A tradition unlike any other: Iowa Hawkeyes tossing hay bales around like they owe them money.
For the second year in a row, redshirt sophomore Gennings Dunker reigns supreme. With a record-setting toss of 14’6″, Dunker was able to dispatch of fellow offensive lineman Logan Jones in the final.
In a men’s bracket that featured 26 competitors, it was the redshirt sophomore from Lena, Ill., that bested the rest. Other Iowa offensive linemen that competed featured transfer guard Rusty Feth and Tyler Elsbury.
Dunker won it with this throw courtesy of Hawkeye Heaven.
Hawkeye fan Jennifer Kurka did a wonderful job relaying the play-by-play, so we’ll politely point you in the direction of her Twitter thread documenting all the hay bale hurling fun.
Suffice it to say, the champion’s attire was a hit for some and an eyesore to others.
Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss starting soon! pic.twitter.com/1DJKzcnkRJ
— Jennifer Kurka (@JenKurka) July 21, 2023
In addition to his hay bale fame, Dunker appeared in 10 games last season with the Hawkeyes and started the TransPerfect Music City Bowl against Kentucky at right guard. Entering the spring, Dunker was listed as the backup right guard behind sophomore Beau Stephens.
A tradition since 1971, Solon Beef Days was a celebration put on by four civic groups in Solon trying to revitalize on “Old Time Celebration” like the community enjoyed with the June Jubilee Days and Homecoming during the 1940s.
It was such a hit in 1971 that they did it again in 1972 and every year since. Over the years, it’s morphed into an important local fundraiser for the community.
Profits from the celebration are funneled back into the community as donations to the school district, civic groups, city and county projects and organizations, senior citizens groups, the Solon Parks Department and so much more.
Since its inception, the Solon Beef Days Committee alone has donated in excess of $385,000 on a variety of local community projects, causes and scholarships.
Now, the question becomes this: Will Dunker come back to successfully defend his title each of the next two summers?
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