Dietrich Richardson’s unofficial visit to Iowa came with an unexpected meeting.
The Manual junior got a chance to rub elbows with Hawkeye all-American Caitlin Clark, who is arguably the biggest name in women’s basketball today. Richardson posed with Clark and his friend, Leshawn Stowers, a standout Peoria High junior, during an unofficial visit to Iowa on Feb 17.
“She’s nice,” Richardson said of the NCAA women’s all-time leading scorer. “She’s a good person.”
BACKGROUND: Manual’s latest Division I prospect is fruit of the Peoria basketball tree
As for the visit, the 6-foot-7 junior said it was “good” and that he “had fun there.” Richardson especially likes the Hawkeyes’ offense, which averages 83.7 points a game under coach Fran McCaffery.
During Richardson’s visit, Iowa knocked off No. 20 Wisconsin, 88-86, shooting 52.6 percent from the field and putting four players in double figures.
“They got a good offense,” Richardson said. “It’s not strictly all just plays and basic things. They let their players play a little bit. They got a little freelance sets.”
Iowa has not offered Richardson yet. He holds offers from Bradley, Illinois, Virginia Tech, Indiana State, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Vanderbilt, Southern Illinois and Bryant.
May 22 (UPI) — A tornado that smashed through a western Iowa city on Tuesday killed four people and injured at least 35 others, officials said Wednesday as they revealed the death toll left in the twister’s wake.
The storm hit Greenfield, a city of some 2,000 people located about 60 miles southwest of Des Moines, Tuesday afternoon. Videos and images circulated online show stretches of the town razed and reduced to debris.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety announced the casualty toll Wednesday, stating it believes the number of injured is likely higher and the 35 individuals reported only reflect those being treated for injuries at designated alternate care sites.
At least 14 people were transported by EMS services to out-of-country medical facilities, it said.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds visited Greenfield to inspect the damage.
“The community of Greenfield is strong,” the Republican governor said in a statement.
“Amid the devastation there is hope and resilience. Progress is already visible, and it will continue. Thank you to emergency management, first responders, law enforcement, health care providers, and everyone supporting the effort.”
On Tuesday following the severe weather, Reynolds had authorized a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for 15 counties, including Adair, where Greenfield is located, freeing up state resources to be used for recovery operations while activating the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant and Disaster Case Advocacy programs.
In a press conference in Greenfield on Wednesday, Reynolds said she requested an expedited presidential disaster declaration.
State Rep. Ray Sorensen, who represents the 23rd district, that includes Adair County, said the storm has forever changed Greenfield’s appearance, felling historic trees that made its skyline.
“There are so many historic trees in town that are gone, and, you know, not to downplay people’s houses completely destroyed, but that to me is the history of Greenfield are some of those old trees and it’s a completely different town now,” he said.
“I was glad that it spared the grandstand at the fairgrounds, because that’s another historic grandstand and so we’ve been lucky there.”
The storm hit less than a month after both Minden and Shelby, Iowa, were slammed with strong tornadoes, killing at least one person.
Waukee Northwest’s Kaden Taylor on his state title win in 2A boys tennis
Waukee Northwest senior Kaden Taylor won his second-straight 2A state singles tennis title on Wednesday in Iowa City.
Marc Ray
The Iowa high school boys state tennis tournament in Class 2A culminated at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City on Wednesday.
Waukee Northwest swept the singles and doubles tournament for the second straight year. Class 1A state competition is being hosted in Waterloo at Brynes Park, with finals set for Thursday.
Here is a recap of Wednesday’s action in Iowa City.
This story will be updated with Class 1A results on Thursday.
Last season, Kaden Taylor became the first Waukee Northwest tennis player to win a singles state championship. A year later, the high school senior returned to the big stage, defeating Waukee’s Quinn Monson (6-4, 6-1) to win his second-straight 2A state title.
“It’s a great feeling,” Taylor said. “I really had to fight especially in the first set going down 4-3…He’s a great player obviously and to kind of get through that, it really feels good.”
Taylor went head-to-head with Monson, a former Waukee teammate with whom he won a doubles state title in 2021.
“We got to be state doubles champs three years ago and then to get to compete in the finals of state this year was definitely something that was exciting and something we were both looking forward to,” Taylor said. “Obviously, it sucks that one of us had to come through, but it was a great match. He’s a great player so it was fun.”
When you reach the mountaintop once, why not do it again? Waukee Northwest’s Kellan Croatt and Jake Nelson entered this year’s state tournament as the defending doubles title holders in 2A.
The junior duo added to their championship resume with a win over Linn-Mar’s Malcolm Rice and Garrett Bauermeister in straight sets (6-2, 6-1).
“It feels really, really good,” Croatt said. “We’ve been together for years…but we’ve been double partners ever since we were in fifth grade, so it just feels amazing.”
Croatt and Nelson said their routine was similar to their state title run in 2023. They admitted that they faced a bit of pressure heading into this year’s state tournament, but they found their rhythm during the second day of competition which led to another state championship trophy.
“It feels great being the second year now we’ve done this, and then this year was awesome for us at state,” Nelson said. “We had all of our players make it to compete in Day 2 and another doubles team in the semifinals also, so this was awesome.”
Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached atMARay@gannett.com, and on X, formerly Twitter, at@themarcszn.
Survivors recount their experience of devastating Greenfield tornado
Colton and Shaye Newberry explain the terrifying moments when a powerful tornado struck the town of Greenfield, Iowa, obliterating the house where they were taking shelter.
Unimaginable damage is how the Adair County Sheriff’s Department described the result of the tornado that hit Greenfield, Iowa, Tuesday evening. The city is collecting monetary donations and looking for equipment to help aid in the town’s recovery.
Multiple fatalities and at least a dozen injuries have been reported in Greenfield. It’s not yet known how strong the tornado was or the full extent of the damage. But, much of the town of about 2,000 people has been damaged.
Volunteer help is on hold until at least after Wednesday to allow for emergency officials to complete searches, officials said.
Those wanting to help should prioritize making donations versus traveling on their own to Greenfield.
Adair County Health System is located in Methodist Church in Greenfield for the rest of the week. The address is 108 SW 5th St. Greenfield, Iowa 50849 and open from 7:30 to 6 p.m. The Adair County Health clinic is open for walk-in patients with minor injuries or illness with no scheduled appointments, according to the ACHS Facebook page.
Call 712-732-1314 if you or someone you know is injured, missing or in need of shelter.
The Adair County Free Press posted a list of requested items by Greenfield residents Wednesday. Any of the following items can be brought to the Creston News Advertiser office at 503 W. Adams St. in nearby Creston.
Here are items Greenfield residents requested in the aftermath of the tornado:
The Adair Sheriff’s Department said in a Facebook post in the early hours of Wednesday morning that access to Greenfield must be limited to ensure aid can enter the town. Anyone trying to enter the town must provide identification and nonresidents may be turned away.
“In speaking with those who responded to the tornado that struck towns in western Iowa earlier this spring, these steps are needed to prevent a tremendous amount of nonessential people from slowing down the progress of those who are essential to clean up, especially utility crews trying to restore power to the city,” according to the Facebook post.
There are state troopers at most entrances to Greenfield. The emergency proclmation also imposes a curfew for the city between 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. After those hours, you will need identification to prove you are essential help.
More: Where is Greenfield, Iowa? Here’s what we know about the deadly tornado
Before you can help on the grounds in Greenfield, you must be credentialed to easily enter city limits, according to the Adair Sheriff’s Office.
Visit the Iowa DOT Maintenance shed at 2313 State Highway 92, just east of Greenfield, for credentialing. The process began at 9 a.m. Wednesday. A large red Hy-Vee semi-trailer is expected to be the hub for credentialing, according to the Adair County Sheriff’s Department.
Once you approach a checkpoint, you will need identification showing a Greenfield address or a specific location you are going to help. Be prepared to call someone at the address to verify where you are going, according to the Adair County Sheriff’s Office.
Updates: Tornado, storm damage still being felt in Iowa as clean up begins
The Adair County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone willing to lend manpower or equipment for cleanup efforts to comment their contact information on a Facebook post made by the department on Tuesday. The department asked that volunteers refrain from calling the dispatch number because lines are busy.
Anyone who doesn’t want their direct number on the Facebook post can directly message the sheriff’s office Facebook page, according to the post.
There is a community shelter in Greenfield at the Nodaway Valley Community High School at 410 NW. 2nd St. The American Red Cross sent a trailer of supplies including water and blankets Tuesday evening.
Iowa’s American Red Cross Division posted to their Facebook that the agency is actively working with local emergency management in impacted areas from the severe weather on Tuesday. The American Red Cross is supporting the independent community shelter, according to the social media post.
The aid organization is still assessing the needs of the community to determine how to help.
FNB Bank and Union State Bank, two local banks in Greenfield, are accepting monetary donations for tornado damage from Tuesday.
Donations can also be made to Greenfield’s foundation at greenfieldiafoundation.org.
The Red Cross is also accepting donations at redcross.org/ia.
The red cross has a hotline for anyone in need of assistance from the severe weather, according to the organizations Facebook post.
You can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or 1-800-733-2767.
“We will continue to prove comfort and support to our fellow Iowans in the coming days and weeks,” the Red Cross Facebook post stated.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
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