Thank you to Iowa Army National Guard Recruiter, Nate Reynolds, for coming in and helping the BC Robotics team prepare for their tournament . He gave feed back on their engineering portfolios, and held a mock judges interview with each team and gave valuable feedback.
Bobcats host Bobcat Jerry Eckenrod wrestling invite
-Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at Van Horne
Team scores
1 Don Bosco 184.5
2 Dallas Center-Grimes 181.0
3 Waukee Northwest 179.5
4 West Delaware, Manchester 170.5
5 Assumption, Davenport 167.0
6 Independence 159.0
7 Benton Community 148.0
8 Williamsburg 143.0
9 Union, LaPorte City 117.5
10 Anamosa 79.0
11 West Liberty 72.0
12 Washington 45.0
13 Cedar Rapids Jefferson 35.0
14 Vinton-Shellsburg 32.0
15 Centerville 26.5
16 North Linn 23.0
17 East Marshall/GMG 11.5
Benton results
113 - Jaxson Mehlert (21-7) placed 2nd and scored 23.0 team points.
120 - Garrett Kuch (17-11) placed 8th and scored 6.0 team points.
126 - Jason Eastman (15-12) placed 8th and scored 8.0 team points.
132 - TJ Lovell (17-13) placed 8th and scored 7.0 team points.
138 - Ryan Koehler (14-15) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
144 - Elijah Kupka (20-8) placed 4th and scored 14.5 team points.
150 - Brady Patterson (15-7) placed 5th and scored 11.0 team points.
157 - Elias Bieschke (19-13) placed 6th and scored 9.5 team points.
165 - Blayke Heying (22-4) placed 4th and scored 15.0 team points.
175 - Sage Edberg (1-12) placed 8th and scored 1.0 team points.
190 - Brenden Heying (24-1) placed 1st and scored 25.0 team points.
215 - Troy Kupka (22-7) placed 2nd and scored 21.0 team points.
285 - Will Clausen (19-8) placed 6th and scored 7.0 team points.
Lady ‘Cat Duals held January 10 at Benton
-Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at Van Horne
Placings
1st Place - Mount Vernon
2nd Place - Benton Community
3rd Place - Grinnell
4th Place - Lisbon
5th Place - BCLUW
6th Place - Xavier, Cedar Rapids
7th Place - Union, LaPorte City
8th Place - Johnston
Lady Cat Duals - Benton Community
Benton Community defeated BCLUW 66-18
110 - Courtney Hlas (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
115 - Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) over Brayleigh Gardner (BCLUW) Fall 1:02
120 - Katilynn Guldner (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
125 - Ceanna White (BCLUW) over Madelyn Kenny (Benton Community) Fall 0:36
130 - Willow Sexton (Benton Community) over Sisse Levison (BCLUW) Fall 1:11
135 - Izzy Schoettmer (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
140 - Jordan Voelkel (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
145 - Jordan Koehler (Benton Community) over Kaelyn Dixon (BCLUW) Fall 0:32
155 - Layna DeMoss (Benton Community) over Taya Hollingsworth (BCLUW) Fall 3:23
170 - Cheyenne Simmons (BCLUW) accepted a forfeit
190 - Kaitlynn Dickes (BCLUW) accepted a forfeit
235 - Averie Gale (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
100 - Alexis Sexton (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
105 - Maria Davis (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
Benton Community defeated Grinnell 47-36
115 - Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) over Baylee Boyd (Grinnell) Fall 2:39
120 - Kyrie Chapman (Grinnell) over Katilynn Guldner (Benton Community) Fall 0:30
125 - Madelyn Kenny (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
130 - Kiaya Shuey (Grinnell) over Willow Sexton (Benton Community) Fall 2:35
135 - Adriana Versendaal (Grinnell) over Marissa Nolte (Benton Community) Fall 1:57
140 - Izzy Schoettmer (Benton Community) over Jayla Westcott (Grinnell) Fall 1:55
145 - Myla Kurk (Grinnell) over Jordan Voelkel (Benton Community) Fall 0:29
155 - Jordan Koehler (Benton Community) over Alejandra Hernandez (Grinnell) Fall 1:14
170 - Layna DeMoss (Benton Community) over Abigail Hatcher (Grinnell) TF 17-1
190 - Jahzarah Ward (Grinnell) accepted a forfeit
235 - Averie Gale (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
100 - Piper Madren (Grinnell) over Alexis Sexton (Benton Community) Fall 2:44
105 - Maria Davis (Benton Community) over Zaria Bunch (Grinnell) Fall 1:47
110 - Courtney Hlas (Benton Community) over Peyton Davenport (Grinnell) Fall 0:10
Benton Community defeated Johnston 63-11
120 - Katilynn Guldner (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
125 - Madelyn Kenny (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
130 - Willow Sexton (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
135 - Izzy Schoettmer (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
140 - Jordan Voelkel (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
145 - Jordan Koehler (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
155 - Double Forfeit
170 - Layna DeMoss (Benton Community) over Jasmine Newman (Johnston) TB-1 16-10
190 - Lauren Silhanek (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
235 - Averie Gale (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
100 - Alexis Sexton (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
105 - Grace Petersen (Johnston) over Maria Davis (Benton Community) Fall 1:22
110 - Charlotte Spah (Johnston) over Courtney Hlas (Benton Community) TF 18-0
115 - Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
Mount Vernon defeated Benton Community 48-36 (first place match)
125 - Lexi Glaza (Mount Vernon) over Madelyn Kenny (Benton Community) Fall 2:28
130 - Willow Sexton (Benton Community) over Liliana Grosse (Mount Vernon) Fall 1:26
135 - Izzy Schoettmer (Benton Community) over Lyla Glaza (Mount Vernon) Fall 1:13
140 - Jordan Voelkel (Benton Community) over Hannah Jones (Mount Vernon) Fall 1:18
145 - Addi Whisner (Mount Vernon) over Jordan Koehler (Benton Community) Fall 0:37
155 - Layna DeMoss (Benton Community) over Kaylee Kintzel (Mount Vernon) Fall 2:48
170 - Gracie Pinckney (Mount Vernon) accepted a forfeit
190 - Dottie Korte (Mount Vernon) accepted a forfeit
235 - Libby Dix (Mount Vernon) over Averie Gale (Benton Community) Fall 1:14
100 - Alexis Sexton (Benton Community) accepted a forfeit
105 - Carly Elliott (Mount Vernon) over Maria Davis (Benton Community) Fall 2:51
110 - Kate Martin (Mount Vernon) over Courtney Hlas (Benton Community) Fall 1:33
115 - Kiersten Swart (Mount Vernon) over Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) Fall 0:59
120 - Katilynn Guldner (Benton Community) over Rose Pisarik (Mount Vernon) Fall 1:18
Kindergarten and Preschool Pre-Registration will be held Monday, February 10, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at both Atkins and Keystone Elementaries. Current students will be sent a link prior to February 10 to pre-register online.
Bobcats face Independence and CCA in wrestling meet Thursday
-Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau
Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at Clear Creek Amana
Independence 37, Benton 29
106: Benjamin Anderson (INDE) over Memphis Bishop (BECO) (Fall 0:23)
113: Jaxson Mehlert (BECO) over Jackson Zieser (INDE) (Fall 0:48)
120: Zach Homan (INDE) over Garrett Kuch (BECO) (Fall 5:42)
126: Remy Ressler (INDE) over Jason Eastman (BECO) (Dec 8-6)
132: Carver Wieland (INDE) over TJ Lovell (BECO) (MD 18-5)
138: Tanner Wilson (INDE) over Elijah Kupka (BECO) (Dec 8-5)
144: Tyler Wieland (INDE) over Ryan Koehler (BECO) (Fall 5:29)
150: Brady Patterson (BECO) over Kameron Kremer (INDE) (Dec 14-10)
157: Owen Miller (INDE) over Elias Bieschke (BECO) (Dec 6-4)
165: Blayke Heying (BECO) over Christopher Meyer (INDE) (Dec 3-2)
175: Braylen Bieber (INDE) over Mayson Mitchell (BECO) (Fall 3:06)
190: Blayke Heying (BECO) over Mikey Bailey (INDE) (TF 21-6 1:33)
215: Troy Kupka (BECO) over Colton McDowell (INDE) (Fall 3:22)
285: Will Clausen (BECO) over Gable Eddy (INDE) (Fall 2:25)
Benton 47, Clear Creek Amana 28
113: Jaxson Mehlert (BECO) over Wyatt Iburg (CCA) (Fall 0:43)
120: Garrett Kuch (BECO) over Jose Mendieta (CCA) (Fall 3:36)
126: Jason Eastman (BECO) over Malachi Clement (CCA) (MD 15-7)
132: Cale Nash (CCA) over TJ Lovell (BECO) (TF 17-1 3:16)
138: Elijah Kupka (BECO) over Jay Halverson (CCA) (TF 18-3 4:57)
144: Nolan Howell (CCA) over Ryan Koehler (BECO) (TF 17-2 1:25
)
150: Brady Patterson (BECO) over Trace Robertson (CCA) (MD 23-13)
157: Ben Haughey (CCA) over Elias Bieschke (BECO) (Fall 2:49)
165: Blayke Heying (BECO) over Connor Duncan (CCA) (TF 18-3 2:05)
175: Clayton Isham (CCA) over Mayson Mitchell (BECO) (Fall 2:56)
190: Brenden Heying (BECO) over Dylan Schrock (CCA) (TF 22-6 2:54)
215: Troy Kupka (BECO) over Brody Fairholm (CCA) (Fall 1:33)
285: Will Clausen (BECO) over William Carhoff (CCA) (Fall 2:00)
106: Cole Kasparek (CCA) over Memphis Bishop (BECO) (Fall 0:28)
For all you weekend warriors wanting to get out and support your Bobcats here is a list of activities this weekend. Enjoy!
Check out all the news this winter in the January issue of the Middle School Newsletter
Eighth grade students participated in a dynamic three-hour "Life Skills Simulation" presented by Junior Achievement (JA) of Eastern Iowa designed to teach practical budgeting and decision-making.
The event began with a 15-minute orientation, where participants were assigned a life scenario, including a family structure, career, and monthly income. This set the stage for the day’s activities.
During the 1 hour and 45-minute research and budgeting phase, students visited 20 interactive stations, each covering a key expense category, such as housing, transportation, and pet care. Guided by volunteers, they discussed real-world costs—like average mortgage expenses in Iowa—and crafted a personalized budget based on their assigned scenario.
In the 45-minute shopping phase, students used iPads to make spending decisions within their budgets, exploring the impact of choices like securing a home loan on their overall finances.
The session concluded with 15 minutes of reflection and group discussion, where participants shared insights and asked questions, rounding out an engaging, hands-on lesson in financial literacy.
What do you love most about working at Benton?
Working with kids everyday and having an opportunity to support them.
Benton boys’ basketball
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at Benton
Marion (4-5) 65, Benton (3-6) 61
M 15 11 18 21 - 65
BC 17 11 7 16 - 51
Carson Pickering led Benton with 15 points. Eli Patterson added 13 and Brody Timmerman had 12. Timmerman had six rebounds. Gavin Brooks had four assists for Benton. Patterson had four steals. Brooks had two blocks.
Benton
Field Goals 17/49
Three-pointers 9/22
Free throws 8/10
Rebounds 18
Assists 13
Steals 8
Blocks 3
Turnovers 6
Fouls 14
Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at Independence
Benton (3-6) vs. Independence (5-4)
Benton girls’ basketball
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at Van Horne
No. 14 Marion (7-3) 52, Benton (2-7) 22
M 14 13 11 14 - 52
BC 3 5 10 4 - 22
Talulah Schroeder had 10 points for Benton. Hailey Suiter added seven. With six rebounds each were Aubrey Kelly and Suiter. Kelly had three assists. Sophia Seeck had three steals.
Benton
Field Goals 8/44
Three-pointers 2/17
Free throws 4/10
Rebounds 28
Assists 6
Steals 5
Blocks 2
Turnovers 15
Fouls 8
Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at Independence
Benton (2-7) at Independence (6-5)
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, a group of 8th grade students students who have completed the exploratory class, Careers, participated in Junior Achievement: Finance Park at the Van Horne Community Center. This was a unique opportunity for these students to engage in a simulation focusing on financial literacy, work, and career readiness.
In the simulation students were assigned a life scenario at random, conducted research, created a budget, and practiced responsible spending. The experience concluded with a group debrief to reflect on their learning.
Current Benton Sophomores and Juniors, Summer Internships are Available!
Now through February 5th, the Workplace Learning Connection's Internship application is open for Summer Internships. Summer Internships do give you high school and college credit.
If you are interested in finding out more information, visit https://www.kirkwood.edu/workplace-learning-connection/internships/index
If you know you are interested and just need the application form, visit https://www.workplacelearningconnections.com/default.aspx
Thanks for all you do to make Benton Community a great place to be!
Preschool Schedule Change:
Wednesday, January 15 will now be 4 yr old PK only
Friday, January 17 (early out) there will be NO PK
This schedule change is for both Atkins and Keystone Elementaries.
Thanks for all you do to make Benton Community a great place to be!
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Denver High School
1 Waverly-Shell Rock 198.5
2 Vinton-Shellsburg 156.0
3 New Hampton 149.0
4 Charles City 125.5
5 Denver 115.5
6 Waterloo West 109.0
7 Alburnett 99.0
8 Sumner-Fredericksburg 82.0
9 Sigourney-Keota 78.0
10 Benton Community 75.0
11 North Fayette Valley 62.0
12 Janesville 56.5
13 Oelwein 29.0
14 Columbus Catholic, Waterloo 22.0
15 AGWSR 19.0
16 Tripoli 17.0
17 Meskwaki Settlement 15.0
Benton results
105 - Alexis Sexton (11-13) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Kylie Belinsky (Sumner-Fredericksburg) 9-8 won by fall over Alexis Sexton (Benton Community) 11-13 (Fall 1:11)
Cons. Round 3 - Carlyn McGraw (Alburnett) 13-8 won by fall over Alexis Sexton (Benton Community) 11-13 (Fall 0:27)
115 - Kaitlyn Bonewitz (13-15) placed 8th and scored 8.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) 13-15 won by fall over Vanessa Salas (New Hampton) 10-12 (Fall 1:46)
Quarterfinal - Reanah Utterback (Sigourney-Keota) 22-0 won by fall over Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) 13-15 (Fall 1:23)
Cons. Round 2 - Libby Stocks (Waterloo West) 19-6 won by fall over Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) 13-15 (Fall 1:30)
Cons. Round 3 - Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) 13-15 won by fall over Lillie Caster (Charles City) 4-7 (Fall 0:50)
7th Place Match - Addison Buseman (Janesville) 18-7 won by fall over Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) 13-15 (Fall 1:24)
120 - Katilynn Guldner (5-9) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Joslyn Kraft (North Fayette Valley) 9-15 won by fall over Katilynn Guldner (Benton Community) 5-9 (Fall 0:49)
Cons. Round 3 - Emilyn Luhring (Waverly-Shell Rock) 8-8 won by fall over Katilynn Guldner (Benton Community) 5-9 (Fall 1:22)
130 - Willow Sexton (23-13) placed 3rd and scored 18.0 team points.
Quarterfinal - Willow Sexton (Benton Community) 23-13 won by fall over Denver Miller (AGWSR) 7-9 (Fall 2:17)
Semifinal - Sophie Glaser (New Hampton) 24-8 won by fall over Willow Sexton (Benton Community) 23-13 (Fall 1:06)
Cons. Round 3 - Willow Sexton (Benton Community) 23-13 won by fall over Ty`Onna Scott (Waterloo West) 6-3 (Fall 3:08)
3rd Place Match - Willow Sexton (Benton Community) 23-13 won by fall over Kia Montgomery (Sigourney-Keota) 12-12 (Fall 3:18)
135 - Izzy Schoettmer (20-16) placed 6th and scored 6.0 team points.
Quarterfinal - Elizabeth Roberts (Waterloo West) 16-10 won by fall over Izzy Schoettmer (Benton Community) 20-16 (Fall 5:34)
Cons. Round 2 - Izzy Schoettmer (Benton Community) 20-16 won by fall over Kinley Roths (Charles City) 9-13 (Fall 5:21)
Cons. Round 3 - Jaylynn Craun (Oelwein) 13-8 won by decision over Izzy Schoettmer (Benton Community) 20-16 (Dec 7-1)
5th Place Match - Dakota Hatchel (Vinton-Shellsburg) 5-4 won by decision over Izzy Schoettmer (Benton Community) 20-16 (Dec 10-7)
145 - Jordan Koehler (4-5) placed 7th and scored 2.0 team points.
Quarterfinal - Angelina Dye (Meskwaki Settlement) 4-5 won by fall over Jordan Koehler (Benton Community) 4-5 (Fall 3:18)
Cons. Round 2 - Elliemae Forey (Janesville) 3-15 won by fall over Jordan Koehler (Benton Community) 4-5 (Fall 0:59)
155 - Layna DeMoss (29-3) placed 4th and scored 14.0 team points.
Quarterfinal - Layna DeMoss (Benton Community) 29-3 won by fall over Bree McCusker (Alburnett) 3-7 (Fall 3:04)
Semifinal - Jamie Jones (Sumner-Fredericksburg) 19-6 won by fall over Layna DeMoss (Benton Community) 29-3 (Fall 3:04)
Cons. Round 3 - Layna DeMoss (Benton Community) 29-3 won by fall over Alexis Oakland (North Fayette Valley) 12-12 (Fall 3:39)
3rd Place Match - Destiny Kolheim (Charles City) 15-4 won in sudden victory - 1 over Layna DeMoss (Benton Community) 29-3 (SV-1 7-4)
190 - Mo Brown (6-15) placed 6th and scored 7.0 team points.
Quarterfinal - Mo Brown (Benton Community) 6-15 won by fall over Evie Wagner (Waverly-Shell Rock) 1-2 (Fall 5:22)
Semifinal - Leah Stewart (Charles City) 19-1 won by fall over Mo Brown (Benton Community) 6-15 (Fall 0:37)
Cons. Round 3 - Isabella Harken (Tripoli) 9-2 won by fall over Mo Brown (Benton Community) 6-15 (Fall 1:12)
5th Place Match - Evie Wagner (Waverly-Shell Rock) 1-2 won by decision over Mo Brown (Benton Community) 6-15 (Dec 4-0)
235 - Averie Gale (11-2) placed 2nd and scored 20.0 team points.
Quarterfinal - Averie Gale (Benton Community) 11-2 won by fall over Vivian Soifer (Charles City) 4-8 (Fall 0:27)
Semifinal - Averie Gale (Benton Community) 11-2 won by fall over Reagan Westphal (Waterloo West) 12-12 (Fall 1:56)
1st Place Match - Ava Trende (New Hampton) 20-7 won by fall over Averie Gale (Benton Community) 11-2 (Fall 0:24)
BC Boys Wrestling Places 4th at Osage
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Osage Community Schools
Team Results
1 Algona 199.0
2 Osage 185.0
3 Denver 175.0
4 Benton Community 168.0
5 Humboldt 148.5
6 West Marshall 137.0
7 Anamosa 128.0
8 Nashua-Plainfield 126.0
9 North Polk 100.5
10 Clear Lake 98.0
11 Crestwood, Cresco 95.0
12 West Branch 78.5
13 Iowa Falls-Alden 70.5
14 PCM, Monroe 59.5
15 West Hancock, Britt 49.5
16 Maquoketa Valley 45.5
17 Mason City 20.5
Benton Results
106 - Memphis Bishop - DNP
113 - Jaxson Mehlert - 2nd
120 - Garrett Kuch - 5th
126 - Jason Eastman - DNP
132 - TJ Lovell - 5th
132 - Brock Corrigan - DNP
138 - Ryan Koehler - 6th
144 - Elijah Kupka - 3rd
150 - Joel Hacker - DNP
157 - Elias Bieschke - 5th
165 - Blayke Heying - 1st
175 - Sage Edberg - DNP
190 - Brenden Heying - 2nd
215 - Troy Kupka - 3rd
285 - Will Clausen - DNP
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow
Attendance Works
What do you love most about working at Benton?
The feeling of family with co-workers and students.
At the recent School Board meeting Melisa Venneman was sworn in as the new Business Manager/SBO and School Board Secretary/Treasurer. Congratulations to Melisa in her new role at Benton!
