Murphy Qualifies for NCAA Championships

STILLWATER, Okla. – Junior Max Murphy qualified for the NCAA Championships with a ninth-place finish and a 30:27.6 mark at the NCAA Midwest Regional on Friday afternoon.

Competing in his first career 10,000-meter race and NCAA Regional event, Murphy etched his name in Iowa’s record books, using his time to climb to seventh all-time in program history. Murphy is Iowa’s first NCAA Qualifier since Nathan Mylenek in 2019. Since taking over the program in 2017, Coach Hasenbank has now sent Hawkeyes to the NCAA Championships three times (Mylenek – 2018, 2019; Murphy – 2023).

“That performance by Max was pretty special,” distance and associate head coach Randy Hasenbank said. “He has been ready to do this for some time and each time we have had a setback. It has been an up and down season for him. I think it was a relief for him and it helps validate all the work and hours spent training.”

Following the race’s first 2,000 meters, Murphy steadily pushed from 59th-place towards the front of the pack, reaching 13th by the halfway point. The Bettendorf, Iowa, native had broken the top 10 by the final 2,000 meters and was able to hold off Illinois’ Jack Roberts and Loyola’s Chris Devaney to earn the ninth-place finish.

“Today was his day,” Hasenbank said of Murphy. “He was very focused and knew the course well, since we came down here last year for this reason. He made a tactical error a year ago. He did not make that same mistake today. I am very proud of him.”

As a team, the Hawkeyes placed 12th with 368 points. Seniors Aidan King and Jack Pendergast turned in strong performances in their finale wearing the black and gold. King’s 32:14.3 was good for 74th overall, while Pendergast took 82nd with his 32:24.0. Sophomore Brayden Burnett finished his impressive season, scoring once again for the team with a 32:27.0. Senior Ian Geisler rounded out the top five for Iowa with his 32:51.4 mark.

“Overall, the men had a very good day after an up and down season,” Hasenbank added. “They came out focused and aggressive and I thought they kept their concentration through the critical stage of the race. As a result, this was definitely our best performance of the season.”

Oklahoma State used 1-2-3 finishes to claim the team title with 19 points.

The women’s 6,000-meter race kicked off the meet with the Hawkeye women taking 19th-place overall out of 32 teams.

Senior Amber Aesoph led the squad for the fourth time this season, clocking a 21:54.6 and finishing 61st overall. Fellow senior Kelli Tosic placed second among Hawkeyes, crossing the line in 22:22.3. Sophomore Jalyssa Blazek made her regional debut and scored with a time of 22:25.8. Senior Abby Ryon (22:31.7) and sophomore Aleah Tenpas (22:46.6 – PR) wrapped up the top five for Iowa.

The team averaged a time of 22:24.2 and had a spread of 0:52. Oklahoma State won the team title with 30 points, led by individual champion Billah Jepkirui (20:28.4).

UP NEXT: Junior Max Murphy will compete at the NCAA Championships in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Nov. 18. The 10,000-meter race will begin at 10:10 a.m. (CT).

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior defensive back Cooper DeJean has been selected as one of nine semifinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. The announcement was made Friday by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy, now in its 20th year, goes to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

DeJean, who is also a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, has played nearly 400 snaps in coverage this season without giving up a touchdown. He leads the Hawkeyes in pass break-ups (4), is second in interceptions (2) and sixth in tackles (41) this season. One of his two interceptions thwarted a scoring threat in the end zone against Michigan State.

On special teams, DeJean had a 70-yard game-deciding touchdown late in the fourth quarter against Michigan State. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally with an 11.9 punt return average and he is second nationally in punt return touchdowns.

The Odebolt, Iowa, native was a midseason first-team All-America selection by the Associated Press, The Athletic, ESPN and FOX.

Off the field, DeJean has participated in several volunteer activities, including Safe Haven of Iowa County, Special Olympics Golf Outing, CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank, Filter of Hope (Athletes in Action), UI Dance Marathon, Day of Caring, Ladies Football Academy, Senior Citizen Bingo, Wetherby Nights: Community Building Event and Houses into Homes. He also took a mission trip to Ecuador in 2022.

Former Hawkeye linebacker Josey Jewell won the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2017.

Finalists will be invited to attend the Lott IMPACT® Trophy award show on Dec. 10, in Newport Beach, California. The university of the winner will receive $25,000 for its general scholarship fund while the other finalists will receive $5,000 for each of their schools.

Iowa (7-2, 4-2) returns to action Saturday, hosting Rutgers at 2:40 p.m. (CT) in Kinnick Stadium. The game will be televised on BTN.

Iowa State needs a win to stay in the Big 12 title chase as the Cyclones get ready to visit BYU under the lights. A concern for Cyclone coach Matt Campbell is BYU’s front seven on defense.

Campbell says BYU has great size up front on defense.

Injured USC transfer Kedon Slovis has been ruled out at quarterback for BYU. Junior college transfer Jake Retzlaff (rets-lawf) will get his second start after throwing for 210 yards in last week’s blow out loss at West Virginia.

Both teams are 5-4 overall.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Hawkeyes are focused on Rutgers and not the division race. At 7-2 the Hawkeyes control their own destiny in the Big Ten West and with an offense that is a non-factor they will need to continue to find ways to win when they host the Scarlet Knights.

That’s coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa’s run defense has shined but the Rutgers combination of running back Kyle Monangai and quarterback Gavin Wimsatt is averaging nearly 185 yards on the ground.

In his second stint at Rutgers coach Greg Schiano is building a consistent winner.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Lily Huether has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Iowa women’s golf program, it was announced Friday by head coach Megan Menzel.

Lily Huether

Tucson, Arizona

Salpointe Catholic High School

– Tied for first at the Arizona Division II State Tournament in 2022; finished third in 2023

– 2022 and 2023 Performer of the Year in Southern Arizona High School Golf

– Two-time team Most Valuable Player at Salpointe Catholic High School

– 2021 Junior Golf Association of Arizona Player of the Year

– 2020 Junior Golf Association of Arizona Sportsmanship Award recipient

– Won three tournament titles and posted six top-six finishes in the 2023 calendar year; won the Flowing Wells High School Tournament of Champions with a seven-under par 132 (68-69) and the JGAA Phoenix City (with an opening round 67) and FCG Arizona World Series

– Won four tournaments in 2022 and posted 12 top 10 showings; won the HJGT Arizona Spring Junior Open, Nota Begay Qualifier and SAJGA New Years Open

– Member of the National Honor Society and the Distinguished Honor Roll

– 2023 Ryan T. Lee Memorial Scholarship recipient

– Mother, Amy Butzer-Huether, played for the Iowa women’s golf program from 1987-89

Why Iowa?

“There are so many reasons to choose the University of Iowa. First, the University of Iowa has an outstanding reputation in both academics and athletics. The Hawkeye spirit and strong sense of community are unparalleled. Second, I chose Iowa for the exceptional coaching staff. Megan and Allison have the expertise, leadership, support, and commitment to take me to the next level in my sport. Finally, both of my parents are Iowa alums. I love the idea that I can carry on the Hawkeye traditions of excellence both on the course and in the classroom.”

Menzel on Huether

“We are excited for Lily to officially be a Hawkeye. She has worked hard and continues to elevate her game. We are looking forward to her continued growth over the next four years.  Lily was born into a Hawkeye family, and we can’t wait to welcome them all into our Iowa women’s golf family.”