Girl's McCormick Middle School Track Meet

The Stadium at the Lacey Recreation Complex was the place to be on Tuesday evening. With the rare high temperature on the final day of April many spectators gathered in the stands and along the fence to cheer on track teams from Oskaloosa, Pella, Newton, Ottumwa, Grinnell and Knoxville at the Girl's McCormick Middle School Track Meet. Between running long distances, sprints, participating in the long jump and throwing the discus and shot put you could sense the fun, competitive atmosphere amongst the athletes from Oskaloosa and surrounding communities. (5.1.13)

Osky Senior Babe Ruth hosts State Tournament at the Lacey Recreation Complex, key people receive 'Thanks!'

On Saturday April 27 and Sunday April 28, Oskaloosa Babe Ruth hosted a Babe Ruth Senior State Tournament at the Lacey Recreation Complex, Kentfield Fields. Matt Saville , coach of Osky Maroon and Vice President of the Babe Ruth organization, thanked key people in making the tournament possible. Chad Rietveld and Sherry Vavra of MCRF, Boyd Brittian of Babe Ruth and Joe Crookham of MCRF were called onto the field to receive hand shakes and heartfelt thanks from the organization as Matt Saville stated, "We can't thank these people enough for making the fields and program possible so we could play tournaments like these!" Saville also noted that Charlie Kentfield had discussed the new fields with MCRF before development began and would be proud of them today. Family, friends and fans came out for the two-day tournament which ended in a victory for one of the host teams. Osky Maroon was quite lively as the tournament ended on Sunday in a hard earned victory for Oskaloosa Maroon against Ottumwa in the championship game.

USSSA girls softball held weekend tournament at the Lacey Recreation Complex

The girls USSSA Oskaloosa teams hosted a 25-team USSSA tournament at the Lacey Recreation Complex Saturday and Sunday April 27 and 28. The weather was beautiful and brought nearly 1,000 people out to the complex.

The tournament also 'hit it out of the park' for  community tourism as one community member observed a line of customers "out the door" at Maid Rite, a comment from Casey's saying they were crazy busy with the tournament crowd, an entire team visiting Ed's  Barbecue for lunch, another at Smokey Row and Subway and an entire team at the Comfort Inn hotel. Vicky Slagle, coach of the visiting team from Des Moines Iowa Renegades 10U stated, "Thanks for a great tournament. Very well ran & organized. Great facility!  We'll keep an eye out for upcoming tournaments!" Tina Schaffner, coach of one of the Oskaloosa host teams for the tournament added, "It is the great facilities we have that make it possible for us to be organized and have a great tournament like this."

The championship ended with Ottumwa Bulldogs winner in 14U division, 10U was Iowa Renegades Orange, and 12U was Grinnell Tigers Attack. The Oskaloosa teams have another scheduled tournament in August and are hopeful for a victory there.

Youth girls soccer gain the victory over Pleasant Hill at the Lacey Recreation Complex

Mahaska County Youth Soccer Club hosted a Greater Des Moines league game for U14 girls on Sunday April 28. Both teams fought for the win but Oskaloosa girls played strong and took the win with a 3-0 score. The weather was perfect as 75 parents, grandparents and friends cheered for the teams. "There is always a nice crowd here," stated one spectator as he stood on the sidelines. Mahaska County recreation league plays at the complex on Friday nights.