Meet Des Moines Register sports reporter Eli McKown, who loves covering the wrestling beat

Posted by author February 12, 2025 Sports

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Job: High school sports and wrestling reporter for the Des Moines Register

Years at the Register: Two years.

I grew up in: Adrian, Michigan

I live in: Waukee

I graduated from: Michigan State University, Go Green!

Family: My amazing girlfriend, Ally, our cat, Zoe, and myself.

Email: EMcKown@DMReg.com

Why journalism? I had always had an obsession with sports, learning how to read by watching the bottom line of an ESPN broadcast and browsing copies of Sports Illustrated as a kid. When my growth stunted at about 5-foot-9, I realized an athletic career wasn’t in my future and sports journalism was a good way to be involved. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with sharing stories about incredible people that I’ve got to meet along the way.

I like my beat because: There just isn’t another beat like it. The passion of wrestling fans in Iowa is unmatched, providing an awesome community to read the Register’s coverage. Additionally, there’s never a dull moment with wrestling coaches and athletes, giving me all kinds of stories to pursue at all times of the year.

Some of the major stories I’ve covered recently: Since November, I’ve been running from Iowa City to Ames to Cedar Falls and everywhere in between to cover college and high school wrestling. Following the journeys of teams and individuals to set up for a pivotal February and March is one of the job’s highlights.

Some stories I’m working on next: Spending every day of the week following everything wrestling in Iowa, sets me up to tell some awesome stories at the high school state tournaments and college national championships. I’m looking forward to sharing a couple of profiles I will have on some of Iowa’s top high schoolers, as well as a feature on Iowa women’s wrestling’s Nyla Valencia.

When I’m not working, I like to: I’m a homebody who loves to watch sports, cook and play College Football 25 with friends.

My favorite Iowa haunt: The Royal Mile

Fun fact about me: I grew up a farm kid in southeast Michigan, raising beef cattle, driving tractors and being my dad’s errand boy during planting and harvesting season for corn, soybeans and wheat.