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Avery Gillahan Tabbed as Big 12 Freshman of the Week

Sports

August 23rd, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IRVING, Texas – Iowa State redshirt freshman Avery Gillahan has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for her performances across the first week of action.

Gillahan had big shoes to fill as she replaced program legend Jordan Silkowitz who was drafted into the NWSL this past winter.

In her first-ever week of collegiate action, Gillahan allowed just one goal across two matches. Gillahan earned her first clean sheet against Northern Colorado as her prowess in the net helped lead ISU to a 1-0 win over the Bears.

Gillahan played all 180 possible minutes for the Cyclones over the week, tallying three saves. Iowa State is 2-0 for the first time since 2015 and the Cyclone defense, anchored by Gillahan, is a big reason why.

She is the first Cyclone to win Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors since teammate Lauren McConnell did so in 2021. Gillahan is just the seventh ISU player to earn the award, joining the likes of Anna Lindgren, Olivia Edwards, Mira Emma, Hannah Cade and Klasey Medelberg.

ISU will be back in action on Thursday, August 24, when it heads to Iowa City to face off with the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first action of the 2023 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.

Big 12 Weekly Award Winners 

Offensive Player of the Week: Emma Hawkins (OU) & Trinity Byars (UT)

Defensive Player of the Week: Kendell Petersen (BYU) & Jazmin Brown (KSU)

Goalkeeper of the Week: Melania Pasar (KU)

Freshman of the Week: Avery Gillahan

Laulauga Tausaga Makes History in Budapest

Sports

August 23rd, 2023 by Asa Lucas

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Former University of Iowa track and field thrower Laulauga Tausaga made history on Tuesday, becoming the United States’ first-ever women’s discus gold medalist at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

Tausaga, a 2021 Iowa graduate, registered a four-meter personal best to outthrow her competition with a final mark of 69.49 meters on her fifth throw. Fellow American Valerie Allman took second with a 69.23-meter throw.

“Lagi is the most humble and amazing person and I’m so proud of her,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “She has worked her way through many ups and downs of being a post-collegiate athlete, but she has continued to keep her constant focus and dedication to her goals of winning a World Championship title! She is one of the best competitors we’ve ever had in our program, and she showed that with how she came back from a couple of fouls in the preliminary before throwing a personal best to earn three more throws,” Woody added. “That set her up for another massive PR and one of the all-time best throws in United States and World history to take the lead and secure the win.”

The Spring Valley, California, native, was the 2019 NCAA Discus Champion, 2021 NCAA discus runner-up, eight-time All-American, 2021 USTFCCCA Outdoor Midwest Regional Female Athlete of the Year, 2020 USTFCCCA Indoor Midwest Regional Female Field Athlete of the Year, five-time Big Ten Champion and 2020 Big Ten Indoor Female Field Athlete of the Year and Championship.

Former Hawkeye sprinter Brittany Brown also represented the United States and Iowa track and field program at the World Athletics Championships, placing seventh in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.97.

“Brittany has had a tremendous season with her first year really focusing on the 100-meters,” Woody said. “The women’s 100 is one of the toughest events in track and field right now with four to five of the all-time fastest athletes in history all competing at this year’s World Championships. Making the World Championships final in that event is such a terrific accomplishment for Brittany and that experience will set her up well going into the Olympics next year!”

Big 12 Conference Partners with U.S. Integrity for Sports Wagering Monitoring and Regulatory Compliance Software

Sports

August 23rd, 2023 by Asa Lucas

The Big 12 Conference and U.S. Integrity today announced a partnership that will provide the Conference with monitoring software and tools that will play a pivotal role in preventing student-athletes, coaches, and staff from engaging in prohibited sports wagering.

This partnership will also see Big 12 officials and each Big 12 institution provided access to U.S. Integrity’s monitoring software and resources. These resources include annual onsite training for all student-athletes, coaches, staff, and officials, weekly integrity monitoring across all sports, and access to the Prohibet system.

“The Big 12 Conference is thrilled to partner with U.S. Integrity as a continuation of its commitment to sports betting compliance,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “Given the current landscape of sports betting in our industry, it’s more important than ever to double-down on ensuring sport integrity across our Conference.”

Through their partnership with U.S. Integrity, the Conference will be provided access to ProhiBet, a technology that provides a secure and transparent method for sports properties and sportsbook operators to ensure that student-athletes, coaches, and administrative staff remain compliant with the intricate web of state regulations that govern sports betting activities.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Big 12 — the combination of ProhiBet’s state-of-the-art encrypted data transfer system and the Big 12’s dedication to upholding the integrity of sports will undoubtedly enhance the transparency and trustworthiness of collegiate sports betting activities,” stated Matt Heap, Managing Director of ProhiBet. Heap brings a wealth of experience in the field as the former head of the Colorado Division of Gaming’s sportsbook operations.

The Big 12’s partnership with U.S. Integrity and ProhiBet is part of a two-fold approach to solidify the Conference’s oversight surrounding sports betting. This approach will also see the Big 12 strengthen its control over the dissemination of the Conference’s data.

About ProhiBet:
ProhiBet is a leading provider of encrypted data transfer solutions for the sports betting industry. With a focus on regulatory compliance and data security, ProhiBet empowers sports properties and sportsbook operators to navigate the complex landscape of state regulations related to prohibited bettors. For additional information, visit www.prohibet.com.

About Odds On Compliance:
Odds On Compliance is a technology and consultancy firm specializing in sports betting, iGaming and gambling compliance and regulatory frameworks, in the U.S. and abroad. Odds On Compliance provides a range of services that assist clients navigating, mastering, and staying up to date with the rapidly developing regulatory compliance framework at state and federal levels throughout the USA. For more information please go to OddsOnCompliance.com or the Odds On Compliance LinkedIn page.

About U.S. Integrity:
U.S. Integrity is a leading technology-driven sports wagering monitoring company, providing the highest level of protection against betting-related fraud and corruption. U.S. Integrity’s mission is to grow the legal, regulated sports betting market by providing solutions that ensure sports betting integrity in every play, every game, every sport. Supported by investors including Las Vegas Sands, SeventySix Capital and the New York Angels, U.S. Integrity partners with some of the largest professional sports leagues and collegiate conferences in the U.S., as well as licensed sports-betting operators and regulators. U.S. Integrity is based in Las Vegas and New York. For additional information, visit www.usintegrity.com.

Creston Police Report

News

August 23rd, 2023 by Jim Field

Creston Police reported a few arrests in the last few days.

On Monday, August 21, 2023 at 12:00 pm 69 year old Francis Charles Weihs of 203 W. Montgomery St. in Creston was arrested at Maple and Montgomery.  Weihs was charged with Urinating and/or Defecating in Public.  Weihs was sited and released on a promise to appear.

On Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 1:35 pm 36 year old Julian Albert Rex Allison of 610 New York Ave. in Creston was arrested at 608 N. Birch St.  Allison was charged with Violation of Parole.  Allison was taken to Union County Jail and held without bond.

Also on Tuesday at 8:09pm 36 year old Ashley Nicole Parmenter of 2426 Almond Ave. in Creston was arrested at 1102 N. Pine St.  Parmenter was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.  Parmenter was taken to Union County Jail.  Bail of $1,000 cash or approved surety was posted.

Humans may be able to handle the heat, but it can be fatal for furry friends

News

August 23rd, 2023 by Jim Field

It’s the third straight day of a statewide extreme heat warning, and highs in the low hundreds are tough on people — and pets.  At this stage, some folks may be getting used to the steamy weather, but it can still be deadly, quickly, to enclosed animals.  Joe Stafford, Director of Animal Services at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, says if you leave a pet in a parked car, cracking a window open does virtually no good, and neither does parking in the shade.

In his 20-plus years in the industry, Stafford says he hears about such cases every summer and he’s confounded as to why some pet owners don’t ever seem to get the message.

He urges Iowans, if you see a pet (or a child) alone in a car, call 9-1-1, as your action could save a life.  Many dogs love to go on walks, but during this heat wave, it’s wise to limit their time outdoors, perhaps just to walks in the morning and evening when it’s cooler.  K-C Routos (ROO-diss), the A-R-L’s director of development, says to test the sidewalk before bringing your pooch out on a leash.

If your dog is spending a lot of time outside, she says to keep them out of direct sunlight or consider using a sunscreen for dogs.  For more information on summer pet safety tips: https://www.arl-iowa.org/news/pet-tips-/5-summer-heat-safety-tips-for-pets/.

Iowa Treasurer Smith Announces More than $538,900 in Unclaimed Money Reunited with Fairgoers

News

August 23rd, 2023 by Jim Field

State Treasurer Roby Smith announces the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt had an active year at the Iowa State Fair. “In a short 11-day span, over 2,800 claims were filed at the Iowa State Fair and more than $538,900 was claimed. One individual even found $24,385 belonging to them,” said Smith. “As the State Fair would say, ‘Nothing Compares’ to finding your lost money!”

Smith utilizes the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt to reunite owners and heirs with their unclaimed property. Under Iowa law, these assets are turned over to the State Treasurer’s Office after businesses and financial institutions have lost contact with the owner for a specific period of time. Common examples of unclaimed property include forgotten checking and savings accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility refunds and safe deposit box contents.

“Thousands of fairgoers took advantage of our convenient, easy-to-navigate process to search for themselves, family members, friends and local businesses,” Smith continued. “But there’s no need to wait until next year’s State Fair; search online all year round! New names are continually being added, so even if you have claimed in the past, try searching again.”

To see if the State has any unclaimed property waiting for you, visit GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to complete your search. Stay up-to-date with the Treasurer’s Office on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Excessive Heat Warning has been Extended by a Day

News, Weather

August 23rd, 2023 by Jim Field

The National Weather Service has extended the Excessive Heat Warning.  It is now in effect until Thursday, August 24 at 7:00 pm.

Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values peaking around 105 to 110 degrees are expected each day in all of Iowa.

Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.  The long duration of the heat can be particularly hard on the very young, the elderly and those with medical conditions.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9-1-1.

*Big Ten Preview* Northwestern Wildcats

Sports

August 23rd, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Today, we continue our preview of the upcoming Big Ten football season with a 14-team preview over 14 weekdays. Tanner Hoops previews the 2023 Northwestern Wildcats:

Tomorrow, we’ll preview Purdue.

Iowa’s Aaron Graves previews the season

Sports

August 23rd, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Iowa defensive tackle Aaron Graves is ready for an expanded role this season. The former Southeast Valley High School standout appeared in 12 games as a true freshman last season and recorded 15 tackles, including six for a loss.

Graves says after a full year of college football he has added size and strength.

Defensive line has become a strength at Iowa and Graves says leadership from the veterans has been a big part of that.

That Hawkeyes open at home on September second against Utah State.

Wartburg coach Chris Winter on high expectations

Sports

August 23rd, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Hopes are high once again for the Wartburg football team after making a run to the NCAA Division III semifinals. Coach Chris Winter has an experienced team that is favored to win a second straight American Rivers Conference title.

Winter says it is a new season and a new challenge.

Wartburg opens at home on September second against Monmouth College.