Iowa State looks to snap a two game losing skid at home on Saturday night against Cincinnati. Former Cyclone linebacker coach Tyson Veidt (vite) is in his first season as Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator. ISU coach Matt Campbell.

Campbell says Veidt has had an impact on the defense.

The ISU defense was steamrolled in last week’s loss to Kansas and that unit must slow down A Bearcat offense led by quarterback Brendan Sorsby.

It is a seven o’clock kickoff in Jack Trice Stadium. The game will be televised by Fox.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head coach Kevin Dresser announced Thursday that 141-pounder Casey Swiderski will miss the 2024-25 season due to a knee injury suffered in practice earlier this week.

“Casey suffered a knee injury earlier this week in practice and will have surgery tomorrow to repair that knee,” Dresser said. “He will use his redshirt for the 2024-25 season, and we look forward to his return in the spring and his final two years of eligibility.”

Swiderski was an All-American at 149 pounds last season after placing seventh at the NCAA Championships and compiled a 24-5 record for the Cyclones.

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State wrestling program and head coach Kevin Dresser announced the addition of four prep wrestlers Thursday. Christian Castillo, Jacob Helgeson, TJ Koester and Carter Pearson all put pen to paper and officially became Cyclones on National Signing Day.

“At this time, it’s one of the smallest classes we have signed in our time at Iowa State, but I also think it is one of the most talented,” Dresser said. “We can’t wait to get these guys to Ames and get them in our practice room. These guys will raise the level of talent and competition in our room on day one.”

Iowa State’s signing class is ranked No. 15 nationally by FloWrestling. Christian Castillo is the highest-rated recruit in the class, checking in at No. 11 on MatScouts’ Class of 2025 Big Board.

While Castillo hails originally from Arizona, he is spending his senior year at Ames High School, meaning all four Cyclone signees will have graduated from an Iowa high school.

All four signees are set to arrive on campus for the 2025-26 season.

Here’s a look at the new additions:

Christian Castillo
Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
High School: Valiant College Prep / Ames High School
Projected Weight Class: 125
Attended Valiant College Prep in Phoenix, Arizona before transferring to Ames High for his senior year … rated as the No. 11 overall recruit nationally by FloWrestling and No. 14 by MatScouts … listed as the No. 2 120-pounder nationally by FloWrestling … two-time Super 32 Champion (2022, ’24) and four-time placewinner … 2022 U17 World Silver Medalist (Freestyle) … also represented the United States in Greco-Roman at the 2022 U17 World Championships … won gold in Freestyle and Greco-Roman at the 2022 Pan-American Championships.

Carter Pearson
Hometown: Pleasant Hill, Iowa
High School: Southeast Polk
Projected Weight Class: 133/141
Wrestled at Southeast Polk High School … rated as the No. 113 recruit nationally by MatScouts … 2024 Iowa High School Class 3A state champion at 120 pounds … three-time state medalist … placed third as a freshman and sophomore … posted a 39-0 record en route to his state title as a junior … defeated Bettendorf’s Jake Knight, 1-0, in the state title match … helped the Rams to 2024 tournament and dual team titles.

Jacob Helgeson
Hometown: Johnston, Iowa
High School: Johnston
Projected Weight Class: 165/174
Prepped at Johnston High School … rated as the No. 160 prospect nationally by MatScouts … two-time Iowa High School Class 3A state champion (2023, ’24) … owns a 115-5 prep record entering his senior season … suffered just one loss (32-1) in his junior season and won a state title despite a torn labrum … undefeated (43-0) state champion as a sophomore … placed third as a freshman after tearing his ACL over the holidays … younger brother of current Cyclone wrestlers Caleb and Owen Helgeson … also played football and was one of the best linebackers in the state … second on the team with 49 tackles, including five for loss and a sack … also had two interceptions.

TJ Koester
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa
High School: Bettendorf
Projected Weight Class: 141
Prepped at Bettendorf High School … rated as the No. 172 recruit nationally by MatScouts … tabbed as IAwrestle’s No. 1 132-pounder in Iowa Class 3A to begin the 2024-25 season … enters senior season with a 127-7 prep record … two-time Iowa High School Class 3A state champion (2022, ’24) … three-time state medalist … 43-1 record en route to his state title as a junior, avenging his only loss of the year in the state finals … placed third as a sophomore with a 43-5 record … finished with a 41-1 record and a state title as a freshman … 2023 Fargo All-American at 126 pounds (runner-up) … runner-up at USA Wrestling’s 2023 National High School Recruiting Showcase.

The eighth ranked Iowa State women are 4-0 after rolling to an 80-47 win over St. Thomas of Minnesota. Audi Crooks Scored 26 points and senior guard Emily Ryan had 13 assists as the Cyclones shot 57 percent from the field. Ryan says the Cyclones’ depth is a strength.

Ryan says the Cyclones can score in a number of different ways.

The Tri-Center Trojans will be making their first ever state title appearance next week after a 42-14 victory against the Saint Ansgar Saints on Thursday afternoon. In the first quarter the Trojans had a slow start with their running game not quite clicking, so Tri-Center looked to A.J. Harder to spark the offense and he did just that. Close to midway through the first Harder found Cael Witts for a 31-yard touchdown throw down the middle of the field to give the Trojans an early 7-0 lead. The Saints would quickly respond out of the wishbone with a Korben Michels three yard touchdown run and successful two-point conversion for the lead to swing back to Saint Ansgar at 8-7.

The second quarter saw both defenses step up as the offensive momentum slipped on both sides. Carter Kunze was finally able to get a score thanks to a long methodical drive by Tri-Center that resulted in him taking a three-yard carry into the end zone through multiple Saints defenders. The Trojans went for a two-point conversion but had their pass batted down. That would leave the score 13-8 as both teams headed into halftime.

In the third quarter Tri-Center seemed to have their mojo back with multiple explosive runs by Kunze and dynamic throws by Harder to set them up inside Saint Ansgar’s redzone. There Kunze had another handoff where he sliced his way for 13-yards and another touchdown. Kunze’s work wouldn’t end in the third quarter thanks to the Trojans defense forcing another punt and giving Tri-Center excellent field position to work with. Once again the Trojans couldn’t be stopped and Kunze pushed his way into the end zone for another score before the end of the third. Tri-Center now led 28-8.

Saint Ansgar would try to make a comeback in the fourth with the wishbone offense seeming to work again thanks to the hard running by Korben Michels and Tyson Kline. The Saints drive would result in a one yard touchdown from Michels to cut into the lead making it 28-14. Tri-Center would not relinquish for the remainder of the quarter putting two more touchdowns on the board to have a final score of 42-14.

The Trojans had a massive night from Harder going 17-24 with 284 yards and two touchdowns. He was accompanied by Kunze who dashed his way for 195 yards and four touchdowns contributing to a rushing attack that accumulated 286 yards, Trojans head coach Ryan Schroder was pleased with the way his team came to play, even with a sluggish start.

Coach Schroder also highlighted his team’s offensive barrage and the way they effectively ran the ball.

Tri-Center didn’t take much time celebrating their semifinal win as they immediately focused on next Thursday’s battle.

The Trojans will face off against an undefeated West Hancock team that won 50-35 earlier Thursday afternoon. It’s a contest that coach Schroder won’t take lightly.

Kickoff for the Class A Championship is scheduled for 1 p.m. next Thursday.

Iowa sophomores Brock Harding and Owen Freeman will head home Friday night when the Hawkeyes play Washington State at Vibrant Arena at the Mark in Moline. Harding says there are great memories from their senior season when they led Moline High School to the Illinois state championship.

Harding says this will be his first opportunity to play a game in the arena.

Harding says the Hawkeyes will be challenged by a Washington State team that is 3-0 and averaging 11 made three pointers per game.

Freeman says the Hawkeyes will need to play well to come away with a victory.

Drake will clinch a second straight Pioneer Football League title and a trip to the FCS playoffs with a win at home on Saturday against Morehead State. Bulldog coach Todd Stepsis says it would be a fitting way to celebrate Senior Day for a class that joined the program when times were tough.

Special teams have put Drake on the doorstep of another championship and in particular field goals. The Bulldogs rank third in the nation in FCS with five blocked field goals and kicker Shane Dunning ranks second in the country with 17 field goals in 21 attempts.

Stepsis says special teams have been involved in several game changing plays this season.

Stepsis says Morehead State will be a tough out. The Eagles’ are 4-2 in the PFL and their title hopes took a hot last week with a loss to Davidson.

The Nodaway Valley Girls Basketball Team is ready and excited for the start of the 2024-2025 season. The Wolverines have seen tremendous success over the last 6 six years. They have captured four 20-win seasons, a 46-game home winning streak (broken in January of last year), and a conference championship in 2022-2023. Although ready for the challenge of a new season, things will look a little different this year for Nodaway Valley. The Pride of Iowa altered its scheduling concept as the Wolverines will now play every conference team twice. This includes top teams like Mount Ayr, Martensdale-St. Marys and Lenox. Their non-conference schedule is no cakewalk either as they face Trynor, Atlantic, Panorama, Clarinda, and Ealrham on the road. The lone home non-conference game is a battle with Kuemper Catholic.

In addition to the tough schedule, Nodaway Valley also graduated five seniors last year. This includes Lindsey Davis, who averaged 24.6 points and 6 rebounds per game last season. However, the Wolverines do return five members, including last year’s second-leading scorer Izzy Eisbach, and a four-member senior class that has posted a record of 58-13  with just two conference losses. Head Coach Brian Eisbach knows it will be tough but is looking forward to the task ahead.

One of the key returning pieces for the Wolverines is junior Izzy Eisbach. Last season, she was the highest-scoring sophomore in 2A and compiled a long list of accolades. In addition to breaking her own school records for most assists in a game and a season, she was selected to the first-team All-Conference, All-District, and All-Region teams. She also received a second-team nod from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Despite scoring 19.2 points per game and all the accolades last season, Eisbach says she is still looking to improve her game.

Another one of Nodaway Valley’s returners is their most experienced senior Maddie Weston. She has played in 116 games and ranks second among returners in career 3-pointers made and points. She is very excited to start her last year and wants to do everything she can to improve the team and especially the newcomers.

Last season the Wolverines season came to an end in the regional championship in a hard fought 55-48 loss to Grundy Center. Despite the increased strength of schedule Eisbach and the team beleive they can get back and even go further. A sentiment that was echoed not just by Eisbach but by the team was their willingness to grow off the court as well as on it.

Things won’t be easy for Nodaway Valley. Lossing a considerable amount of seniors and a tougher schedule are tough challenges to overcome. However, it’ll become apparent quick whether it be through the scoreboard or through their play that this is a program that is used to winning.

The Iowa Hawkeye women raced out to a 28-10 lead at the end of one and beat Toledo 94-57 in Iowa City. Hannah Stuelke  led the way with 17 points while Lucy Olsen and Taylor McCabe each had 14. Hawkeye coach Jan Jensen has been happy with the defense in a 3-0 start but the schedule gets much tougher beginning with Sunday’s game at Drake.

Jensen says better defense was important given all the production they lost from last season.

Jensen says Drake will test their defense with their ability to spread the court and shoot threes.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head coach Jamie Pinkerton has announced the signings of five prep players to National Letters of Intent.

The Cyclones have signed Kylee Espinoza, Hailey Holtz, Kasey Kane, Liv Palumbo and Ava Wilmes.

“I feel that we as a staff did a good job identifying what our immediate needs were to supplement our large 2024 class,” says Pinkerton. “This group adds depth to our pitching staff, catchers and both corner and middle infield. Offensively, we gained a much-needed left-handed bat that our 2026 team will need. Overall, I am really pleased with this group that just joined Cyclone Nation.”

Kylee Espinoza – 5’7 | INF | Murrieta, Calif. | Vista Murrieta HS
A four-time letterwinner and three-year starter in high school, Espinoza comes to Iowa State boasting experience all over the infield. In her most recent season, she earned first-team all-league honors. She’s not the only Division I softball player in her family, as her cousin, Taylor Becerra, played four seasons at Arizona State (2015-19).

“We feel that Kylee will be a big boost to our infield,” says Pinkerton. “She is a natural middle infielder who can also play third base. I am excited about the depth she will be able to provide to our team. She is a contact hitter that has power and continues to get stronger.”

Hailey Holtz – 5’8 | RHP | Richmond, Ill. | Richmond-Burton HS
Coached by Tyler Stanton and Carly Mattson, Holtz has lettered four times and helped her high school to 62 wins over the last three seasons. A two-time team captain, Hailey registered her 500th career strikeout this past season as she helped Richmond Burton to a Class 2A Regional Championship and earned 2A All-State First Team honors.

“Hailey is a welcome addition to our staff,” says Pinkerton. “She owns a mix of pitches that she is able to throw to different areas of the strike zone. She has the ability to change speeds and I am eager to see how she and Olivia work together.”

Kasey Kane – 5’6 | C | LeClaire, Iowa | Pleasant Valley HS
Kane will reunite with former Pleasant Valley teammate Jessie Clemons as she continues the Iowa high school to Ames pipeline. Kane won the 2024 Iowa Girls High School softball title with Clemons this past summer as well as the 2023 basketball state championship in 2023. In her junior season, Kane was First Team All-State, All-Conference, All-District and academic.

“We are excited to add Kasey to this class,” says Pinkerton. “We feel she was one of the top players in this class from Iowa. She’ll help provide catcher depth that we have been lacking for the last couple of years. She is a middle of the lineup hitter that can produce runs and hits for average and power. Behind the plate, she handles pitchers very well, blocks balls in the dirt, and will deter the run game because she has an excellent arm.”

Liv Palumbo – 5’8 | RHP | Washington, Okla. | Washington HS
A multi-sport athlete, Palumbo earned seven high school letters between track and softball. Through three seasons of high school softball, Palumbo has yet to own a season ERA that exceeds 1.00. A two-time softball champion in Oklahoma, Palumbo was also a part of her high school’s 3A 4×200 state champion relay as the team won the 3A state track title in 2024.

“Liv will be a great addition to our pitching staff,” says Pinkerton. “She will complement the bullpen that Coach Sinnott has put together the last couple of years. Liv can work all quadrants of the zone and has the ability to change speeds.”

Ava Wilmes – 5’8 | INF | Kansas City, Mo. | Blue Springs South HS
A four-time high school letterwinner, Ava comes to Ames after having her best high school season during her junior year. In 2024, Wilmes was First Team All-Conference, All-District, and All-Region as she bat .427 and totaled 32 RBI. Her high school team finished state runner-up in her sophomore campaign.

“I am really excited to add Ava to the 2025 class,” says Pinkerton. “She is a corner infielder and a middle-of-the-lineup hitter. She is a left-handed power hitter who can hit for average and produce runs. She fills some much-needed depth we need for left-handed hitting on our future roster.”