Greenlee School interns gain invaluable broadcast experience during pioneering event
Author: perkinsk
Students from the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University played integral production roles in the historic inaugural broadcast of the Iowa Girls State Wrestling Championship on Iowa PBS.
Seniors in journalism and mass communication, Roberto Ibarra and Kate Thalacker, currently interning with the station, provided hands-on support throughout the event, including camera operation and key production assistance.
The Iowa Girls High School State Wrestling Championships feature the state’s premier female high school wrestlers competing for both individual and team titles. Since its official sanctioning, girls’ wrestling in Iowa has seen explosive growth, with participation numbers soaring as hundreds of young women now compete statewide.
“Being part of the first-ever broadcast for girls’ state wrestling is an incredible opportunity,” said Thalacker. “This isn’t just about covering a sport. It’s about documenting a milestone for girls’ athletics in Iowa and gaining experience that simply can’t be replicated in a classroom.”
Ibarra echoed the sentiment, highlighting the professional environment. “The pace and precision required for a live statewide broadcast are intense. Working alongside the Iowa PBS team on an event of this significance has been a fantastic learning experience that prepares us for careers in the industry,” he said.
Joining the students in the production truck was Assistant Teaching Professor James McNab, who served as the lead replay operator. McNab brings over 25 years of experience broadcasting state championships to the role.
“Seeing our students serve in critical positions on a historic event is amazing,” said McNab. “Both Kate and Roberto are representing the Greenlee School exceptionally well, and I’m honored to work alongside them. This is exactly the kind of real-world application that defines our program.”
The team’s work continues with the Boys’ State Wrestling Championships later this month, followed by the Girls’ and Boys’ State Basketball Championships in March. All tournaments will be broadcast live on Iowa PBS across the state.
