For the first time since the Conference went to a divisionless format, Texas was picked atop the Conference’s 2023 preseason poll as voted on by media representatives. The Longhorns were slotted fourth in last year’s preseason poll behind Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

First-place votes were spread among six teams with Texas receiving 41 and a total of 886 points. The reigning Big 12 Champion, Kansas State, placed second with 14 and 858 points. Oklahoma and Texas Tech each received four first-place votes with 758 and 729 points, respectively. TCU, coming off appearances in the Big 12 Championship Game and CFP National Championship Game, rounded out the top five with three first-place votes and 727 points.

Baylor gathered 575 points to place sixth while Oklahoma State secured the final first-place vote with 470 points for seventh place. The remaining positions were 8. UCF (463 points), 9. Kansas (461 points), 10. Iowa State (334 points), 11. BYU (318 points), 12. Houston (215 points), 13. Cincinnati (202 points) and 14. West Virginia (129 points).

Big 12 Football Media Days, Presented by Old Trapper will be conducted next Wednesday and Thursday, July 12-13. Coverage from both days will be provided on ESPNU and Big 12 Now on ESPN+. For additional information, follow Big12Sports.com and the Conference’s official social media platforms.

2023 Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll
1. Texas (41), 886
2. Kansas State (14), 858
3. Oklahoma (4), 758
4. Texas Tech (4), 729
5. TCU (3), 727
6. Baylor, 572
7. Oklahoma State (1), 470
8. UCF, 463
9. Kansas, 461
10. Iowa State, 334
11. BYU, 318
12. Houston, 215
13. Cincinnati, 202
14. West Virginia, 129

Cedar Rapids native a two-time major winner Zach Johnson is competing in the John Deere Classic this week and is also getting the United States team ready for the Ryder Cup. George McNeilly reports.

Ben Krikke says Iowa’s history of developing post players was a big factor in his decision to become a Hawkeye. The 6-9 native of Canada transferred to Iowa after leading the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring by averaging 21 points per game at Valparaiso.

Krikke says Iowa contacted him immediately after his decision to transfer.

Krikke says he likes Iowa’s style of play on offense.

Class 1A

Region 1:
Remsen St. Mary’s 10  South O’Brien 0
Trinity Christian 10 Kingsley-Pierson 9
Logan-Magnolia 8  Woodbury Central 0
River Valley 12 Westwood 6

Region 2:
Newell-Fonda 10  Coon Rapids-Bayard 4
Glidden-Ralston 9 GTRA 3
St. Edmond 10 North Iowa 0
West Fork 4 Bishop Garrigan 3

Region 3:
Southeast Warren 11  Nodaway Valley 0
Murray 3  East Union 0
Exira-EHK 4  Audubon 2
Woodbine 2  Riverside 0

Region 4:
Wayne 8  Lenox 1
Lamoni 6  Seymour 5
Griswold 12  East Mills 0
Essex 12  Fremont-Mills 8

 Class 2A 

Region 2:
Missouri Valley 9  AHSTW 2
Treynor 12  Underwood 0
Sioux Central 11  Alta-Aurelia 1
MVAOCOU 9  Ridge View 2

Region 3:
Van Meter 10  ACGC 0
West Central Valley 15  Panorama 5
East Sac County 3  Kuemper Catholic 2
Pocahontas Area 8  Manson-Northwest Webster 2

Region 4:
Interstate 35  8 Pleasantville 3
Mount Ayr 10  Grand View Christian 5
South Hardin 4 Woodward-Granger 0
Ogden 7  Madrid 1

Class 1A

Substate 6: District 12
Mount Ayr 3  Coon Rapids-Bayard 2
Lenox 4  Bedford 1

Substate 7: District 13
St. Mary’s Remsen 12  IKM/Manning 1
Alta-Aurelia 6  Exira/EHK 0

Substate 7: District 14
Woodbury Central 2  Earlham 1
Tri-Center 3  Southwest Valley 0

Substate 8: District 15
West Harrison 12  Riverside 2
St. Albert 13  Fremont-Mills 0

Substate 8: District 16
Gehlen Catholic-Le Mars 14  Lawton-Bronson 7
Akron-Westfield 4  Woodbine 0

Class 2A

Substate 6: District 11
West Central Valley 14  I35 3

Substate 8: District 15
Underwood 5  Cherokee Washington 4
Hinton 11  Ridge View 7

Substate 8: District 16
Clarinda 7  Shenandoah 4
Red Oak 4  Treynor 0

The PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic begins today (Thursday) near the Quad Cities. Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark joined Cedar Rapids native and two-time major winner Zach Johnson in Wednesday’s Pro-Am. The national player of the year spent a good portion of her day interacting with the fans.

Iowa defensive lineman Logan Lee says summer is more than just about on field workouts but also what it takes away from the field to be successful. As a senior it is a message he is sending to the newcomers.

Lee says young players need to learn how to take care of their bodies.

The defensive line has been a strength of the team over the past few years and that trend should continue next season.

Lee finished fifth on the team in tackles last season and had three sacks. The Hawkeyes open the season at home on September second against Utah State.

The Exira-EHK softball team won 4-2 against the Audubon Wheelers in Kimballton tonight. The Wheelers scored first with an RBI single from Kylee Harl in the top of the 1st. The Spartans responded quickly in the bottom of the 2nd with a Shay Burmeister RBI double. The game was even till the bottom of the 4th where the Spartans scored two runs thanks to two sac flies. Exira-EHK led 3-1 then and held on to the lead for the rest of the game.

One major contributor to the Spartans win was Riley Miller’s performance in the circle and the batter’s box. She pitched 7 innings, had 2 earned runs, 5 hits, and 9 k’s. Miller also garnered two RBI’s while batting.

Coach Schwery also commented that Miller’s performance wasn’t the only positive from this evening’s game.

Looking ahead to Friday’s game, Coach Schwery understands what the Spartans need to do to win.

The Wheelers season ends with the loss and their final record stands at (16-9). Exira-EHK’s record goes up to (21-3) and they will face Woodbine, Friday July 7th.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State gymnastics coach Ashley Miles Greig announced the completion of her coaching staff Wednesday, naming Ryan Snider as assistant coach while also announcing the retention of former Iowa State star Haylee Young as assistant coach.

Young, who competed for the Cyclones from 2015-18, returned to Iowa State in 2020 when she was named the volunteer coach. After a year of service, Young was promoted to assistant coach, where she has helped lead the team for the past three seasons.

As an athlete, Young qualified for the NCAA Gymnastics Championship in 2017 and also earned two Big 12 Championships during her time (All-Around in 2015, Floor Exercise in 2018). As a coach, Young primarily coaches beam but has also helped the floor squad succeed. She played a significant role in mentoring floor specialist Maddie Diab to a perfect 10 in 2022 and more than 20 9.900 performances in the past two seasons.

“From my first interaction with Haylee, I knew I would ask her to stay on as an assistant coach,” Miles Greig said. “Her genuine connections with the athletes and desire to help them reach their goals is inspiring. Haylee is an awesome human being who puts her heart and soul into everything she does and is a great resource for our student-athletes. Her time as a standout gymnast, volunteer coach, and assistant coach here at Iowa State gives her a unique insight and perspective that has been invaluable to my transition as a new head coach.”

Young, a Des Moines native, will enter her ninth year in the program.

Ryan Snider comes to Ames after spending the past six years at Pittsburgh, where he was also an assistant coach with the Panthers. At Pittsburgh, Snider worked under his wife’s direction, head coach Samantha Snider.

During his time in Pittsburgh, Snider mainly spent time with the vault and bars. In 2018 he saw the bars record broken (49.275) and in 2020, he helped guide his athletes into a record-breaking vault performance (49.325).

Prior to Pitt, Snider was both a team manager and a volunteer assistant with Arkansas (2015-16). At Arkansas, Snider helped the Razorbacks score a 49.000 or better on vault in 11 of 13 meets, and the team finished 2016 with a final RQS of 49.160, ranking 11th in the nation.

“I’m delighted to welcome Ryan Snider to the coaching staff and to the Cyclone Family at Iowa State,” Miles Greig said. “Ryan is extremely passionate, with a wealth of coaching knowledge and experience in college and club. He will bring energy, laser focus for student-athlete well-being, and a competitive drive that will elevate the expectations for our program.”

Prior to Arkansas, Snider served as the head coach of Aerial Athletics in San Antonio, where he coached over 30 state/regional/national champions and guided over 15 athletes to full-ride scholarships.

Snider graduated from Arkansas in 2017 and, along with his wife Samantha, has two children; a daughter, Shae, and a son, Bronx.