Kansas senior Hunter Dickinson is the first student-athlete to garner both Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preseason Player and Newcomer of the Year to highlight the 2023-24 awards and team as voted on by the league’s head coaches. Dickinson is the 11th Jayhawk to collect the player award and the fifth to earn newcomer. Ja’Kobe Walter picked up Baylor’s third consecutive Preseason Freshman of the Year recognition.

Dickinson was joined on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team by his teammate Dajuan Harris Jr., Houston’s L.J. Cryer, TCU’s Emanuel Miller and Texas’ Max Abmas.

A fourth-year transfer from Michigan, Dickinson earned many national and conference honors with the Wolverines, including Consensus All-America Second Team in 2021. He was a three-time All-Big Ten selection with first team honors in 2022 and 2023. The 7-2 center averaged 17.2 points and 8.4 rebounds for his career and led Michigan in points and rebounds each of the last three seasons. Dickinson has compiled career statistics of 1,617 points, 787 rebounds and 149 blocked shots. The general studies major was named to the All-Big Ten Academic Team in 2022 and 2023.

Walter played his senior season of high school at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, helping the team to a 24-1 record in 2022-23. He was a McDonald’s All-America selection and ESPN’s No. 17-rated player. Originally from McKinney, Texas, Walter led MHS to its first state championship game, where he scored a team-high 23 points against Duncanville. He averaged 23.3 points and 7.6 rebounds during his junior year and was 5-6A Offensive Player of the Year. Walter also earned a spot on the 2021-22 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-State Team and the 6A All-State Tournament Team.

The Big 12 Preseason Poll will be announced Friday.

Preseason Player of the Year: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas, C, 7-2, Sr., Alexandria, Va./Michigan
Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas, C, 7-2, Sr., Alexandria, Va./Michigan
Preseason Freshman of the Year: Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor, F, 6-5, McKinney, Texas/Link Academy (Mo.)

Preseason All-Big 12 Team

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school):
Jalen Bridges (Baylor), RayJ Dennis (Baylor), Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor), Jamal Shead (Houston), Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas), Arthur Kaluma (Kansas State), Tylor Perry (Kansas State), Dylan Disu (Texas), Tyrese Hunter (Texas), Dillon Mitchell (Texas), Jesse Edwards (West Virginia).

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa swimming and diving head coach Nathan Mundt announced the promotion of Associate Head Coach Mona Groteguth on Thursday.

“We’re excited to announce the promotion of Mona Groteguth to Associate Head Coach,” Mundt said. “Mona is a tremendous asset for our program and has earned this distinction. I look forward to continuing to help her grow in the coaching profession, while also having her mentor our student-athletes at Iowa.”

Groteguth is in her third season with the University of Iowa women’s swimming & diving program.

In her two seasons as an assistant coach, Groteguth helped begin rebuilding the program as the Hawkeyes competed with a roster of 13 student-athletes in her first season. At the 2022 Big Ten Championships, Iowa had seven scoring performances and eight student-athletes garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors. In 2023, nine Hawkeyes earned points towards the team’s Big Ten Championship score and six were named to the Academic All-Big Ten list.

Groteguth joined the program after serving as an assistant coach for two seasons at TCU. While with the Horned Frogs, she helped the men’s and women’s team to back-to-back third-place Big 12 Conference finishes – the best for the program since 2012-13.

During her two seasons in Fort Worth, the Frogs set 22 school records and the team had 11 student-athletes post NCAA “B” qualifying standards. TCU received the CSCAA Scholar All-America team award both seasons (all four semesters), 51 athletes were Academic All-Big 12 selections and she coached nine CSCAA Scholar All-Americans.

Prior to joining the TCU staff, Groteguth coached at the University of Indianapolis from 2017-19. The men’s team won two GLVC Conference Championships (2018, 2019) and posted two third place finishes at the NCAA DII Championships (2018,2019). The women also had a pair of team runner-up showings in the GLVC in 2018 and 2019.

Groteguth also instructed a kinesiology undergraduate course at the University of Indianapolis.

As a competitor, Groteguth swam at North Texas from 2011-15, where she was a team captain her senior year. In 2008 and 2012, Groteguth was an Olympic Trials qualifier and in 2012, she was a “B” finalist in the 100 and 200 backstroke.

After graduating, Groteguth began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois.

Groteguth graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Texas in 2015 before completing her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Lewis University in 2017.

Two of the three unbeatens in the Pioneer Football League race collide in Des Moines on Saturday when St. Thomas of Minnesota visits Drake. The Bulldogs are 2-0 in the league race after wins over Morehead State of Kentucky and Valparaiso.

That’s Drake coach Todd Stepsis. As he said in the previous cut the Bulldogs have won five straight league games dating back to last season.

St. Thomas is 3-0 in the PFL and the defense came up big the past two weeks in wins over Dayton and Butler.

Iowa State bids for its first road win of the season with a visit to Cincinnati in Big-12 player. The Cyclones stood 1-2 after a loss at Ohio but have bounced back to win two of their last three.

That is Cyclone tight end Easton Dean who says they remain focused on improvement even though they have been playing better the last few weeks.

Though more confident after a win over TCU Dean says the Cyclones must remain hungry.

Dean says he was confident the offense would improve after struggling early in the season.

The ACGC Chargers have had an incredible season thus far. The Chargers head into the regular season finale being a perfect 7-0 on the year following last week’s 42-18 win over Mount Ayr. The Chargers got off to a slow start only lead 7-6 after the first quarter. In the second quarter the Charger offense exploded for three consecutive touchdown drives to push the lead to 28-18 over the Raiders. The Chargers offense has been a ground and pound team all year long running the triple option offense. Head Coach Cody Mattewson has his Charger offense in the top of the state in rushing. Matthewson gives credit to the players for it being a collective effort and not relying on just one guy to carry the rock.

Matthewson gives a lot of credit to the offensive line for being a disciplined group and making the holes for the Charger runners to break off big carries.

This season has been a big change for the Chargers compared to last season. Last year the Chargers graduated their top three rushers and several key members up front on the line. But Coach Matthewson said what makes this group so special is the willingness to do whatever is asked of them at any point of the game. Coach Cody Matthewson said his kids just want one thing, and that is to win!

This week in the regular season finale the Chargers go on the road to Southwest Valley to take on a 2-5 Timberwolves team. Although the Chargers have a playoff spot locked up they aren’t looking forward to that and know they have to finish the season on a positive note and carry that momentum forward. Coach Matthewson said he believes the mentality that his team has on a day-to-day basis will give them a chance to win every night.

ACGC Chargers on the road at Southwest Valley Timberwolves Friday night at 7:00pm. Listen to the full interview with Head Coach Cody Matthewson below.

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The Big 12 Conference and Allstate today announced they are extending their partnership to feature Big 12 women’s athletics. This multi-year partnership locks in Allstate as an official partner of the Big 12 Conference, as well as its Football Championship. It also will see the insurance company become an official partner of Big 12 Women’s Athletics and Big 12 Pro Day.

“We are thrilled to see our Conference’s partnership with Allstate grow into one that showcases and supports our women’s sports at an unprecedented level,” said Commissioner Brett Yormark. “We are grateful for Allstate’s continued support, and we look forward to integrating them into the growth of Big 12 women’s athletics and new Conference events such as Pro Day.”

Allstate’s nets will continue to be featured at the Conference’s Football Championship. Additional partnership assets will go towards both Big 12 men’s and women’s sports. Through this partnership, Allstate will become the first-ever digital presenting partner of Big 12 women’s basketball. Additionally, women’s sports-centric content throughout the 2023-24 season will be created.

“Commissioner Yormark has created a unique vision for the Big 12,” said Elizabeth Brady, Allstate’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing, Customer and Communications Officer. “Expanding our reach into Big 12 women’s sports and becoming a part of new events like Pro Day brings exciting opportunities for us.”

As an official partner of the first-ever Big 12 Pro Day in 2024, Allstate will be the title sponsor of the Big 12 Pro Day community event and jobs fair, as well as digital assets and in-venue signage throughout the event. Big 12 Pro Day will take place at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

(Glenwood) Lewis Central captured the boy’s team title at the Hawkeye Ten Conference meet on Wednesday afternoon at Glenwood. The Titans placed all five scoring runners in the top fifteen and led all teams with 41 points. Glenwood finished second with 57, and Clarinda third with 99

Ethan Eichhorn led the Titans with a first-place finish, setting a new personal and course record of 15:14.04.

The four other runners rounding out the scoring for L.C. are Kevin Coots, fifth; Kade Diercks, ninth; Richard Selken, 12th; and Jackson Cox, 14th.

Glenwood finished second with 57 points. Andrew Smith and Bryant Keller finished third and fourth, respectively; Maverick Mixan, 11th; Liam Hays, 19th; and Bryce Keller, 20th.

Clarinda finished third in the team race led by runner-up finisher Treyton Schaapherder. Kyle Wagoner, sixth; Alex Lihs, 16th; Grant Barr, 32nd; and Hayden Hash, 43rd.

Atlantic finished sixth overall. The Trojans were led by last year’s State Qualifier, Devon Fields 15th place run.

Bennett Whetstone finished 23rd, Alex Sonntag 27th, Rickie Fields, 29, and Luke Irlmeier finished 34th.

Team Standings:
1. Lewis Central, 41
2. Glenwood, 57
3. Clarinda, 99
4. Kuemper, Catholic, 113
5. St. Albert, 116
6. Atlantic, 128
7. Harlan, 197
8. Shenandoah, 212
9. Red Oak, 257
10. Denison-Schleswig, 278
11. Creston, 282

(Glenwood) The Glenwood girl’s cross country team placed four runners in the top 15 and won the Hawkeye Ten Conference Title with 49 points, and Glenwood on Wednesday afternoon. Lewis Central finished second with 71, and Atlantic was third with 91 points.

Grace Berglund, the freshman from Glenwood, won the individual title in a time of 18:54.36.

Breckyn Petersen finished ninth, Lauren Hughes tenth, Caitlin Hebel 15th, and Madelyn Berglund rounded out the score with a 16th place showing.

Delayna  Reese led Lewis Central with a runner-up placing; Madelyn Hoss, 11th; Ava Bussey, 13th; Tyler Tingley, 22nd; and Kate Strohmeier rounded out the scorers in 26th.

Claire Pellett finished fourth to lead Atlantic. The senior ran a personal best time of 19:09.61. Belle Berg ran 14th, Katrina Williams 18th, Hailey Huffman 29th, and Makenna Schroeder finished 31st.

Team Standings:

1. Glenwood, 49
2. Lewis Central, 71
3. Atlantic, 91
4. Clarinda, 105
5. Harlan, 110
6. Denison-Schleswig, 148
7. Kuemper, Catholic, 185
8. Creston, 208
9. Red Oak, 231

The top 20 individuals earned Hawkeye Ten All-Conference. Click HERE to View the Individual Placings.

AMES, Iowa – Following a two-game road trip that featured stops at both Baylor and Texas, Iowa State returns to the Cyclone Soccer Complex for a Thursday night matchup with the Kansas Jayhawks. Thursday’s match is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

ISU (4-10-1, 1-6 Big 12) looks to secure some critical points in the Big 12 standings against the Jayhawks with just three matches left in league play. Kansas (3-6-6, 0-5-2 Big 12) has dropped three straight, having not won a match since August 31, and is winless in league play.

Iowa State will wear pink uniforms on Thursday, as part of its annual pink match.

The Matchup: Iowa State (4-10-1, 1-6 Big 12) vs. Kansas (3-6-6, 0-5-2 Big 12)
Where: Cyclone Soccer Complex // Ames, Iowa
When: October 12 – 6 p.m.
Watch: Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Live Stats: cyclones.com

Leading the Cyclones
The Cyclones and Jayhawks will meet for the 28th consecutive season, and the Cyclones are 1-1-2 against Kansas in the last four meetings.

Seniors Salomé Prat and Mira Emma each notched their fifth goal of the season last week, tying for the team lead in goals scored. Prat’s came on her third career brace against Baylor, while Emma’s came off a Prat feed against Texas.

Emma leads all Cyclones in points (13), assists (3), game-winning goals (2) and is tied for the team lead in goals. The fifth-year senior captain notched her second career brace in the team’s outing against Portland State earlier this season.

Goalkeeper Avery Gillahan has tallied 41 saves and has faced over 190 shots through 14 contests. Gillahan recorded her second career shutout against Portland State earlier this season and has been a constant between the sticks.

Scouting Kansas
Despite its record, Kansas holds a better RPI than the Cyclones and has only lost one match by more than one goal, which was its last outing – an 0-2 loss to Houston.

Kansas boasts a balanced scoring attack which is spearheaded by Hallie Klanke. Klanke has a team-high four scores, while five Jayhawks have a pair of goals to their names. Klanke not only leads the team in goals but also in assists (5).

In the net, Melania Pasar gets the nod for the Jayhawks. Pasar has the second most saves in the conference (61) and has recorded the third-best save percentage of all Big 12 players (.803).

From the Notebook 

• Iowa State leads the Big 12 in shot accuracy, placing 54% of its attempts on goal. That’s good enough for the 27th-highest ranking in the country.
• Three Big 12 programs are ranked in the Coaches Poll this week: Texas Tech is sixth, and BYU is eighth, while TCU holds down No. 21.
• Senior Mira Emma ranks in the top ten in ISU history in points, goals, game-winning goals and assists.
  • Should Emma play in every game the rest of the season, she will become the school leader in games played.
• Avery Gillahan has handled the majority of goalkeeping responsibilities this season. Through 15 matches, Gillahan has a pair of shutouts and 41 saves.
  • Gillahan earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors on August 23rd for her performances during the first week of the season.

Series History
Iowa State and Kansas will meet for the 30th time on Thursday night in a series that Kansas holds the advantage in with a 20-6-3 record. The Cyclones are 5-8-2 against KU at home and are 1-0-1 in the last two meetings in Ames. Iowa State dropped its previous matchup with Kansas last season, 0-2, in Lawrence.

Up Next
Iowa State will next play in Manhattan this Sunday, October 15, when it takes on Kansas State. The Cyclones and Wildcats will kick off from the Little Apple at 1 p.m. and the match will be streamed on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

As always, home matches are FREE to attend at the Cyclone Soccer Complex.