https://marcray.journoportfolio.comRSS Feed for Marc RayenThu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2026/01/15/savion-miller-transfers-iowa-city-high-iowa-high-school-football/88195547007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z115226p001750c001750v115226d--52--b--52--&gca-ft=205&gca-ds=sophiThu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2026/01/15/savion-miller-transfers-iowa-city-high-iowa-high-school-football/88195547007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z115226p001750c001750v115226d--52--b--52--&gca-ft=205&gca-ds=sophihttps://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2026/01/15/savion-miller-transfers-iowa-city-high-iowa-high-school-football/88195547007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z117823p001750c001750v117823d--78--b--78--&gca-ft=200&gca-ds=sophiThu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2026/01/15/savion-miller-transfers-iowa-city-high-iowa-high-school-football/88195547007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z117823p001750c001750v117823d--78--b--78--&gca-ft=200&gca-ds=sophihttps://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2026/01/23/solon-girls-basketball-tenley-levin-ighsau/88216045007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=pp&gca-ds=overrideClad in an orange practice fit with purple and white Kobe shoes, Solon girls basketball freshman Tenley Levin trotted out of the school’s gym, fresh off a conditioning session that opened practice. Levin was a day removed from scoring 30 points against Independence — now prepping for Solon's scheduled rivalry game against Mount Vernon. Before she went back onto the court for shootaround, Levin was stationed in the lobby of the school, reflecting on her rise as a freshman. At the midway point...Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2026/01/23/solon-girls-basketball-tenley-levin-ighsau/88216045007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=pp&gca-ds=overridehttps://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/2026/01/12/thad-longmire-iowa-city-west-sports-ihsaa-manager/88029767007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=pp&gca-ds=overrideIowa City West sports manager Thad Longmire stood near the visiting team’s bench — in the thick of the rivalry atmosphere during a game at Iowa City High. It’s late December, a week before Christmas break. The West boys basketball team was moments away from playing its archrival on the road. Longmire, who was born without arms, flashed his trademark smile as he helped form a human tunnel for the pregame introduction of the starting lineups. He has become the ultimate sports advocate at West —...Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/2026/01/12/thad-longmire-iowa-city-west-sports-ihsaa-manager/88029767007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=pp&gca-ds=overridehttps://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/2026/01/08/iowa-city-regina-tate-wallace-iowa-high-school-football-navy-all-american-bowl/88029811007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=pp&gca-ds=overrideFresh off a connecting flight from Chicago, Iowa City Regina junior Tate Wallace finally touched down in San Antonio, Texas.It was a long plane ride for the 6-foot-2 football standout, who was confined to a small space once airborne.But the destination made every minute worth it. Fresh off a connecting flight from Chicago, Iowa City Regina junior Tate Wallace finally touched down in San Antonio, Texas. It was a long plane ride for the 6-foot-2 football standout, who was confined to a small spa...Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/2026/01/08/iowa-city-regina-tate-wallace-iowa-high-school-football-navy-all-american-bowl/88029811007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=pp&gca-ds=overridehttps://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2025/09/05/clear-creek-amana-girls-basketball-star-averie-lower-arizona-state-commitment/85943751007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z117855p000850c000850e002100v117855b0052xxd005265&gca-ft=190&gca-ds=sophiTue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2025/09/05/clear-creek-amana-girls-basketball-star-averie-lower-arizona-state-commitment/85943751007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z117855p000850c000850e002100v117855b0052xxd005265&gca-ft=190&gca-ds=sophihttps://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2025/09/26/iowa-city-liberty-vs-iowa-city-west-football-high-school-sports/86219447007/Iowa City Liberty quarterback Reece Rettig faked the handoff before he churned upfield and planted his foot hard enough to make an Iowa City West defender fall flat on the turf at Trojan Field. With the game tied at 24 in the third quarter, the 5-foot-10 speedster used his legs to dust multiple defenders and convert a go-ahead touchdown from 32 yards out. On a night when offensive touchdowns lit up the scoreboard, Liberty’s run game triumphed over a West team that once looked superhuman. Rett...Sat, 27 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2025/09/26/iowa-city-liberty-vs-iowa-city-west-football-high-school-sports/86219447007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2025/09/12/solon-vs-mount-vernon-score-iowa-high-school-football-week-3-ihsaa/86042256007/Clad in a black football uniform with a green mouthpiece and orange cleats, Solon athlete Maddox Kelley stood upright in the backfield like former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Kelley's gameday swagger oozed confidence, matching his actions in the No. 5 Spartans' rivalry game against No. 1 Mount Vernon on Sept. 12. With about nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, Kelley took a handoff right, muscled through defenders and extended his arm across the goal line for a 4-yard touchdown...Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2025/09/12/solon-vs-mount-vernon-score-iowa-high-school-football-week-3-ihsaa/86042256007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2025/09/05/savion-miller-powers-iowa-city-regina-past-west-branch-high-school-sports/85940404007/Savion Miller unveiled his power to the high school football world on Aug. 6, dropping a video of a 600-pound deadlift on social media.It was a proclamation of strength that matched his Division I hype coming out of Iowa City Regina. The three-star running back flexed that trademark strength during the Regals’ 28-16 win over West Branch on Sept. 5. Regina improved to 2-0.On the first play from scrimmage, Miller took a handoff from quarterback Kyle Tracy before West Branch defenders closed in to...Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2025/09/05/savion-miller-powers-iowa-city-regina-past-west-branch-high-school-sports/85940404007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2025/09/05/clear-creek-amana-girls-basketball-star-averie-lower-arizona-state-commitment/85943751007/Averie Lower glanced out of the airplane window and saw what seemed like a new planet. Like an astronaut landing on new terrain, the Tiffin, Iowa, native briefly traded in the green farmland for the sun-scorched streets of Arizona. Lower was about four years old when she last touched down in the Grand Canyon State. More than a decade later, the Clear Creek Amana star returned as a top recruit taking a visit with Arizona State women’s basketball. More: Clear Creek Amana's Averie Lower commits...Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2025/09/05/clear-creek-amana-girls-basketball-star-averie-lower-arizona-state-commitment/85943751007/https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/2025/08/22/haidyn-ulrich-cancer-iowa-hawkeyes-stead-family-childrens-hospital-kinnick-stadium/84029024007/Haidyn Ulrich, 16, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a lifelong Iowa Hawkeyes fan who has successfully battled cancer. Her fandom is among the stories being highlighted as part of the USA TODAY Network’s search for the nation’s ultimate sports fan. A select number of fans will advance to a bracket-style competition this fall to crown a champion. IOWA CITY − Haidyn Ulrich rocked a No. 1 University of Iowa football jersey as she prepared to walk out of the tunnel during Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium in Aug...Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/2025/08/22/haidyn-ulrich-cancer-iowa-hawkeyes-stead-family-childrens-hospital-kinnick-stadium/84029024007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/college/iowa/basketball-women/2025/07/02/chazadi-chit-chat-wright-decision-to-join-iowa-womens-baksetball-hawkeyes-georgia-tech/84435027007/Iowa women's basketball player Chazadi Wright picked up the nickname “Chit-Chat” on her first AAU team; a moniker that didn’t match her quiet demeanor as a young bucket-getter. In reality, she was reserved – a trait that followed her into her freshman campaign at Georgia Tech last season. “I was very quiet, kind of like the shy kid, but also somebody that was able to score, pass, get buckets, facilitate,” Wright said during an open practice on July 1. “I would say I was like a quiet assassin.”...Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/college/iowa/basketball-women/2025/07/02/chazadi-chit-chat-wright-decision-to-join-iowa-womens-baksetball-hawkeyes-georgia-tech/84435027007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/college/iowa/basketball-women/2025/06/30/taylor-stremlow-iowa-womens-basketball-hawkeyes-vocal-leader-kate-martin-sydney-affolter/84374936007/There have been plenty of greats who have donned the black and gold of Iowa women’s basketball. The historical blueprint behind the Hawkeyes’ winning culture has featured a string of difference-makers who have radiated energy.Sophomore Taylor Stremlow fits that mold.“Taylor’s got that Kate Martin, (Sydney) Affolter ability,” Iowa coach Jan Jensen said during the team’s practice on June 26. “No matter how she might be playing or how she might be feeling, she’s able to get out of herself and make...Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/college/iowa/basketball-women/2025/06/30/taylor-stremlow-iowa-womens-basketball-hawkeyes-vocal-leader-kate-martin-sydney-affolter/84374936007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/college/iowa/basketball-women/2025/06/27/iowa-womens-basketball-taylor-mccabe-3-pointers-hawkeyes/84364181007/IOWA CITY − Iowa women's basketball sharpshooter Taylor McCabe was stationed on the left wing when she received a pass from a driving Callie Levin during the team's June 26 practice. McCabe, entering her senior season with the Hawkeyes, used her black, white and purple Kobe shoes to catapult off the ground and swish a 3-pointer. She followed that up with a make from the right wing, then another from the right corner. Iowa coach Jan Jensen broke down the next back-screen drill as she casually...Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/college/iowa/basketball-women/2025/06/27/iowa-womens-basketball-taylor-mccabe-3-pointers-hawkeyes/84364181007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/softball/2025/06/17/lizzie-pasbrig-helps-clear-creek-amana-softball-defeat-mount-vernon-high-school-sports/84219641007/Draped in a blue Clear Creek Amana softball uniform, junior Lizzie Pasbrig walked to the plate during the second game of a doubleheader against Mount Vernon on June 16.With her mouth wired shut, the right-handed hitter dug her all-white cleats into the dirt as she faced off against the Mount Vernon pitcher.About four weeks prior, Pasbrig suffered a broken jaw after a line drive struck the left side of her face, just beneath her face mask.Pasbrig was limited to eight games entering CCA's doublehe...Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/softball/2025/06/17/lizzie-pasbrig-helps-clear-creek-amana-softball-defeat-mount-vernon-high-school-sports/84219641007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/06/05/adm-girls-soccer-waverly-shell-rock-iowa-state-semifinals-high-school-ighsau/84027116007/AMES — Waverly-Shell Rock junior Anaka Ott stared at the soccer ball that was stationed in front of her feet. Like a standoff in a Western movie, Ott faced off against the ADM goalkeeper in a free kick attempt during the Iowa high school girls state soccer tournament on June 5. With her feet planted on the ground, Ott took a steady trot to the ball before she blasted the free kick to the right side of the target, putting the Tigers in a 1-0 deficit in the first half. Ott converted a long-rang...Thu, 05 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/06/05/adm-girls-soccer-waverly-shell-rock-iowa-state-semifinals-high-school-ighsau/84027116007/https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/baseball/2025/05/17/iowa-baseball-hawkeyes-fall-to-oregon-in-big-ten-title-quest/83671361007/IOWA CITY — The Iowa baseball team closed out its regular season against Oregon with the Big Ten Conference championship at stake, looking forward its first title since 1990.The Hawkeyes had dropped two of their first three games to the fifth-ranked Ducks in a three-game series. In Game 1, the Hawkeyes dropped a 10-0 shutout to the Ducks in seven innings on May 15. In Game 2, they lost 9-6 after they held a 6-2 lead through five innings on May 16.Iowa had one final chance to make history in Game...Sat, 17 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/baseball/2025/05/17/iowa-baseball-hawkeyes-fall-to-oregon-in-big-ten-title-quest/83671361007/https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/baseball/2025/05/16/iowa-baseball-hawkeyes-fall-to-oregon-in-big-ten-conference-play/83671316007/IOWA CITY - Just a day removed from a 10-0 beatdown from Oregon in seven innings, the Iowa baseball team saw its Big Ten Conference title dreams dwindle once more on May 16.On a night with postseason implications on the line, the Hawkeyes dropped a 9-6 loss to the fifth-ranked Ducks in the second game of a three-game series at Duane Banks Field.Iowa is now tied with Oregon in the Big Ten race with 21-8 record in conference play with one game left in regular-season play. UCLA (20-8) played later...Sat, 17 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/baseball/2025/05/16/iowa-baseball-hawkeyes-fall-to-oregon-in-big-ten-conference-play/83671316007/https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2025/02/28/iowa-city-regina-girls-basketball-morgan-miller-state-tournament/80585354007/Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2025/02/28/iowa-city-regina-girls-basketball-morgan-miller-state-tournament/80585354007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/soccer/2025/04/17/iowa-city-high-jack-dancer-elite-soccer-player-barber-ihsaa-high-school-sports/83083423007/Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/soccer/2025/04/17/iowa-city-high-jack-dancer-elite-soccer-player-barber-ihsaa-high-school-sports/83083423007/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/05/04/ufc-des-moines-reinier-de-ridder-wants-big-fights-after-bo-nickal-upset/83444174007/After he delivered a left strike that staggered Bo Nickal backwards, UFC middleweight Reinier de Ridder (20-2) surged forward with a left knee to his opponent’s abdomen. Nickal (7-1) collapsed near the cage before the referee called the fight in round two in favor of the Netherlands-born fighter. With his arms raised to his side, de Ridder stood upward then blew kisses to a few upset fans in the crowd before he formed a heart-shaped motion to cap off his post-fight celebration at Wells Fargo A...Sun, 04 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/05/04/ufc-des-moines-reinier-de-ridder-wants-big-fights-after-bo-nickal-upset/83444174007/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/2025/05/04/ufc-bantamweight-cory-sandhagen-eyes-title-shot-after-win-in-des-moines/83385869007/Decked out in white and blue Venum fight shorts, Cory Sandhagen laid on the octagon canvas with his leg locked around Deiveson Figueiredo’s left knee at UFC Fight Night in Des Moines. In round two of the main event, the two bantamweights were in a battle for a leg lock on the ground. Like a clamp, Sandhagen tightened a firm hold on Figueiredo’s leg. To break the grip, Figueiredo shifted to his right, but his knee suddenly popped. Sandhagen swept in with a barrage of punches to secure a TKO wi...Sun, 04 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/2025/05/04/ufc-bantamweight-cory-sandhagen-eyes-title-shot-after-win-in-des-moines/83385869007/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/2025/05/03/jeremy-stephens-loses-ufc-homecoming-in-des-moines-to-mason-jones/83385793007/The song “400 Degreez” by Juvenile rained through the speakers inside Wells Fargo Arena. The Des Moines faithful were on their feet when the hometown favorite Jeremy Stephens made his walkout to the UFC octagon on May 3. But fellow lightweight Mason Jones heard the noise and played spoiler to the homecoming festivities in enemy territory. The Welsh fighter earned a unanimous decision win over Stephens, who made his UFC return after a nearly four-year hiatus from the company. “I just want to...Sun, 04 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/2025/05/03/jeremy-stephens-loses-ufc-homecoming-in-des-moines-to-mason-jones/83385793007/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/2025/05/01/ufc-des-moines-iowa-jeremy-stephens-wells-fargo-arena/83385687007/With the microphone nestled in his right hand, Jeremy Stephens is stationed in front of a backdrop for the UFC. Draped in a brown short-sleeved button-up layered over a white undershirt and jeans, paired with a gold chain and watch, Stephens is seated for a media session days before UFC Fight Night in Des Moines on May 3. His voice resonated with a mix of excitement and pure confidence for his lightweight fight against Mason Jones at Wells Fargo Arena. “I'm worried about me, me being the most...Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/2025/05/01/ufc-des-moines-iowa-jeremy-stephens-wells-fargo-arena/83385687007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/2025/05/01/ufc-des-moines-iowa-jeremy-stephens-wells-fargo-arena/83385687007/With the microphone nestled in his right hand, Jeremy Stephens is stationed in front of a backdrop for the UFC.Draped in a brown short-sleeved button-up layered over a white undershirt and jeans, paired with a gold chain and watch, Stephens is seated for a media session days before UFC Fight Night in Des Moines on May 3.His voice resonated with a mix of excitement and pure confidence for his lightweight fight against Mason Jones at Wells Fargo Arena.“I'm worried about me, me being the most vicio...Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/2025/05/01/ufc-des-moines-iowa-jeremy-stephens-wells-fargo-arena/83385687007/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/2025/04/30/ufc-des-moines-cory-sandhagen-fight-night/83328359007/As he hit the ground running in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a 22-year-old Cory Sandhagen worked part-time at Mount Saint Vincent, a foster care program in Colorado that provides behavioral healthcare and education for children who dealt with trauma. It was a way to fund his life as a fighter, but it served a bigger purpose. “My other friends were in really bad situations and so I always kind of had a soft spot in my heart for kids that didn’t ask for their situations, so that kind of p...Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/2025/04/30/ufc-des-moines-cory-sandhagen-fight-night/83328359007/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-relays/2025/04/22/olympians-tara-davis-woodhall-and-hunter-woodhall-are-excited-for-drake-relays/83214725007/Tara Davis-Woodhall stood motionless for a second, eyes lit up with a sense of shock and joy on her face. She swung her arms outward before she dropped herself backwards onto the sandpit at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The California native became an Olympic gold medalist in the women’s long jump with a leap of 7.10 meters. Like a Lambeau Leap in Green Bay, she jumped into the stands and hugged her husband, Hunter Woodhall. “Tara, you’re an Olympic champion!” Hunter Woodhall said during the embrac...Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-relays/2025/04/22/olympians-tara-davis-woodhall-and-hunter-woodhall-are-excited-for-drake-relays/83214725007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/soccer/2025/04/17/iowa-city-high-jack-dancer-elite-soccer-player-barber-ihsaa-high-school-sports/83083423007/The buzz of the clippers complemented the music that blared from a speaker stationed in the room. Above the enclosed fireplace was a logo that solidified the hustle. “Jack’s Barbershop.” Jack Dancer set up shop at his home, a place where his Iowa City High soccer teammates and many of the top high school athletes in the area have come for a fade, a trim or just a little off the top. “I mean, the first haircuts were definitely rough, so it’s gotten a lot better now,” Dancer admitted. “It’s my...Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/soccer/2025/04/17/iowa-city-high-jack-dancer-elite-soccer-player-barber-ihsaa-high-school-sports/83083423007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/soccer/2025/04/10/iowa-city-liberty-girls-soccer-callie-stanley-ultimate-teammate-ighsau-iowa-high-school-sports/82992479007/Wedged between the main road and the tennis courts, a sea of green grass stretches from one end of the soccer pitch to the other at Iowa City Liberty. Each blade of grass is a proving ground, a canvas where soccer players can sharpen their game. On a particular Tuesday, the home field featured Callie Stanley and the Liberty girls soccer team as they practiced passing drills. “First touch is everything!” shouted Liberty coach Frank Fiordellisi. With four orange cones stationed around her, Sta...Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/soccer/2025/04/10/iowa-city-liberty-girls-soccer-callie-stanley-ultimate-teammate-ighsau-iowa-high-school-sports/82992479007/https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/track/2025/04/08/moustafa-tiea-is-a-centerpiece-for-iowa-city-west-track-and-field-ihsaa-high-school-sports/82973147007/On a windy Wednesday afternoon, Moustafa Tiea sped around the curve and into the straight path down the track at Iowa City West. Stride for stride, he separated himself from the pack of runners like the wind pushed him ahead. His gaze never wavered, with his eyes glued toward the home stretch. His maroon Vans T-shirt, black durag and pair of necklaces came to a halt as he crossed the finish line and stopped the time with the watch on his right wrist. He took a minute to exhale, then repeated...Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.press-citizen.com/story/sports/high-school/track/2025/04/08/moustafa-tiea-is-a-centerpiece-for-iowa-city-west-track-and-field-ihsaa-high-school-sports/82973147007/