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Home Care In West Branch, IA

Home Care West Branch, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Herbert Hoover National Historic Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in West Branch, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care West Branch, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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Elderly Care for James T.
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“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care”

Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!
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In-home Care for Michael H.
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“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all”

On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.
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Senior Care for Melanie S.
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“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable”

Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”

James T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”

Michael H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”

Melanie S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in West Branch, IA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care West Branch, IA

Types of Elderly Care in West Branch, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care West Branch, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers West Branch, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Irons Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care West Branch, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Tipsy Bear Bistro or visit Main Street West Branch, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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In-Home Care West Branch, IA

Benefits of Home Care in West Branch, IA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in West Branch, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care West Branch, IA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care West Branch, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in West Branch, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care West Branch, IA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers West Branch, IA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • The Brook of West Branch
  • The Horizon Senior Living III
  • Villa at West Branch
  • WEST BRANCH MANOR
  • Peaceful Acres Assisted Living
Home Care West Branch, IA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care West Branch, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in West Branch, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Elderly Care West Branch, IA

Latest News in West Branch, IA

Denver denies West Branch in a 2A volleyball regional final

Cyclones serve 17 aces, come on strong after dropping Game 1Jeff Linder LA PORTE CITY — There was no secret service strategy.“Honestly, I just wanted to get it in,” Denver’s Grace Mullihan said.Get it in, get it down. It happened frequently.Fourth-ranked Denver served 17 aces and shrugged off a sluggish start, defeating West Branch in a four-set Class 2A volleyball regional final Wednesday night at ...

Cyclones serve 17 aces, come on strong after dropping Game 1

Jeff Linder

LA PORTE CITY — There was no secret service strategy.

“Honestly, I just wanted to get it in,” Denver’s Grace Mullihan said.

Get it in, get it down. It happened frequently.

Fourth-ranked Denver served 17 aces and shrugged off a sluggish start, defeating West Branch in a four-set Class 2A volleyball regional final Wednesday night at Union Community High School.

Scores were 23-25, 25-9, 25-16 and 25-18.

“It feels surreal,” Mullihan said. “The regional finals ... it took a while to get used to the feel and settle in.”

Denver (34-10) will face No. 5 Sumner-Fredericksburg (28-13) in a first-round match at the state tournament at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

The Cyclones and the Cougars are two of five North Iowa Cedar League teams in the 2A state field.

West Branch retired at 18-17. The Bears won a pair of five-set thrillers to get to this point, against Iowa City Regina and Lisbon.

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But the Cyclones, simply, were better.

“We did everything we could, every single point,” said West Branch’s Alyse Klinkkammer, one of eight seniors on the Bears’ roster.

“We knew their middles would be big and strong. To get a set off the No. 4 team in the state, that’s a good way to go out.”

West Branch stormed to leads of 12-3 and 15-4 before the Cyclones settled in. They got even at 18-all, then four more times — the last at 23-23 — before a kills by Kylie Pickett and Alyssa Vargason gave the set to the Bears.

From that point on, though, it was almost all Denver. The Cyclones out-killed the Bears 38-18 in the final three sets.

Game 3 was tied 10-10 before Denver scored seven in a row. And the Cyclones pulled away from a 12-10 lead in the final with a run of five.

“They’ve got strong hitters,” Bears Co-Coach Rebeckah Hosier said. “And their servers ... they have a good deep serve and good floaters.”

Mullihan had five of the Cyclones’ 17 aces, including three in a row in Game 3.

Elaina Hildebrandt paced the winners with 13 kills. Channing Johnson dished out 42 assists.

Pickett posted seven kills and 11 assists for the Bears. Emily Coleman also had seven kills.

Denver 3, West Branch 1

(23-25, 25-9, 25-16, 25-18)

Class 2A Regional Final, at Denver

Serving: West Branch 65-67 (.970), Denver 88-96 (.917)

Aces: West Branch 4 (Claire Jarrett 2), Denver 17 (Grace Mullihan 5)

Kills: West Branch 31 (Kylie Pickett, Emily Coleman 7), Denver 51 (Elaina Hildebrandt 13)

Assists: West Branch 27 (Pickett 11), Denver 48 (Channing Johnson 42)

Blocks: West Branch 3 (Coleman 2), Denver 2 (Johnson, Jessica Gergen)

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Cafe serves coffee and community

The Serving Cafe in West Branch is a finalist in Iowa's 2023 Open 4 Business Contest competing for a $20,000 grant to support business expansion.The population of West Branch may only be about 2,500 people. But recent improvements to the local school system, close proximity to Interstate 80 and the perks that come with having a national park and presidential library in your backyard have the town abuzz with good vibes.“There’s just so much positivity in our little town and it’s exciting," said Je...

The Serving Cafe in West Branch is a finalist in Iowa's 2023 Open 4 Business Contest competing for a $20,000 grant to support business expansion.

The population of West Branch may only be about 2,500 people. But recent improvements to the local school system, close proximity to Interstate 80 and the perks that come with having a national park and presidential library in your backyard have the town abuzz with good vibes.

“There’s just so much positivity in our little town and it’s exciting," said Jennifer Walker, founder and owner of The Serving Café.

Jennifer grew up in West Branch and has fond memories of serving customers at her mother’s café as a teenager. After getting married and moving around the country for many years for her husband’s military career, they returned to West Branch to settle down near family.

Jennifer was pursuing a master’s degree and had planned on working in an office. “But then something about 2020,” Jennifer said. “It just makes you do a lot of thinking.”

She opened The Serving Café in West Branch in 2021, offering breakfast and lunch using ethically and locally sourced ingredients. The moment she opened the doors, Jennifer knew two things. “I knew we were going to outgrow our space, and this was going to last longer than a year,” Jennifer said. “And now looking back I couldn’t imagine doing anything else but owning a business and serving our community.”

The Serving Café will open their brand new space later this year – a historic garage Jennifer and her husband are in the process of remodeling, which will double their current space. It will also offer outdoor seating and a drive-through.

“West Branch has a very special place in my heart,” Jennifer said. “And I want to see our community thrive and I want to see all of the businesses be successful and serve each other.”

Owning The Serving Café pushed Jennifer out of her comfort zone to grow in her abilities and faith. And it has been rewarding to see the café fulfill all the dreams she had.

“There’s so much laughter and deep conversations going on in our space,” Jennifer said. “And that’s exactly what I had in my business plan, where our community can just feel comfortable and welcome and they are accepted. They can just relax and enjoy some coffee and some good food.”

Competing in Iowa's Open 4 Business Pitch Contest The Serving Cafe is among five finalists competing for a $20,000 grant in the 2023 Open 4 Business Pitch Contest. The Open 4 Business contest, hosted by Main Street Iowa, is a statewide entrepreneurial contest that provides funding for business expansion projects to small businesses located within a designated main street district in Iowa. The winner will be named after the pitch contest, taking place in Sioux City on August 1 and held in conjunction with the Iowa Downtown Conference. The event is a celebration of small businesses and includes short business pitches, business videos and check presentations to the winners. The five finalists were selected in June by a panel of judges after interviews with all applicants.

If named winner of the 2023 Open 4 Business contest, Jennifer would use the grant funds to purchase new espresso, smoothie and cold brew machines. This will enable The Serving Cafe to meet the growing demand that will come as a result of their new drive-through.

West Branch Continues Stellar Start With Team Title at Regina Invitational

Ryan Murken Your Prep SportsIOWA CITY – Coaches don’t often enjoy being incorrect.Jake Slocum has been proved wrong by his team three weeks in a row and the West Branch wrestling coach hasn’t minded one bit.West Branch claimed its third consecutive tournament title on Saturday rolling to the team crown at the 13-team Regina Invitational.“What I always say to them is ‘we have three open weights and it’s pretty tough to win...

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Coaches don’t often enjoy being incorrect.

Jake Slocum has been proved wrong by his team three weeks in a row and the West Branch wrestling coach hasn’t minded one bit.

West Branch claimed its third consecutive tournament title on Saturday rolling to the team crown at the 13-team Regina Invitational.

“What I always say to them is ‘we have three open weights and it’s pretty tough to win a tournament with three open weights so prove me wrong’,” Slocum said. “Today we came in with four open weights and it’s really hard to win a tournament like that so I said, ‘prove me wrong’ and they went out and proved me wrong again and I like that.”

West Branch crowned five champions, had eight finalists and 11 wrestlers finish in the top three on Saturday while racking up 251 points to outdistance runner-up MFL Mar Mac by 69 points.

Ethan Humphrey, Logan Christoffel, Cale Seydel, Cooper Gates and Quintyn Rocha all won individual titles on Saturday as West Branch claimed its third consecutive tournament title in a span of three weeks.

“We have a couple of open weights but coach comes out and says prove me wrong, prove me wrong,” Gates said. “We go out there and try to prove him wrong. Coach doesn’t check the team score all day and he lets us surprise him at the end.”

Saturday’s title put an exclamation point on what has been a strong start to the season and a dominant December for the Bears.

West Branch won the Tipton Invitational by 42 points on December 2 and claimed the Tri-County Invitational by 18.5 points last week.

The title on Saturday was the most impressive yet for West Branch which is also 6-1 in dual meets this season.

“Coach always says, ‘prove me wrong, show me you can win this tournament’,” Seydel said. “We’ve been doing that and when we come to practice on Monday we have fun telling coach we proved him wrong. Then we get back to work.”

West Branch went 5-3 in championships matches as all 11 Bear wrestlers finish in the top three on Saturday.

“Every week we seem to get more people in the finals,” Seydel said. “Once you see a teammate wrestling in the finals everyone wants to be in that spot.”

Humphrey (11-0) started the strong championship effort with a first-period pin of Landon Beckler of Mid-Prairie in the 106-pound title match.

Christoffell (12-1) completed a 3-0 day with a 3-2 win over Gavin Kishman of MFL Mar-Mac in the 132-pound title match.

Seydel (12-2) won the 157-pound title with a 10-4 decision over Will Aitchison of Regina.

The senior went 4-0 with two pins on his way to the 157-pound title.

“I felt really good today,” Seydel said. “I don’t like losing. I just had to fight.”

Gates (13-0) won the 165-pound title with a Jake Moore of a first-period pin of Sigourney-Keota and Rocha (11-1) won the 215-pound champions with a 2-1 win over Dre Smithburg of Fairfield in sudden victory.

“We wrestled really well today,” Gates said. “We had guys up and down the lineup wrestling really good.”

Lincoln Edwards (11-2) was runner-up at 120 pounds, Timmy Hosier (8-5) was runner-up at 126 pounds and Logan Wright (12-1) was runner-up at 285.

Maddux Rushton finished third at 144, Shae Farmer was third at 175 and Tate Frantz was third at 190.

“I don’t want to peak early and this isn’t the time to be peaking but we are 6-1 in duals and we’ve won three tournaments in a row,” Slocum said. “We are going in the right direction and with Christmas break coming we need the break. I always think we get better over Christmas break because we wrestle every day expect for Christmas and New Years day.”

Regina finished third as a team with 163 points getting an individual title from Ian Udell at 190 pounds.

Udell (15-4) pinned Carter Moore of Fairfield in 2:25 in the 190-pound final.

Cash Hatfield (16-5) was runner-up at 138 pounds, Aitchison (6-3) was runner-up at 157 and Leren Fernandez (13-4) was runner-up at 175 for the Regals.

At Regina High School

Team scores – 1. West Branch 251; 2. MFL Mar Mac 182; 3. Regina 163; 4. Tipton 151; 5. Fairfield 136; 6. HLV 100; 7. Sigourney-Keota 87; 8. Mount Pleasant 78; 9. Davenport West 73; 10. Wapello 64; 11. WACO 28; 12. Lone Tree 23; 13. North Cedar 7

Championship matches; area placewinners

106 – 1. Ethan Humphrey (WB) pinned Landon Beckler (MP) 1:35; 4. Sawyer Hamilton (ICR)

113 – 1. Cael McCabe (FAI) pinned Brock Nebergall (LT) 4:25; 5. Brendan Baker (ICR)

120 – 1. Jayson Johnson (TIP) dec. Lincoln Edwards (WB) 6-2; 5. Alex Jensen (ICR)

126 – 1. Gavin Sorgenfrey (TIP) major dec. Timmy Hosier (WB) 9-1; 5. Carter Slager (ICR)

132 – 1. Logan Christoffel (WB) dec. Gavin Kishman (MFL) 3-2; 4. Luke Hamilton (ICR)

138 – 1. Holden Mathis (MFL) dec. Cash Hatfield (ICR) 9-6

144 – 1. Zach Harbison (WAP) pinned Logan Lanning (TIP) 3:12; 3. Maddux Rushton (WB); 4. Edwin Gangba (ICR)

150 – 1. Brody Sternhagen (HLV) pinned Jacob Libe (S-K) :53; 4. James Whisler (ICR)

157 – 1. Cale Seydel (WB) dec. Will Aitchison (ICR) 10-4

165 – 1. Cooper Gates (WB) pinned Jake Moore (S-K) 1:43; 6. William Farnsworth (ICR)

175 – 1. Dain Burkhart (FAI) dec. Leren Fernandez (ICR) 5-3; 3. Shae Farmer (WB)

190 – 1. Ian Udell (ICR) pinned Carter Moore (FAI) 2:25; 3. Tate Frantz (WB)

215 – 1. Quintyn Rocha (WB) dec. Dre Smithburg (FAI) 2-1 TB-1

285 – 1. Cole Fontinel (HLV) dec. Logan Wright (WB) 8-4

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Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The Your Prep Sports Alumni Report is a weekly segment that recognizes the accomplishments of graduates from YPS area schools that are continuing their careers as student athletes at the collegiate level. Alumni News is a way for readers to keep tabs on former area standouts.

Former Solon standout and current South Dakota State senior linebacker Adam Bock had seven tackles including four solo stops in a 59-0 win over Albany in the semifinals of the FCS Semifinals on Friday in Brookings, South Dakota.

On the season the 6-foot-1, 225-pound Bock ranks fourth on the team with 54 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in nine games.

Top-ranked South Dakota State (14-0) will play Montana (13-1) in the national championship game on January 7 at 1 p.m. in Frisco, Texas.

Clear Creek Amana graduate and current Quincy University junior guard Karsyn Stratton helped the Hawks go 1-1 in a pair of games last week.

Stratton had eight points, three assists and two rebounds in a 88-39 win over Hanibal-LaGrange University of Tuesday and had seven points, three assists and three rebounds in an 82-56 loss to Northern Michigan University on Sunday.

The 5-foot-8 Stratton has started all 12 games for Quincy this season and is averaging 5.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game helping the Hawks to a 4-8 record.

Former City High standout and current Des Moines Area Community College freshman Eviyon Richardson helped the Bears pair of games last week.

Richardson had a team-high 11 points and three rebounds in a 63-48 loss to top-ranked Kirkwood on December 9 and had 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in an 80-66 win over Iowa Central on December 13.

On the season Richardson is averaging 10.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while helping the Bears to a 7-6 record.

If you know of a Your Prep Sports area graduate currently excelling at the collegiate level let us know by sending information to [email protected] or @yourprepsports on Twitter.

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West Branch does it again in 5, outlasting Lisbon in a 2A regional volleyball semifinal

Bears win the first 2, drop the next 2, then rule the finale, 15-9Jeff Linder LISBON — They would have preferred to have avoided the drama.But the West Branch Bears felt fully comfortable in Game 5.They had been there before, just five days earlier.“When you get to a fifth game, you’ve just got to play for each other,” senior JaLynn Falco said. “Every point is everything.”West Bra...

Bears win the first 2, drop the next 2, then rule the finale, 15-9

Jeff Linder

LISBON — They would have preferred to have avoided the drama.

But the West Branch Bears felt fully comfortable in Game 5.

They had been there before, just five days earlier.

“When you get to a fifth game, you’ve just got to play for each other,” senior JaLynn Falco said. “Every point is everything.”

West Branch snagged its second straight five-set postseason triumph Monday night, outlasting Lisbon (26-24, 25-20, 24-26, 23-25, 15-9) in a Class 2A volleyball regional semifinal Monday night at Lisbon High School.

“We’re all seniors, so this is our year,” Kylie Pickett said. “We want it more. We’ve just got to go out and keep playing our game.”

The Bears (18-16) will play for a state-tournament berth Wednesday, when they face No. 4 Denver (33-10) in a regional final.

First serve is 7 p.m. at La Porte City.

“We’ll get some film, we’ll watch it and we’ll find a way to do what we do,” West Branch Coach Rebeckah Hesler said.

“One thing about us, we’re very versatile. We are able to change lineups. We can move our middle to our outside. We can move our outside to the right side.”

The Bears were on the cusp on a sweep, leading 24-22 in Game 3. But Lisbon (28-7) scored four straight points, three from kills by Mykala Luzum-Selmon, to extend the match.

“These kids are a prime example of a group that is never going to quit,” Lisbon Coach Lance Kamaus. “Ever.”

Back-to-back kills by Ava Czarnecki at 23-23 sent it to Game 5.

“We spent so much energy coming back,” Kamaus said.

West Branch scored three straight points to break a 3-3 tie in the finale, and led the rest of the way, preventing the Lions from scoring back-to-back points all set.

Lisbon got 24 kills from Czarnecki and 17 from Luzum-Selmon. But the Bears had more balance and finished with a 60-54 advantage in kills.

Falco finished with 16 kills for the winners. Emily Coleman had 14 kills and five blocks. Pickett added 12 kills to go with 32 assists.

West Branch overcame a 20-17 deficit in the opener, then pulled away steadily in the second half of Game 2.

The Bears defeated archrival Iowa City Regina in a five-set regional quarterfinal last Wednesday.

West Branch 3, Lisbon 2

(26-24, 25-20, 24-26, 23-25, 15-9)

Class 2A Regional Semifinal, at Lisbon

Serving: West Branch 104-113 (.920), Lisbon 93-101 (.921)

Aces: West Branch 6 (JaLynn Falco 4), Lisbon 7 (Mykala Luzum-Selmon 4)

Kills: West Branch 60 (Falco 16), Lisbon 54 (Ava Czarnecki 24)

Assists: West Branch 51 (Kylie Pickett 32), Lisbon 53 (Kaitlynn Hasselbusch 50)

Blocks: West Branch 10 (Emily Coleman 5), Lisbon 9 (Addi Petersen 4)

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10 Must-Watch Matches From Day 2 Of The Iowa State Wrestling Tournament

The 2024 Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships are halfway complete. Check out these 10 matches from the quarterfinal round.Quarterfinal - Hayden Schwab (Don Bosco) 36-0 won by fall over Ethan Humphrey (West Branch) 31-3 (Fall 4:27) Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription! Get Star...

The 2024 Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships are halfway complete. Check out these 10 matches from the quarterfinal round.

Quarterfinal - Hayden Schwab (Don Bosco) 36-0 won by fall over Ethan Humphrey (West Branch) 31-3 (Fall 4:27)

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Quarterfinal - Jordan Schmidt (Solon) 47-6 won in tie breaker - 1 over Kaden Kremer (Independence) 40-8 (TB-1 8-7)

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Quarterfinal - Kane Naaktgeboren (Linn-Mar) 35-0 won by fall over Alex Bumba (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) 33-11 (Fall 1:01)

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Quarterfinal - Asa Hemsted (Carlisle) 40-3 won by decision over Braden Blackorby (Johnston) 29-4 (Dec 8-7)

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Quarterfinal - Carter West (Burlington Notre Dame) 43-2 won in sudden victory - 1 over Mitchell Schmauss (Crestwood, Cresco) 35-3 (SV-1 7-2)

Get Started Quarterfinal - Carter Schmauss (Crestwood, Cresco) 34-1 won in sudden victory - 1 over Brayden Maury (West Delaware, Manchester) 36-4 (SV-1 7-5)

Get Started Quarterfinal - Hudson Scranton (Anamosa) 44-5 won in sudden victory - 1 over Mikey Ryan (Mount Vernon) 41-3 (SV-1 8-4)

Get Started Quarterfinal - Max Gast (Osage) 13-1 won by decision over Caleb Seaba (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) 32-10 (Dec 10-7)

Get Started Quarterfinal - Jadyn Friedrichs (Akron-Westfield) 42-2 won by decision over Carson Thomsen (Underwood) 28-6 (Dec 7-6)

Get Started Quarterfinal - Cody Fox (East Buchanan) 44-2 won by fall over Payton Jacobe (AC/GC) 47-7 (Fall 4:17)

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