Iowa City Press-Citizen

Born without arms, Thad Longmire is a sports fixture at Iowa City West

Iowa 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 —...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

How cancer survivor Haidyn Ulrich found refuge with the Iowa football team

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

How counseling children molded Cory Sandhagen's fight life in the UFC

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Iowa City High senior Jack Dancer has matured into a top soccer player and trusted barber

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Why Clear Creek Amana girls basketball star Averie Lower committed to Arizona State

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Tate Wallace represents Iowa high school football on national stage

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 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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Freshman Tenley Levin is a rising star for Solon girls basketball

Clad 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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Savion Miller shows his D1 strength in Iowa City Regina’s win over West Branch

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Maddox Kelley scores three TDs in Solon High School football’s win vs rival Mount Vernon

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Iowa City Liberty relies on running attack to get past rival Iowa City West

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

A look behind Moustafa Tiea's rise as an elite runner for Iowa City West track and field

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Des Moines native Jeremy Stephens is ready for UFC Fight Night in his hometown

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

From record-breaker to national competitor, Landon Prince's rise for Clear Creek-Amana

Landon Prince gripped the shot put in his right hand and nestled it near his jawline.

With his right elbow extended upward, his elbow high and knees slightly bent, he rotated his hips and uncorked a throw that sailed 56 feet and one inch, a Drake Relays Blue Standard and a new school record at Clear Creek Amana.

“It’s so meaningful,” Prince said. “When I first started throwing, I never thought that my name would be up on the board. I’m so grateful to have the coaching and the people around me...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Taylor McCabe is a 3-point maestro. How will her game evolve with Iowa?

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

How will transfer addition Chazadi “Chit-Chat” Wright impact Iowa women's basketball?

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.”...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Iowa basketball's Taylor Stremlow is drawing comparisons to Kate Martin, Sydney Affolter

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Lizzie Pasbrig battles through broken jaw, leads CCA softball past Mount Vernon

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

ADM falls to Waverly-Shell Rock in Iowa girls soccer state tournament semifinals

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...

Hawk Central

Iowa baseball’s Big Ten title hopes shrink with second straight loss to Oregon

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...

Hawk Central

Iowa baseball falls in Big Ten title quest with third-straight loss to Oregon

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Minnesota State commit Callie Stanley helps power Iowa City Liberty girls soccer

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...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

An Iowa City journey: From overcoming a tornado to a soccer state championship

An Iowa City journey: From overcoming a tornado to a soccer state championship

Iowa City Liberty's Flori Gembo vividly remembers his first encounter with a devastating tornado.

A tornado warning on March 31, 2023 pushed the then-junior soccer player out of school early so he could make his way home.

Gembo, his mom and four other siblings took shelter in their basement. When they emerged, their lives had changed dramatically.

The family noticed damage to their rooms and made their way outside

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Rachel Haack continues to rise as elite thrower for Iowa City High track and field

The track and field coach from Miami University (OH) was on the other end of the phone.

He offered an unofficial visit to a campus nestled in Oxford, Ohio, about 450 miles from Iowa City.

The proposal was intriguing.

The chance to get an early start at recruitment and visit a college campus for the first time?

“Sure, why not?” answered Iowa City High thrower Rachel Haack.

With a red-colored Little Hawk printed on the center of her black Nike hoodie, Haack went sightseeing through campus wit...

Iowa City Press-Citizen

Gold medal couple Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall ready to compete at Drake Relays

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...