It is game week at Iowa where the Hawkeyes get ready to host the University of Albany. The Hawkeyes have high hopes after finishing 8-5 a year ago.

That’s Iowa center Logan Jones. A demanding schedule that includes three home games against teams that appeared in the college football playoffs awaits.

It begins the fourth and final season for Hawkeye safety Xavier Nwankpa.

After a long trip back from Ireland the Iowa State Cyclones prepare for Saturday’s home opener against South Dakota. The 22nd ranked Cyclones converted a late fourth and three to ice a 24-21 victory over 17th ranked Kansas State.

That’s ISU coach Matt Campbell who says the Cyclones need to shift their attention in a hurry.

It completed a trip to Dublin that was announced 16 months ago.

It continues a trend for the Cyclones that started last year in which they find a way to win close games. Cyclone quarterback Rocco Becht.

Becht says the Cyclones are confident in close games.

The Audubon Volleyball team has begun official practice in preparation for the 2025 season, and the Wheelers are looking to complete their second winning season in the past three years. Head Coach Molly Lange says the summer was very productive which included team competition.

Hitting the conditioning has been a major emphasis in the early stages of practice as well.

The Wheelers return First Team All-Conference member Harlow Miller who led the team with 350 kills last year and ranked 13th in Class 1A with 936 attacks. Lange will look for her to lead by example and verbally.

Lange believes her team can compete with anyone in the Western Iowa Conference.

The Wheelers begin the 2025 season in a triangular with Panorama and Coon-Rapids Bayard on Thursday, August 21st.

The Griswold Tigers Football team gets an early start as they are set to host the East Mills Wolverines on Friday Night to kick off the Football season. The Tigers will look to improve upon a 3-6 record from a year ago and will do so with a bit of a new look after graduating 11 seniors. However, with fall camp in the review mirror, head coach Seth Lembke believes the week 0 contest will help the team continue to grow.

The early start, combined with the newcomers, necessitated a slightly different feel in camp, but sometimes less is more.

One of the new faces in new places in the Griswold lineup is senior quarterback Wyatt Silk. Although not new to varsity football, it will be his first year at quarterback after playing behind four-year starter Bode Wyman.  Lembke says his progression through camp has been strong and that he has benefited from his time on the field in other areas as well as from playing behind Wyman.

Arguably, the area most affected by graduation is the receiving corps. The Tigers lost their top six receivers from a year ago, including Connor Bowers and Auden Wilson, who each notched over 500 yards. Although it might take some time to completely develop the pass game, there have been some standouts in camp.

On defense the Tigers will look to senior RJ Dishong to be a leader. Dishong finished sixth on the team in total tackles a year ago with 31.5 adding 5 tackles for loss.

Early season games always come in with a bit of unknowns, but this game could see that exemplified with both squads looking to fill in certain spots. However, similar to the opposition, Lembke expects East Mills to be prepared.

This game could come down to the ability to limit mistakes, and for Lembke the keys to a victory are the basics.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm in Griswold and join KJAN for pregame coverage at 6:30 pm.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The No. 9 University of Iowa women’s soccer team fell to No. 7 TCU, 3-2, on Thursday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes move to 1-1-0 on the season.

TCU’s Emma Yolinsky netted the first goal of the game in the ninth minute of the first half.

Graduate student Olivia Lebdaoui would score her first goal as a Hawkeye in the 42nd minute to tie the match, 1-1. The score would remain the same for the remainder of the half.

Making her Hawkeye debut, sophomore goalkeeper Fernanda Mayrink had four saves in the first 45 minutes while TCU goalkeeper Kira Ybarra had one save in the first half for the Horned Frogs. TCU outshot Iowa, 8-7, in the first half. Lebdaoui fired two shots on goal in the first 45 minutes.

TCU was rewarded a free kick after a yellow card was called on the Hawkeyes and TCU’s Seven Castain was able to score off a deflection to give the Horned Frogs the lead in the 54th minute.

Castain struck again in the 64th minute to add to TCU’s lead, 3-1.

Lebdaoui was rewarded a penalty kick for the Hawkeyes after a handball was called on TCU. Lebdaoui converted on the PK in the 88th minute to cut the deficit to, 3-2. Lebdaoui’s two goals on the night marked a career high.

Junior Abby Skiff fired a shot in the 89th minute that was just high as the Hawkeyes fell, 3-2, in their home opener.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI
“[Lebdaoui’s goal] before the half was massive. I was expecting a better response from our group, but lessons learned. TCU is a top 10 team, and we know what it looks like. Let’s see if we can grow from it.”

Kuemper Catholic – 7 vs Audubon – 2

Kuemper Catholic winners: Charlotte Schwabe (2), Bella Lu, Regan Garringer (2), Riah Koenck (2), Priscila Linares (doubles), Meredith Sturm (doubles)

Audubon winners: Lena Rieman, Reagan Hoffman

Shenandoah – 8 vs Lewis Central – 1

Shenandoah winners: Gabi Jacobs (2), Jaylan Gray (2), Ali Hansen (2), Lyla Mather (2), Rachel Hobbie (2), Nora Martin (doubles)

Lewis Central winner: Miley Harrill

Shenandoah – 9 vs Creston – 0

Shenandoah winners: Gabi Jacobs (2), Jaylan Gray (2), Ali Hansen (2), Lyla Mathe (2), Nora Martin (2), Rachel Hobbie (2)

Lewis Central – 6 vs Creston – 3

Lewis Central winners: Miley Harrill (2), Emily Bills (2), Lily Edwards, Macie Meaike/Lucy Edwards (doubles), Avary Maas,

Creston winners: Hollynn Rieck, Kennedy Strider, Marlee Stalker/Shaylee Coen (doubles)

Clarinda – 9 vs Harlan – 0

Clarinda winners: Taylin Walter (2), Ellie Cole (2), Chandy Nothwehr (2), Layla Hargis (2), Taylor Vrba (2), Kylar Downey (2)

Glenwood – 7 vs Red Oak – 2

Glenwood winners: Kaitlyn Mullanix (2), Averi Newman (2), Brielle Allmon (2), Brooklyn Oetter, Claire Soergel

Red Oak winners: Mariella Hernandez (2), Sienna Klepinger (doubles)

The Southwest Valley Boys’ Cross Country team has high hopes for 2025 as the Timberwolves return an experienced group for the 2025 season. Head Coach Jason Hults says with the team’s chemistry the summer went extremely well.

Of the seven athletes competing at the varsity level, five are seniors.

James is one of two four-year cross-country athletes for the Timberwolves but have plenty of depth behind him.

Hults believes his team will be as familiar with the courses as anybody they compete against.

The Timberwolves believe this can be a special year in program history.

Southwest Valley begins their season at the 2025 Wildcat Classic in Redfield on Thursday, September 4th.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell says Friday will become a normal day for his team. The Cyclones practiced in Dublin on Thursday after an overnight flight to Dublin and will have a final practice on Friday leading up to Saturday’s game against 17th ranked Kansas State.

The Cyclones will be without starting guard Trevor Buhr. He did not make the trip due to illness.

Campbell says the two conference rivals should provide a good atmosphere.

Campbell says the large number of Cyclone fans who made the trip give it a big game feel.