Game week is here for Iowa State as the 22nd ranked Cyclones get ready to head to Dublin for Saturday’s college football opener against 17th ranked Kansas State. While preparation for the Wildcats shifts into high gear, ISU coach Matt Campbell says getting his team ready remains the priority.

Campbell says there are a lot of unknowns going into this game.

Campbell says the most important factor in the game will be how well the Cyclones play.

Playing a conference rival in the opener makes that even more important.

Linebacker Caleb Bacon says the Cyclones have been preparing for this trip since winter workouts began in January.

Bacon says they are excited to open on such a big stage.

Junior tight end Gabe Burkle says they have been preparing for this trip for weeks.

Burkle says it is a great opportunity for the program.

The Cyclones leave for Dublin on Wednesday

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa track and field has hired Taylor Washington as an assistant coach. The announcement was made Monday by Director of Track and Field Joey Woody.

Washington will work closely with the sprints and hurdles groups.

Prior to joining the staff at Iowa, Washington was an assistant coach and director of operations for the women’s track and field and cross country programs at the University of Arkansas. While Washington was in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks were the 2025 SEC indoor track and field champions. In 2024, Arkansas won the NCAA and SEC indoor titles and claimed the NCAA outdoor title.

Recently, Washington joined the USATF staff as an assistant relay coach, where she designs training plans and serves as a liaison between coaches and USATF staff. She coached several athletes to podium finishes at the 2025 World Relays, while qualifying all relays to the 2025 World Championships.

Washington was an 11-time NCAA All-American from 2012-2016 while competing at Pittsburgh and Arkansas. She was a team captain from 2014-2016 with the Razorbacks and is a member of the 2023 University of Arkansas Hall of Honor. Washington continued her career as a professional from 2016-2019, representing Team USA at the 2016 Olympics.

Washington earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arkansas in 2016 before securing her master’s degree in business administration – sports business from Saint Leo University in Florida.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa football program has named 15 players to the 2025 Player Council, it was announced Monday by Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz.

The group includes nine graduates to along with two seniors, two juniors and two sophomores.  The purpose of the group is to assist in formulating policies and being involved in team decision-making throughout the year. Players were selected following coaching staff and player input.

The 2025 Player Council includes graduates Jacob Gill, Aaron Graves, Mark Gronowski, Jaden Harrell, Ethan Hurkett, Logan Jones, Hayden Large, Jeremiah Pittman and Jaxon Rexroth, senior Gennings Dunker and Addison Ostrenga, juniors Koen Entringer and Jayden Montgomery and sophomores Zach Lutmer and Kamari Moulton.

The Hawkeyes open the 2025 season Aug. 30, hosting UAlbany at 5 p.m. (CT) inside Kinnick Stadium.

2025 Player Council
Gennings Dunker – Gr. – Lena, Ill.
Koen Entringer – Jr. – Ypsilanti, Mich.
Jacob Gill – Gr. – Raleigh, N.C.
Aaron Graves – Gr. – Dayton, Iowa
Mark Gronowski – Gr. – Naperville, Ill.
Jaden Harrell – Gr. – Urbandale, Iowa
Ethan Hurkett – Gr. – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Logan Jones – Gr. – Council Bluffs, Iowa
Hayden Large – Gr. – Hudsonville, Mich.
Zach Lutmer – So. – Rock Rapids, Iowa
Jayden Montgomery – Jr. – Suamico, Wis.
Kamari Moulton – So. – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Addison Ostrenga – Sr. – Sun Prairie, Wis.
Jeremiah Pittman – Gr. – Palatine, Ill.
Jaxon Rexroth – Gr. – Cedar Rapids, Iowa

OMAHA, Neb. — The University of Nebraska-Omaha and the men’s basketball team mourn the loss of student-athlete Deng Mayar.  Mayar joined the Mavericks this past offseason after two years with North Dakota. He made 42 appearances and 15 starts for the Fighting Hawks.

Mayar also went by the last name Ador. On Saturday night, Deng Ador and 21-year-old Sa Mafutaga were swimming at Blackridge Reservoir. Just before 6:00 p.m., the Herriman Police Department was called to the reservoir to respond to two people in distress. Mafutaga was able to get out of the water but saw Ador was still struggling. The 21-year-old tried to get Ador out of the water but wasn’t able to. People in the area also attempted to help.

A team effort involving the Unified Fire Authority, South Jordan Fire Department Water Rescue Teams, and the Utah Highway Patrol Dive Team searched for Ador. After hours of searching, the Utah Highway Patrol’s submersible robot found Ador’s body at 10:40 p.m. Divers recovered him at 11:00 p.m.

“We are devastated to learn of Deng’s passing. On behalf of our university community, our love and sincere condolences are with his family during this difficult time. We also wish his friends and teammates in Omaha, North Dakota, and Salt Lake City family, peace as they process this tragic loss,” said Joanne Li, chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and Adrian Dowell, Director of Athletics.

“Our entire program is devastated to learn of Deng’s passing. After competing against him for two years, we were elated to add him to our team and he made tremendous progress this summer. Deng was a joy to be around and made our culture better. We will miss him greatly. Jodi and I, along with our entire program, send our hearts and prayers to Deng’s family, friends, and teammates,” said Chris Crutchfield, UNO men’s basketball head coach.

Mayar was 22 years old.

The CAM Volleyball team has returned to the court and is seeking to improve after a 9-19 2024. Head Coach Hillary Zimmerline says a strong team chemistry and vocal skills will be vital for her team.

CAM lost their kill leader from a season ago in Maddie Richter. Although, the Cougars bring back many underclassmen who stepped up including Junior Ruthie Rich who posted over 100 kills in 2024.

The everyday rotation may include some players who have minimal varsity experience.

The Cougars begin their season in the AHSTW Tournament and Zimmerline says she and her team enjoy starting the season with a day filled with multiple matches.

CAM has had winning seasons in four of the last five years and seek to get back on track in 2025.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State redshirt senior Tamatoa McDonough will wear No. 58 in honor and remembrance of former assistant coach Curtis Bray.

The tradition of a player switching to No. 58 dates back to the 2014 season as an honor to Bray, who passed away that year from a pulmonary embolism. Bray’s presence is still felt inside the Bergstrom Football Complex and each season a Cyclone defensive lineman is selected to wear the number he wore during his outstanding career at Pittsburgh from 1988-92. Bray was on the Cyclone coaching staff for five seasons (2009-13).

McDonough, an Asheville, North Carolina native, is in his first season with the program after transferring from Yale following his graduation.

For the fourth year, the Curtis Bray Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student on campus. This year’s recipient is Amanda Kregel, a business analytics major from Springfield, Illinois.

Cyclones To Wear No. 58 In Honor of Coach Bray
2014 – Cory Morrissey
2015 – Mitchell Meyers
2016 – Mitchell Meyers
2017 – J.D. Waggoner
2018 – Spencer Benton
2019 – Ray Lima
2020 – Eyioma Uwazurike
2021 – Eyioma Uwazurike
2022 – Isaiah Lee
2023 – J.R. Singleton
2024 – J.R. Singleton

2025 – Tamatoa McDonough

The AHSTW Football team is preparing for the 2025 season and seeking a fourth consecutive winning year. AHSTW went 6-3 in 2024 including a win over the state champion Tri-Center Trojans. Although, the successful past few years for the Vikings, Head Coach Davis Pattee says there are many shoes to fill entering this season.

With many positions up for grabs, Pattee says the team has been competing in practice at a high level.

AHSTW begins its preseason with a scrimmage against Tri-Center where the Vikings will look for those depth chart answers prior to week one.

Pattee says the schedule looks different compared to years in the past and is excited for the challenge.

AHSTW kicks off the regular season Friday, August 29th at home against Logan-Magnolia.

St. Albert 5 Atlantic 4

St. Albert 2x winners: Ellie O’Donovan

Other St. Albert winners: Ella Narmi (doubles), Madelyn Dawson, Brooklyn Hughes, Joslyn Boswell/Maura Ryan (doubles)

Atlantic winners: Lily Willrich, Shauna Anderson, Addie Freund, Dylin Ball/Taryn O’Brien (doubles)

Creston 7 Audubon 2

Creston 2x winners: Hollynn Rieck, Kennedy Strider, Marlee Stalker, Shaylee Coen

Other Creston winner: Brooke Huck

Audubon winners: Emma Reinhardt, Vivian Jackson/Reagan Hoffman (doubles)

Kuemper Catholic 5 Harlan 4

Kuemper 2x winners: Charlotte Schwabe, Regan Garringer, Meredith Sturm

Other Kuemper winner: Riah Koenck (doubles)

Harlan 2x winners: Lauren Schmitz, Mariajose Guerrero Luna

Other Harlan winners: Rebekah Christensen

Sioux City East 9 Thomas Jefferson 0

Bishop Heelan Catholic 9 Thomas Jefferson 0

Bishop Heelan 5 Abraham Lincoln 4 

Sioux City East 7 Abraham Lincoln 2

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 13th ranked University of Iowa women’s soccer team won its season opener, 3-2, over sixth ranked Arkansas. The win marked Arkansas’ first loss at home since 2021.

It took no time for freshman Liana Tarasco to make an impact for the Hawkeyes as she netted her first collegiate goal just seven minutes into the match to give Iowa a quick lead. Tarasco was awarded a penalty kick after a handball and scored off of a deflection.

Senior Kenzie Roling added to the Hawkeyes lead with a goal in the 25th minute. Junior Sofia Bush was credited for the assist. The goal marks the 11th of Roling’s career as a Hawkeye.

At the break, Iowa led the Razorbacks, 2-0. Iowa fired eight shots in the first 45 minutes. Senior Goalkeeper Taylor Kane had two saves in the first half to post a shutout after 45 minutes of play.

Arkansas struck quickly to open the second half, with Taylor Tommack, scoring just three minutes into the second half. However, it didn’t take long for Iowa to respond as two minutes later junior Abby Skiff netted her first career goal to put Iowa up 3-1. The goal was assisted by sophomore Iba Oching and Bush.

The Razorbacks would then convert on another goal just five minutes later to bring the Hawkeye lead within one. Iowa would go on to shutout sixth ranked Arkansas for the remainder of the game to win the match, 3-2.

• The Hawkeyes 2-0 lead at the half marked the first time Arkansas had trailed at halftime at home since 2021.
• The victory marks Iowa’s highest ranked road win since April 15th, 2020 when they defeated No. 4 Penn State, 1-0.
• Iowa’s last top 6 victory came against No. 5 Penn State on Nov. 2nd, 2023. The Hawkeyes defeated the Nittany Lions, 1-0, in double overtime in the Big Ten Tournament.
• Head Coach Dave DiIanni is now 3-2 in his Iowa career against opponents ranked sixth or higher. In those games, Iowa has outscored their opponent 5-4.
  • Prior to DiIanni’s arrival, Iowa was 0-7 against opponents ranked sixth or higher. In those games the Hawkeyes were outscored 29-4.
• DiIanni is now 9-2-1 in his Iowa career in the season opener. He is 6-2-0 when opening the season on the road.
• Tonight was the first time Iowa opened their season with a ranked opponent.
• Prior to tonight, Arkansas was 41-1-4 at home over the last four seasons.
  • They had not suffered a loss at home in 42 of their last 43 games.
• 20 different Hawkeyes played in the match.
• 2 for the Money: Iowa’s record is 56-2-3 in its last 61 games when scoring two goals or more, which dates back to October of 2017.
• 90 Tracker:Price Loposer, Millie Greer.