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4 Hawkeyes Garner Athlon Preseason All-America Honors

Sports

June 25th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Four University of Iowa football players have garnered Athlon preseason All-America honors for the 2024 season, it was announced Tuesday by the publication.

Fifth-year linebacker Jay Higgins was named to the first team, sixth-year linebacker Nick Jackson was a second team selection, center Logan Jones was a third-team honoree and defensive back Sebastian Castro was a fourth-team selection.

The Hawkeyes also had 14 players earn preseason All-Big Ten recognition by Athlon. Higgins, Jackson and Jones were first-team selections, senior Luke Lachey (tight end), senior Connor Colby (guard), senior Yahya Black (defensive tackle), graduate Quinn Schulte (defensive back) and Castro were second-team honorees, senior Deontae Craig (defensive end) and junior Xavier Nwankpa (defensive back) were tabbed as third-teamers and senior Leshon Williams (running back), senior Mason Richman (offensive tackle), graduate Jermari Harris (defensive back) and junior Drew Stevens (placekicker) were fourth-team selections.

Higgins, who was also named a preseason first-team All-American and the preseason National Defensive Player of the Year by Phil Steele, tied a program record with 171 tackles in 2023 to lead the Big Ten and rank third nationally.

Jackson earned his second All-America nod (fourth team by Phil Steele) after making 110 tackles in his first season as a Hawkeye. The Atlanta native has 464 tackles in his collegiate career, sitting just 113 stops from tying the all-time NCAA record.

Jones received his second third-team All-America nod after starting 13 games at center in 2023. He was a third-team All-Big Ten selection a season ago.

Castro earned his first preseason All-America honor after making 67 tackles, recording three interceptions and having eight pass breakups in Iowa’s CASH position a season ago. The Illinois native earned Pro Football Focus first-team All-America and Associated Press third-team honors in 2023.

Lachey missed all but three games in 2023 because of injury. He made 10 catches for 131 yards before sustaining a season-ending injury in Week 3. Colby started 13 games at right guard en route to third-team All-Big Ten honors, Black accumulated 51 tackles and had five tackles for loss in 2023, while Schulte started 14 games, recording 65 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one interception. Schulte is a Lott IMPACT Trophy candidate.

Craig earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as a junior after making 54 tackles, including five tackles for loss, three sacks and seven quarterback hurries. Nwankpa started 12 games at strong safety as a sophomore, where he made 42 tackles, including two tackles for loss, one sack and one interception.

Williams earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2023 after leading the team with 821 rushing yards and one touchdown. The Illinois native had three 100-yard games. Richman started all 14 games and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2023, while Harris started 12 times, making 42 tackles, one tackle for loss, eight pass break-ups and one interception. He was Iowa’s Comeback Player of the Year Award recipient. Stevens was a third-team All-Big Ten honoree (coaches) and a Lou Groza Award semifinalist in 2023 after leading the team with 73 points on 18 field goals and 19 PATs.

The Hawkeyes open the 2024 season Aug. 31, hosting Illinois State at 11 a.m. (CT) inside Kinnick Stadium.

 

Athlon Preseason All-America Teams

Jay Higgins, first team

Nick Jackson, second team

Logan Jones, third team

Sebastian Castro, fourth team

 

Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten Teams

First Team: Jay Higgins (LB), Nick Jackson (LB), Logan Jones (center)

Second Team: Luke Lachey (TE), Connor Colby (OG), Yahya Black (DT), Sebastian Castro (DB), Quinn Schulte (DB)

Third Team: Deontae Craig (DE), Xavier Nwankpa (DB)

Fourth Team: Leshon Williams (RB), Mason Richman (OT), Jermari Harris (DB), Drew Stevens (PK)

Posted in Sports |

Domino toppling brothers from NW Iowa to appear on national TV tonight

News

June 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Twin brothers from northwest Iowa will appear on tonight’s (Tuesday) episode of “America’s Got Talent,” displaying their abilities in the building of intricate patterns with dominos — and then letting them tumble. Alex Koops of Sioux Center says he and his brother Derek grew up watching the show, so it’s a thrill to be featured guests. Koops says they’ve gained some celebrity status after winning the FOX Network’s “Domino Masters” in 2022.

“There are a lot of kids that loved watching us, come up and tell us about how much they loved our domino topples,” Koops says. “That also led into library programs so that was really cool. We could set up a demonstration. A lot of people came and watched those, a lot of kids, so it was cool showing off.” The twins have just shy of 200-thousand followers on YouTube with 45-million views, and close to 60-thousand followers on TikTok.

For tonight’s show, Koops says they flew to L-A in April and spent a week there. They had one full day to set up their topple for the recording of the episode. Because their setup was extensive, theirs was the first act to go, but it won’t necessarily be the first act that is broadcast tonight. Koops says the setup was a unique experience for them.  “The cool thing about it was, I think the last hour we spent building was when the audience started coming back, so we had probably like two- or 3,000 people just watching us build,” he says.

“Just that was for sure a different experience and then during the topple, I think it was the most we’ve ever performed in front of two- or 3,000 people.” The only interaction they had with the celebrity judges was during the interview before and after the topple. Off stage, the twins enjoyed mingling with other contestants and really enjoyed interacting with the host, Terry Crews.  “We didn’t have quite as much time as we were given on ‘Domino Masters’ for this audition and it’s just the two of us, so it’s not quite as spectacular as maybe those fields, but I’m still really proud of what we came up with,” Koops says, “so I think everyone will enjoy it.”

The brothers could not disclose whether they get to move on in the competition. “America’s Got Talent” airs at 7 p-m on N-B-C.

Posted in News |

Company awarded state incentives to expand in Boone County

News

June 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A central Iowa company is receiving state incentives to expand its business. Iowa Economic Development Authority spokesperson, Kanan Kappelman says the company acquired 80 acres of land for the project in Boone County. “M-G Biologics is a biopharmaceutical company. They manufacture and distribute animal treatments, which include plasma, antibody products, and anti-venom. So they’re they’re planning on making a five million dollar capital investment,” she says.

The project involves two buildings, including a 20-thousand-square-foot multi-level facility for research, manufacturing and office space.. The other building will be used to treat animals. “The company is going to construct a six-thousand square foot animal care facility,” she says. Kappelman says there will be a small addition to the company’s workforce. “This project involves eight new jobs and the Iowa Economic Development Board awarded the company 231-thousand dollars in tax benefits,” Kappelman says.

The jobs will pay more than 31 dollars an hour.

Posted in News |

Iowa lawmaker blasts board’s carbon pipeline decision

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A key Republican legislator is ripping the Iowa Utilities Board decision to approve the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project. Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton said the ruling sets a dangerous precedent. “The Utilities Board is dead wrong,” Kaufmann said during an interview with Radio Iowa. “They have failed miserably at their job and I’m going to file legislation to do their job for them.”

Kaufmann accused the board of capitulating to pressure from influential Republican donor Bruce Rastetter, who owns Summit Carbon Solutions. “I am stunned that Bruce Rastetter’s wallet has been found to be a public good,” Kaufmann said. “That to me is one of the worst rulings in the history of Iowa government.” The Iowa Utilities Board ruled the project’s public benefits outweigh the public and private costs.

Kaufmann said the board’s ruling is a signal the 300 mile Wolf pipeline is likely to be approved and it could lead to the “resurrection” of Navigator’s abandoned pipeline project. Kaufmann, along with a majority of Iowa House members, have passed legislation in previous years that would have set new requirements for the proposed pipeline, but those bills were never considered in the Iowa Senate.

Kaufmann predicts today’s Iowa Utilities Board decision will be a catalyst for action. “It was always a ‘What if? What if?’” Kaufmann said. “There’s no longer a ‘What if?’” Landowners who’ve opposed the project will speak at an online news conference later this afternoon.

The American Carbon Alliance issued a written statement this morning, commending the Iowa Utilities Board decision. The group’s CEO said the decision will be “transformative for the ag industry” by lowering or eliminating ethanol’s carbon footprint and, therefore, expanding ethanol’s use.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

73 Hawkeyes Named B1G Distinguished Scholars

Sports

June 25th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Seventy-three University of Iowa student-athletes have been named Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholars, it was announced Tuesday by the league office.

 

Among the Iowa honorees, 21 maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average during the 2023-24 academic term, including:

 

Sofia Bush, women’s soccer

Samantha Cary, women’s soccer

Hillary Cox, field hockey

Molly Davis, Women’s Basketball

Harper Dunne, field hockey

Sharon Goodman, Women’s Basketball

Aaron Graves, football

Abby Jaynes, rowing

Luke Lachey, football

Lauren McMahon, women’s track & field/cross country

Katie Moore, women’s track & field/cross country

Julia Pattison, women’s track & field/cross country

Felipe Pedraza, men’s golf

Abby Ryon, women’s track & field/cross country

Lillian Schmidt, women’s track & field/cross country

Cullan Schriever, men’s wrestling

Sofie Stribos, field hockey

Kelli Tosic, women’s track & field/cross country

Ellie Twedt, women’s track & field/cross country

Michelle Urquhart, volleyball

Kaia Vanney, women’s gymnastics

 

Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program. Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must have earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in the previous academic year, must have been enrolled full time at the institution for the entire previous academic year (two semesters or three quarters) and earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 or better during the previous academic year, excluding any summer grades. The Academic All-Big Ten threshold is a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher for a student-athlete’s academic career.

 

The Big Ten recognized 1,695 student-athletes in 38 different sports as Distinguished Scholars, including 385 who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA during the previous academic term.

Posted in Sports |

Martin, Higgins Earn Iowa’s B1G Outstanding Sportsmanship Award

Sports

June 25th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Kate Martin (women’s basketball) and Jay Higgins(football) have been selected as Iowa’s 2024 Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winners. The duo were chosen from Iowa’s list of 2023-24 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winners, which had a representative from each varsity sport.

Martin and the Hawkeyes set a program record and tied the Big Ten single season record with 34 wins in 2024, captured the Big Ten Tournament championship and finished as national runners-up for a second straight year.

The Edwardsville, Illinois, native stands as the first Iowa women’s basketball player to have amassed 900+ points, 500+ rebounds, 400+ assists, 120+ steals and 60+ blocks in a career and is the third player in school history behind Caitlin Clark and Sam Logic to net 1,200+ points, 700+ rebounds, and 450+ assists. Martin scored 10+ points in 30 games last season, 15+ points in 17 games, while averaging 13.1 points per game in her senior campaign.

Martin was selected by the Las Vegas Aces with 18th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Higgins anchored the Hawkeye defense in 2023 with a breakout senior season. Higgins and the Hawkeyes won 10 games and advanced to the Big Ten Championship Game. Iowa’s defense was one of the best in the country, ranking fourth in scoring defense and the unit yielded 4.08 yards per play in 2023 to lead the nation for a second straight year.

The linebacker finished the year with 171 tackles, tying the Iowa record, while leading the Big Ten and ranking third nationally. The Indianapolis native was a first-team All-American by FWAA, Phil Steele and Sports Illustrated and second-team selection by the AFCA, CBS, Walter Camp, Associated Press and Sporting News. He led the team in tackles in 12 of 14 games, with three 15+ tackle games and 10 contests with 10 or more stops.

Higgins was also the unanimous recipient of the 2023 Duke Slater Golden Gavel Award, presented annually to the Hawkeye football player who not only is most cooperative with local media but exhibits themself with professional integrity in all interactions.

The Big Ten first awarded the Outstanding Sportsmanship honor in 2003. The student-athletes chosen were individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior, were in good academic standing and demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.

Posted in Sports |

Summer drills set the tone at Iowa State

Sports

June 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger says setting the tone during summer workouts for the way the Cyclones play has been a key to their success and that does not change with a veteran team returning. Otzelberger has led ISU to three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament and the top four scorers return from last season’s team that won the Big-12 Tournament and made it to the Sweet-16.

Otzelberger says summer workouts have been competitive.

Otzelberger says summer is a great time to establish daily habits.

Otzelberger says daily habits are also about off the court.

Posted in Sports |

Ottumwa woman charged with arson, murder in death of 59 year old

News

June 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A southeast Iowa woman has been charged with murder in connection to a house fire that took place early Sunday morning. Authorities say fire crews were dispatched to a residence in Ottumwa based on the report of a heavy fire. Two people were in the home at the time of the blaze. One person was able to escape but 59-year-old Ernest Wilson of Ottumwa died.

31-year-old Ashley Lankford of Ottumwa was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson, attempted murder, first-degree criminal mischief, and animal abuse. Lankford is currently in the Wapello County Jail. Her bond has been set at one million dollars. The fire remains under investigation.

Posted in News |

Update: I-29 and I-680 north of Council Bluffs to close later tonight due to flooding

News

June 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, IOWA – June 25, 2024 – If you travel on Interstate 29 or I-680 north of Council Bluffs, the Iowa Department of Transportation intends to close I-29 from 25th Street at the north edge of Council Bluffs to the I-29/880 interchange near Loveland later tonight. In addition, the portion of I-680 west of I-29 located in Iowa will also be closed.

Those roadways were originally announced to close around 11 a.m. However, Iowa DOT staff are working to keep the roads in the Council Bluffs area open as long as possible. We are closely monitoring the rising flood water levels on the Missouri River in addition to the latest weather forecasts. Timing of road closures will depend on river levels. For the latest travel information visit 511ia.org.

The Iowa DOT reminds travelers to never enter a water-covered roadway. Do not move or travel around barricades or fencing as they are placed there for your safety. Turn around and don’t drown.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

Posted in News |

DENISE GRACE, 66, of Avoca (Memorial Svcs. 6/29/24)

Obituaries

June 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DENISE GRACE, 66, of Avoca, died Monday, June 24, 2024, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. A Memorial service for DENISE GRACE will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, June 29th, at Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, from 10-until 11-a.m.

DENISE GRACE is survived by:

Her sons – Ryan “T” Grace, and Brian Grace, both of Avoca.

Her brother – Dean (Sheryl) Renfeld, of Council Bluffs.

Her sister – Tina (Ron) Scroggie, of Avoca.

Her uncle – Russell & Suzanne Leslie, of Council Bluffs.

Posted in Obituaries |