second. Noah Kayser won the second heat ahead of Darrian Hammitt of Burlington, T.J. 

Weyls of Burlington, and Barry Taft of Argyle.Kayser barely leads Dylan Bonk of Hannibal, Mo., in the points standings 226-225. Darin Smith of Columbus Junction has 219 for third, and Shane Vancil of Salem is just a point ahead of Miller for fourth, 200-199.

In a tight race for sixth, Weyls has 187 points, and Schnathorst is tied with Hammitt at 186 each.In the Dirt Late Models class, Ray Raker of Danville leads Jay Johnson of West Burlington, 218-211.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722269489994.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerTanner Gebhardt captured the 305 Winged Sprints class on Saturday, July 20, at 34 Raceway. Cole Helmerson of New London came in second and points leader Cody Wehrle finished third. John Barnard of Sherman, Ill., came in fourth, followed by a trio of Burlington drivers: Dugan Thye, Nathan Murders, and Nick Guernsey. Chase Young of Altoona was eighth, Travis Pence of Stronghurst, Ill., was ninth, and McCain Richards of Burlington 10th.Wehrle leads the standings with 326 points, and Gebhardt is 14 back at 312. Guernsey is third at 278, Helmerson fourth at 264, and Thye is holding onto a top-five spot, ahead of Chase Richards, 259-252.Because of rain late in the night, the features for Sport Compacts, Modifieds, and Stock Car didn't run. There will be double features this Saturday, which will be 34 for Kids Night, presented by the New Mix, 107.3. Kids 10 and under get in free with a paid admission. Pits open at 4 p.m., and the gates open at 5 p.m. All seven classes will run.The Sprint Invaders event will run on Aug. 16, and the Pepsi Season Championship will run on Aug. 24.John Oliver Jr. of West Burlington won the Sports Modified class, narrowing the gap to within one point, 299-298, of Sean Wyett of Danville. Wyett came in fifth. Oliver Jr. beat out Logan Cumby of Quincy, Ill., and Matt Thomas of Danville. Brian Schrage of Creston was fourth.There's a tight race for third: Matt Tucker of Lomax, Ill., is third with 235, but Thomas is next at 234 and Kevin Goben of Sherrard, Ill., is fifth at 232.Trenton Witt of Oskaloosa took the checkered flag in the Stock Car class. Chad Krogmeier of Burlington was second, Blake Woodruff of Knoxville, Ill., was third, Jerry Jansen of Plainville, Ill., fourth, and Doak Allen of West Burlington fifth.Oliver Jr. holds a solid lead in the standings with 311 points. Krogmeier is a point ahead of Wapello driver Kirk Kinsley, 280-279. Corey Strothman of New London is fourth at 224, and David Brandies of Wilton is trying to hold off Derek Schwandt of Burlington, 155-153, for a top-five spot.In the Modifieds class, Michael Claeys of Knoxville won the first heat, followed by Bill Roberts Jr. of Burlington. Dustin Smith of Long Grove came in third, followed by Blaised Lewis of Kewanee, Ill., and Zach Dockter of Norwich, North Dakota.Austen Becerra of Carthage, Ill., won the second heat, and Jadin Fuller of Memphis, Mo., was second.Roberts Jr. has an eight-point lead in the standings, 265-257, over Chris Zogg of New Liberty. Claeys is third at 241, and Becerra is a distant fourth at 191.Brian Tipps of Wapello won the Mini Hauler class, with Sheldon Brockett second. Grady Jones of Monmouth, Ill., was third, followed by Darin Ronner of Gladstone, Ill., in fourth, and Lyle Timmerman of Wapello fifth.Tipps leads Brockett in the standings, 198-189. Roger Brockett has 181 points, Ronner is fourth with 171 and Eric Detlefsen of Burlington is fifth, four points ahead of Jones for a top-five spot.Larry Miller of Burlington won the first heat of the Sport Compact class, with Tim Schnathorst second. Noah Kayser won the second heat ahead of Darrian Hammitt of Burlington, T.J. Weyls of Burlington, and Barry Taft of Argyle.Kayser barely leads Dylan Bonk of Hannibal, Mo., in the points standings 226-225. Darin Smith of Columbus Junction has 219 for third, and Shane Vancil of Salem is just a point ahead of Miller for fourth, 200-199.In a tight race for sixth, Weyls has 187 points, and Schnathorst is tied with Hammitt at 186 each.In the Dirt Late Models class, Ray Raker of Danville leads Jay Johnson of West Burlington, 218-211.

Gebhardt wins in Winged Sprints Class

For most of&nbsp; her life, that defective heart was slowly killing her.

Two years ago, Nack was given a second chance at life with a heart transplant. The road to get there, though, was nearly impassable.

When doctors first told Nack she had a spongy heart, she didn’t understand. The doctors didn’t fully understand it either. Nack was only one of six people who had received the diagnosis.

“They didn’t realize I had it until I was three-and-a-half. I passed out in the bathtub when it was bath time. My mom turned around, and I was passed out face-first in the water,” Nack said.

An X-ray technician noticed her odd, spongy heart. Nack might not be around to tell her story if he hadn’t.

“My heart was pressing on my sternum and causing me pain, but I couldn’t explain that, because I was three-and-a-half,” Nack said.

A normal heart is stretchy, like a pair of pantyhose. Nack’s heart had a texture more like leather, and anytime she took a deep breath, that material hardened permanently.

“They said I had three years to live,” Nack said.

Nack’s first memories were formed about a year later in the hospital, where hospitalization was a near-constant state of being.

“My first memory is waking up in the hospital room from one of my procedures. I remember waking up from the grogginess and a nice nurse coming and being like, ‘Oh, we’re gonna bring your parents back,” she said.

It could have been depressing if those around Knack had allowed it. Instead, they filled her days with comic books and video games, and she harbors a fondness for that period of her life.

“I got a Make-A-Wish out of it,” Nack said with a laugh.

Nack’s request was a little unusual. She wanted to meet the Beast from the classic animated Disney film “Beauty and the Beast.”&nbsp;

Most little girls were only interested in meeting Belle — the Beast’s romantic interest.

“They brought Belle in first, and I wasn’t having it. I wanted to meet Beast!” Nack said, who is now unsure why she was so adamant about it.

Beast was next to enter the room, and the meeting impacted the actor portraying Beast more than Nack herself.

“He was crying and had to go compose himself. My mom told me he was crying because no kids ever want to see Beast,” she said.

Until two years ago —when she was 29 years old — Nack had no idea what life was supposed to feel like. She only knew what it was like with an extreme heart condition that required constant medication.&nbsp;

“At the age of 12, I got along really well with 45-year-old men and up because they’d be behind me at the pharmacy. They’d be complaining about their ACE inhibitor, their beta blocker, and I’d be like, ‘Oh, you’re on metoprolol too? I’d be like, yeah, I’m at 50 milligrams.’ They’re like, ‘I can’t even do 12.5 grams.’ So I’d be making friends with all these older gents. It was great.” Nack said with a laugh.

A Wisconsin native who moved to Burlington four years ago, Nack’s sunny disposition helped her turn rotten lemons into beloved childhood memories.

But she was always so tired. By the time she was in high school, Nack had a pacemaker wired to her heart. Installing it was just one of several surgeries and procedures she endured.

“From like third grade on, I was tired all the time,” Nack said. “Back then, I thought it was normal for people to start losing their sight after walking a little bit.”

Nack survived the pressures of societal norms by finding constant excuses to rest.&nbsp;

Whenever her vision started to dim, she would stop to tie an already-tied shoe or stop by a friend’s locker, pretending she needed something.

If she kept walking, she would eventually pass out.

That ruled out every sport. Thankfully, her father was a video game developer for Raven Software, leaving Nack no shortage of stationary entertainment. Mainly video games and other forms of nerdy goodness.

“That was a new outlet for. I got very into Dungeons and Dragons, and then video games,” she said. “It was an escape hatch for me.”

Nack opened that escape hatch again while recovering from her heart transplant two years ago. And she’s still playing.

“My dad bought a PlayStation 5 for me,” she said.

Despite walking on eggshells that could shatter her heart, Nack never shied away from life. She met her husband&nbsp; Des Moines County Naturalist Marcus Nack while they were in college.&nbsp;

After that, she taught special education in Stevens Point, Wis., for a number of years. These days, she teaches at Southeastern Community College.

“I taught emotionally behavioral disabled students, but it became a catch-all for any students who needed to be in one location throughout their day. I worked with a lot of students with trauma, lots of students that were coming out of being incarcerated, and needed just to have a step program,” Nack said.

Nack loved her job but had begun to doubt herself. Since her condition wasn’t visible to the naked eye, everyone told her she looked great. Meanwhile, her doctor was telling her that she was the sickest patient he had.

With no comparison to how a healthy adult feels, Nack worried she might have a mental condition. She was concerned she was making it all up – lying to herself and everyone she knew.

“I kept just being, like, ‘What’s wrong with me? It’s all in my head. I gotta be stronger, I gotta’ be tougher,’ ” she said.

Nack could never shake that feeling of being an impostor. Not until the moment she awoke from her transplant surgery.

Nack didn’t feel pain, despite surgeons cracking her chest open hours earlier. She felt relief. The elephant on her chest was gone.

“I was like, ‘Oh my God, I wasn’t crazy. I had a non-working heart. The first thing I said was, ‘I feel so much better,” Nack said.

Two years prior, when the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country in 2020, Katie and her husband Marcus feared she wouldn’t live long enough to get a transplant.

“The doctors kept telling me, don’t get COVID,” Nack said.

Katie contracted COVID-19 shortly after those warnings. Considering her heart condition, she feared it was a death sentence. Marcus took care of her the entire time.

“I’ve only seen him cry a few times. When I was diagnosed with COVID, he started crying,” Katie said.

Nack had just moved to Burlington and jokes that she still gets lost because she spent the first two years isolated at home.

Another heart health scare nearly disrupted her marriage to Marcus in 2022, and doctors told her it was finally time to get a heart transplant. She considers herself lucky. Nack only had to wait two months for a donor —&nbsp; a 19-year-old man.

Nack didn’t realize how much simpler life — the more basic parts of it — is supposed to be. Before the heart transplant, she couldn’t walk the aisles of a grocery store, cook a meal, or eat it. She had to do one or the other.

“I would fall asleep before I could eat it,” she said.

Now, Nack is reaching beyond the simple pleasures she missed out on. She wants to run a 5K within the next year and is already training. She was walking (with help) 12 hours after her surgery.

At 31 years old, Nack is practically starting her life over again.

“It’s just crazy, the amount of energy I have,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/11/1730683511220.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithKatie Nack was born with a spongy heart.For most of&nbsp; her life, that defective heart was slowly killing her.Two years ago, Nack was given a second chance at life with a heart transplant. The road to get there, though, was nearly impassable.When doctors first told Nack she had a spongy heart, she didn’t understand. The doctors didn’t fully understand it either. Nack was only one of six people who had received the diagnosis.“They didn’t realize I had it until I was three-and-a-half. I passed out in the bathtub when it was bath time. My mom turned around, and I was passed out face-first in the water,” Nack said.An X-ray technician noticed her odd, spongy heart. Nack might not be around to tell her story if he hadn’t.“My heart was pressing on my sternum and causing me pain, but I couldn’t explain that, because I was three-and-a-half,” Nack said.A normal heart is stretchy, like a pair of pantyhose. Nack’s heart had a texture more like leather, and anytime she took a deep breath, that material hardened permanently.“They said I had three years to live,” Nack said.Nack’s first memories were formed about a year later in the hospital, where hospitalization was a near-constant state of being.“My first memory is waking up in the hospital room from one of my procedures. I remember waking up from the grogginess and a nice nurse coming and being like, ‘Oh, we’re gonna bring your parents back,” she said.It could have been depressing if those around Knack had allowed it. Instead, they filled her days with comic books and video games, and she harbors a fondness for that period of her life.“I got a Make-A-Wish out of it,” Nack said with a laugh.Nack’s request was a little unusual. She wanted to meet the Beast from the classic animated Disney film “Beauty and the Beast.”&nbsp;Most little girls were only interested in meeting Belle — the Beast’s romantic interest.“They brought Belle in first, and I wasn’t having it. I wanted to meet Beast!” Nack said, who is now unsure why she was so adamant about it.Beast was next to enter the room, and the meeting impacted the actor portraying Beast more than Nack herself.“He was crying and had to go compose himself. My mom told me he was crying because no kids ever want to see Beast,” she said.Until two years ago —when she was 29 years old — Nack had no idea what life was supposed to feel like. She only knew what it was like with an extreme heart condition that required constant medication.&nbsp;“At the age of 12, I got along really well with 45-year-old men and up because they’d be behind me at the pharmacy. They’d be complaining about their ACE inhibitor, their beta blocker, and I’d be like, ‘Oh, you’re on metoprolol too? I’d be like, yeah, I’m at 50 milligrams.’ They’re like, ‘I can’t even do 12.5 grams.’ So I’d be making friends with all these older gents. It was great.” Nack said with a laugh.A Wisconsin native who moved to Burlington four years ago, Nack’s sunny disposition helped her turn rotten lemons into beloved childhood memories.But she was always so tired. By the time she was in high school, Nack had a pacemaker wired to her heart. Installing it was just one of several surgeries and procedures she endured.“From like third grade on, I was tired all the time,” Nack said. “Back then, I thought it was normal for people to start losing their sight after walking a little bit.”Nack survived the pressures of societal norms by finding constant excuses to rest.&nbsp;Whenever her vision started to dim, she would stop to tie an already-tied shoe or stop by a friend’s locker, pretending she needed something.If she kept walking, she would eventually pass out.That ruled out every sport. Thankfully, her father was a video game developer for Raven Software, leaving Nack no shortage of stationary entertainment. Mainly video games and other forms of nerdy goodness.“That was a new outlet for. I got very into Dungeons and Dragons, and then video games,” she said. “It was an escape hatch for me.”Nack opened that escape hatch again while recovering from her heart transplant two years ago. And she’s still playing.“My dad bought a PlayStation 5 for me,” she said.Despite walking on eggshells that could shatter her heart, Nack never shied away from life. She met her husband&nbsp; Des Moines County Naturalist Marcus Nack while they were in college.&nbsp;After that, she taught special education in Stevens Point, Wis., for a number of years. These days, she teaches at Southeastern Community College.“I taught emotionally behavioral disabled students, but it became a catch-all for any students who needed to be in one location throughout their day. I worked with a lot of students with trauma, lots of students that were coming out of being incarcerated, and needed just to have a step program,” Nack said.Nack loved her job but had begun to doubt herself. Since her condition wasn’t visible to the naked eye, everyone told her she looked great. Meanwhile, her doctor was telling her that she was the sickest patient he had.With no comparison to how a healthy adult feels, Nack worried she might have a mental condition. She was concerned she was making it all up – lying to herself and everyone she knew.“I kept just being, like, ‘What’s wrong with me? It’s all in my head. I gotta be stronger, I gotta’ be tougher,’ ” she said.Nack could never shake that feeling of being an impostor. Not until the moment she awoke from her transplant surgery.Nack didn’t feel pain, despite surgeons cracking her chest open hours earlier. She felt relief. The elephant on her chest was gone.“I was like, ‘Oh my God, I wasn’t crazy. I had a non-working heart. The first thing I said was, ‘I feel so much better,” Nack said.Two years prior, when the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country in 2020, Katie and her husband Marcus feared she wouldn’t live long enough to get a transplant.“The doctors kept telling me, don’t get COVID,” Nack said.Katie contracted COVID-19 shortly after those warnings. Considering her heart condition, she feared it was a death sentence. Marcus took care of her the entire time.“I’ve only seen him cry a few times. When I was diagnosed with COVID, he started crying,” Katie said.Nack had just moved to Burlington and jokes that she still gets lost because she spent the first two years isolated at home.Another heart health scare nearly disrupted her marriage to Marcus in 2022, and doctors told her it was finally time to get a heart transplant. She considers herself lucky. Nack only had to wait two months for a donor —&nbsp; a 19-year-old man.Nack didn’t realize how much simpler life — the more basic parts of it — is supposed to be. Before the heart transplant, she couldn’t walk the aisles of a grocery store, cook a meal, or eat it. She had to do one or the other.“I would fall asleep before I could eat it,” she said.Now, Nack is reaching beyond the simple pleasures she missed out on. She wants to run a 5K within the next year and is already training. She was walking (with help) 12 hours after her surgery.At 31 years old, Nack is practically starting her life over again.“It’s just crazy, the amount of energy I have,” she said.

52 faces: Heart of hope

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but this can also be a good time to bring up cancer specific to men, as I can well attest.

I have prostate cancer. Again. For the third time.

Just as women can have a recurring case of breast cancer despite having had a mastectomy, men can have prostate cancer come back despite having the organ removed.

I was more motivated, though, to bring this up after seeing a cartoon posted on Facebook about the topic of cancer.&nbsp;

The gist of it was the conspiracy theory that medical researchers will never find a “cure for cancer” as their revenue stream would dry out.

This ignores the fact that there are many cancers and many causes, so it’s not as if there will be a magic pill and we can shut down all the research labs.

Much of the procedures and treatments that have helped me in my journey came from someone’s endeavors.

I’m 66, and back when I turned 40, I dutifully went to my doctor for a prostate exam as that’s the age men should start thinking about it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/11/1730683073075.jpeg" alt="faulkner-color- NEW mug.jpg" />
 <figcaption>faulkner-color- NEW mug.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerIt’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but this can also be a good time to bring up cancer specific to men, as I can well attest.I have prostate cancer. Again. For the third time.Just as women can have a recurring case of breast cancer despite having had a mastectomy, men can have prostate cancer come back despite having the organ removed.I was more motivated, though, to bring this up after seeing a cartoon posted on Facebook about the topic of cancer.&nbsp;The gist of it was the conspiracy theory that medical researchers will never find a “cure for cancer” as their revenue stream would dry out.This ignores the fact that there are many cancers and many causes, so it’s not as if there will be a magic pill and we can shut down all the research labs.Much of the procedures and treatments that have helped me in my journey came from someone’s endeavors.My storyI’m 66, and back when I turned 40, I dutifully went to my doctor for a prostate exam as that’s the age men should start thinking about it.Then I did not do my due diligence, forgetting everything until 2015, after my 57th&nbsp;birthday. One of the warning signs prompted me to have the exam and blood work to reveal my prostate-specific antigen (PSA).My PSA number was 13, which meant nothing to me, but I was told it was high.I was also told that it was a “good” cancer to have because “more men die with it than from it.”A follow-up procedure revealed the cancer was “aggressive” and that I needed radiation or removal to get rid of it, the two “cures.”The radiologist thought it was a toss-up, with pros and cons on either option.However, I was also sent to Dr. Chad Tracy, a urologist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He said that if his health was on the line, he would go for the removal. That was good enough for me.Dr. Tracy told me that it was better that I had cancer at the time than 10-12 years ago, as more advancements had been made in treatment.For one thing, Dr. Tracy would use robotic surgery. I searched his bio on the university website and discovered that he was head of the robotic surgery team and had already performed 400 such surgeries!I was getting the captain of the All-America team.I had my prostate removed in January 2016, but Dr. Tracy said that due to its aggressive nature, it could come back.It did.You have to follow up with quarterly blood work, and with it removed, the PSA should be under .03, undetectable.But mine was higher in June, and by September, it was determined I had to have radiation, the other cure.Chemotherapy doesn’t work for prostate cancer. Given what I know from friends who have had it, the toll it takes on your body, I’ll take that as a good thing.As such, it was humorous when people at church would comment, “You look good,” even though nothing about my cancer should make me appear ill.Radiation involves 35 treatments over seven weeks in which you are to report with a full bladder, lie flat under the radiation zapper, and be told, “Now hold it for 19 minutes.”As an extra precaution, I was given hormone treatment by way of pills that would stem the advancement of the disease if the radiation didn’t work.But you had to wait until the hormones were out of your system — a year-long wait — to see if the cancer was gone.It was.The numbers were where they should be after three years of quarterly checkups, and it looked like I was in the clear.Until I wasn’t.The PSA number was .12 in 2021, which meant it was back to low to make any treatment plan.The PSA grew slowly. In January 2023, my number was .39, which wasn’t double the number from a year ago. That’s a good thing, said Dr. Tracy, as doubling within a year would be a bad thing.In April, three months later, it had doubled to .88.But medical research comes to the rescue again. There’s a PET Scan mixture specifically for detecting prostate cancer. It had to come from Chicago, but when I finally had the test done, UIHC had a batch from Davenport, expecting that Iowa City would soon be making its concoction.The PET scan results came back, and they couldn’t find anything, which was a surprise but a good one.Six months later, the PSA was .33, so the .88 was determined to be a glitch.The number is still increasing: .66 this January and .99 in April. I go to Iowa City the following Monday to see if it’s high enough to bring out the PET scan again.I consider myself very fortunate. Through all this, nothing about my life has changed.I know many cancer patients who go through this length of time with treatments and recovery and relapse and treatments and hopefully more recovery. Some don’t make it.But some have survived a type of cancer that others in the past did not, and for that, we can thank those in the medical field who continue to make progress.

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