Jaden Harrell is ready for the challenge of becoming Iowa’s starting middle linebacker. The senior from Urbandale has spent the past two years as the back up to Jay Higgins.

Harrell played in every game the past two seasons, mostly on special teams. His most extensive action at linebacker came in last year’s loss at UCLA when Higgins was injured.

Harrell says his time on special teams and in short yardage situations prepared him for this next step.

Harrell says he is working on become the leader on defense that is required from that position.

The Hawkeyes open the season at home on August 30th against the University of Albany.

ATLANTIC, IOWA – Two teams. One mission. And a season built on grit, growth, and small-town
pride.

Hit City Softball – a nonprofit travel softball organization based in Southwest Iowa – recently
celebrated a successful 2024-2025 season for its 10U team and continues a strong run with its 13U
team. The program, founded in 2024 by Brett and Stacy Johnson of Atlantic and Chuck and Chelsie
Madden of Avoca, was created to give girls from small towns the chance to compete on a larger
scale.

10U Team Highlights a Breakout Year
The 10U team wrapped its season with a 17-12 record, playing in six tournaments across Des
Moines, Lincoln, and Kansas City. Major accomplishments included:
– Champions – CIS Hawaiian Hitfest (Lincoln, Gold Bracket)
– Champions – CIS May Madness (Des Moines)
– Champions – CIS Angels for Autism (Des Moines)
– Runner-Up – Iowa State 10B Tournament (Des Moines, 22-team Gold Bracket)

“These 11 girls showed up day in and day out to work for each other,” said Head Coach Keisha
Fichter. “They bought into one team, one goal. Our motto became, ‘I will.’ – ‘I will hit,’ ‘I will catch the
pop fly.’ We went from players with little competitive experience to a top-level team. What makes

this group special is their grit, their heart, and their selflessness.”

Roster: Ali Musich, Aniston Honeyman, Annettee Hoffmann, Brynlee Holst, Caroline Parrott, Jordan
Ficther, Jordan Neal, Kambry Johnson, Lila Driver, Maelie Madden
Hometowns: Clarinda, Avoca, Atlantic, and Bedford

13U Team Still Competing at a High Level
The 13U team, currently competing at the 14B level, holds a 42-11 record with two major
tournaments left: the Tournament of Champions (Des Moines, June 28) and Summer Turf Fest
(Bettendorf, July 18). Their season has included:
– Champions – CIS Hawaiian Hitfest (Lincoln, Gold Bracket)
– Champions – CIS May Madness
– Champions – CIS Kickoff Classic
– Champions – CIS March Shootout
– Runner-Up – Iowa State Tournament (14A Division – playing up)

“This team became a family,” said Head Coach and Co-Founder Brett Johnson. “To have 12 girls
from different towns form a bond like this is something rare. They’ve made everyone around them
better – especially me.”

Coach Clay added, “My hope is that they continue to push through failures, soak in the memories,
and realize just how special this time is. One day, they’ll want to relive it all over again.”

Roster: Addison Kite, Addison Neal, Ashten Dorsey, Charlotte Shafar, Danica Matheny, Harleigh
Rozenboom, Kailee Kautzky, Kinsley Johnson, London Kirchoff, Maebry Rice, Rylee Maher, Rylinn
Madden

Hometowns: Atlantic, Avoca, Clarinda, Bedford, Anita, Oakland, and Adair

New Teams and Tryouts Announced
Hit City is growing again. For the 2025-2026 season, they will expand to include an 18U softball
team and introduce Hit City Baseball, starting with a 10U team.

Tryouts will be held Sunday, July 13 at the Atlantic Little League Fields:
– 10U & 12U Softball: 2:00 PM
– 10U Baseball: 2:00 PM
– 14U & 18U Softball: 3:00 PM

Founded on the belief that small-town athletes deserve big-time opportunities, Hit City continues to
offer players a place to develop, compete, and grow together.

AMES, Iowa – Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel were arguably the nation’s best wide receiving duo. Then they were drafted by the same team, the Houston Texans, in the 2025 NFL Draft. On Wednesday, they became the first teammates to share the Gary Thompson Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year award.

It marks just the fifth time in school history that Iowa State has had co-athlete of the year award winners and the first since Edward Kemboi (Track & Field/Cross Country) and Kyven Gadson (Wrestling) shared the honor in 2015.

Individually, both senior wideouts put together what ranks among the best single seasons in the 133-year history of the program.

They were one of just two pairs nationally to each notch 1,000 receiving yards during the 2024 season, as they led the Cyclones to the winningest season in school history with an 11-3 record which culminated with a Pop-Tarts Bowl championship.

Higgins earned Associated Press Third-Team All-America honors after finishing the season with 87 receptions (second-most in school history), 1,183 yards (third) and nine touchdowns (tied for second). He was the sixth wide receiver in school history to earn All-America honors. The South Miami, Florida, native also earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors.

Nationally, Higgins was 10^th nationally in receiving yards, 14^th in receptions per game (6.7) and 20^th in receiving touchdowns.

Higgins, who played two seasons at ISU after transferring from Eastern Kentucky, caught a pass in all 26 games he played as a Cyclone and broke the school record with a touchdown reception in seven-straight games.

In 2024 he topped 100 receiving yards in five games, including a season-best 155 yards on nine catches at Utah.

Noel, a two-time co-captain, was named Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Year and was First Team All-Big 12 as a return man, while earning honorable mention honors as a receiver.

The Kansas City, Missouri, native made 80 receptions (fifth-most in school history) for 1,194 yards (second) and eight touchdowns (tied for seventh). He was ninth nationally in receiving yards and 18^th in receiving yards per game (85.3)

Noel saved his best for some of the season’s biggest moments: a 75-yard touchdown reception against Iowa and 40 receiving yards on the 33 second game-winning drive against the Hawkeyes. Against No. 15 Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Noel notched eight receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown, including multiple catches on that game-winning drive as well.

Higgins and Noel will be recognized at the football season opener against South Dakota.

Gary Thompson Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year Winners
1947 – Ron Norman, Basketball
1948 – Glen Brand, Wrestling
1949 – Bob Peterson, Basketball
1950 – Bill Weeks Football
1951 – Jim Doran, Football
1952 – Mal Schmidt, Football & Swimming
1953 – Jack Erickson, Football & Wrestling
1954 – Max Burkett, Football
1955 – Chuck Duncan, Basketball
1956 – Gary Thompson, Baseball & Basketball
1957 – Gary Thompson, Baseball & Basketball
1958 – Frank Powell, Football & Wrestling
1959 – Ron Gray, Wrestling
1960 – Dwight Nichols, Football
1961 – Tom Watkins, Football
1962 – Dave Hoppman, Football
1963 – Marv Straw, Basketball
1964 – Gordon Hassman, Wrestling
1965 – Tom Vaughn, Football
1966 – Tom Peckham, Wrestling
1967 – Don Smith, Basketball
1968 – Don Smith, Basketball
1969 – Dan Gable, Wrestling
1970 – Dan Gable, Wrestling
1971 – Otto Stowe, Football
1972 – George Amundson, Football
1973 – Chris Taylor, Wrestling
1974 – Doug Fitzjarrell, Gymnastics
1975 – Al Nacin, Wrestling
1976 – Pete Galea, Wrestling
1977 – Wayne Stanley, Football
1978 – Mark Trippel, Gymnastics
1979 – Mike Land, Wrestling
1980 – Mike Schwartz, Football
1981 – Ron Galimore, Gymnastics
1982 – John Quinn, Football
1983 – Nate Carr, Wrestling
1984 – Bob Verbeeck, Track & Field
1985 – Barry Stevens, Basketball
1986 – Mark Diab, Gymnastics
1987 – Stewart Carter, Wrestling
1988 – Eric Hansen, Swimming
Jeff Grayer, Basketball
1989 – Tim Krieger, Wrestling
1990 – Mike Busch, Baseball & Football
1991 – John Nuttall, Cross Country and Track & Field
1992 – Obinna Eregbu, Track & Field
1993 – Jonah Koech, Track & Field
1994 – Eric Akin, Wrestling
1995 – Fred Hoiberg, Basketball
1996 – Dmitry Drozdov, Track & Field and Cross Country
1997 – Chris Bono, Wrestling
1998 – Dwight Hinson, Wrestling
1999 – Cael Sanderson, Wrestling
2000 – Marcus Fizer, Basketball
2001 – Jamaal Tinsley, Basketball
Cael Sanderson, Wrestling
2002 – Cael Sanderson, Wrestling
2003 – Seneca Wallace, Football
2004 – Zach Roberson, Wrestling
Jake Sullivan, Basketball
2005 – Ellis Hobbs, Football
2006 – Nate Gallick, Wrestling
2007 – Trent Paulson, Wrestling
2008 – Chris Baker, Golf
2009 – Jake Varner, Wrestling
2010 – Jake Varner, Wrestling
2011 – Jon Reader, Wrestling
2012 – Nate McCoy, Golf
2013 – Scott Fernandez, Golf
2014 – Melvin Ejim, Basketball
2015 – Edward Kemboi, Track & Field and Cross Country
Kyven Gadson, Wrestling
2016 – Georges Niang, Basketball
2017 – Monté Morris, Basketball
2018 – Joel Lanning, Football
2019 – Edwin Kurgat, Track & Field and Cross Country
2020 – Edwin Kurgat, Track & Field and Cross Country
2021 – David Carr, Wrestling
2022 – Breece Hall, Football
2023 – David Carr, Wrestling
2024 – David Carr, Wrestling

2025 – Jayden Higgins, Football

                Jaylin Noel, Football

Non-Conference 

• West Monona – 14 vs Griswold-CAM – 8
• Woodbine – 7 vs Ridge View – 4
• Martensdale-St. Marys – 2 vs West Marshall – 1
• East Sac County – 12 vs Ar-We-Va – 2
• Pleasantville – 12 vs Pella Christian – 8

West Central Activities Conference 

• Woodward-Granger – 10 vs ACGC – 2
• Panorama – 13 vs West Central Valley – 12
• Ogden – 7 vs Madrid – 1

Missouri River Conference 

• Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 13 vs Sioux City East – 2
• Sioux City East – 4 vs Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 3
• Sioux City North – 17 vs Abraham Lincoln – 2
• Le Mars – 8 vs Thomas Jefferson – 3
• Le Mars – 8 vs Thomas Jefferson – 1
• Bishop Heelan Catholic – 12 vs Sioux City West – 3
• Bishop Heelan Catholic – 9 vs Sioux City West – 0

Corner Conference 

• Bedford – 13 vs East Mills – 1

Missouri River Conference

• Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 3 vs Sioux City East – 2
• Sioux City East – 4 vs Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 3
• Sioux City North – 14 vs Abraham Lincoln – 3
• Thomas Jefferson – 8 vs Le Mars – 2
• Thomas Jefferson – 6 vs Le Mars – 5

West Central Activities Conference

• Woodward-Granger – 9 vs ACGC – 4
• Ogden – 9 vs Madrid – 3 (11) inn
• Panorama – 4 vs West Central Valley – 1

Non-Conference 

• MOC-Floyd Valley – 10 vs Underwood – 0
• Pella Christian – 3 vs Pleasantville – 2
• Ankeny Christian – 9 vs South Central Calhoun – 3

Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum says he will add another player to his roster in he can find the right fit. McCollum has 13 players as he gets ready for his first season, including six from a Drake team he led to a school record 31 wins and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

McCollum says having the Drake players has helped speed up the learning process.

McCollum says the success he has enjoyed in the past gives him confidence he can put together a competitive roster.

ATLANTA — The University of Iowa women’s basketball team will compete in the second annual WBCA Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced on Tuesday.

Iowa will face Baylor on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. (CT) and then Miami (FL) on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. (CT) inside the State Farm Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

The State Farm Field House has a storied history of hosting elite men’s and women’s college basketball events including the ESPN Events Invitational that has been held there since 2006, and last year’s inaugural WBCA Showcase.

“We are excited to announce Baylor, Central Missouri, Davidson, Iowa, Miami, Missouri, Washington State and West Florida as the participants in the second annual WBCA Showcase,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “This field ensures an outstanding weekend of college women’s basketball at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.”

Tickets for the WBCA Showcase are on sale now exclusively through Ticketmaster. Tickets start at $25 with upgraded seating options available. Group tickets will go on sale at a later date. All tickets will be sold online via Ticketmaster and delivered digitally. Tickets will not be available to purchase onsite at the State Farm Field House box office on game days.

Broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Fran Strub has been named an assistant coach for the University of Iowa softball team, head coach Stacy May-Johnson announced Tuesday.

Strub joins the Hawkeyes after four seasons at Boise State where she served primarily as the defensive coach and assisted with hitters.

In her four seasons as the defensive coach, Strub helped the Broncos to higher than a .960 fielding percentage each season. The Broncos set a school record for fielding percentage (.983) and ranked first nationally for fewest errors committed (24) in 2022. In 2023, Boise State captured the regular season Mountain West title while breaking the program record for home runs (81), on-base percentage (.418) and slugging percentage (.567).

During her tenure at Boise State, Strub coached two Mountain West Freshman of the Year, one Player of the Year, 23 all-conference honorees, 19 NFCA all-region honorees and two freshman all-Americans.

Prior to Boise State, Strub served as a volunteer assistant (2018, 20-21) and student assistant (2017) at her alma mater, Northwestern.

As a student-athlete at Northwestern, Strub appeared in 176 games for the Wildcats making three NCAA Regional appearances. She was a 2016 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and a three-time academic all-Big Ten honoree.

Strub is a Coralville, Iowa, native and a graduate of Clear Creek Amana High School.

Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger says the athletic department’s plan to deal with revenue sharing will allow the Cyclone program to remain competitive, nationally. As part of an NCAA settlement schools can begin paying athletes on July first. Athletes in the sports of football and men’s basketball are expected to benefit the most.

Otzelberger says the money will be doled out based on merit.

Otzelberger says they knew Eastern Washington transfer Mason Williams had dealt with injuries last season when they recruiting him to ISU. The School announced last week that Williams will miss the upcoming season after undergoing hip surgery. Williams averaged nearly 14 points per game last season at Eastern Washington.

Mason will redshirt next season and have two seasons to play for the Cyclones.