Jeff Linder

Cedar Rapids

Writer at The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA)

Sportswriter, Cedar Rapids Gazette (1995-???), with focus on high schools and Iowa WBB. AP WBB voter. Father of two, husband of one.

Articles

Area high school softball Super Ten and standings (June 3, 2025)

3 days ago | thegazette.com | Jeff Linder

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. The Gazette’s area softball Super Ten, through games played Monday, June 2: 1. Cedar Rapids Xavier Overall record: 6-0. MVC: 6-0. Streak: Won 6. Previous: 2nd. 2. Williamsburg Overall record: 6-1. Wamac: 4-0. Streak: Won 2. Previous: 1st. 3. Cedar Rapids Prairie Overall record: 2-0. MVC: 2-0. Streak: Won 2. Previous: 3rd. 4. Clear Creek Amana Overall record: 5-0. Wamac: 4-0. Streak: Won 5. Previous: 9th. 5.
Hiring of Jasmyn Walker puts Iowa women’s basketball staff back at full strength

5 days ago | thegazette.com | Jeff Linder

Iowa Hawkeyes logo The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. IOWA CITY -- Jasmyn Walker has been hired as an assistant coach with the University of Iowa women’s basketball program, Coach Jan Jensen announced Monday. “I am so excited to welcome Jas to our staff,” Jensen said in a release.
A recent trend continues: North Linn sweeps Lisbon in Tri-Rivers softball twinbill

1 week ago | thegazette.com | Jeff Linder

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. TROY MILLS — There’s no easy explanation. Two evenly matched, tradition-laden programs play each season, and the result is usually the same. “It could be a little mental,” North Linn Coach Chad Spore said. “Sometimes, when you flip a coin, it will turn up ‘heads’ four times in a row.” It turned up “Lynx” again Thursday night.
Nathan Hopp steps down as Linn-Mar girls’ track and field coach

1 week ago | thegazette.com | Jeff Linder

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. MARION — Nathan Hopp has announced his resignation as Linn-Mar High School girls’ track and field coach. “While I have enjoyed my time coaching here at Linn-Mar and all the athletes, coaches, and others I have had the pleasure of working with, I feel a change is needed in my life,” Hopp said Thursday in a release.
Top-five Metro softball battle goes to Cedar Rapids Xavier -- twice

1 week ago | thegazette.com | Jeff Linder

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. CEDAR RAPIDS — The stars couldn’t have been more bright on opening night. How about a 15-strikeout one-hitter? And how about three home runs ... against three different pitchers?
The two-time defending champion in 3A softball, Williamsburg opens at No. 1

1 week ago | thegazette.com | Jeff Linder

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. The number “2-3-3-1-1” is more than the ZIP code to Norfolk, Va. It also represents the last five seasons of the Williamsburg High School softball team. The Raiders were Class 3A runners-up in 2020, then finished third in 2021 and 2022. The last two seasons, they have climbed to the top. The top. That’s where Williamsburg begins 2025.
OThis year, ‘so close’ won’t cut it for Cedar Rapids Xavier

1 week ago | thegazette.com | Jeff Linder

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. CEDAR RAPIDS — It was a silver lining, yes. It also was shallow consolation. “We were so close,” Cedar Rapids Xavier pitcher Braylen Conlon said, in reference to the Saints’ 2-1 loss to Carlisle in a Class 4A softball regional final last year. “Then Carlisle went out and dominated at state. “It could have been us.” Could have been, then. Could be, now.
Iowa high school softball 2025: Eight area teams to watch

1 week ago | thegazette.com | Jeff Linder

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Iowa high school softball 2025: 16 area players to watch

1 week ago | thegazette.com | Jeff Linder

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. Here are 16 Gazette-area players to watch for the 2024 Iowa high school softball season. Mackenzie Bridgewater, sr., North Linn — Batted .457 with 50 runs scored and 27 batted in. Stole 44 bases in 47 attempts. Class 1A first-team all-state. Braylen Conlon, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier — Posted a 23-7 record with a 1.06 ERA. Struck out 323 and walked 90 in 179 innings.
Evelyn Moeller, Cali Whitaker push Mount Vernon girls to 2nd in 3A

1 week ago | thegazette.com | Jeff Linder

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. DES MOINES — It all depends on perspective. Six area representatives — three individuals, three relays — earned second-place finishes in Class 3A girls’ races at the state track and field meet Saturday at Drake Stadium. None were sorely disappointed. “Super, super happy,” Mount Vernon’s Cali Whitaker said after earning silver in the 200-meter dash. “To finish second is a pleasant surprise.