500!

Matthew Dickinson/West Branch Times West Branch senior Ava Burnett (6) and Eloise Guhl (15) block during the Bears’ Sept. 15 home match against Tipton. Burnett reached the 500 career assist milestone early in the match.

West Branch senior Grace Hamann and Iowa City High’s Class 4A No. 5 girls’ cross country team placed fourth with 130 points at a stacked and soggy Heartland Classic Saturday morning in Pella.

Tipton edges out West Branch in three sets
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · September 23, 2026
West Branch’s volleyball team hosted a quality Tipton squad Sept. 15, falling 3-0 in three hard-fought sets to the Tigers while Bears senior Ava Burnett hit a career milestone.

Monticello’s defense frustrates Bears, 14-6
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Sports · September 23, 2026
Numerous times on Friday night, Keaton Gates saw an opening that looked like he would break away for a big run.

FS Bears fall to Monticello, 7-0
Sports · September 23, 2026
In a defensive battle on Friday, the freshman-sophomore Monticello football team secured a 7-0 victory over West Branch.

Bears take Camanche by storm, 41-6
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Sports · September 18, 2026
With three touchdowns by senior running back Keaton Gates, West Branch opened district play on Friday with a dominating 41-6 road win over Camanche.

Hamann leads ‘Hawks to win at Luther
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · September 18, 2026
West Branch senior Grace Hamann led Iowa City High’s Class 4A No. 4 girls’ cross country team to a winning effort with 54 points at Saturday’s Luther All-American Invitational hosted by Luther College in Decorah.

Smith wins Albaugh invite; rated No. 2 for 16-18 group
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Sports · September 18, 2026
After helping the varsity football team win on Friday, West Branch High School senior McGavin Smith took a swing at the invitation-only Albaugh Junior Invitational golf tournament this past weekend, finishing first among 17 golfers.

City High 2nd, despite missing No. 16 Randall
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · September 18, 2026
Down a key runner, Iowa City High’s Class 4A No. 20 boys’ cross country team still managed a second-place finish with 95 points at Saturday’s Luther All-American Invitational hosted by Luther College in Decorah.

Bears almost get set from 3A No. 9 Wilton
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · September 18, 2026
West Branch’s volleyball team pushed Class 3A No. 9 Wilton to its limits in the first set in a hard-fought 3-0 setback to the ranked Beavers Sept. 8 on the road.

WB’s FS football team defeats Camanche, 27-6
Sports · September 18, 2026
West Branch’s freshman-sophomore football team defeated Camanche 27-6 on Monday on the road.

Hamann leads City High to 4th place
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · September 09, 2026
West Branch senior Grace Hamann led Iowa City High’s Class 4A No. 7 girls’ cross country team to a fourth-place finish with 120 points at Saturday’s Spartan Invite meet hosted by Pleasant Valley.

Conference opener goes West Liberty’s way
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · September 09, 2026
Opening conference play in front of a raucous crowd, the West Branch volleyball team fell 3-0 to Class 3A No. 13 West Liberty Sept. 3 at home.