Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker says the Hawkeyes are working to limit big plays next season. The defense was stung by big plays a year ago in posting an 8-5 record.

Even while giving up more big plays the Hawkeye defense still ranked high nationally last season.

The Hawkeyes close spring drills Saturday with an open practice in Kinnick Stadium.

Several Iowa State players are expected to be taken in the NFL Draft in Green Bay over the next few days. Receivers Jaylin Noel amd Jayden Higgins are expected to be the first Cyclones off the board while defensive back Darien Porter, offensive lineman Jalen Travis and safety Malik Verdon are also likely to be selected.

That’s ISU coach Matt Campbell. The Cyclones have had eight players drafted in the last three years.

Expectations are high for the Atlantic Trojan softball team as they are gearing up for what they believe will be another year in which they can make a deep run. The Trojans have been no strangers to success. Over the past five seasons Atlantic has appeared in three regional championships and a state semi-final. Head Coach Terry Hinzmann said despite it not always being about how far they go, they are always looking for results.

The winning culture stretches from top to bottom as Atlantic has been working hard over the spring. As senior McKenna Sonntag echoes what the Trojans eye year in and year out.

Although Atlantic did lose some key players to graduation, the Trojans will have a lot of continuity and opportunities for continued growth, especially on defense.

Part of that continuity is junior Zoey Kirchhoff. In addition to being a big part of the offense, she is also a part of the Trojans rotation on the mound. In addition to using her enjoyment of pitching to her benefit, it has also paid dividends in other parts of her game.

Another key player for the Trojans will be junior Lila Wiederstein. Along with Kirchhoff, Wiederstein led the Trojans at the plate last year. A season ago she finished with a remarkable .556 average, a 1.377 OPS and drove in 48 runs. Despite all her success her approach at the plate will remain simple.

It is well known in sports that some of the best teams are also the closest and as Kirchhoff states it is a value that plays a big part in this Trojan team.

Another sentiment echoed amongst the team is the excitement for the season. Sophomore Payton McLaren adds that even the smallest things have the team looking forward for what is to come.

Last year was the only season in the past five years that the Trojans have not made it to at least the regional championship. However, that is serving as nothing but motivation for this Atlantic group as they feel primed to make another deep run.

ATLANTIC INVITATIONAL

1. Clarinda – 30 points

• No. 1 Singles: Riley Nothwehr – 1st Place
• No. 2 Singles: Hannah Higgins – 1st Place
• No. 1 Doubles: Taylin Walter/Ellie Cole – 3rd Place)
• No. 2 Doubles: Alivia Higgins/Chandy Nothwehr – 1st Place

2. Creston – 19 points

• No. 1 Singles: Ava Adamson – 2nd Place
• No. 2 Singles: Kennedy Strider – 6th Place
• No. 1 Doubles: Sasha Wurster/Hollyn Rieck – 2nd Place 
• No. 2 Doubles: Shaylee Coen/Marlee Stalker – 7th Place

2. Lewis Central – 19 points

• No. 1 Singles: McKenzie Morris – 7th Place
• No. 2 Singles: Avary Mass – 3rd Place
• No. 1 Doubles: Addisyn McNeal/Liv Allely – 5th Place
• No. 2 Doubles: Reese Meaike/Macie Meakie – 2nd Place

4. Audubon – 17 points

• No. 1 Singles: Briley Belnap – 5th Place
• No. 2 Singles: Alice Adam – 5th Place 
• No. 1 Doubles: Grace Zaiger/Samantha Warnaca – 4th Place
• No. 2 Doubles: Rachel Rynearson/Makenna Nichols – 5th Place

4. Abraham Lincoln – 17 points

• No. 1 Singles: Eliot Powers – 6th Place
• No. 2 Singles: Abbie Eichelberger – 4th Place
• No. 1 Doubles: Tori Hansen/Lilly Bates – 1st Place
• No. 2 Doubles: Lexie Nelson/Rylan Stokes – 8th Place 

6. Harlan – 16 points 

• No. 1 Singles: Naia Ojeda – 3rd Place
• No. 2 Singles: Alexa Powers – 7th Place
• No. 1 Doubles: Anastacia Kay/Chloe Swensen – 7th Place
• No. 2 Doubles: Rebekah Christensen/Catherine Fah – 3rd Place

6. Atlantic – 16 points

• No. 1 Singles: Lily Willrich – 4th Place
• No. 2 Singles: Jacobi Harter – 2nd Place
• No. 1 Doubles: Dani Bennett/Addie Freund – 8th Place
• No. 2 Doubles: Aubrey Winford/Aunika Darrow – 6th Place

Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester says quarterback Mark Gronowski has been a good fit for the program, even though he is still recovering from off season surgery. Gronowski transferred to Iowa after a standout career at South Dakota State and will not be fully cleared until this summer.

Lester says Gronowski will have to compete to become the starter at quarterback.

The Hawkeyes close spring drills Saturday with an open practice.

The Audubon Boys tennis team has won three duals and a fourth-place tournament finish at the halfway point of the 2025 season. The Wheelers have collected victories over Creston, Harlan and at Southwest Valley with a fourth-place finish at the Shenandoah Tournament sprinkled in as well.

The Wheelers are led by four seniors followed by two juniors and two sophomores. Head Coach Maryssa Soder says the team’s returners have played a major role so far.

Senior Isaac Jackson leads the team by winning six matches so far and only suffering one loss. Junior Carson Matthews is following closely with five victories of his own. All six players on the roster have won multiple matches. Soder says the new members of the team have influenced a fun atmosphere amongst the team.

In practice, the Wheelers have been focusing on staying closer to the net more often than they have in the first half of the year.

Team chemistry is no issue for the 2025 Audubon Wheelers as memories are being made each time, they are around one another.

Audubon has three duals left and a quad at Dallas Center-Grimes left on the regular season schedule and looking to finish strong.

Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell is not a fan of roster limits expected to implemented before next season. As spring drills draw to a close Campbell has been forced to make roster cuts as the Cyclones need to pare down the roster to 105 players by the start of preseason practice.

Campbell says there have been a lot of difficult conversations with players.

Campbell does not understand the need limit walk-on programs.

The Cyclones close out spring drills on Saturday and Campbell says he likes the talent level of his team.

ISU gets an early start to next season by playing Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland on August 23rd.

AMES, Iowa – The 19th annual Cyclone Tailgate Tour, powered by MidAmerican Energy, returns next month to a location near you! This ever-popular tour brings together Cyclone fans all throughout the state of Iowa in celebration of Iowa State Athletics. This year’s 10-stop tour will take place May 19-23.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our staff to engage with Cyclone fans across the state,” Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. “We are so grateful for our loyal fans who travel to Ames for all of our events, and the Tailgate Tour affords us the opportunity to return the favor and visit them in their home areas.”

Each Cyclone Tailgate Tour stop is free and open to fans of all ages. These family-friendly events provide fans the unique opportunity to interact with and hear updates from Iowa State head coaches and Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard. Cy and members of the spirit squad will also be in attendance. Enjoy giveaways, photo opportunities, food and beverage available for purchase, and a chance to connect with fellow Cyclone fans. All children in attendance will also receive a gift courtesy of the Cyclone Club.

While tour event lineups may vary, this year’s tour will feature ISU Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard, football coach Matt Campbell, men’s basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger, women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly, volleyball coach Christy Johnson-Lynch, wrestling coach Kevin Dresser, the “Voice of the Cyclones” John Walters and, of course, Cy.

Doors open 30 minutes prior to the listed event start times. The evening stops include a program which begins at 6:30 p.m. for all locations excluding Council Bluffs, which will begin at 7 p.m. Official Iowa State merchandise from Cy’s Locker Room will be available for purchase at all evening stops.

Make sure to follow Iowa State Athletics on social media platforms throughout the tour for more coverage.

2025 Cyclone Tailgate Tour Stops

• May 19 – Ankeny, Toast | Noon-1 p.m.
• May 19 – Davenport, Rhythm City Casino Resort | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• May 20 – Dubuque, Grand River Center | Noon-1 p.m.
• May 20 – Cedar Rapids, Veterans Memorial Building – Coliseum | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• May 21 – Waterloo, SingleSpeed Brewing Co. | Noon-1 p.m.
• May 21 – Clear Lake, Surf Ballroom | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• May 22 – Humboldt, 716 Main | Noon-1 p.m.
• May 22 – Okoboji, The Roof Garden Ballroom at Arnolds Park | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• May 23 – Sioux City, Tyson Events Center | Noon-1 p.m.
• May 23 – Council Bluffs, Mid-America Center – Convention Center | 6-8 p.m.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Kansas State transfer Brendan Hausen (HOSS-en) has signed a scholarship agreement with the University of Iowa men’s basketball program, it was announced Tuesday by head coach Ben McCollum.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound guard from the Lone Star State will have one season of eligibility remaining with the Hawkeyes.  Hausen spent his first two seasons at Villanova before playing one season in the Big 12 Conference at K-State.

Hausen is the ninth player to join the new-look Iowa roster this spring, joining Drake transfers Bennett Stirtz, Kael Combs, Cam Manyawu, Isaia Howard and Tavion Banks, Robert Morris transfer Alvaro Folgueiras, high school signee Trevin Jirak and Hawkeye returnee Cooper Koch.

“Brendan is the type of shooter that can change the game quickly,” said McCollum. “He has an elite work ethic and we’re very excited for him to be a Hawkeye.”

Brendan Hausen (HOSS-en)
6-4, 205, Guard
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo High School
Villanova | Kansas State

• Started all 33 games at Kansas State in 2024-25, averaging 10.9 points on 39 percent (108-of-277) shooting, including 38.8 percent (90-of-232) from 3-point range… also averaged 2.5 rebounds and had 28 assists and 19 steals
• Reached double figures in 20 games, including scoring a career-high 27 points at St. John’s on 9-of-17 shooting with six 3-pointers
• Has scored 671 points during his career, shooting 39.8 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from 3-point range… also an 82.8 percent free throw shooter
• Has 32 career double-digit scoring games
• Has made 178 3s in his collegiate career (1.8 per game)… ranked in the top 70 nationally in percentage (54th), makes (58th), makes per game (67th) and attempts (70th) in 2024-25… was in the top five in the Big 12 in makes per game, percentage and total makes.
• Was originally recruited to Villanova by Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright before his retirement in 2022
• Helped team to 35 wins in two seasons at Villanova… team played in two NITs
• Averaged 6.2 points on 39.2 percent (69-of-176) shooting from the field as a sophomore at Villanova, including 38.1 percent (61-of-160) from 3-point range, to go along with 1.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.4 steals in 17.7 minutes per game
• Finished 13th in the BIG EAST in 3-point field goals/game (1.79)… led the team in both 3-point field goals made (81) and attempted (160) as well as 3-point field goal percentage (38.1)
• Dubbed the ‘Amarillo Assassin’ for his exploits in becoming the top shooting guard in the Class of 2022 at Amarillo High School in Amarillo, Texas… finished his prep career as Amarillo High School’s all-time leading scorer (2,208 points) and was named the 2021-22 Boys Athlete of the Year in the Texas Panhandle
• Was rated as a consensus 4-star prospect by all major recruiting services, including On3, 247Sports and ESPN… Was a top-50 recruit by both On3 (No. 41) and Rivals (No. 45)… Rated as the No. 4 player in the state of Texas by On3.

The Drake Relays began with an American record on the streets of Des Moines. Krissy Gear out-dueled Karissa Schweizer at the end to win the women’s 1 mile road championship as part of the Grand Blue Mile. The winning time of four minutes, 24 seconds is an American record.

Gear was one of five women in the field to finish under the previous record.

Schweizer finished second and will also represent the United States at the World Road Mile Championships.

Vince Ciattei (see-ah-tee) won his second straight men’s road mile title and third one overall but this one comes with the added prize of representing the U-S at the World Championships.

It will be the first time Ciattei has represented the United States in international competition.