Watch: Iowa’s Kade Pieper wins Hay Bale Toss at Solon Beef Days 2025
Iowa football offensive lineman Kade Pieper won the Hay Bale Toss at Solon Beef Days on July 18, 2025. Pieper is now a back-to-back champion.
SOLON — Iowa football offensive lineman Kade Pieper defended his Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss title, winning for the open men’s division for the second year in a row.
Pieper outdid his performance from last year. He won the event by clearing 12 feet in 2024. Pieper improved on that measurement on July 18, 2025, winning with a mark of 13 feet.
Pieper now joins the company of fellow Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker as a back-to-back champion. Dunker won the event in 2022 and 2023.
Pieper’s repeat didn’t come without drama.
Participants are typically allowed two chances to toss a hay bale over the designated height before being knocked out of contention. Pieper failed his first toss at 12 feet and six inches. Facing elimination on his second try, his throw cleared the barrier.
But that wasn’t all.
Pieper was one of two finalists to make it to the round at 13 feet. Both finalists didn’t convert on either of their two tosses. To avoid a tie, it was lowered back down to 12 feet and six inches. Both finalists cleared it on the first try, sending them back to give 13 feet a try again.
This time, it was sudden death. Pieper’s competitor went first and failed. With a chance for a walk-off win, Pieper delivered, clearing 13 feet and capturing the crown.
Pieper was one of several Hawkeye football players to take part in the event, including Cael Winter and Lucas Allgeyer. Others, such as defensive backs Deshaun Lee and Koen Entringer, were there watching.
Pieper was a key reserve on Iowa’s offensive line last season, appearing in 11 games. Now entering his redshirt sophomore season, he is expected to contribute to that unit again in 2025.
But before the 2025 season officially kicks off, Pieper now has another Hay Bay Toss title to his name.
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