JOHNSTON, Iowa — Pioneer has been helping heroes in the field for generations but usually it’s corn and soybean fields across the Midwest.  

Pioneer is deepening that commitment to support everyday heroes as the new title sponsor of the “Heroes Game” between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Nebraska Cornhuskers this fall. The 13th annual matchup between the Big Ten Conference rivals will kick off at 11 a.m. (CT) on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

The 2023 Pioneer Heroes Game will continue the rich tradition of recognizing and celebrating local heroes who exemplify the goal of positively impact their community and inspire others. One citizen-hero from each state and team will be selected then honored at the Pioneer Heroes Game in Lincoln. The winners will receive VIP treatment as special guests, with on-field recognition and their name inscribed on the Heroes Trophy, which goes to the winning team of the annual contest. 

“Pioneer is incredibly honored to be the title sponsor of the annual Iowa and Nebraska Heroes Game,” said Todd Frazier, VP, U.S. Marketing, Corteva Agriscience. “For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping and honoring farmers throughout the U.S. and we are excited to keep that tradition going by honoring local heroes that live and work in the communities we serve every day. This partnership is one small way we can express our sincere gratitude for those heroes.”

Hero nominations will be accepted online through Sunday, Oct. 1., 2023, at hawkeyesports.com/hero and huskers.com. Fans are encouraged to nominate everyday citizens of Iowa and Nebraska who have performed extraordinary acts of heroism.  

 Pioneer, a current partner of both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Nebraska Cornhuskers, is a multi-year title sponsor of the Heroes Game. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Iowa is overseen by Learfield’s Hawkeye Sports Properties, the University’s athletics multimedia rightsholder and locally based team. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Nebraska is overseen by Husker Athletic Partners, a Playfly Sports Property, the university’s athletics multimedia rightsholder.

Iowa offensive lineman Daijon Parker says he has felt welcomed since he arrived on campus in the spring. Parker is a graduate transfer from Division II Saginaw Valley State and is expected to make an impact on the offensive line.

Parker originally committed to Virginia, but a coaching change led him to Iowa.

Parker says one of the biggest differences between Division II and the FBS level is away from the field with strength training and nutrition.

The Hawkeyes open the season at home on September second against Utah State.

Iowa’s Brock Harding has enjoyed the transition to college basketball this summer. The freshman point guard from Moline is one of six newcomers on the roster for next season after leading Moline High School to an Illinois state championship.

One of Harding’s teammates at Moline is 6-11 Hawkeye freshman Owen Freeman.

Harding says the competition at guard has been spirited and he is not sure how much playing time he will get next season.

Harding says one of his strengths is his leadership.

The Hawkeyes are preparing for next month’s trip to France and Spain.

AMES, Iowa – July 24, 2023 – The 2023-2024 Iowa Bicycle Map is now available in both paper and digital formats.

You can get your free paper version of the map at all Iowa Department of Transportation rest areas and Iowa welcome centers. You can order a paper copy online.  The digital versions of the map are available at Iowa Bikes (Bike Map) – Iowa DOT.

This popular publication highlights bike-friendly routes when traveling on two wheels through Iowa by identifying bike trails and traffic levels on all paved roads. The map also includes insets of Iowa’s 16 largest cities.

If you are riding your bicycle on a public road, you have all the same rights as motor vehicle drivers. You are also required to know and obey all the same traffic laws and rules of the road. A section of the map is dedicated to highlighting some of the rules of the road to help you understand your rights and responsibilities. Safety is always the first priority, so if you are riding, please always wear a helmet, use lights at night, and watch out for road hazards like parallel-slat stormwater grates, gravel, sand, and debris.

Iowa State freshman Omaha Biliew is adjusting to the college level. The former Waukee standout headlines a Cyclone recruiting class that ranks in the top ten nationally and began the summer competing for USA basketball at the Under-19 World Cup in Hungary.

That’s ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger who says Biliew has been catching up during summer workouts.

Otzelberger says he has been impressed with Biliew’s attitude.

Biliew says summer workouts have been a new level for him.

Biliew says the biggest adjustment has been on defense.

Biliew says his recruiting rankings no longer matter.

The Cyclones have a three game trip to the Bahamas next month

[Updated] (Creston, Iowa) – Official with Southwestern Community College, in Creston, announced on social media, Sunday afternoon, a candlelight service will be held Tuesday, July 25th two of its student athletes. The service takes place on the SWCC Sofball Field, beginning at 8:15-p.m.

Halsie Lynn Barnes (SWCC Facebook photo)

19-year-old Halsie Lynn Barnes, of Tingley, died in the crash Friday night between a pickup and the car she was a passenger in. The college also reports 19-year-old Ella Jo Leonard, of Winterset, died Sunday from injuries she received during the crash.

Four others, including the driver of the car and another passenger, plus two people in the pickup, were injured. The crash happened at around 10:28-p.m. on Highway 34 at 190th Street, east of Afton.

A statement from the college said “Halsie was the light and spirit of our team. Her presence at Southwestern next year will be missed greatly. We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends and teammates. We also pray for the other individuals involved in the accident.”

Ella Leonard, the college says, was a member of last year’s SWCC College Dance team, and was returning as a captain this upcoming season. “She was a sweet, talented and passionate team member that we will miss very deeply. Please keep Ella’s family and friends in your prayers,” college officials said.

Ella Jo Leonard (SWCC Photo)

A come-and-go grief counseling and gathering session will be held on Monday, July 24, in the Instructional Center, room 180, from 2-4 p.m. All members of the SWCC family are invited to attend.

Counselors will be available during this time to assist in healing conversations as the community and college come together to grieve and continue to be there for the students and their families who were affected by Friday evening’s auto accident.

Class 1A
North Linn 6,  Martensville St-Mary’s 0
Wayne 7,  Clarksville 2

Class 2A 
Regina Catholic 6,  Van Meter 2
Central Springs 10,  Interstate 35, 0

Class 3A 
Williamsburg 4,  Assumption 0
Estherville Lincoln Central 4,  Wahlert Catholic 2

Class 1A
Remsen St. Mary’s 7,  Lisbon 4

Class 2A
Beckman Catholic 7,  Underwood 1

Class 3A
Western Dubuque 6,  North Polk 2

Class 4A
Johnston 6, Ames 5

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head tennis coach Jaron Maestas has announced the signing of five-star prep Caroline Nicholls to a national letter of intent. “I’m excited that Caroline has chosen to join our program,” Maestas said. “I think she will come in with a clear vision of what the future looks like. She will be ready to get right at it this fall.”

 Nicholls, an Aventura, Florida, native, is the nation’s 29^th-ranked recruit, making her the highest-ranked player to ever sign with the Cyclones. She also ranks as the No. 6 player in the state of Florida according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.

 Nicholls, who attended Dr. Michael M. Krop High School, owns a career-high UTR rating of 9.53. Nicholls is the second player to sign with the Cyclones under Maestas, joining five-time Division II All-American Isabella Dunlap.

2023 IHSBCA All-Star Series

Large Schools West–Large Schools East

Name             School Name        School
Brock Adamson-Ankeny-Addison Binnie-Clinton
Pierce Anderson-Johnston-Shae Buskhol-Cedar Falls
Brady Blake-Indianola-Ian Dittmer-North Scott
Clayton Campidilli-Dallas Center-Grimes-Rowen Donels-Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Lincoln Colling-Sioux City East-Maddux Freeze-Cedar Rapids Prairie
Colin Driscoll-Waukee-Kaden Frommelt-Marion
Beau Gamble-WDM Dowling–Sam George-Pleasant Valley
Carson Medina-SE Polk DJ Hodges-Iowa City High
Cooper Nicholson-WDM Dowling-Caleb Klein-Western Dubuque
Ty Plummer-WDM Valley-Kade Knock-Cedar Rapids Prairie
Easton Pratt-Ankeny Centennial-Dylan Stockdale-Waverly–Shell Rock
Ty Thomson-Lewis Central-Isaac Then-Western Dubuque
Reid Tigges-Spencer-Jon Willie-Dubuque Senior
Kadin Tyler Mason City-Noah Young-North Scott
Carter Van Horn-Waukee NW
Max Watson Ankeny Head Coach:  Kevin Cunningham – Clinton

Assistant Coach:   Brett Williams – Cedar Falls

Head Coach:   Eric Evans – Urbandale Assistant Coach:  Casey Bryant – Western Dubuque

Assistant Coach:  Tyler Brietzke – Council Bluffs Lincoln

Assistant Coach:  Trevor Miller – Sioux City East

Small Schools West–Small Schools East

Name       School Name     School
Dawson Bond-Red Oak-Ryan Brosius-Dubuque Wahlert
Jaxon Bunkers-Remsen St. Mary’s-Max Burt-Mason City Newman
Lance Clayburg-Coon Rapids-Bayard-Cael Funk-Edgewood-Colesburg
Jason Colpitts-Glenwood-Danny Gavin-Iowa City Regina
Boston Doeschot-Kingsley-Pierson-William Kiburis-Gladbrook-Reinbeck
Eli Eldred-Gilbert-Beau Leisure-Knoxville
Nevan Foss-Clarion-Goldfield-Dows-Jackson Manning-Van Buren County
Jaixen Frost-Mt. Ayr-Conner Maston-Lynnville-Sully
Luke Greth-ADM-Tate Mayer-St. Ansgar
Garrett Heying-Bishop Garrigan-Carter Schellsmidt-Waukon
Carson Jager-MOC-FV-Luke Schieltz-Dyersville-Beckman
Mason King-West Harrison-Keagen Streeter-South Winneshiek
Jaxon Schumacher-Treynor-Doug Taylor-Mason City Newman
Nikolai Wede-MOC-FV-Jack Walsh-Dubuque Wahlert
Corbin Westerkamp-Pella Christian             

Head Coach:    Jason Book – ADM           Head Coach:  Kory Tuescher – Dubuque Wahlert

Assistant Coach:    Brian Wede – MOC-FV Assistant Coach:  Turner DeVore – Knoxville  

Assistant Coach:    Steve Glenn – Nevada Assistant Coach:   Aaron Hamman – Edgewood-Colesburg

2023 IHSBCA All-Star Series Game Schedule

Thursday, July 27th:

• 5:00 pm     Small Schools West vs. Large Schools West
• 7:00 pm     Small Schools East vs. Large Schools East

Friday, July 28th:

• 10:30 am     Large Schools West vs. Small Schools East
• 12:30 pm     Large Schools East vs. Small Schools West

Saturday, July 29th:

• 10:00 am     Small Schools West vs. Small Schools East
• 12:30 pm     Large Schools East vs. Large Schools West