IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa junior Cooper DeJean, and senior Tory Taylor are 2023 unanimous consensus All-Americans after being voted to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America First Team. The announcement was made on Thursday by the AFCA.

In addition, senior lineback Jay Higgins was recognized as a second-team All-America honoree by the AFCA. DeJean and Taylor are unanimous consensus All-Americans after each being recognized as first-team All-America by Walter Camp, FWAA, Associated Press, AFCA and Sporting News. Iowa now has 31 consensus All-Americans in program history, including 16 in the Kirk Ferentz era.

DeJean was one of top defensive players in the nation before going down with a season-ending injury on Nov. 15. The Odebolt, Iowa, native finished the season with 41 tackles, two TFL, two interceptions and five pass break-ups in 10 games. DeJean did not allow a touchdown pass in 388 snaps in coverage in 2023. As a punt returner, DeJean was one of the nation’s best. He had a 70-yard punt return for a game-winning score against Michigan State and he had a second touchdown return for the game-winning score negated because of an “invalid fair catch signal” against Minnesota. DeJean is second in the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally, averaging 11.5 yards per return.

DeJean was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski awards and a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. He was previously named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and the Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year last month. DeJean was also a first-team all-conference honoree by the Associated Press and league coaches and media.

Taylor, the 2023 Ray Guy Punter of the Year, broke Iowa’s single season punting yardage record for a third consecutive season. He has an NCAA-best 86 punts for 4,119 yards with his 47.9 average leading the Big Ten and ranking third nationally. Thirty-six of his punts have traveled 50+ yards (six punts of 60+), 27 have been fair caught, 30 have been downed inside the 20, 11 inside the 10 and six inside the 5. The Australia native only has six touchbacks and opponents average just 8.8 yards per return. He has 288 punts for 13,297 yards — both school records — and his 46.2 career average will break Jason Baker’s mark come season’s end.

Taylor (46.2) will finish his collegiate career breaking the NCAA’s career punting average record; currently held by Baylor’s Daniel Sepulveda (42.5). Taylor, who is a two-time FWAA first-team All-America, has averaged 40 or more yards (min. four punts) in an NCAA-best 42 career games. He was named the Eddleman-Fields Big Ten Punter of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media last month.

Higgins has been a tackling machine for Iowa’s defense, racking up 155 tackles — the most in the Big Ten, the third-most nationally (most by a Power 5 player) and the fourth-most in a single season in school history. The Indianapolis native has led the team in tackles in 11 of 13 games with two 15+ tackle games and nine games with 10 or more stops. He has been a leader on an Iowa defense that is fourth nationally, allowing 13.2 points per game.

Higgins was previously recognized as first-team All-America by FWAA and Sports Illustrated, and a second team selection by the AP, Walter Camp, Sporting News and CBS. He is also a first-team All-Big Ten honoree by the AP and league coaches and media.

The No. 17 Hawkeyes will play No. 21 Tennessee on Jan. 1, 2024, in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game will start at 12:06 (CT) and will be televised on ABC.

The fourth ranked Iowa women are getting ready for Saturday’s game against Cleveland State in Des Moines. It will be part of a doubleheader in Wells Fargo Arena that will find the Hawkeye men playing Florida A@M.

That’s Iowa coach Lisa Bluder who expects a fun atmosphere.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa swimming and diving swept the Big Ten Weekly awards, the conference announced Wednesday. Sophomore Scarlet Martin was named Swimmer of the Week, junior Makayla Hughbanks earned Diver of the Week, and Olivia Swalley picked up her third Freshman of the Week honor this season.

Hughbanks’ and Martin’s honors are the second of their careers, winning their first weekly honors on Dec. 14, 2022.

In the Hawkeyes win in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series Dual against Iowa State, Martin won the 100 fly and 200 fly. She swam a Beyer Hall Pool record (53.79) in the 100 fly and posted a 1:59.76 in the 200 fly to capture her second win of the day.

Martin was also a part of both relay squads that registered wins on the day. The 400 Free Relay quartet posted the pool record in 3:22.56, and won the 200 medley relay in 1:41.11.

Hughbanks won both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives against the Cyclones. Hughbanks posted season bests in both events with a 311.85 1-meter score and 329.40 3-meter score.

Swalley posted Iowa’s sixth-best 100 breaststroke (1:01.53) in program history. Swalley also won the 200 breast (2:15.05) and set the Beyer Hall pool record in the 200 IM (2:01.17). She also helped Iowa win the 200-medley relay.

The Hawkeyes travel Tuesday, Jan. 2 to take on Miami at 1 p.m. (CT) inside Whitten Center Pool in Coral Gables, Florida.

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Michigan was selected to win the 2024 Big Ten Conference women’s gymnastics championship, according to a poll of the 10 Big Ten coaches released Wednesday.

The Wolverines have won 27 Big Ten Championships, including eight in the last 10 years, and eight regular season crowns. Big Ten Regular-Season Co-Champion Michigan State was voted second, while Ohio State claimed third in this year’s Big Ten preseason poll. Rounding out the top five in this year’s Big Ten preseason poll were Iowa and Minnesota, in fourth and fifth, respectively.

All 10 Big Ten programs were ranked or receiving votes in the preseason Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) poll, led by No. 6 Michigan. Michigan State was next at No. 11, followed by No. 14 Ohio State, No. 18 Minnesota, No. 23 Iowa, No. 25 Maryland, No. 26 Illinois, No. 27 Nebraska, No. 28 Penn State, and Rutgers receiving votes.

Also on Wednesday, the conference unveiled the 2024 Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List, as selected by the conference coaches. Half of the 20 student-athletes on the Gymnasts to Watch List are returning All-Big Ten selections from a year ago, including 13 Academic All-Big Ten honorees. Leading this season’s Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List are reigning Big Ten Gymnast of the Year Sierra Brooks of Michigan and Freshman of the Year Nikki Smith of Michigan State.

The 2024 Big Ten women’s gymnastics season starts the first weekend of January, with nine conference schools competing in non-conference meets and five Big Ten teams facing a combined nine top-20 opponents.

Here’s a look at the complete 2024 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Preseason Poll and Gymnasts to Watch List:

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team senior Adeline Kenlin and sophomore Karina Muñoz were named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch. The GymHawks have been picked to finish fourth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, it was announced Wednesday by the conference office.

Kenlin captured five event titles and 16 top-three finishes in the 2023 season. The Iowa City native, was the runner-up at the Big Ten Championships on beam. She earned second team all-Big Ten honors and was named to the Big Ten All-Championship team. Kenlin finished second on the team with 14 scores of 9.900 or higher.

Muñoz is coming off an amazing season where she was the only Hawkeye freshmen to compete in the all-around. The New Jersey native captured seven event titles and 13 top-three finishes. She scored a 9.800 or higher on every vault. Muñoz was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on March 12.

Defending Big Ten champion Michigan was voted the preseason favorite, followed by Michigan State, Ohio State, and Iowa.

The GymHawks open the regular season on January 12 at home in Xtream Arena. They welcome Pac-12 opponent Washington at 6:30 p.m. CT.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Eight University of Iowa women’s wrestlers will travel to Fort Worth, Texas to compete at the 2023 Senior Nationals December 15-17 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

The eight wrestlers will be competing at four different weight classes. This tournament will also serve as a qualifying event for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Full details and schedule of events can be found here. Fans can watch the action live via FloWrestling (subscription required).

Competitors 

Ava Bayless (50kg), Emilie Gonzalez (50kg), Brianna Gonzalez (50kg), Alexandra Baudhuin (57kg), Nanea Estrella (62kg), Esther Han (62kg), Rose Cassiopi (76kg) and Marlynne Deede (76kg).

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa Athletics Department, in collaboration with Altius Sports Partners (ASP), announces the appointment of Scott Brickman as ASP General Manager for NIL/Strategy and Operations. Brickman, co-founder and former EVP and Chief Operating Officer of the Iowa Swarm Collective, is set to receive training and guidance from ASP while aligning his mission with Iowa Athletics to serve all athletes.

In his new position, Brickman will oversee all aspects of the school’s NIL FLIGHT program, including education for internal and external stakeholders, strategic guidance, and initiatives to maximize NIL opportunities for Hawkeye athletes. He will collaborate with the athletics department to develop diverse programs and resources supporting Hawkeye athletes in building their personal brands both within and outside the athletic arena. Additionally, Brickman will promote NIL opportunities to the wider Iowa City business community.

Beth Goetz, interim Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair, stated, “Having Scott on-site is fantastic as we work collaboratively to help our athletes seize opportunities and connect with Iowa supporters. The partnership with Altius Sports brings numerous benefits to Iowa, and we’re excited about Scott opening opportunities for all student-athletes in their NIL pursuits, making a positive impact both on and off the field.”

Before he co-founded the Iowa Swarm Collective, Brickman spent five years serving as the UI Director of Development for Athletics. In this role, he acted as a campaign director and played a key role in securing transformative gifts that enhanced the overall experience for Hawkeye athletes. Iowa Athletics introduced its comprehensive NIL program, FLIGHT, over two years ago, in collaboration with INFLCR, providing tools for success in the NIL era for all Hawkeye athletes.

“The Hawkeyes are in my blood, and I am thrilled to be part of Altius Sports, continuing to contribute to the incredible success of the Iowa Athletics department. In this dynamic time in college sports, I am focused on helping our athletes to profit from their NIL while providing them with everything they need for success in both sport and life. I look forward to contributing to their personal and professional growth through the NIL program while collaborating with Iowa’s leadership,” said Brickman.

Added Matt Henderson, Deputy Director of Athletics, Revenue and External Relations: “We are excited to have Scott lead our department’s NIL team. His experience working with student-athletes, coaches, fans and sponsors makes him a great fit for this position. Many of our student-athletes are involved in NIL activities and we look forward to providing the additional support necessary to increase those opportunities.”

Born and raised in Iowa, Brickman received a baseball scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa. After graduation, he spent 18 years coaching baseball at the collegiate level, achieving conference championships, top 25 rankings, and NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2017, he played a pivotal role in leading the University of Iowa baseball program to a Big Ten Championship and its second NCAA tournament appearance in three years.

“Following a comprehensive search, bringing Scott on board is the successful outcome we were aiming for. His role at Iowa aligns with our mission to amp up student-athlete empowerment and drive the NIL rights agenda forward. With Scott’s background in college athletics, his strong business acumen, and his current role working alongside Iowa with the Swarm, we have found the perfect fit to elevate Iowa’s NIL program,” said Celine Mangan, Director, ASP College.

Launched in July 2022, the ASP NIL GM Program offers centralized NIL support services for 16 schools, providing customized education to navigate the changing NIL landscape. With trained ASP personnel stationed on campus, the program ensures student-athletes have the tools and resources to make informed decisions about their NIL opportunities, covering national issues such as licensing, sponsorship, agents, employment, labor, collective bargaining, Title IX, and other impending concerns.

@ Southwest Valley

West Central valley 42, Southwest Iowa 15

West Central Valley 54, Southwest Valley 5

Southwest Iowa 24, Southwest Valley 12

@ Creston

Highway 34 60, Glenwood 24

Highway 34 60, Treynor 12

Glenwood 42, Treynor 24

@ Papillion-La Vista

Lewis Central 44, Council Bluffs 21

Lewis Central 33, Papillion-La Vista 33

Papillion-La Vista 42, Council Bluffs 24

@ Riverside

Logan-Magnolia 40, Riverside 32

Logan-Magnolia 71, St. Albert 6

Logan-Magnolia 78, Tri-Center 6

Riverside 78, St. Albert 6

Riverside 65, Tri-Center 12

Riverside 62, Red Oak 12

Red Oak 36, Tri-Center 30

@ Southwest Valley

Southwest Valley 66, Bedford 6

Southwest Valley 44, West Central Valley 24

West Central Valley 60, Bedford 9

@ Missouri Valley

Missouri Valley 36, Nodaway Valley 33

Missouri Valley 57, Audubon 16

Missouri Valley 41, AHSTW 27

Nodaway Valley 54, AHSTW 27

Nodaway Valley 64, Audubon 21

AHSTW 42, Audubon 30

@ Creston

Creston 39, Glenwood 33

Creston 54, Treynor 27

Glenwood 60, Treynor 21

@ Denison-Schleswig

Sergeant Bluff-Luton 75, Cherokee 6

Sergeant Bluff-Luton 72, Denison-Schleswig 24

Sergeant Bluff-Luton 66, Sheldon/South O’Brien 10

Cherokee 42, Denison-Schleswig 39

Denison-Schleswig 33, Sheldon/South O’Brien 33

Atlantic swam at the Larry White Invitational hosted by Southeast Polk Tuesday and finished sixth with 84 points.

The Trojans had six top-eight finishes, Keaten Rieken placed fifth in the 100 butterfly, Alex Lihs was seventh in the 200 IM and Abe Schechinger was seventh in the 100 breaststroke.

Atlantic placed fifth in the 200-yard medley relay, sixth in the 200-freestyle relay and eighth in the 400-freestyle relay. Rieken, Hunter Quist, Schechinger and Lihs participated in all three races.