abc-logo
Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

phone-number877-292-2126 lm-right-arrow

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
SUBMIT REQUEST

Home Care In Alburnett, IA

Home Care Alburnett, 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 Alburnett Historical Society 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 Alburnett, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Alburnett, IA

care-serviceHome Care Services

location Service Areas

Read More
Elderly Care Alburnett, IA Request More Information vector

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.

Hear from Our Clients
Elderly Care for DouglasJJIWF
451
Caring

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”

Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.
Read full testimonial
Hear from Our Clients
In-home Care for Carol64210350
551
Caring

“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”

I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.
Read full testimonial
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”

DouglasJJIWF
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”

Carol64210350

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Alburnett, IA?

lm-check

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.

lm-check

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

lm-check

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.

lm-check

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.

Request More Information
Senior Care Alburnett, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Alburnett, 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
Request More Information
Respite Care Alburnett, 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
Request More Information
Caregivers Alburnett, 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 Noelridge 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
Request More Information
Home Care Alburnett, 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 Fuller's Pub & Grub Inc. or visit The Granger House Victorian Museum, 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.

Request More Information
In-Home Care Alburnett, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Alburnett, 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.

Request More Information vector

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 Alburnett, 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 Alburnett, 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 Alburnett, 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 Alburnett, 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 Alburnett, 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 Alburnett, 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:

  • Alburnett Senior Housing
  • Terrace Glen Village
  • Garnett Place
  • CountryHouse
  • Emery Place
  • Bickford of Marion
Home Care Alburnett, 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 Alburnett, 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

lm-right-arrow
01

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

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
03

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 Alburnett, 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.

Request More Information vector
Elderly Care Alburnett, IA

Latest News in Alburnett, IA

Alburnett softball alumni give back to longtime bus driver Don Williams

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - ‘Do it for Don.’ That was written on posters and even the fence of the Alburnett softball field during their alumni game.“He was a huge part of our memories of being a Pirate,” explained 2016 graduate Taylor Huber. “I think of my softball memories and he’s always in them,” she added.For Don Williams, he thought the spotlight should be on the former Pirates.“It’s hard for me to accept because it shouldn’t be for me, it should be for th...

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - ‘Do it for Don.’ That was written on posters and even the fence of the Alburnett softball field during their alumni game.

“He was a huge part of our memories of being a Pirate,” explained 2016 graduate Taylor Huber. “I think of my softball memories and he’s always in them,” she added.

For Don Williams, he thought the spotlight should be on the former Pirates.

“It’s hard for me to accept because it shouldn’t be for me, it should be for the girls,” said Williams. “That’s how I ended up being here in the first place.”

Instead of alumni getting together at the Martin Complex to play a game of softball, they decided to make the event a fundraiser for Williams who was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

“When I’ve been telling people about this event that don’t know Don, I’ve said that he’s more than just a bus driver. He’s so much more than that to all of us,” said Huber.

Along with a bake sale and a silent auction, graduates from the most recent class in 2021 to 2003 made sure they made it out for the evening.

“I mean he’s just a smiley guy. Always has open arms to anybody and everybody whenever you see him,” said 2003 graduate Nikki Gahring. “We just wanted to do a special thing for him because he’s been a special guy to us for forever.”

Many said it was important to them to support Don who is a constant bright spot in the program and one the softball team’s biggest supporters.

Williams drove the bus for over 40 years. He said he never wanted to coach. He simply enjoyed making somebody else’s day better.

“I had strictly been substitute and I drove routes,” explained Williams. “I took kids home, went and got kids in the morning, brought them to school and drove activity routes. The thing that made it so much fun is that everyone is so respectful, courteous and kind,” he added.

He even expanded his driving duties beyond Alburnett.

“I knew him from Alburnett and then when I was also coaching at Kirkwood, they were looking for a bus driver to drive the softball team to games there. I reached out to Don and Don is a yes guy. He always says yes, so he said I’ll sub and see how it goes. That was 7 years ago and he’s still doing it now,” said Gahring.

For someone so selfless, players wanted to make sure they returned the favor for someone who made their high school experience a memorable one.

Williams shared he will be having surgery in a few days for his cancer.

Copyright 2021 KCRG. All rights reserved.

Iowa high school football rewind: Alburnett, Iowa City Liberty win district championships with late-game heroics

Alburnett beats Columbus Community in overtime, Liberty tops Burlington on TD and 2-point conversion with 26 seconds leftJeff Johnson CEDAR RAPIDS — Is there such a thing as a pre-playoff playoff game?If so, Alburnett’s football team played one Friday night.Mason Neighbor threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Carson Klostermann, then Sam Severson made the extra point as the Pirates won an overtime thriller at Columbus Co...

Alburnett beats Columbus Community in overtime, Liberty tops Burlington on TD and 2-point conversion with 26 seconds left

Jeff Johnson

CEDAR RAPIDS — Is there such a thing as a pre-playoff playoff game?

If so, Alburnett’s football team played one Friday night.

Mason Neighbor threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Carson Klostermann, then Sam Severson made the extra point as the Pirates won an overtime thriller at Columbus Community, 32-31. The game was a winner-take-all deal for the Class A District 5 championship.

“At least I’ve gotten my voice back,” Alburnett Coach Rich Velasquez said Saturday afternoon, when asked if he had recovered from all the dramatics. “I don’t know, I kind of like the 40-point blowouts (better).”

Let’s start from the beginning with this game. It was scoreless after a quarter, with Alburnett taking a 10-7 lead to halftime.

Columbus Community (7-1) scored a touchdown in the third quarter to snatch a 13-10 lead, with a 48-yard Triston Miller TD run giving the Wildcats a 25-17 edge with under two minutes to go. But the extra-point kick was no good, allowing Alburnett (7-1) one last chance.

Starting at their own 29 with 1:26 left, the Pirates moved downfield behind the arm of quarterback Neighbor, who threw for 225 yards and four touchdowns in the game. His 24-yard TD pass to Braydon Osborn and ensuing 2-point conversion pass to Payton Baker stunningly tied it at 25 with 30 seconds left in regulation.

“I’ll be honest, I kind of figured that’s what we were going to do,” Velasquez said. “I knew we’d done it before, and it was just a matter of time before we connected. Mason was able to march us down the field.”

Columbus got the football first in overtime, and scored on its first play, a Kaden Amigon 10-yard run. But Alburnett blocked the extra point.

The tying Neighbor-to-Klostermann touchdown came on second down. Severson, who’d made a 34-yard field goal in the first half, then won it with his third extra point of the game on as many attempts.

“We’d been working on that play all week. It was a halfback pass back, basically,” Velasquez. “I don’t know how it happened, but Carson, there was no one within 15 yards of him.”

Both teams already had qualified for the Class A state playoffs. Columbus Community, which has clinched its first winning season since 1997, hosts Maquoketa Valley (5-3) this coming Friday night in a first-round game.

Alburnett hosts Bellevue (4-4).

“We were trying to get at least two home games (in the playoffs),” Velasquez said. “That’s what we were really focusing on. If we can get two home games, that’s really going to help us.”

Playoff talk

The Iowa High School Athletic Association officially released first-round playoff pairings Saturday for Class A, 1A, 2A and 8-Player.

The Gazette area has 25 qualifiers. That’d be six each in 8-Player and Class A, five in Class 1A and eight in Class 2A.

A true bracket will be drawn after the first round is completed.

Class 3A, 4A and 5A have one more regular-season week remaining. Teams in the smaller four classes that did not make it to the playoffs can play another regular-season game if desired in order to get to nine total games.

Cedar Rapids Washington has not clinched ... yet

Cedar Rapids Washington took another step toward a Class 4A playoff spot with a 21-6 win Friday night over Oskaloosa at Kingston Stadium. But the Warriors have not completely wrapped one up.

Cedar Rapids Xavier has won 4A District 4. The runner-up in the district also gets automatic qualification, with Washington, Newton and Pella still in the running.

Washington (5-3 overall) is 3-1 in district play and plays this coming Friday night at Pella (2-6), which is 2-2 in the district. Newton (6-2) also is 2-2 in the district and plays this coming Friday night at Clear Creek Amana (3-5).

If Washington beats Pella, it officially is district runner-up and is playoff bound. If Pella beats Washington and CCA beats Newton, Pella (which began the season 0-7) would be district runner-up because of head to head.

If it ends in a three-way tie for second place in the district, the higher team RPI-wise would be the automatic playoff qualifier. That definitely would be either Washington or Newton.

Did you get all that?

Liberty wins first district championship

Class 4A fifth-ranked Iowa City Liberty notched the first district football championship in school history, and, boy, it took some dramatics to get it.

Backup quarterback Cody Nichols eluded severe pass-rush pressure and threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt Williams with 26 seconds left, then a 2-point conversion pass to Christian Barney as Liberty won at Burlington, 29-28.

A short TD run from Nolan Simpson and ensuing extra point with 1:24 to go put the Greyhounds up, 28-21. Nichols amassed 161 rushing and passing yards in the second half in relief of injured starting quarterback Graham Beckman.

Comments: (319)-398-8258, [email protected]

Iowa high school wrestling notes: Alburnett boys showing why the team has high expectations

Iowa City West’s Jannell Avila commits, Solon duo wins titlesK.J. Pilcher Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush has liked what he’s seen in the first week of the boys’ wrestling season.In a challenging week of competition that included two Class 3A teams in an opening triangular and a 31-team, two-day tournament, the Pirates have shown why this season was met with high expectations.“We’re starting at a really...

Iowa City West’s Jannell Avila commits, Solon duo wins titles

K.J. Pilcher

Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush has liked what he’s seen in the first week of the boys’ wrestling season.

In a challenging week of competition that included two Class 3A teams in an opening triangular and a 31-team, two-day tournament, the Pirates have shown why this season was met with high expectations.

“We’re starting at a really high level right now,” Rush said. “I think we found out what kind of tournament team we are, too. We put those things together.

“Obviously, we have a whole year to work on things and develop techniques and different positions, individually and as a team. I’m really excited where they are at right now.”

The Pirates placed eight wrestlers in the top nine of their respective weights and posted a runner-up team finish Saturday at the Cliff Keen Independence Invitational. Alburnett had three finalists, including 160-pound champion Carson Klostermann, for 293 1/2 points with a shortened lineup.

Any questions about the ability or composure in big matches were answered.

“They handled themselves well,” Rush said. “That goes from underclassmen all the way through the seniors. The seniors have a lot of experience, getting into those pressure matches. I would say right where we’re at and like where we’re at.”

Klostermann rolled through his weight, tallying four pins and a major decision in his six wins to improve to 8-0 this season. He handled Tristan Steldt, of Fennimore (Wis.), 10-1, in the finals.

“I thought I wrestled pretty good,” Klostermann said. “Something I noticed I improved on a lot through the year last year and it transferred into this year was just being calm out on the mat. Not letting the little things get to you, like an early takedown. I got taken down early in my semifinal match and it didn’t affect me too much. I wrestled through the matches.”

Sign up for Prep Sports

Subscribe now and receive weekly rankings, highlights and commentary on Iowa high school sports coverage.

Alburnett had six wrestlers finish in the top four of their divisions. Preston Klostermann (126) and Brody Neighbor (138) were second. Rowdy Neighbor placed third at 113, while 106-pounder Atlee Dewitt and Gunnar Keeney (145) each earned fourth.

“We have a lot of coachable guys up and down the lineup,” Rush said. “We’re working on different techniques in the room during practice. There are guys asking questions and having an open mind about doing different things.”

Klostermann is one of five Pirates with state experience. Alburnett had four medalists and five qualifiers — all are back — on a team that finished ninth in the Class 1A standings with 49 points last season. The Pirates also just missed the state duals tournament, falling to No. 7 Wilton, 39-34, in a regional final. The Pirates have been waiting to get back on the mat since February.

“We’ve been waiting on the season for a long time now,” Klostermann said. “I think it’s going as planned so far. Hopefully it keeps heading that way.”

Rush said the wrestlers are a tight-knit group that push each other. They mesh their individual aspirations with the team goals. It has resulted in success early with a plan for it to yield bigger rewards.

“We haven’t had any state trophies here in a while,” Rush said. “That’s something we want to do. I think we can get two of them back here. After this first week, the kids realize they can make a push.”

Jannell Avila commits to Baker University

Iowa City West’s Jannell Avila has been one of the area’s top girls’ wrestlers since she broke on the scene for Lisbon as a freshman. Avila, an Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association state champion and multi-time medalist, announced via social media that she will continue her wrestling career at NAIA’s Baker (Kan.) University.

Avila shared a spiritual message and then thanked her family. She mentioned her dad droves hours to tournaments because she was afraid to fly. Sometimes it would mean driving back and forth in the same day. Her mom was always there with post weigh-in food and helping her get up for morning workouts.

Twitter

“I also want to thank my parents,” Avila said. “I would not be able to achieve the things I have and go and do the things I love without them.”

Avila is ranked nationally and was runner-up to Decorah’s Naomi Simon at 170 in the Dan Gable Donnybrook last Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Solon duo wins titles

Solon duo McKenna Rogers and Olivia Bonnema won titles Monday at the Williamsburg Invitational.

Rogers had two falls, pinning Williamsburg’s Zoey Thede in 2:00 in the 110 final. Bonnema opened with two pins before topping Mid-Prairie’s Grace Conway, 5-4, for the 140 title.

The Spartans had 12 placewinners overall, including runners-up Kate Richards (115), Mikayla Langenberg (135) and Kendall Jensen (170).

Comments: [email protected]

Alburnett celebrates 2023 homecoming

Next Alburnett celebrates 2023 homecoming 1 of 9 ...

Next

Alburnett celebrates 2023 homecoming

1 of 9

Buy Now

Buy Now

The elementary students from kindergarten to fifth grade walk in the homecoming parade. Each grade held up their respective class sign, which they had made with great creativity.

Buy Now

The high school band, directed by Matt Ehler, plays Panic! At The Disco’s “High Hopes,” filling the streets of Alburnett.

Buy Now

Alburnett cheerleaders perform different stunts during the Community Pep Rally, Oct. 13.

Buy Now

Alburnett football seniors were recognized during the community pep rally in honor of their last home game of the regular season.

Buy Now

The Alburnett Pirate hypes the packed gym of students, teachers and community members before the homecoming game.

Buy Now

The 2023 Alburnett Homecoming Court: from left, Marie Burger, Payton Baker, Peyton Scott, Lars Landa, Homecoming Queen Gralynn Martin, Homecoming King Logan Borrett, Ally Olmstead, Zach Carolan, Savannah Caves, Noah Kruckenberg, Rian Williams and Luke Schneider.

Buy Now

Latest e-Edition

Most Popular

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program will again host the Home Gardening Webinar Series, beginning in January and ending in March. Sessions will take place every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. Central time, ending March 12.

Designed for anyone who is interested in gardening or horticulture, the series aims to inspire and educate. Throughout the series, participants will hear from experts at Iowa State, Cornell University, Jung Seed, Seed Savers Exchange, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The sessions are free and open to the public. Attendees can register to join through Zoom or join on Facebook Live.

Photos: Alburnett vs. Council Bluffs St. Albert, Iowa Class 1A state baseball tournament semifinal

word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word wo...

word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word

More Stories

Home / Sports / Iowa High School Sports / Prep Baseball and Prep Softball

Rebecca MillerGazette Visuals

No. 6-seed Alburnett ended its season in the Class 1A state tournament semifinal with a loss to No. 2-seed Council Bluffs St. Albert on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.

Alburnett High School, Council Bluffs St. Albert High School

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.