DES MOINES, Iowa – The University of Iowa track and field team concluded an incredible weekend of competition at the Drake Relays winning the women’s Drake Relays Cup for the second time in program history. The Iowa women’ last won the Drake Relays Cup in 2019.

“We had a terrific final day at the Drake Relays securing the women’s Drake Relays Cup for the second time in our program’s history,” Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “I was very proud of how our team competed this entire weekend. The Drake Relays is always a great atmosphere for our athletes, and it also challenges our program to compete as a team in many open events and non-traditional relays which prepares us for the championship season.”

The Hawkeyes took home the women’s Drake Relays Cup after first place finishes in the women’s sprint medley, the women’s 4×400 relay invitational and open. The women’s sprint medley team of Holly Duax, Lia Love, Damaris Mutunga and Alli Bookin-Nosbisch secured an event win and a school record with its time of 3:44.12. This marks the Hawkeyes’ first win in the sprint medley since 2019.

Duax dominated the day, earning two flags in the sprint medley and 100-meters, where she clocked in an 11.98 finish. Duax secured Iowa’s first-ever win in the 100 meters at the Drake Relays.

The women’s 4×400 relay invitational was dominated by Alivia Williams, Olicia Lucas, Mutunga and Chioma Nwachukwu, finishing in 3:31.13. This marks Iowa’s first 4×400-relay win at the Drake Relays. In the women’s 4×400 university relay, Ellie Rickertsen, Gabby Cortez, Ali Fransen and Jaiden Itson also finished first with a time of 3:40.67.

“I was very excited for our women’s sprint medley to secure our first relay win in a few years,” Woody said. “I was very proud of how well Holly (Duax) competed to win the women’s collegiate 100 meter to match her 100 meter title from high school. I loved seeing the women dominate the field by almost four seconds in the 4×400-relay invite to secure the Drake Relays Cup for the team. Then, the women’s B team came right after and won the open collegiate 4×400 showing how deep our 400 group is.”

Sophomore Ryan Johnson led the men’s hammer throw, hitting the 71.16-meter mark to secure Iowa’s first win in the event. Teammates Sean Smith and Austin Busch were also in the top five, with Smith taking second (65.97 meters) and Busch claiming fifth (64.33 meters).

The men’s 4×110 shuttle hurdles team of Kalil Johnson, Tyler Kenaga, Drew Dillard, and Kai Graves-Blanks claimed a flag with a time of 57.26. The group now ranks second all-time at Iowa, securing its first win since 2022.

“The men also had a terrific day starting things off in the championship hammer throw with a huge 1-2 finish for Ryan (Johnson) and Sean (Smith) and another Drake Relays flag secured by the men’s team. Then, the men’s shuttle hurdle relay race for the first time in a few years came out on top of a great field to capture their relay’s flag,” Woody added. “Kai (Graves-Blanks) came back right after that and ran a terrific race into a pretty stiff headwind to finish runner up and continue his impressive and consistent season. The men’s 4×400 ran a great race to finish second and almost come out with another relay victory in front of the great Drake Relays crowd. It was fun to see those guys hit a season’s best time and set us up well heading into the championship season.”

The women’s distance medley relay team of Jalyssa Blazek, Gabby Cortez, Jaiden Itson, and Elena Torres picked up a fourth all-time mark at Iowa, finishing in 11:28.80.

Up Next: The Hawkeyes host the Musco Twilight meet celebrating senior day in Iowa City at the Francis X. Cretzmeyer Track. Tickets will be for sale on hawkeyesports.com. Admission is $5. Ages 2 and under are free. Iowa will also travel to the Desert Heat Classic in Tucson, Arizona. Action begins May 2.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 100 Meters Finals
1. Holly Duax – 11.98

Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles Finals 
2. Kai Graves-Blanks – 13.75

Women’s 4×100 Relay Finals
2. Duax, Lucas, Al. Williams, Love – 44.91

Men’s 4×110 Shuttle Hurdles
1. Kalil Johnson, Tyler Kenaga, Drew Dillard, Kai Graves-Blanks – 57.26, 2nd at Iowa

Men’s Sprint Medley
3. Jaylin Holmes, Braedin Zondervan, Josh Pugh, Ryan Schreiner – 3:18.46, 7th at Iowa

Women’s Sprint Medley
1. Holly Duax, Lia Love, Damaris Mutunga, Alli Bookin-Nosbisch – 3:44.12, 1st at Iowa

Men’s 4×400 Relay Invite
2. Terrick Johnson, Landon Fontenot, Tyrese Miller, James Fingalsen – 3:05.78

Women’s 4×400 Relay Invite
1. Alivia Williams, Olicia Lucas, Damaris Mutunga, Chioma Nwachukwu – 3:31.13

Women’s 4×400 University
1. Ellie Rickertsen, Gabby Cortez, Ali Fransen, Jaiden Itson – 3:40.67

Men’s Distance Medley Relay
9. Carson Lane, Braedin Zondervan, Derek Leicht, Carson Houg – 9:54.74

Women’s Distance Medley Relay
7. Jalyssa Blazek, Gabby Cortez, Jaiden Itson, Cameron Kalaway – 11:28.80, 4th at Iowa

Men’s Hammer University
12. Walker Whalen – 56.97 (186’ 11”)

Men’s Hammer Championship
1. Ryan Johnson – 71.16 meters (233’ 5”)
2. Sean Smith – 65.97 meters (216’ 5”)
5. Austin Busch – 64.33 meters (211’ 0”)

Women’s Hammer University
7. Alivia Bauer – 56.36 meters (184’ 11”)
10. Peyton Wilson – 55.07 meters (180’ 8”), PR

Men’s Javelin University
10. Drake Woody – 55.05 meters (180’ 7”)

Kip Janvrin Open
Men’s 400 Meters
2. Braedin Zondervan – 48.13

Women’s 400-Meter Hurdles
10. Isabelle Woody – 1:08.79, PR

Women’s 800 Meters
16. Lily Johannes – 2:20.11

AMES, Iowa – In addition to four players getting selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, five more have agreed to deals with NFL teams heading forward.

The Cyclones that signed deals following the draft started a total of 150 games in their Iowa State careers.

Jarrod Hufford (Las Vegas Raiders), Stevo Klotz (Los Angeles Chargers), Myles Purchase (Los Angeles Chargers), J.R. Singleton (Seattle Seahawks) and Malik Verdon (Atlanta Falcons) have all agreed to terms.

Jarrod Hufford – OL – Las Vegas Raiders

Two-time Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (OL and Offensive Lineman of the Year) … played in 55 career games, helping team post a 45-32 record while reaching two Big 12 Championship games … started games in his career at left guard (21), center (14), left tackle (9) and right guard (3) … member of five bowl teams, playing in four of them and winning the 2021 Fiesta Bowl and 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Stevo Klotz – TE – Los Angeles Chargers

Two-time Second-Team All-Big 12 as a fullback … had a big game against Cincinnati, finishing with three receptions for 32 yards and a 26-yard TD catch … also ran a fake punt for 22 yards and a first down against the Bearcats … finished career playing in 39 games with 19 starts and making 15 receptions for 149 yards (9.9 average) and two touchdowns.

Myles Purchase – DB – Los Angeles Chargers

Finished career playing in 52 games, ranking among the top 10 all-time in school history … started 34 games in his career … totaled 146 career tackles, including 11.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage … had 26 career pass breakups to go along with two takeaways (1 INT, 1 FR) and one forced fumble … was a part of three bowl teams, winning the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl.

J.R. Singleton – DL – Seattle Seahawks

Co-captain of the team in 2024 … Honorable Mention All-Big 12 as a senior … finished Cyclone career having played in 49 games with 28 starts … had 75 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks in his career … also had 15 quarterback hurries … forced three fumbles in his career … played on teams that reached two Big 12 Championship games and four bowl games.

Malik Verdon – DB – Atlanta Falcons

Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2024 … declared for NFL Draft following his redshirt junior season … was second on the team with 76 tackles, 3.5 for a loss … had one sack, one interception, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups … reached double-digit tackles in four games … ranked among Big 12’s top-20 averaging 6.3 tackles per game … finished his career having played in 27 games, compiling 134 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss … had three career interceptions, 10 pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

2025 Iowa State NFL Draft Picks

Jayden Higgins – Houston Texans – 2nd Round – Pick 34

Darien Porter – Las Vegas Raiders – 3rd Round – Pick 68

Jaylin Noel – Houston Texans – 3rd Round – Pick 79

Jalen Travis – Indianapolis Colts – 4th Round – Pick 127

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Michigan State on Sunday afternoon at Secchia Stadium, 6-4, in the finale of the three-game series. This is Iowa’s third straight Big Ten series win and fourth of the season.

Junior Jalen Adams (22-5) got the start in the circle and threw her 17th complete game of the season. Adams surrendered four runs on five hits and fanned three. Seven Hawkeyes recorded a hit as junior Tory Bennett recorded the only multi hit game going 2-for-3. Sophomore Jena Young and freshman Talia Tretton each hit a home run for the Hawkeyes.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Iowa’s patience at the plate paid off early as four of the five first hitters of the game reached on a free pass giving the Hawkeyes the early lead, 1-0, as sophomore Soo-Jin Berry drew a bases loaded walk. Tretton came to the plate next and launched a grand slam off the foul pole in left field to extend the Iowa lead to five.

The Hawkeyes added to their lead in the second as Young sent one out of the park in straight away center field. Michigan State got on the board in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly.

Iowa was able to load the bases in the fourth but were unable to bring a run home. The Spartans added three in the bottom half on a two-RBI double and an RBI ground out to cut the lead to two, 6-4.

Adams held strong in the circle the remainder of the game. She retired the Spartans in order in the sixth for the third time. She was able to close out the game in the seventh to secure the series win for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa finished the game with six runs on eight hits. Michigan State scored four runs on five hits.

NOTABLES

• Tretton’s grand slam was the second of the season for the Hawkeyes.
• Adams picked up her 22nd win of the season, the most for a Hawkeye pitcher since 2009 (Brittany Weil, 26).
• This is Iowa’s 12th Big Ten win of the season, the most since 2012 (16) *
• Four Big Ten series wins is the most in a season since 2012 (6) *
• This was Iowa’s third straight Big Ten series win, the longest streak since 2012 (5) *
• Iowa moves to 82-31 all-time against Michigan State.

*excluding the 2021 COVID bubble season

UP NEXT
Iowa (31-17, 12-7) returns to action against Iowa State on Tuesday for game two of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series at Bob Pearl Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30pm CT and will be streamed on B1G+ ($) and broadcast on Hawkeye Radio Network.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa baseball team shutout Indiana, 10-0, in seven innings to sweep the series at Duane Banks Field on Sunday afternoon. This is the Hawkeyes’ fourth Big Ten sweep and eighth shutout of the season, which ranks second in the nation.

The Hawkeyes (31-12, 20-4) totaled eight hits and batted .308 overall and .800 with runners in scoring position, collecting seven RBIs with two outs.

Iowa scored three runs in the second inning. After Daniel Rogers doubled, Caleb Wulf brought him home with a single up the middle. Andy Nelson followed with a 413-foot shot over the scoreboard in left field, his third home run this season.

The Hawkeyes added three more in the third when Rogers drew a bases loaded walk, Wulf hit an RBI SAC fly and Jaixen Frost smacked an RBI ground-rule double over the centerfield wall.

The Hawkeyes put up a four-run sixth inning to extend their lead to 10. Nelson hit his second home run of the game, and Gable Mitchell joined the party with a three-run shot to right field.

“I was really happy to see Andy really have a breakout game,” said Heller. “He gets a 3-0 green light and hits a home run, his second of the game. If Andy could get hot here down the stretch, that would be a big boost for us. We’ve all seen Andy on hot streaks, and it’s good when he’s on them, that’s for sure.”

Reece Beuter started on the hill and earned the win to improve to 5-0 on the season. He gave up zero runs on three hits and struck out seven batters.

“Reece was oustanding today,” said Heller. “I thought it was the best he’s been all year, and he’s been pretty darn good the last few weeks. Today what made the difference was he was able to locate the fastball on both sides of the plate. He was really locked in with his command. He had his total package today.”

Ben DeTaeye came in and closed the game in the seventh to send Hawkeye fans home early for the second day in a row. Beuter and DeTaeye held Indiana (23-21, 12-12) to a .130 average at the plate and didn’t allow an extra base hit.

“I think we executed quite good,” said Beuter. “We were getting strikes early with the slider and then making sure we were showing fastball in to not leave anything over the middle of the plate. It’s also very relieving as a pitcher when you know you have run support and you don’t have to keep them to a run or two a game.”

Up Next 

The Hawkeyes will host Illinois State for a midweek contest on Tuesday at 6:02 p.m. (CDT) at Duane Banks Field.

Sidney Cowboy Golf Invitational

1. Clarinda 323

2. Shenandoah 331

3. Sidney 333

4. Auburn 350

5. Bedford 367

6. East Mills 391

7. Fremont-Mills 441

Top 10:

1. Hayden Thompson (74) – Sidney

2. Ethan Laughlin (78) – Shenandoah

3. JJ Martin (79) – Shenandoah

4. Carson Turner (79) – Clarinda

5. Kort Neal (81) – Clarinda

6. Jac Fine (81) – Clarinda

7. Karsten Beckel (82) – Clarinda

8. Hudson Emshoff (83) – Auburn

9. Jack Kline (83) – Clarinda

10. Micah Johnson (83) – Bedford

Atlantic Tournament

1. Shenandoah – 31 points

2. Atlantic – 23 points

4. Glenwood – 19 points

5. Red Oak

6. Creston

7. Kuemper Catholic

No. 1 singles runner-up: Lucas Sun – Shenandoah

No. 1 doubles champion: Luke Daoust & Ryan Lawrence, Shenandoah

No. 2 singles champion: Teagan Brunk – Shenandoah

No. 2 doubles champion: Drew Morelock & Levi Rystrom – Shenandoah

Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz feels the passing game made progress this spring. Long considered the weakest position group on the team Ferentz says the receivers have made big strides.

Ferentz says redshirt freshman receiver KJ Parker had an impressive spring.

The Hawkeyes closed out spring drills with an ope practice on Saturday.