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No. 3 Iowa State men visit Baylor Wednesday night

Sports

January 6th, 2026 by Ric Hanson

The third ranked Iowa State men face their first Big 12 road test Wednesday night with a visit to Baylor. The Cyclones are 14-0 and opened conference play with a win at home over West Virginia. The Bears are 10-3 overall and opened the league race with a loss at TCU.

That’s ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger, who says rebounding will be a crucial part of the game.

Otzelberger says Baylor will mix it up on defense.

It will be ISU’s second road game. The first one could not have gone better as the Cyclones crushed then top ranked Purdue 81-58 back in early December.

Northern Iowa men host Belmont Wednesday night

Sports

January 6th, 2026 by Ric Hanson

The Northern Iowa men look to stay unbeaten in the Missouri Valley Conference race on Wednesday night when they host Belmont. The challenge for the Panthers on defense will be slowing down Belmont guard Tyler Lundblade. He averages nearly 17 points per game and is shooting better than 43 percent from three point range.

That’s Panther coach Ben Jacobson who says experience has been a plus for Belmont. They are 13-3 overall and 3-2 in the Valley.

Jacobson says Lundblade’s ability to shoot from distance opens up the Belmont offense.

The Panthers are 4-0 in the Valley and 12-3 overall.

Drake men prepare for Wednesday night’s visit to Bradley

Sports

January 6th, 2026 by Ric Hanson

Drake takes a 2-2 Missouri Valley Conference record on the road to Bradley on Wednesday night. First year coach Eric Henderson says the Bulldogs are adjusting to the physical style of play it takes to compete in the Valley.

With junior forward Will Junior Exacte sidelined by a foot injury the Bulldogs lose a physical presence along the front line.

Henderson believes the Bulldogs are doing a better job of handling adversity.

After starting Valley play 3-0, Bradley has dropped two straight games to Southern Illinois and Belmont.

ROGERS ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL COACHING STAFF MEMBERS

Sports

January 6th, 2026 by Christian Adams

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers announced additional staff members for the upcoming 2026 season.

Sean Chambers – Quality Control/Offense – Full Bio

Chambers, a Kerman, California, native, is fresh off an FCS national championship at Montana State where he spent the last two seasons coaching at his alma mater. In his two seasons on staff at MSU, the Bobcats went 29-3 and last night defeated Illinois State to win the national championship.

Peyton Cox – Assistant Offensive Line – Full Bio

Cox, a Metairie, Louisiana, native, played and coached in the SEC, spending the 2023-24 seasons under Cyclone offensive line coach Jake Thornton at Auburn. The Ole Miss graduate coached the 2025 season as offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Concord University in West Virginia where the Mountain Lions were No. 4 in NCAA Division II in fewest sacks allowed.

Preston Gordon – Assistant Defensive Line – Full Bio

Gordon, a McKinney, Texas, native, boasts Big Ten experience having spent time at Purdue and Illinois coaching defensive linemen. He coached at FCS non-scholarship Butler in 2025. While at Purdue in 2023-24, the Boilers finished third in the Big Ten Conference in sacks during his initial season. He was a two-year graduate assistant at Illinois from 2021-22.

Matt Lenti – Quality Control/Defense – Full Bio

Lenti, a LaGrange Park, Illinois, native, worked with Washington State’s safeties in 2025 as the team allowed just 174.4 passing yards per game. Prior to WSU, Lenti was a defensive graduate assistant working with nickelbacks for Division III National Champion North Central College (Ill.) in 2024.

Jake Menage – Assistant Wide Receivers – Full Bio

Menage, a Springfield, Minnesota, native, has coached the previous three seasons on Rogers’ staffs at Washington State and South Dakota State. Menage has coached wide receivers at both stops and his receivers played a major role in SDSU’s 2023 FCS National Championship. Menage was a finalist for NAIA Coordinator of the Year in 2022 when he helped Northwestern College (Iowa) to the national championship.

Byron Robinson Jr. – Assistant Defensive Backs – Full Bio

Robinson Jr., a McKinney, Texas, native, brings Pac-12 and Big 12 experience to the Cyclones after spending 2024 at Oklahoma State and 2025 at Washington State. At WSU, the Cougars ranked No. 13 nationally while allowing just 174.4 passing yards per game and under 300 yards of total offense per contest. Robinson Jr. worked closely with nickelbacks last season at WSU.

Kyle Saddler – Quality Control/Offense – Full Bio

Saddler, a Frisco, Texas, native, has also worked alongside Rogers in each of his three seasons as a head coach. Saddler will work with the offense after doing so at Washington State and South Dakota State. He assisted in coaching quarterbacks at SDSU in 2023, helping guide Mark Gronowski to the Walton Payton Award. He assisted coaching running backs last season in Pullman.

Payton Shafer – Quality Control/Defense – Full Bio

Shafer, a Cottage Grove, Minnesota, native, played for Rogers at South Dakota State and has been on his coaching staff the previous three seasons. He won an FCS National Championship as a player in 2022 and as a student assistant in 2023. Shafer worked with linebackers last season at Washington State.

Obermueller and Pearson Named to Coaching Staff

Sports

January 6th, 2026 by Christian Adams

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Wes Obermueller has been promoted to pitching coach for the University of Iowa baseball team, and David Pearson will rejoin the Iowa coaching staff, head coach Rick Heller announced Monday. Obermueller replaces Sean Kenny, who took a job with the University of Arizona, and Pearson replaces Mitchell Boe, who took a job in the Washington Nationals system.

“Wes has done an outstanding job as our director of player development,” said Heller. “He was a tremendous resource for Coach Kenny, and I feel fortunate to have someone with Wes’s talent and background ready to step in as our pitching coach. He already has the trust and respect of our pitching staff, which should make this transition smooth. As a former Hawkeye and major leaguer, Wes brings an elite work ethic and a genuine love for the game to the park every day. He’s going to do a fantastic job.”

“It’s great to have David back on staff,” said Heller. “His passion for the game and the enthusiasm he brings every day are infectious. He is an outstanding relationship builder, and our players will love working with him. David is an experienced veteran and an exceptional all-around coach and recruiter. We’re excited to see him back in a Hawkeye uniform.”

Obermueller served as Iowa’s director of player development during the 2024-25 season.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to become the pitching coach at Iowa,” said Obermueller. “I look forward to using my experience and knowledge to help these athletes compete to their potential and contribute to the sustained success that Coach Heller and his staff have established with the Hawkeye baseball program.”

In his first season on staff, Iowa’s national rankings improved in multiple categories, including ERA (123rd to 16th), WHIP (134th to 27th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (147th to 51st).

The Iowa pitching staff ranked second in the nation with nine shutouts, fifth in hits allowed per nine innings (7.26), 11th in strikeouts per nine innings (10.8) and 16th in ERA (4.16). Iowa led the Big Ten in strikeouts (578) and ranked second in ERA (4.16). The Hawkeyes’ rotation of Cade Obermueller, Aaron Savary and Reece Beuter combined to go 18-5 with a 3.51 ERA. They struck out 265 batters and walked 87 over 43 starts and 226 2/3 innings.

Obermueller played for Iowa from 1997 to 1999 before being selected by Kansas City in the second round of the MLB draft. In 1999, he had a 6.83 ERA while recording 91 strikeouts in 88 1/3 innings. He also hit .352 with 24 RBIs. Obermueller started his career at Iowa as a shortstop and then a right fielder before making his debut on the mound as a junior. He locked down a spot in the starting rotation in 1999.

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native made his major league debut on Sept. 20, 2002, and played parts of five seasons in the big leagues (Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Florida Marlins), starting 48 games and appearing in 80. He had a 5.82 ERA over 315 1/3 innings, tallying 166 strikeouts.

Pearson previously served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Hawkeyes in 2021.

“Coming back to the University of Iowa feels like coming home,” said Pearson. “The people, the culture and the commitment to excellence within this program are second to none. I’m thankful for the trust to rejoin Coach Heller’s staff and eager to get back to work supporting our players. I’m excited to help the program continue to move forward.”

Pearson spent the 2025 fall semester on the Illinois State baseball staff after more than two years as a Midwest area scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers, covering Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

During his one season in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes won 36 games, the eighth-most wins in a single season in program history, and finished tied for second in the Big Ten with a 17-7 record. Iowa won 20 of 27, 23 of 32 and 30 of 42 games down the stretch, including six straight series to close out the regular season, putting itself in NCAA Regional conversation at season’s end. The Hawkeyes qualified for the Big Ten Tournament and advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2017.

Iowa’s pitching staff ranked among the nation’s best, finishing second nationally in hits allowed per nine innings (6.88), third in strikeouts per nine innings (11.2), fourth in ERA (3.72) and 11th in WHIP (1.29). The staff led the Big Ten in virtually every pitching category.

Prior to his time with the Hawkeyes, Pearson spent two years as associate head coach at North Dakota State, his second stint with the Bison. He also served as head coach at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) from 2016-19.

During the 2021 season, Pearson helped the Bison to a school-record 42 victories, as the team went 42-19 en route to a Summit League Tournament title and NCAA Regional berth. NDSU won its first NCAA Regional game, a 6-1 win over Nevada, to tally its first NCAA win of the Division I era.

During his head coaching stint at DMACC, Pearson led the Bears to a 38-17 record and the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference title in 2018. He was named ICCAC Coach of the Year. In three seasons as head coach, DMACC averaged 32 wins per season and appeared in the 2018 NJCAA Region XI Tournament title game.

Pearson also served as an assistant coach at North Dakota in 2004, helping UND to a school-record 37 victories and a regular-season conference crown. He was an assistant coach at Mayville State in 2005 and 2007, where he helped the Comets to a conference tournament title.

As a player, Pearson was a two-time all-conference infielder in junior college at Minot State-Bottineau, where he was a member of the 2000 team that won the Mon-Dak title. He went on to play two seasons at Mayville State and was a member of two Region 3 championship teams and played in the 2002 NAIA World Series. Pearson was inducted into the Dakota College at Bottineau Hall of Fame in 2015.

For more visit Obermueller and Pearson Named to Coaching Staff – Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics – Official Athletics Website

Basketball Scoreboard from Monday Jan. 5th

Sports

January 6th, 2026 by Christian Adams

BOYS

Hawkeye Ten Conference 

St. Albert – 53 vs Glenwood – 50 (OT)

Non-Conference 

Audubon – 63 vs Red Oak – 53

West Central Valley – 59 vs Nodaway Valley – 55

 

GIRLS

Non-Conference 

Nodaway Valley – 71 vs West Central Valley – 36

Woodbine – 56 vs Red Oak – 33

Wrestling Results from Monday Jan 5th

Sports

January 6th, 2026 by Christian Adams

BOYS

DUALS AT MARTENSDALE ST. MARYS

Martensdale St. Marys – 60 vs CAM – 4

Clarke – 60 vs CAM – 4

Treynor – 45 vs CAM – 12

Individual:

CAM Multiple – Oliver Becker (2)

CAM single – Reily Becker, Brentyn Hoover, Charlie Rouse, Parker Wilson

 

GIRLS

KUEMPER GIRLS TOURNAMENT

1. Spencer – 161 pts

2. Kuemper Catholic – 135.5 pts

3. Western Iowa – 132 pts

6. Audubon – 108 pts

9. Denison-Schleswig – 68 pts

Audubon Top Finishers: Macy Rasmussen (1st – 110), Elena Harbour (1st – 145), Jordan Mulford (2nd – 100), Olivia Poldberg (4th – 115), Laura McCarville (4th – 125), Emma Korwes (4th – 235), Tayvyn Petersen (5th – 170),

 

No. 14 Iowa women beat Northwestern 67-58

Sports

January 6th, 2026 by Ric Hanson

The 14th ranked Iowa Hawkeye women survived 20 turnovers to win at Northwestern 67-58, Monday night. The Hawkeyes move to 4-0 in the Big Ten.

That’s Iowa coach Jan Jensen. Sophomore center Ava Heiden led the way with 23 points on nine of 11 shooting.

The Hawkeyes are 13-2 overall.

No. 19 Iowa men visit Minnesota Tuesday night

Sports

January 5th, 2026 by Ric Hanson

After posting their most impressive win of the season over UCLA the 19th ranked Iowa men head out on the road in Big Ten play for a Tuesday night game at Minnesota. The Hawkeyes are 12-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play and coach Ben McCollum says his team will need another great effort.

Iowa’s first Big Ten road game in early December resulted in a 19-point drubbing at hands of Michigan State.

After stumbling out of the gate, the Gophers have won four straight and are also 2-1 in conference play after beating Northwestern on the road.

McCollum says the Gophers have made strides on defense.

The game will match two former Drake coaches. Minnesota’s Niko Medved led the Bulldogs to a 17-17 record before leaving for Colorado State in 2018. McCollum led Drake to a school record 31 wins and the second round of the NCAA tournament this past season before taking the Iowa job.

Girls Wrestling Results from Saturday Jan. 3rd

Sports

January 5th, 2026 by Christian Adams

Clarinda Tournament

Team Scores:

1. Clarinda – 156.5 pts

2. Kuemper Catholic – 130.5 pts

3. Johnston – 122 pts

4. Creston – 116.5 pts

5. Audubon – 116 pts

6. Tri-Center – 90.5 pts

9. Southwest Valley – 62 pts

12. Mount Ayr – 55.5 pts

12. Treynor – 55.5 pts

15. Shenandoah -47.5 pts

16. Southwest Iowa – 32 pts

18. Earlham – 27 pts

19. East Mills – 16.5 pts

Audubon Champions: Jordan Mulford (100), Macy Rasmussen (110)

Clarinda Champions: Kambry Gordon (115), Kylar Downey (125), Lily Weinreich (140), Jalon Olson (155), Aliyah Payne (235)

Creston Champion: Grace Keeler (135)

DUALS AT LEWIS CENTRAL

Riverside – 42 vs Glenwood – 42 **Riverside wins via criteria**

Riverside – 36 vs Papillion-La Vista – 36 **Riverside wins via criteria**

Ankeny – 48 vs Riverside – 36

Liberty – 53 vs Riverside – 30

Topeka-Washburn-Rural – 72 vs Riverside – 12

Logan-Magnolia-Woodbine – 63 vs Abraham Lincoln – 18

Logan-Magnolia-Woodbine – 48 vs Liberty – 36

Logan-Magnolia-Woodbine – 45 vs Topeka-Washburn-Rural – 36

Lewis Central – 63 vs Logan-Magnolia-Woodbine – 18

Raccoon River Northwest – 64 vs Logan-Magnolia-Woodbine – 15

Glenwood – 54 vs Lee’s Summit West – 6

Lewis Central – 62 vs Glenwood – 17

Norfolk – 54 vs Glenwood – 24

Liberty – 39 vs Glenwood – 39 **Liberty wins via criteria**

Lewis Central – 64 vs Lee’s Summit West 12

Topeka-Washburn-Rural 37 vs Lewis Central – 35

Norfolk – 43 vs Lewis Central – 34

Abraham Lincoln – 41 vs Lee’s Summit West – 18

Raccoon River-Northwest – 72 vs Abraham Lincoln – 6

Papillion-La Vista – 40 vs Abraham Lincoln – 36

Liberty – 54 vs Abraham Lincoln – 18

Raccoon River-Northwest – 58 vs Liberty – 18

Raccoon River-Northwest – 56 vs Ankeny – 18

Raccoon River-Northwest – 56 vs Norfolk – 21

Riverside Winners: Hailey Harvey (5), McKenna Dorr (4), Jersey Hilgenberg (4), Kaylin Garrison (3), Chloe Guinn (2), Amira Wilke (2), Rylei Price (2), Sarah Cody, Abbigail Hicks, Hannah Marsh