🚗🔧 We're proud to recognize the Benton Community students who participated in the Thys Automotive Family's Piston to Pathways program! Through this incredible experience, students gained valuable insight into the many career opportunities within the automotive industry while developing hands-on skills in a real shop environment alongside industry professionals. Experiences like these help students connect classroom learning to future careers, explore their interests, and build confidence in high-demand career pathways.
A huge thank you to the Thys Automotive Family for investing in our students and creating meaningful opportunities that inspire the next generation of skilled professionals.
👏 Congratulations to all of our participants for taking advantage of this outstanding opportunity!
Interested in participating? Enrollment is now underway for this fall's Piston to Pathways program! Students interested in exploring careers in the automotive industry are encouraged to contact the Benton Community High School counseling office for more information.
A huge thank you to the Thys Automotive Family for investing in our students and creating meaningful opportunities that inspire the next generation of skilled professionals.
👏 Congratulations to all of our participants for taking advantage of this outstanding opportunity!
Interested in participating? Enrollment is now underway for this fall's Piston to Pathways program! Students interested in exploring careers in the automotive industry are encouraged to contact the Benton Community High School counseling office for more information.
Benton 2026 Football Preview
Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
School: Benton Community Bobcats
Nickname: Bobcats
Colors: Royal Blue and Gold
Conference: WaMaC
Class: 3A
District: District 2
Co-Head Coach: Kal Goodchild, Jeff Zittergruen
Assistant Coaches: Garret Albers, Dan Burke, Chris Frimml, Kyle Goodchild, Josh Hoeck, Colin Waters, Rich Fisher, Colin Buch
Last Year’s District Record: 3-2
Last Year’s Overall Record: 5-5 Playoffs
Conference/District Champs: 11
Conference/ District Champ Years: 1980, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024
Chief Rival: Vinton-Shellsburg
Number of Returning Letterman: 12
Number of Returning Starters: Offense 4 = O line- David Jones, Isaiah Franck, AJ Wilson Myles, Sage Edberg, Defense: 2 = Kaden Mitchell LB, Isaiah Franck DL
Top Teams in District: Clear Lake should be the favored team in the district. They have very good skill kids returning with a couple of returning O line. They have some returning D line and LB. West Delaware should be a very good team as well. They return some very good plates from last year. I would think that Independence and Iowa Falls will be improved and should have good teams. This district should be very solid. You have traditionally good teams in the district including Benton.
Our non-district will be very tough. Mount Vernon and Solon will more than likely be a playoff team in 2026. Fairfield has a number of returning starters and will be a top team in their district. Vinton is our top rival and returns a number of starters and will be improved from a year ago.
Overall Thoughts: We have a challenging schedule. The competition will be very good. We play five teams that were in the Class 3A playoffs last year. We have had a good off season! Our athletes have worked very hard in the weight room to help make us competitive! We lost a very talented group but returned some very good linemen.
Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
School: Benton Community Bobcats
Nickname: Bobcats
Colors: Royal Blue and Gold
Conference: WaMaC
Class: 3A
District: District 2
Co-Head Coach: Kal Goodchild, Jeff Zittergruen
Assistant Coaches: Garret Albers, Dan Burke, Chris Frimml, Kyle Goodchild, Josh Hoeck, Colin Waters, Rich Fisher, Colin Buch
Last Year’s District Record: 3-2
Last Year’s Overall Record: 5-5 Playoffs
Conference/District Champs: 11
Conference/ District Champ Years: 1980, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024
Chief Rival: Vinton-Shellsburg
Number of Returning Letterman: 12
Number of Returning Starters: Offense 4 = O line- David Jones, Isaiah Franck, AJ Wilson Myles, Sage Edberg, Defense: 2 = Kaden Mitchell LB, Isaiah Franck DL
Top Teams in District: Clear Lake should be the favored team in the district. They have very good skill kids returning with a couple of returning O line. They have some returning D line and LB. West Delaware should be a very good team as well. They return some very good plates from last year. I would think that Independence and Iowa Falls will be improved and should have good teams. This district should be very solid. You have traditionally good teams in the district including Benton.
Our non-district will be very tough. Mount Vernon and Solon will more than likely be a playoff team in 2026. Fairfield has a number of returning starters and will be a top team in their district. Vinton is our top rival and returns a number of starters and will be improved from a year ago.
Overall Thoughts: We have a challenging schedule. The competition will be very good. We play five teams that were in the Class 3A playoffs last year. We have had a good off season! Our athletes have worked very hard in the weight room to help make us competitive! We lost a very talented group but returned some very good linemen.
BC Artist Spotlight- Lila Bieschke- BCHS
Employment opportunities may be found at https://www.applitrack.com/benton/onlineapp/
#BeABobcat
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#BeABobcat
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CCA edges Benton in 3A tourney baseball action
Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Monday, July 13, 2026, at Clear Creek Amana
Clear Creek Amana 6, Benton 4
Benton (21-15) had five hits in the tournament game. Kaleb Hupke had a double and two RBIs. Brooks Mitchell-Birdsell had a double. Grant Volesky also had a double. Grady Frese had a single. Weston Kaestner had a single and one RBI. Benton had three walks and 13 strikeouts. Mitchell-Birdsell stole two bases. The team had two errors. CCA had not errors
Drew Filleworth threw for two innings, allowed three hits, three runs (two earned), walked one, hit one batter and struck out two. Losing pitcher Grady Frese threw for four innings, allowed three hits, three earned runs, walked three, hit one batter and struck out one.
Clear Creek Amana (24-11) plays Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. against Dubuque Wahlert (33-6). The game is at McAleece Park and Recreation Complex.
Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Monday, July 13, 2026, at Clear Creek Amana
Clear Creek Amana 6, Benton 4
Benton (21-15) had five hits in the tournament game. Kaleb Hupke had a double and two RBIs. Brooks Mitchell-Birdsell had a double. Grant Volesky also had a double. Grady Frese had a single. Weston Kaestner had a single and one RBI. Benton had three walks and 13 strikeouts. Mitchell-Birdsell stole two bases. The team had two errors. CCA had not errors
Drew Filleworth threw for two innings, allowed three hits, three runs (two earned), walked one, hit one batter and struck out two. Losing pitcher Grady Frese threw for four innings, allowed three hits, three earned runs, walked three, hit one batter and struck out one.
Clear Creek Amana (24-11) plays Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. against Dubuque Wahlert (33-6). The game is at McAleece Park and Recreation Complex.
The next Band Booster Meeting is Wednesday, July 15th at 6PM in the Band Room. Please join us!
Bobcats win first round of 3A baseball tournament
Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Benton Community Baseball
Friday, July 10, 2026, at Van Horne
Class 3A Substate 3 First Round
Benton (21-14) 6, Vinton-Shellsburg (10-19) 0
VS 000 000 0 - 0
BC 020 301 x - 6
Benton had four hits in the tournament game. Carson Nolan hit a single. Drew Fillenworth had a single. Weston Kaestner was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. Grant Volesky scored three runs. Benton stole six bases. Volesky stole three, Eli Patterson stole two and Nolan stole one base. The team had two errors. Benton had six walks.
Winning pitcher Brooks Mitchell-Birdsell threw for seven innings, allowed two hits, no runs, walked one, hit one batter and struck out 13 Vikings.
Benton plays Monday, July 13, 2026, at Clear Creek Amana (23-11). The substate second-round game starts at 7 p.m.
Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Benton Community Baseball
Friday, July 10, 2026, at Van Horne
Class 3A Substate 3 First Round
Benton (21-14) 6, Vinton-Shellsburg (10-19) 0
VS 000 000 0 - 0
BC 020 301 x - 6
Benton had four hits in the tournament game. Carson Nolan hit a single. Drew Fillenworth had a single. Weston Kaestner was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. Grant Volesky scored three runs. Benton stole six bases. Volesky stole three, Eli Patterson stole two and Nolan stole one base. The team had two errors. Benton had six walks.
Winning pitcher Brooks Mitchell-Birdsell threw for seven innings, allowed two hits, no runs, walked one, hit one batter and struck out 13 Vikings.
Benton plays Monday, July 13, 2026, at Clear Creek Amana (23-11). The substate second-round game starts at 7 p.m.
****TIME CHANGE for tonight's baseball game****
BC girls win first round of 3A softball tournament
Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Van Horne
3A Region 1 Quarterfinal
Benton (15-20) 5, Eagle Grove (16-12)
EG 021 000 0 - 3
BC 012 002 x - 5
Benton had eight hits in the tourney game. Sophia Seeck had a single. Layna DeMoss had a triple and one RBI. Calista Nolte had a single. Ellie Williamson was 2 for 3. Marissa Nolte was 2 for 2 with a double and two RBIs. Libi Frese had a triple. Williamson scored two runs. Benton had one walk. The team had two errors. Eagle Grove had one error.
Brynnlee Seeck threw for seven innings, allowed seven hits, three runs (one earned), and stuck out five.
Benton travels to Williamsburg (35-9) on Saturday, July 11, in the Region 1 Semifinal. The game starts at 7 p.m.
Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Van Horne
3A Region 1 Quarterfinal
Benton (15-20) 5, Eagle Grove (16-12)
EG 021 000 0 - 3
BC 012 002 x - 5
Benton had eight hits in the tourney game. Sophia Seeck had a single. Layna DeMoss had a triple and one RBI. Calista Nolte had a single. Ellie Williamson was 2 for 3. Marissa Nolte was 2 for 2 with a double and two RBIs. Libi Frese had a triple. Williamson scored two runs. Benton had one walk. The team had two errors. Eagle Grove had one error.
Brynnlee Seeck threw for seven innings, allowed seven hits, three runs (one earned), and stuck out five.
Benton travels to Williamsburg (35-9) on Saturday, July 11, in the Region 1 Semifinal. The game starts at 7 p.m.
Employment opportunities may be found at https://www.applitrack.com/benton/onlineapp/
#BeABobcat
#APlaceToBelong
#BeABobcat
#APlaceToBelong
Employment opportunities may be found at https://www.applitrack.com/benton/onlineapp/
#BeABobcat
#APlaceToBelong
#BeABobcat
#APlaceToBelong
BC Artist Spotlight -High School- Leslie Reiners
Girls 3A Regional Softball - Thursday, July 9 @ 7:00 PM vs Eagle Grove @ Benton
Tickets online at
https://tickets.gobound.com/tickets/events/h20260625094035658930911b48c6b47/checkout?bare=False
Boys 3A Substate Baseball - Friday, July 10 @ 7:00 PM vs Vinton-Shellsburg @ Benton
Tickets online at
https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/iahsaa/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50Lzc5MzQ%3D
Tickets online at
https://tickets.gobound.com/tickets/events/h20260625094035658930911b48c6b47/checkout?bare=False
Boys 3A Substate Baseball - Friday, July 10 @ 7:00 PM vs Vinton-Shellsburg @ Benton
Tickets online at
https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/iahsaa/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50Lzc5MzQ%3D
BC baseball team travels to CR Prairie
-Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Monday, July 6, 2026, at Cedar Rapids Prairie
CR Prairie 8, Benton 3
Benton had five hits. Kaleb Hupke was 2 for 4 with two doubles and one RBI. Kyle Gallagher had a single. Grady Frese had a single. Weston Kaestner had a single and two RBIs. The team had two walks. Benton had four errors. Prairie had two errors.
Brooks Mitchell-Birdsell threw for two innings, allowed two hits, walked two and struck out tow. Losing pitcher Caleb Kaump threw for 1 1/3 innings, allowed two hits, five runs (four earned) and walked two. Mason Havill threw for one inning and walked one. Nolan Meers threw for 1 2/3 innings, allowed two hits, three earned runs, walked one and hit one batter.
CR Prairie 8, Benton 0
Benton had three hits in the second game. Getting one single each were Drew Fillenworth, Eli Patterson and Grady Frese. Benton had one walk. Graham Wallace had one steal. The team had one error.
Patterson threw for two innings, walked two and struck out five. Grant Volesky threw for 1 2/3 inning, allowed five hits, five earned runs, walked three and struck out two. Grady Frese threw for two innings for the loss, allowed two hits, one earned run, walked four and struck out three. Colton Kroneman allowed two earned runs and walked three. Sam Janssen threw for one out, walking one and striking out one.
Benton hosts West Liberty on Tuesday, July 7, at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, July 8, Benton travels to Center Point-Urbana for a doubleheader, starting at 5 p.m.
Class 3A substate baseball action begins on Friday, July10, when Benton (17-14) hosts Vinton-Shellsburg (10-18). The game starts at 7 p.m.
-Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Monday, July 6, 2026, at Cedar Rapids Prairie
CR Prairie 8, Benton 3
Benton had five hits. Kaleb Hupke was 2 for 4 with two doubles and one RBI. Kyle Gallagher had a single. Grady Frese had a single. Weston Kaestner had a single and two RBIs. The team had two walks. Benton had four errors. Prairie had two errors.
Brooks Mitchell-Birdsell threw for two innings, allowed two hits, walked two and struck out tow. Losing pitcher Caleb Kaump threw for 1 1/3 innings, allowed two hits, five runs (four earned) and walked two. Mason Havill threw for one inning and walked one. Nolan Meers threw for 1 2/3 innings, allowed two hits, three earned runs, walked one and hit one batter.
CR Prairie 8, Benton 0
Benton had three hits in the second game. Getting one single each were Drew Fillenworth, Eli Patterson and Grady Frese. Benton had one walk. Graham Wallace had one steal. The team had one error.
Patterson threw for two innings, walked two and struck out five. Grant Volesky threw for 1 2/3 inning, allowed five hits, five earned runs, walked three and struck out two. Grady Frese threw for two innings for the loss, allowed two hits, one earned run, walked four and struck out three. Colton Kroneman allowed two earned runs and walked three. Sam Janssen threw for one out, walking one and striking out one.
Benton hosts West Liberty on Tuesday, July 7, at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, July 8, Benton travels to Center Point-Urbana for a doubleheader, starting at 5 p.m.
Class 3A substate baseball action begins on Friday, July10, when Benton (17-14) hosts Vinton-Shellsburg (10-18). The game starts at 7 p.m.
#BeABobcat
#APlaceToBelong
#APlaceToBelong
Congratulations to Braiden Moore for qualifying for the boys state golf tournament this year as an individual! Braiden finished T12 and shot a 74 the first day and a 77 the second day at Gates Park in Waterloo. He earned second team all tournament team.
Join the Benton Band Boosters for a 50/50 raffle & glow stick sales fundraiser on July 3rd at 7:00 PM in Newhall, Iowa, held during the Newhall Fireworks celebration.
Congratulations to our Benton Community students who earned their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification and Industry-Recognized Credential (IRC)!
Through Benton Community’s Health Careers Academy, offered in partnership with Kirkwood Community College, students gain meaningful exposure to careers in healthcare while exploring their post-secondary options. Along the way, they earn college credit and develop valuable skills that will support both their future careers and their ability to care for others.
We are proud of your hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving others. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment!
Through Benton Community’s Health Careers Academy, offered in partnership with Kirkwood Community College, students gain meaningful exposure to careers in healthcare while exploring their post-secondary options. Along the way, they earn college credit and develop valuable skills that will support both their future careers and their ability to care for others.
We are proud of your hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving others. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment!
Industrial Tech Shed Sale! Our sheds are still looking for a home.
Price: $5,500 each
Buyer is responsible for transportation.
For questions, please contact jreid@benton.k12.ia.us.
Both sheds feature:
• 8 ft x 12 ft size
• 8 ft tall walls
• Asphalt shingles
• Premium composite siding
• Rear window for natural light
Shed #1:
• 6 ft. wide x 7 ft. tall garage door
Shed #2:
• Service door
Next school year preorder is available!! Two more sheds will be built next school year. One during the fall and one in the spring. Contact Jacob Reid if interested.
Price: $5,500 each
Buyer is responsible for transportation.
For questions, please contact jreid@benton.k12.ia.us.
Both sheds feature:
• 8 ft x 12 ft size
• 8 ft tall walls
• Asphalt shingles
• Premium composite siding
• Rear window for natural light
Shed #1:
• 6 ft. wide x 7 ft. tall garage door
Shed #2:
• Service door
Next school year preorder is available!! Two more sheds will be built next school year. One during the fall and one in the spring. Contact Jacob Reid if interested.
Employment opportunities may be found at https://www.applitrack.com/benton/onlineapp/
#BeABobcat
#APlaceToBelong
#BeABobcat
#APlaceToBelong
