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A rundown of Iowa’s primary election races

News

May 25th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Iowa’s June 3 primary election will include a number of contested races….

U.S. SENATE

Five Republicans are vying for the nomination to face Democrat Bruce Braley in a race drawing national attention as the GOP seeks the six seats needed to capture the majority. State Sen. Joni Ernst of Red Oak has emerged as the front-runner in a field that includes former Reliant Energy CEO Mark Jacobs of West Des Moines.

Ernst’s two TV ads have raised eyebrows, dollars and endorsements. In the first ad, she recalled castrating hogs as a farm kid. In the second, the Iowa National Guard colonel fires a handgun. Jacobs has recently begun attacking Ernst for missing votes in the Iowa Senate this year.

Sioux City college professor Sami Clovis has a loyal following, though polls indicate he trails Ernst and Jacobs, as do former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker of Ankeny and Ames businessman Scott Schaben. A candidate must win at least 35 percent of the vote to avoid a nominating convention.

U.S. HOUSE, 1ST DISTRICT

Much of the action is among a crowded Democratic field vying to succeed four-term U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley. State Rep. Patrick Murphy of Dubuque has garnered most of the labor-union endorsements in Iowa’s most industrial congressional district. That may be enough to top Iowa Utilities Board member and former state Sen. Swati Dandekar of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids City Council member Monica Vernon and state Rep. Anesa Kajtazovic.

Dubuque businessman Ron Blum leads a Republican field that includes Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje, who has run unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate and House, and Marshalltown lawyer Gail Boliver.

U.S. HOUSE, 2ND DISTRICT

Four-term Democrat Dave Loebsack of Iowa City has twice fought off Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa. Finding out whether the third time is a charm may depend on turnout in this Democratic-leaning southeast Iowa district. Miller-Meeks, former director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, leads the GOP field that also includes state Rep. Matthew Lofgren and Eddyville research technician Matthew Waldren.

The largely rural district includes Democratic-leaning Johnson County, but also counties in southeast Iowa where unemployment has remained above the state average.

U.S. HOUSE, 3RD DISTRICT

Iowa’s 3rd District race has had more drama than any other so far, as 10-year incumbent Rep. Tom Latham’s announcement that he would retire prompted a large primary field. The six Republican candidates will almost certainly force a nominating convention, the results of which will give a strong indication of how competitive this district will be come November. The district includes the Des Moines metro area and rural southwest Iowa.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association President Monte Shaw and David Young, the former chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, are more popular in the GOP’s establishment wing. Bob Cramer, who heads a Christian conservative group, Secretary of State Matt Schultz and state Sen. Brad Zaun are considered more conservative, with a following among the tea party movement.

Des Moines Republican activist and former state Rep. Joe Grandanette is also running. The winner will face Ackworth Democrat Staci Appel, a former state senator.

LEGISLATURE

Before the playing field is set for Iowa’s closely divided Legislature, majority House Republicans will have to sort out eight primaries and majority Senate Democrats will have to settle six. A factor in whether the GOP’s current 53-47 control of the House will change is the number of uncontested seats. Republicans haven’t fielded a candidate in 32 of the seats held by Democrats. Likewise, Democrats are not contesting 26 of the 53 districts controlled by Republicans.

It’s similar in the Senate, where Democrats hold a 26-24 edge. Only 11 of the 25 seats on the ballot have the makings of two-party contest in the fall. Eight Democratic seats are uncontested, as are six Republican-held seats.

Candidates can be nominated at special party conventions.

NWS Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Sun., May 25th 2014

Weather

May 25th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Memorial Day: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South southwest wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South southwest wind 6 to 11 mph.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tue. Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.

Fatality accident in Page County, Saturday

News

May 25th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

One person died, another was injured during a collision between a car and a pickup truck late Saturday morning, in Page County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 53-year old Gary Dean Williams, Sr., of Essex, died from injuries he suffered in the crash, which took place at around 11:18-a.m., about 3-miles north of Essex.

Officials say a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am driven by 51-year old Everett Bart Larson, of Imogene, was traveling west on 110th Street, just east of C Avenue, while a 1997 Ford F-150 pickup driven by Williams was traveling south on C Avenue. After the car hit the side of the pickup in the middle of the intersection, both came to rest in the southwest ditch.

Williams was ejected from his pickup during the impact and died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. Larson, who was wearing a seat belt, was flown by LifeNet helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, for treatment of what were described as non-life threatening injuries.

1 dead, 2 injured in Pott. County crash Saturday

News

May 25th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A truck driver from Georgia died, and two Council Bluffs residents were injured, when a semi and car collided near Neola  on westbound Interstate 80 near the I-680 interchange Saturday afternoon, in Pottawattamie County. According to the Iowa State Patrol a 1986 Nissan 330ZX driven by 24-year old Cody Schandelmier, of Council Bluffs, came into contact with the front end of a 2011 Freightliner semi driven by 41-year old Harold Salmon, of Alpharetta, GA.

The accident happened at around 4:25-p.m., as the semi was in the left lane and the Nissan was traveling in the right lane of the interstate. Officials say after the impact, both the car and semi left the roadway on the south side of the interstate, went over an embankment and on to I-680 eastbound, below the I-80 bridge. The semi burst into flames after coming to rest.

The truck driver died at the scene. Cody Schandelmier, and his passenger, 27-year old Lisa Rieper, also of Council Bluffs, were transported to Jenny Edmundson Hospital by Neola and Minden Rescue, respectively. Both were wearing their seat belts. A report on their condition is not available

 

State Track Boys Team Results

Sports

May 24th, 2014 by admin

Class 1A

    1) Mount Ayr                   77        2) Madrid                     58
    3) Lynnville-Sully             49        4) W Lyon, Inwood             46
    5) Wapsie Val, F               44        6) AGWSR                      32
    7) Underwood                   31        8) Belle Plaine               26
    9) Lisbon                      22       10) WACO, Waylnd               17
   10) Denver                      17       10) Alta/Aurelia               17
   10) Pleasantville               17       14) Gladbrk-Reinbk             16
   15) BCLUW                       15       15) Lawton-Bronson             15
   17) Turkey Val, JJ              14       18) GMG, Garwin                12
   18) Audubon                     12       20) Pekin                      11
   20) Woodward-Grangr             11       20) Highland, R                11
   23) Central, Elkader            10       23) Danville                   10
   25) East Mills                   9       26) George-Little Rk            8
   26) Nwood-Kensett                8       26) Newman Catholic             8
   26) Nodaway Vall                 8       30) N Linn, TM                  7
   30) Postville                    7       32) N Tama, Traer               6
   33) Lone Tree                    5       34) Adair-Casey                 4
   34) Fremont-Mills                4       34) North Iowa, BC              4
   34) South Page, CS               4       34) Boyer Valley                4
   39) A-H-S-T, A                   3       39) Easton Valley               3
   39) Marquette Cath               3       39) Grundy Center               3
   43) Bishop Garrigan              2       43) Janesville                  2
   43) Melcher-Dallas               2       43) Jesup                       2
   43) Lamoni                       2       48) W Harrison, M               1
   48) Marc-Meri-Cleg               1       48) Logan-Magnolia              1

Class 2A

    1) Monticello                  92        2) W Burlington/ND            45
    3) Sioux Center                41        4) North Polk, A              32
    4) Cascade, WD                 32        6) Camanche                   31
    7) Dike-NH                     27        7) CMB, Baxter                27
    9) Panorama, P                 26       10) Hinton                     21
   10) Woodward Acad               21       12) Albia                      20
   12) Beckman, D                  20       14) KP-WC                      19
   15) St. Albert, CB              18       16) Northeast, GL              15
   16) Hudson                      15       18) South Cent Cal             14
   19) Clarion-Goldfd              13       20) S Hamilton, J              12
   20) W Marshall, SC              12       22) Manson NW Web              11
   22) Applntn-Parksbg             11       24) South Hardin               10
   25) Columbus Cath                9       26) W Christ, Hull              8
   26) South O'Brien, P             8       28) Saint Ansgar                7
   28) Estherville-LC               7       28) Okoboji, Milford            7
   31) New Hampton                  6       31) Ridge View                  6
   31) Mt Vernon                    6       34) Tipton                      5
   35) DSM Christian                4       35) MO Valley                   4
   35) Emmetsburg                   4       35) S Winn, Calmar              4
   39) Clayton Ridge                3       39) Louisa-Musc                 3
   39) Mediapolis                   3       39) West Fork, S                3
   39) N Fayette Val                3       39) Cardinal, Eldon             3
   45) Bellevue                     2       45) Roland-Story                2
   45) Forest City                  2       45) Treynor                     2
   45) OA-BCIG                      2       50) Van Meter                   1
   50) Alburnett                    1       50) Columbus, CJ                1

Class 3A

    1) Solon                       50        2) Center Point               42.25
    3) Algona                      40        4) Gilbert                    37   
    5) DC-Grimes                   34        5) Fort Madison               34   
    7) Bishop Heelan               33        8) Boone                      32   
    9) Waverly-SR                  26        9) Knoxville                  26   
   11) Pella                       23       12) S Tama Cty, Tama           22   
   13) Mt Pleasant                 21       14) Waukon                     20   
   15) Creston                     19       16) Clear Lake                 18   
   17) Boy-Hul/Rock Val            16       18) Williamsburg               14.25
   19) LeMars                      14       20) ADM, Adel                  12   
   20) Spencer                     12       22) Carlisle                   11   
   22) Greene County               11       22) Glenwood                   11   
   25) Epworth, WD                 10       25) Centerville                10   
   25) Wahlert, Dub                10       25) Oskaloosa                  10   
   29) W Delaware                   9.75    30) Spirit Lake Park            7   
   30) Vinton-Shellbrg              7       32) Carroll                     6.50
   33) Washington                   6       33) Webster City                6   
   33) Decorah                      6       36) Marion                      5   
   37) Perry                        4       37) Charles City                4   
   39) SB-Luton                     3.25    40) Clear Crk-Amana             3   
   40) Atlantic                     3       40) Xavier, CR                  3   
   43) Crestwood                    2       43) Harlan                      2   
   43) Bond-Farrar                  2       43) Nevada                      2   
   47) Assumption                   1

Class 4A

    1) Waukee                      80        2) Linn-Mar                   68
    3) CR Kennedy                  51.50     4) Dowling C, WDM             43
    5) IC, West                    39        6) Johnston                   36
    7) DSM, Roosevelt              34        8) Prairie, CR                32
    9) DSM Lincoln                 29       10) Clinton                    28
   11) Cedar Falls                 24       12) IC, City High              23
   13) SC, East                    22       13) Ames                       22
   15) Lewis Central               20       16) CR Jefferson               14
   16) WAT West                    14       18) Ankeny Cent                13
   19) DUB Senior                  11       19) Bettendorf                 11
   21) DUB Hempstead                9       21) DVPT, Central               9
   23) Pleasant Valley              8       23) CB, A Lincoln               8
   25) Urbandale                    7       25) SC, North                   7
   27) SE Polk                      6       27) CR Washington               6
   27) Valley, WDM                  6       30) Indianola                   4
   31) CB, T Jefferson              3       31) Norwalk                     3
   31) Muscatine                    3       31) Newton                      3
   35) Marshalltown                 2.50    36) Ankeny                      2
   37) Mason City                   1

State Track Girls Team Results

Sports

May 24th, 2014 by admin

Class 1A

    1) N Linn, TM                  57        2) Griswold                   43   
    3) Central, Elkader            42        4) Pekin                      40   
    5) Dunkerton                   33        6) Tri-Center, Neola          31   
    7) BCLUW                       30        8) B-G-M, Brook               26   
    8) Montezuma                   26       10) Earlham                    23.50
   11) Madrid                      20       11) Woodbine                   20   
   11) Bishop Garrigan             20       14) Wapsie Val, F              16   
   15) Fremont-Mills               15       16) Turkey Val, JJ             14   
   16) Prince of Peace             14       16) Nashua-Plainfld            14   
   19) Danville                    13       20) Jesup                      12   
   20) Springville                 12       20) Starmont                   12   
   23) Nwood-Kensett               11       23) Murray                     11   
   23) Underwood                   11       26) Gehlen Cath, L             10   
   26) Belle Plaine                10       26) GMG, Garwin                10   
   29) Iowa Valley, M               9.50    30) Woodward-Grangr             9   
   31) E Buchanan, W                8       31) W Lyon, Inwood              8   
   31) North Butler                 8       34) N Mahaska, NS               7   
   34) Edgewd-Colesburg             7       34) WB-Mallard                  7   
   37) Laurens-Mara                 6.50    38) Maquoketa Valley            6   
   38) Lenox                        6       38) N Tama, Traer               6   
   41) Marc-Meri-Cleg               5       42) George-Little Rk            4   
   42) North Union                  4       42) Lynnville-Sully             4   
   42) Winfield-Mt. U               4       42) Grundy Center               4   
   42) Janesville                   4       42) Highland, R                 4   
   49) West Hancock                 3.50    50) Cent Lyon, RR               3   
   51) Lisbon                       2       51) W Harrison, M               2   
   51) Lake Mills                   2       51) Sidney                      2   
   51) Stanton                      2       51) AGWSR                       2   
   57) Tripoli                      1       57) Audubon                     1   
   57) Lawton-Bronson               1       57) Adair-Casey                 1   
   57) Martndsl-StMarys             1

Class 2A

    1) Cascade, WD                 49        2) Hudson                     47   
    3) Davis County, B             45.20     4) Clayton Ridge              39   
    5) Saint Ansgar                32        6) Hinton                     24.50
    7) Mt Vernon                   24        7) Eagle Grove                24   
    7) Sibley-Ocheyedan            24       10) South Hardin               23   
   11) W Christ, Hull              22       12) Northeast, GL              19   
   12) Manson NW Web               19       14) Sioux Center               18   
   15) Garner-Hay/Vent             17       16) Union, LaPorte C           16   
   16) West Branch                 16       18) KP-WC                      15   
   18) Unity Chrst, OC             15       20) PCM, Monroe                14   
   20) OA-BCIG                     14       20) Eddyvl-Blakes/F            14   
   23) Shenandoah                  13       23) Regina, IC                 13   
   23) DSM Christian               13       26) Sioux Ctrl, SR             11   
   26) Dike-NH                     11       26) Sheldon                    11   
   29) Treynor                     10       29) Durant                     10   
   31) Roland-Story                 9.20    32) Ia Falls-Alden              9   
   33) Estherville-LC               8       34) St. Edmond, FD              7.20
   35) New Hampton                  6       35) W Marshall, SC              6   
   37) Mediapolis                   5       37) Clarinda                    5   
   37) Pocahon Area                 5       37) Osage                       5   
   37) I-35, Truro                  5       42) East Sac County             4.50
   43) Maple Valley-A-O             4       43) Monticello                  4   
   43) Albia                        4       46) Bellevue                    3   
   46) North Polk, A                3       46) Panorama, P                 3   
   46) Red Oak                      3       46) North Cedar, S              3   
   46) Clarion-Goldfd               3       52) Colfax-Mingo                2   
   52) Pella Christian              2       52) South O'Brien, P            2   
   52) Camanche                     2       56) E Marshall, L               1   
   56) Louisa-Musc                  1       56) MO Valley                   1   
   56) S Winn, Calmar               1       56) Hampton-Dumont              1   
   61) Clarke, O                    0.20    61) Van Meter                   0.20

Class 3A

    1) Assumption                 107        2) Mt Pleasant                77   
    3) Wahlert, Dub                68        4) Decorah                    49   
    5) Boone                       39        6) MOC-FV                     36   
    7) Pella                       32        8) Gilbert                    31   
    9) ADM, Adel                   29       10) DC-Grimes                  28   
   11) Waverly-SR                  24       11) Anamosa                    24   
   13) W Delaware                  22       14) Solon                      20   
   15) Spirit Lake Park            16       16) Clear Crk-Amana            15   
   17) Central Clinton             11       17) Oskaloosa                  11   
   19) Independence                 9       20) Bishop Heelan               8   
   20) Maquoketa                    8       22) Harlan                      7   
   22) Creston                      7       24) Glenwood                    6.50
   24) Carroll                      6.50    26) Ballard                     6   
   26) Spencer                      6       28) Webster City                5   
   28) S Tama Cty, Tama             5       30) Greene County               4   
   30) Xavier, CR                   4       32) Williamsburg                3   
   32) SB-Luton                     3       32) Algona                      3   
   32) Humboldt                     3       32) Grinnell                    3   
   37) Carlisle                     2       37) Epworth, WD                 2   
   39) Boy-Hul/Rock Val             1

Class 4A

    1) Pleasant Valley             82.50     2) Urbandale                  73.50
    3) DSM, Roosevelt              68        4) CR Jefferson               56   
    5) Dowling C, WDM              54        6) Linn-Mar                   49   
    7) Waukee                      48        8) IC, City High              31   
    9) Muscatine                   28        9) SE Polk                    28   
   11) Cedar Falls                 24       12) Newton                     22   
   13) Johnston                    20.50    14) IC, West                   20   
   15) Ames                        12       16) SC, East                   11   
   16) Ankeny Cent                 11       16) WAT West                   11   
   19) CR Kennedy                  10       19) DSM, East                  10   
   19) Clinton                     10       22) DUB Hempstead               9.50
   23) CR Washington                8       24) Ankeny                      7   
   25) Bettendorf                   6       26) Ottumwa                     5   
   26) Mason City                   5       28) Norwalk                     4   
   28) Valley, WDM                  4       30) DUB Senior                  2   
   30) Prairie, CR                  2       30) North Scott                 2   
   30) DVPT, Central                2       34) DVPT, North                 1

LAWRENCE “LARRY” SOTHMAN, 92, of Lewis (Svcs. 05-28-2014)

Obituaries

May 24th, 2014 by admin

LAWRENCE “LARRY” SOTHMAN, 92, of Lewis died Friday, May 23rd at the Griswold Care Center.  Celebration of Life services for LARRY SOTHMAN will be held on Wednesday, May 28th at 2:30pm at the United Church of Christ in Atlantic. Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

No visitation will be held.

Private family burial at the Atlantic Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

LARRY SOTHMAN is survived by:

Wife: Doris Sothman

Sons: Vaughn Sothman of Colby, KS. Val (Barbara) Sothman of Lewis.

3 Granddaughters

2 Great-Grandchildren

LULA FRANK, 90, of Oakland (Svcs. 05-28-2014)

Obituaries

May 24th, 2014 by admin

LULA FRANK, 90, of Oakland died.  Funeral services for LULA FRANK will be private however an open visitation will be held Wednesday, May 28th from 9:00am-12:00pm at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Carson.

Burial will be private.

Memorials may be directed to the Micah House in Council Bluffs.

LULA FRANK is survived by:

Husband: Lynn Frank of Oakland

Son: Richard (Beth) Frank of Carson.

Twin Sister: Luella (Robert) Morse of Verdigre, NE.

1 Granddaughter

2 Great-Granddaughters

 

Judge calls for ramped up courthouse security

News

May 24th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A central Iowa district judge is calling on Madison County and other officials to beef up security at county courthouses in the wake of a gun incident in March.

Iowa Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge Arthur Gamble recently told judges from the 16 counties he oversees that they need to start talking with sheriffs and county supervisors about putting deputies in courtrooms when court is in session to protect judges and the public.

The Des Moines Register says the conversations are part of an effort to avoid a situation similar to the March 24 incident in Winterset, when a man pulled a handgun out of his pocket as a deputy tried to handcuff him. The man was captured after briefly escaping.

Saturday Boys State Track Results

Sports

May 24th, 2014 by admin

Boys 800 Meter Run Final

Class 1A

  • 4. TJ Bower, Nodaway Valley 2:01.03
  • 11. Jim Lake, Logan-Magnolia 2:05.05
  • 22. Jacob Bollinger, Lenox 2:10.09

Class 2A

  • 12. Kyle Lorenzen, Missouri Valley 2:00.00
  • 22. Mason Beezley, St. Albert 2:03.93

Class 3A

  • 1. Jay Wolfe, Creston 1:53.79
  • 13. Jacob Feldman, Harlan 2:02.05
  • 18. Nick Hough, Harlan 2:03.96

 

Boys 4×110 Meter Shuttle Hurdle Finals

Class 1A

  • 3. Underwood – Adian McKee, Nick Pedersen, Tyler Freese, Austin Konsor 59.64
  • 5. Audubon – Jake Mulford, Colby Rattenborg, Dylan Jensen, Mitchell Nelsen 1:00.72

Class 2A

  • 3. Panorama – Luke Webner, Gabe Richey, Chase Hennen, Josiah Moulds 59.21

Class 3A

  • 4. Glenwood – Tyler Moore, Carter Von Essen, Blaine Clark, Dane Kruse 59.05
  • 7. Carroll – Colton Thompson, Trent Lux, Nate O’Brien, Peyton Renning 59.20

Boys 100 Meter Run WC

  • 6. Wyatt Bargenquast, AHST 34.31

Boys 100 Meter Dash Finals

Class 1A

  • Emmitt Wheatley, Adair-Casey False Start

Boys 110 Meter Hurdles Finals

Class 1A

  • 1. Austin Konsor, Underwood :14.94

Boys 200 Meter Run WC

  • 6. Wyatt Bargenquast, AHST 1:24.48

Boys 200 Meter Dash Finals

Class 1A

  • 5. Emmitt Wheatley, Adair-Casey :22.87
  • 8. Travis Tupper, East Mills :23.38

Boys 1600 Meter Run

Class 1A

  •  8. Wyatt Schulz, Logan Magnolia 4:42.80

Class 2A

  •  13. Josh Sunberg, Red Oak 4:36.12
  • 23. Trey Castle, Treynor 4:40.54

Class 3A

  •  8. Brandon Phipps, Creston 4:33.31
  • 13. Chris Brace, Harlan 4:36.34
  • 24. Cooper McDermott, Creston 4:49.21

Boys 4×100 Meter Relay Finals

Class 1A

  • 6. East Mills – Colton Story, Colby Jennings, Cavin Darnold, Travis Tupper 44.55

Class 2A

  • 5. Panorama – Matt Webner, Chase Hennen, Josiah Moulds, Luke Webner :44.25

Class 3A

  • 7. Glenwood – Dane Kruse, John Van Scoy, Spencer Smith, Mavrick Decker :44.29

Boys 4×400 Meter Relay Finals

Class 1A

  • 5. Underwood – Mitch Forrester, Austin  Konsor, Remington Powell, Nick Pedersen 3:31.09
  • 7. Boyer Valley – Connor Green, Nathan Ambrose, Calvan Wood, Nathan Rudd 3:35.78

Class 2A

  • 4. St. Albert – Eric Johnson, Gus Doll, Glen Bertlesen, Tucker Culjat 3:24.33

Class 3A

  • 5. Creston-  Bryce Briley, Maxx Walters, Brandon Phipps, Jay Wolfe 3:27.19