(Radio Iowa) – Athletes from the three state colleges in Iowa will be the companion sculptures to the Iowa State Fair butter cow this year. Fair spokesperson, Mindy Williamson, says the three have each forged a legacy at their schools.

Putting Caitlin Clark in with the butter cow may be the only way to cool her off — as she has also become a national figure after leading the Hawkeye women to the runner-up finish in the national championship game.

Jack Trice was the first African-American athlete at Iowa State, and he died from injuries he received during a football game in 1923.

Kurt Warner is another Iowan who gained national fame after going from sacking butter and other groceries to become an N-F-L Hall of Famer.

Sarah Pratt of West Des Moines took over sculpting the butter cow in 2006 after serving as an apprentice to Norma Lyons for 15 years. Williams says visitors to the State Fair in August will get to see the athlete’s sculptures.

Sarah-Pratt-butter-cow.-)Iowa-State-Fair-photo)

Williamson says they always look for an Iowa connection for companion sculptures, and then can branch out to famous events. The 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon for example, was the companion sculpture in 2009.

The athletes and butter cow will be on display when the 2023 Iowa State Fair opens on August 10th.