Iowa

Celebrate Caitlin Clark’s 23rd birthday with her top-23 Iowa women’s basketball moments

Published

1 year ago

January 22, 2025

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Celebrate Caitlin Clark’s 23rd birthday with her top-23 Iowa women’s basketball moments

Caitlin Clark was born on Jan. 22, 2002.

Twenty-three years later, the Des Moines native and former Dowling Catholic and Iowa women’s basketball superstar is one of the most famous athletes in the country and the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year for the Indiana Fever.

There is plenty to celebrate throughout her illustrious career, so let’s look back at her top-23 moments with the Hawkeyes, with help from her career timeline on NCAA.com.

23. Caitlin Clark gets buckets in first college game (11/25/2020)

Clark put the basketball world on notice in her first college game, notching 27 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. It was the first of many stat sheet-filled outings.

22. Caitlin Clark scores her first 40-point game (1/2/2022)

In a 93-56 win over Evansville, Clark totaled 40 points for the first time in her career. She’d finish her career with 13 such games.

21. Caitlin Clark tallies first career triple-double (12/22/2020)

Clark notched 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to get her first triple double. She’d finish her career with 17, trailing only Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu (26).

20. Caitlin Clark announces she’s entering the WNBA Draft (2/29/2024)

Although not an on-court moment, Clark decided to forgo her final year of college eligibility and enter the WNBA Draft after her senior season. The announcement allowed for her, teammates, coaches and fans to fully enjoy the final weeks of her legendary career.

19. Caitlin Clark becomes Big Ten’s all-time leading scorer (1/31/2024)

With 35 points against Northwestern, Clark broke future Indiana Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell’s Big Ten career scoring record.

18. Caitlin Clark becomes first player with consecutive 30-point triple-doubles (1/20/2022)

Clark became the first Div. I player to ever notch back-to-back 30-point triple-doubles in conference victories.

17. Caitlin Clark breaks Big Ten assists record (12/30/2023)

In a win over Minnesota, Clark broke the conference’s career assists record and became the first Div. I men’s or women’s college basketball player with at least 3,000 points, 900 assists and 800 rebounds in a career.

16. Caitlin Clark surpasses 1,000 career assists (2/11/2024)

In the second quarter of a game against Nebraska, Clark became the sixth player to reach 1,000 career assists and the only one with more than 3,000 points.

15. Caitlin Clarks breaks record for most points in a single NCAA Tournament run (4/2/2023)

With 30 points in the national title game vs. LSU, Clark broke Sheryll Swoops’ record for points in a single NCAA Tournament with 191.

14. Caitlin Clark’s historic 40-point triple-double leads Iowa past Louisville in Elite Eight

With the first 40-point triple-double in NCAA Tournament history – 41 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds – Clark helped Iowa beat Louisville in the Elite Eight. In the game, she also became the first player with 900 points and 300 assists in a single season.

13. Caitlin Clark buzzer-beater vs. Michigan State (1/2/2024)

A signature logo triple ignited Iowa’s 2024 run to a Big Ten Tournament title and NCAA championship game appearance.

12. Caitlin Clark beats No. 2 Indiana at the buzzer (2/26/2023)

In what might’ve ignited her and Iowa women’s basketball’s rise to national superstardom, Clark put away the Hoosiers with a leaning triple as time expired.

11. Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball make Big Ten history (3/6/2022)

With a 74-67 win over Indiana, Clark and her teammates helped that Iowa team become the first in program history to win both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles.

10. Caitlin Clark’s triple-double helps Iowa to back-to-back Big Ten Tournament titles (3/5/2023)

With the first triple-double in a Big Ten Tournament title game – 30 points, 17 assists, 10 rebounds – Clark led Iowa to a victory over Ohio State and hoisted the trophy for the second straight year.

9. Caitlin Clark drafted No. 1 overall into WNBA (4/15/2024)

Although not a college achievement, Clark being selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in a stacked draft class was the final bridge between her historic college career and the professional success that would follow.

8. Caitlin Clark, Hawkeyes avenge title game loss vs. LSU (4/1/24)

After losing the 2023 NCAA Tournament final to Angel Reese and LSU, Clark and the Hawkeyes knocked off the defending champions in the Elite Eight the next year. Clark went off with 41 points and 12 assists.

7. Caitlin Clark breaks Steph Curry’s 3-point record (3/8/2024)

In the fourth quarter against Penn State, Clark broke Davidson’s Steph Curry’s single-season 3-pointers made record.

6. Caitlin Clark breaks single-season scoring record (3/25/2024)

With 32 points in a second-round win during the NCAA Tournament, Clark passed Washington’s Kelsey Plum for the single-season scoring record with 1,113 single-season points.

5. Caitlin Clark helps break 3 records in one game (2/28/2024)

In a dominant win over Minnesota, Clark scored her 3,650th point to surpass Kansas guard Lynette Woodard as the highest-scoring player in major-college women’s basketball. Woodard played from 1977-1981 when the sport was still governed by the AIAW.

In the game, Clark also broke the single-season 3-point record, and the Hawkeyes broke the Big Ten’s single-game 3-point record with 22.

4. Caitlin Clarks leads Iowa women’s basketball to third straight Big Ten Tournament championship (3/10/2024)

With an all-time great second half and overtime performance, Clark helped the Hawkeyes beat Nebraska 94-89. She finished with 34 points, 12 assists and a clutch layup with 30 seconds left in regulation.

3. Caitlin Clark’s big night helps Iowa upset No. 1 South Carolina in Final Four (3/31/2023)

In perhaps the biggest game of Clark’s life and in program history to that point, she became the first player to score 40 or more points in consecutive NCAA Tournament games en route to an upset over undefeated No. 1 South Carolina.

2. Caitlin Clark breaks Kelsey Plum’s NCAA women’s basketball scoring record (2/15/2024)

In what was very fitting, Clark launched a deep triple to break the NCAA Div. I women’s college basketball scoring record. She also finished with a career-high 49 points, breaking the program record.

1. Caitlin Clark breaks 54-year-old Div. I college basketball scoring record (3/3/2024)

With a dramatic pair of free throws, Clark became the all-time career points leader in college basketball history, men’s and women’s.

She dethroned the legendary LSU Tiger “Pistol” Pete Maravich, who set the record in 1970.

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Iowa

Official Site of The ECHL | ECHL announces Voluntary Suspension of Iowa Membership for 2026-27 Season

Published

8 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

The ECHL announced today that the League’s Board of Governors has approved the request of the Iowa Heartlanders’ Membership for a Voluntary Suspension for the 2026-27 Season.

During the suspension period, the organization will evaluate strategic alternatives aimed at ensuring a sustainable long-term future for professional hockey in the Corridor, including potential investment or ownership partnerships that support the continued success of the Membership.

The ECHL will continue to work with the Heartlanders’ ownership group during the suspension period as the organization evaluates its future. The League remains committed to the continued growth and stability of its member teams and markets.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision that followed months of careful evaluation,” said Heartlanders owner Michael Devlin. “Despite significant efforts to stabilize and strengthen the organization, we concluded that stepping back for a season is the most responsible course while we review long-term solutions. As stewards of the team, we believe this step gives the organization the best opportunity to return on a stronger and more sustainable footing.”

“We worked through every potential path that might have allowed us to continue uninterrupted,” Heartlanders President Matt Getz said. “Ultimately, we believe this pause provides the organization the best opportunity to position the Membership for long-term success.”

The Iowa organization expresses deep gratitude to the fans, partners, players, staff and the City of Coralville who have supported the Heartlanders since the team’s founding.

The ECHL will play with 30 Members during the 2026-27 season.

About the ECHL

Formed in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 30 teams in 23 states and one Canadian province for its 38th season in 2025-26. There have been 778 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including 10 who have made their NHL debuts in the 2025-26 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 30 of the 32 NHL teams in 2025-26, marking the 28th consecutive season that the league has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com.

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Explore Effigy Mounds, Iowa’s ancient earthworks above the Mississippi

Published

20 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Explore Effigy Mounds, Iowa’s ancient earthworks above the Mississippi

High on the bluffs overlooking the Upper Mississippi River, Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves more than 200 ancient earthen mounds shaped like bears, birds, and spirits of the natural world. Built by Indigenous peoples more than 1,000 years ago, these formations stand as powerful reminders that America’s story stretches far beyond European arrival. At this quiet landscape of forested ridges and sweeping river views, visitors can walk among sacred sites that continue to hold meaning for many Native nations today. Effigy Mounds is both a cultural touchstone and one of the most visually striking archaeological landscapes in the United States.

Location: Harpers Ferry, Iowa

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2WhrGJ8cqh2nsC8L6

Why it matters

Effigy Mounds honors the artistry, engineering, and spiritual traditions of Indigenous communities who shaped these hills centuries before the United States existed. As the nation marks 250 years, this landscape reminds us that America’s story begins long before 1776. The bear, bird and linear mounds — some perfectly aligned with celestial patterns — preserve cultural memory, identity and resilience. They stand as a testament to the first peoples who understood this land as home.

What to see today

Visitors can follow wooded trails to some of the most iconic shapes, including the Great Bear Mound and soaring bird effigies perched above the Mississippi. Interpretive exhibits explain the moundbuilders’ cultures, craftsmanship, and the region’s deep archaeological significance. Listen for wind moving through oak forests and watch eagles ride the river’s currents below. Rangers and tribal partners share stories of ongoing cultural ties, helping visitors understand these earthworks not as relics, but as living heritage.

Ask a local

Stop in nearby McGregor for a bite at Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery, where locals drift in for beers and scenic river views or the Backwoods Bar & Grill, a popular spot for casual American pub food.

Plan your visit

• Best time: Fall colors or late spring• Hours/admission: Visitor center open daily; free entry• Getting there: Parking at the visitor center; trails begin onsite• Learn more: nps.gov/efmo

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

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Iowa can use flat Big Ten final to get sharper for NCAAs | Leistikow

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Iowa can use flat Big Ten final to get sharper for NCAAs | Leistikow

INDIANAPOLIS — An overachieving body of work over 31 games left the Iowa women with an ideal situation for 2 hours of championship-game basketball opportunity at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Go play free against second-ranked and top-seeded UCLA in the finals of the Big Ten Tournament, and see what happens.

What happened wasn’t pretty. The Hawkeyes, in a polar-opposite performance from their first two games in downtown Indianapolis, stumbled out of the gates and played poor defense and lost decisively, 96-45, before another pro-Iowa crowd.

The 51-point margin tied for the fourth-most lopsided margin of defeat in program history and largest since the pre-NCAA era of women’s basketball, in 1976. The previous biggest loss of the 26-year Lisa Bluder/Jan Jensen era was 43 points, a 103-60 loss against Kansas State in the 2002-03 season.

So yeah, this one was tough to take. It was a disappointing ending and a realization that UCLA is much, much better than Iowa right now.

“A good win for them, a lot to learn for us,” Iowa sophomore guard Taylor Stremlow said. “We’re ready for this postseason.”

The postgame vibe in the Iowa locker room was that this was still a successful tournament for Iowa, and it was. The Hawkeyes (26-6) have taken a major step forward in Year 2 under Jensen, not only reaching the Big Ten semifinals (which it fell one point shy of a year ago) but making it to the CBS-televised championship game.

Whether the final margin was one point or 51 points, the game vs. UCLA needed to serve as a learning experience to prepare for what the Hawkeyes hope is to come, three weekends from now in either the Fort Worth or Sacramento regional.

One of the “why-not” things Iowa tried against UCLA was a zone defense, which it practices often but rarely uses, to try to slow down 6-foot-7 Big Ten player of the year Lauren Betts. If Iowa is going to advance through the NCAA Tournament, it’ll undoubtedly come up against a team with more size — maybe Oklahoma in the Sweet 16, perhaps South Carolina in the Elite Eight.

In 2025-26, Iowa matches up better with opponents that feature guards, with Chit-Chat Wright and Kylie Feuerbach as elite defenders. The goal with playing zone against UCLA was to hope the Bruins were cold from deep … and that was certainly not the case.

UCLA knocked down 6-of-11 3-point attempts in the decisive first half and 13-of-26 for the game (50%).

“With it being three back-to-back games, I think it was a good way to rest a little bit defensively, but also kind of give them something new … try to throw them off a little bit,” Feuerbach said. “Once again, they were hitting everything against the zone as well. Tough day.”

UCLA led, 42-20, at the break even though Betts had four points on 2-of-5 shooting. UCLA never cooled off, shooting 63.5% for the game. It rattled off 13 points in the first 2:09 of the second half to grow the advantage to 55-23, triggering Jensen to use the third of her four timeouts.

Things never got better for the Hawkeyes, who shot 27.9% from the floor. To show how tough a day it was, they were only 12-for-38 on 2-point shots … the team’s bread and butter typically with Ava Heiden (who led Iowa with 15 points and made the all-tournament team, along with Hannah Stuelke) in the middle.

Iowa’s Ava Heiden looks forward to playing at home in NCAA Tournament

The sophomore center talked about reasons for the 96-45 loss to UCLA in the Big Ten championship game.

“Now we’ve been there, we’ve done that,” Heiden said. “We have the knowledge of how to play in these high-emotional games with the turnaround time. That’ll help us in the NCAA Tournament.”

If you think about it, this Big Ten Tournament progression provided the perfect NCAA prep. Iowa’s 64-58 win over Illinois in the quarterfinals felt like a quintessential round-of-32 matchup, considering Shauna Green’s Illini are projected as a No. 7 NCAA seed.

Then came the toss-up type of game that Iowa could see, if it gets to the Sweet 16, against seventh-ranked Michigan. The Hawkeyes’ forceful 59-42 victory demonstrated they have the capability to put away a No. 3 seed if they bring their best defense to the Sweet 16.

And then … the Elite Eight-type challenge that the Hawkeyes, if they can somehow keep this magical season going, would need to conquer. UCLA will be a definitive No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament when the brackets come out March 15. The other No. 1s will likely be UConn (which beat Iowa, 90-64), Texas (the only team that beat 31-1 UCLA) and South Carolina (which needs no re-introduction to Iowa fans).

For now, the gap looks large between Iowa and any No. 1 seed. But the Hawkeyes realistically shouldn’t have Final Four expectations with an eight-player rotation Sunday that included three freshmen and three sophomores.

“We learned how resilient we can be. It’s hard on the body and the mind, this tournament, especially for young girls,” Stremlow said. “I still consider myself to be learning a lot. … Just getting this experience is really good for our team.”

This team has earned the No. 2 seed it will receive on March 15 from the NCAA selection committee. One blowout loss to an elite team will not change that.

The Hawkeyes’ next step is to make the Sweet 16 in Jensen’s second year after getting blown out by Oklahoma in the round-of-32 in a game that looked a lot like this one. We know from even the Caitlin Clark years that getting out of Iowa City won’t be a piece of cake (first two rounds will be at Carver-Hawkeye Arena). If the Hawkeyes can do that, they’ve shown enough this week to think they’ll have a realistic chance of reaching an Elite Eight.

“Just being in the final after people didn’t think we’d be in the top five at the beginning of the season, I think just proves a lot of people wrong,” Stuelke said. “We should take pride in that and how hard we’ve been working and try to make a deep run in the NCAA.”

Iowa’s Taylor Stremlow says UCLA loss will be a learning experience

Taylor Stremlow finished with six points in the Hawkeyes’ 96-45 loss to the Bruins in the Big Ten championship game.

Hawkeyes columnist Chad Leistikow has served for 31 years with The Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Sports Network. Chad is the 2023 INA Iowa Sports Columnist of the Year and NSMA Co-Sportswriter of the Year in Iowa. Join Chad’s text-message group at HawkCentral.com/HawkeyesTexts. Follow @ChadLeistikow on X.

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