Dowling Catholic High School
Encyclopedia
Dowling Catholic High School is a Catholic
secondary school
in West Des Moines
, Polk County
, Iowa
. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines
.
Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
, the highest award an American school can receive.
is $5,142.
Dowling has made it to state in baseball 13 times
Dowling has made it to the Iowa boys basketball state tournament nine times.
Bobby Hansen who later played at the University of Iowa and nine years in the NBA, his last with the 1992 World Champion Chicago Bulls, was on the 1979 state championship team.
As of the beginning of the 2011 season, the Dowling's boys cross country team is ranked first among division 4A schools in Iowa. Dowling has 11 Top 8 Finishes in Boys Cross Country.
2011 State Champions
•2010 State Runners-Up
•2000 Individual Champion Ben Glaser (15:22)
in Des Moines. The Maroons have a winning percentage (68.1%) and an all-time 284-109 win-loss record including a 37-30 W-L record in the playoffs. Their 30 playoff appearances is #2 in any classification. Dowling has also tied Valley in the number of consecutive trips going to playoffs. Dowling made the playoffs 17 years in a row beginning in 1985 and ending in 2002 when Dowling missed the playoffs. Dowling Catholic won 36 consecutive games in the 1967 through 1971 graduating class seasons. Dowling won 64 consecutive Metro conference games, a streak lasting from 1968 to 1977. In addition to the 64 metro games Dowling also won 57 consecutive conference games lasting from 1993 to 2002. West Des Moines Valley is Dowling's rival. It began in 1968 when the schools joined the Des Moines Metro Conference. Dowling has 23 or higher quarterfinal finishes.
Albert Smith has the school receiving record with 1,044 receiving yards and 15 Touchdowns in 1990. Rich Lowery has the school passing record with 2,105 passing yards in 1991. Grant Mayfield has the school rushing record with 2,049 yards in 2008 and 31 touchdowns.
Dowling has made it to the state team tournament in tennis 7 times
Dowling has won State Dual Wrestling Championships in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992.
Dowling has 19 Top 8 or higher finishes at the state meet.
The debate team is historically the most successful team of the school, with one team national championship (2003), one individual national championship (Spencer McCurnnin, Humorous interpretation), 2 individual national finalists (Brian Garfield, twice)
The team is coached by:
Head Coach Tim Sheaff,
Assistant Coach Kaytee Stearns,
Speech Coach Alex Baranowsky,
Policy Debate Coach Justin Hingtgen, and
Assistant Coach Spencer Waugh
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in West Des Moines
West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 53,889 residents lived there in...
, Polk County
Polk County, Iowa
Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 430,640 in the 2010 census, an increase from 374,601 in the 2000 census. The county seat is Des Moines, which is also the capital city of Iowa...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines
Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines
The Diocese of Des Moines is the Roman Catholic diocese for the southwestern quarter of the state of Iowa.Dioecesis Desmoinensis is the Latin title of the diocese, and the Diocese of Des Moines is the corporate title of the diocese. The Cathedral parish for the Diocese is St. Ambrose's Cathedral....
.
Background
In 1972, it was created by the merger of St. Joseph Academy for girls (established in 1885) and Dowling High School for boys (established in 1918 as the Des Moines College boarding school for boys). Approximately 1,224 students currently attend Dowling Catholic High School.Academics
During the 2003-04 school year, Dowling Catholic High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon SchoolBlue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
, the highest award an American school can receive.
Tuition
Total tuition cost for 2007-2008 are $7,910. Tuition for students belonging to a Catholic ParishParish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
is $5,142.
Baseball
Dowling Catholic baseball is coached by Tim O'Neill. The Maroons hold the record for most team home runs during a championship game with 5 in 2001.| Baseball State Championships | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Record | Opponent | Score |
| 1988 | 39-3 | Ames | 9-8 |
| 1989 | 38-5 | Fort Dodge | 8-5 |
| 1999 | 33-13 | Ankeny | 6-1 |
| 2001 | 42-3 | Marshaltown | 13-2 |
| 2011 | 36-7 | Mason City | 6-1 |
Dowling has made it to state in baseball 13 times
Boy's basketball
| State Boys Basketball Championship Appearances | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Score | Opponent |
| 1957 | Champion | 69-66 | Waterloo, West |
| 1979 | Champion | 60-57 | Davenport Central |
| 1981 | Runner-up | 73-68 | Dubuque Wahlert |
| 1983 | Runner-up | 76-69 | Marion Linn-Mar |
Dowling has made it to the Iowa boys basketball state tournament nine times.
Bobby Hansen who later played at the University of Iowa and nine years in the NBA, his last with the 1992 World Champion Chicago Bulls, was on the 1979 state championship team.
Girls
The girls Cross Country coach is Fr. Jim Kirby.| State Cross Country Team Championships | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Finishes | Score | |
| 1974 | 4-9-10-16 | 39 | |
| 1985 | 3-8-15-36 | 62 | |
- 2011 State Champion
- 2010 State Champion
- 2009 State Champion
- 2008 State Champion
- 2007 State Champions
- 2006 Girls State Runner-Up
- 2007 Girls Heartland Regional Champions
- 2007 Girls 14th Place Nike Team Nationals
Boys
The boy's team is coached by athletic trainer Tim Ives, owner of the Body Project.As of the beginning of the 2011 season, the Dowling's boys cross country team is ranked first among division 4A schools in Iowa. Dowling has 11 Top 8 Finishes in Boys Cross Country.
2011 State Champions
•2010 State Runners-Up
•2000 Individual Champion Ben Glaser (15:22)
Football
Dowling Catholic is coached by Tom Wilson. Home games are played at the 8,000 seat Valley Stadium in West Des Moines or at Drake StadiumDrake Stadium
Drake Stadium is a stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is primarily used for the Drake Relays, and is the home field of the Drake University Bulldogs. It opened in 1925 and underwent a $15 million renovation in 2005. Widening the track reduced the stadium's seating capacity from 18,000...
in Des Moines. The Maroons have a winning percentage (68.1%) and an all-time 284-109 win-loss record including a 37-30 W-L record in the playoffs. Their 30 playoff appearances is #2 in any classification. Dowling has also tied Valley in the number of consecutive trips going to playoffs. Dowling made the playoffs 17 years in a row beginning in 1985 and ending in 2002 when Dowling missed the playoffs. Dowling Catholic won 36 consecutive games in the 1967 through 1971 graduating class seasons. Dowling won 64 consecutive Metro conference games, a streak lasting from 1968 to 1977. In addition to the 64 metro games Dowling also won 57 consecutive conference games lasting from 1993 to 2002. West Des Moines Valley is Dowling's rival. It began in 1968 when the schools joined the Des Moines Metro Conference. Dowling has 23 or higher quarterfinal finishes.
Albert Smith has the school receiving record with 1,044 receiving yards and 15 Touchdowns in 1990. Rich Lowery has the school passing record with 2,105 passing yards in 1991. Grant Mayfield has the school rushing record with 2,049 yards in 2008 and 31 touchdowns.
| State 4-A Football Championship Appearances | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Score | Opponent |
| 1972 | Runner-up (10-1) | 6-0 | Cedar Rapids Jefferson (11-0) |
| 1973 | Runner-up (10-1) | 37-32 | Davenport Central (10-1) |
| 1974 | Runner-up (9-2) | 14-0 | Davenport West (11-0) |
| 1976 | Runner-up (9-2) | 15-12 | Davenport Central (12-0) |
| 1987 | Runner-up (10-2) | 7-6 | Bettendorf Bettendorf Bettendorf may refer to:*Bettendorf, Germany, a municipality in the district of Rhein-Lahn, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany*Bettendorf, Iowa, a neighbor city to Davenport, Iowa in Scott County, Iowa, United States*Bettendorf High School... (12-0) |
| 1995 | Runner-up (11-2) | 42-0 | Iowa City West (13-0) |
| 1998 | Runner-up (11-2) | 38-10 | Iowa City West (13-0) |
| 2000 | Champion (13-0) | 35-28 | Bettendorf (11-2) |
| 2001 | Champion (13-0) | 35-15 | Iowa City High (12-1) |
| 2010 | Champion (14-0) | 38-31(OT) | Iowa City High (13-1) |
Marching band
Band directors Steve Holland and Nick Hoover have led the Dowling Catholic Marching Band to many high placements in band competitions. At the Eden Prairie: Prairie Colors tournament on October 11, 2008 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Dowling received a first place overall, best drumline, and best winds in the class 2-A competition.| 2008 Marching Competition Awards and Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location and Date | Awards | ||
| Iowa City High- October 4, 2008 | Best Drumline, Best Drum Majors, 2nd place | ||
| Cedar Rapids Jefferson- October 4, 2008 | Best Drumline, 3rd place | ||
| Eden Prairie, Minnesota- October 11, 2008 | Best Drumline, Best Winds, 1st place | ||
| Ankeny- October 18, 2008 | Best Drumline, 5th place | ||
Swimming
Head coach Mark Crouch has led the Boys' swimming team to championships for four years; 2000-2003. Dowling has 15 Top 8 Finishes in Boys Swimming. Head coach Dan Lake and J.V. coach Josh Otis coach girls J.V. and Varsity swimming. New Head Coach Nate Zittergruen lead the boys to become conference and district champions in 2010 and ended up second at the state meet.Tennis
| Boys Tennis State Championships | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Type | ||
| 1992 | Team | ||
| 1999 | Single | ||
| 2000 | Single | ||
| 2001 | Doubles | ||
| 2001 | Team | ||
| 2011 | Single (Elliot Baker) | ||
Dowling has made it to the state team tournament in tennis 7 times
Wrestling
Dowling current coach is Jon Garvin, having started at Dowling Catholic in the 2007-2008 year. Former coach Bob Darrah (340-17-2) has the state top percentage in dual meets (of those with more than 300 meets) with a .949 average. Dowling holds the record for most dual meet wins in a row with 138 won between Jan. 25, 1986-Jan. 4, 1992.Dowling has won State Dual Wrestling Championships in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992.
| State Wrestling Team Championships | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team Score | ||
| 1975 | 46.5 | ||
| 1978 | 94.5 | ||
| 1984 | 115 | ||
| 1988 | 124.5 | ||
| 1990 | 109.5 | ||
| 1991 | 91 | ||
Dowling has 19 Top 8 or higher finishes at the state meet.
Speech and debate
In the 2010-2011 debate season, the speech and debate team competed in an IHSSA dual-state championship in policy debate (A close-out round between the team of Joseph Nelson and Simon Sheaff and the team of Shannon McCarthy and Sean Duff)The debate team is historically the most successful team of the school, with one team national championship (2003), one individual national championship (Spencer McCurnnin, Humorous interpretation), 2 individual national finalists (Brian Garfield, twice)
The team is coached by:
Head Coach Tim Sheaff,
Assistant Coach Kaytee Stearns,
Speech Coach Alex Baranowsky,
Policy Debate Coach Justin Hingtgen, and
Assistant Coach Spencer Waugh
Famous alumni
- Michael AnnettMichael AnnettMichael Annett is an American racecar driver. He currently drives the #62 Pilot Travel Centers Toyota Camry for Rusty Wallace Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series....
, professional NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver - Jerry GroomJerry GroomJerome Paul "Boomer" Groom was a professional American football defensive tackle/linebacker/center in the National Football League. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, he graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines. He went to one Pro Bowl during his 5-year career with the Chicago Cardinals...
(class of 1950), College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of FameThe College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
member offensive lineman - Bobby Hansen, Former University of Iowa Hawkeye, Utah Jazz and Chicago BullsChicago BullsThe Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
basketball player. - Bob HarlanBob HarlanRobert E. "Bob" Harlan is the former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Green Bay Packers, an American professional football team. He is a graduate of Marquette University, where he was the Sports Information Director for many years...
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President - Tom HarkinTom HarkinThomas Richard "Tom" Harkin is the junior United States Senator from Iowa and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives ....
, United States Senator (Iowa) - Michael Hawke, professional DartsDartsDarts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
thrower in the World Darts FederationWorld Darts FederationThe World Darts Federation Is a sport governing body and tournament organiser for the game of darts. It was formed in 1976, by representatives of fifteen nations. Membership is open to the official National organizing body for Darts in all nations... - Matt MacriMatt MacriMatthew Michael Macri is a Major League Baseball player who plays third base.Macri graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 2001 and went to the University of Notre Dame. He played ball there briefly his Freshman year before undergoing Tommy John surgery...
, MLB 3rd baseman for the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the... - Mike Mahoney, former MLB catcher for the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
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, 1985 Major League Baseball Player Florida Marlins, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals - Tyson Smith, linebacker for the Iowa BarnstormersIowa BarnstormersThe Iowa Barnstormers are an arena football team based in Des Moines, Iowa. They are currently members of the Arena Football League , which they joined in 2010 following the organization's restructuring...
- Ross VerbaRoss VerbaRoss Robert Verba is an American professional football player currently is a free agent. A 6'4", 305-lb...
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