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Iowa State football: 2025 3-star offensive lineman Sione Perkins commits to Cyclones

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Iowa State football: 2025 3-star offensive lineman Sione Perkins commits to Cyclones


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Iowa State football is getting more reinforcements on the offensive line.

The Cyclones secured another commitment, as offensive tackle Sione Perkins announced his decision on Sunday night.

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Sione Perkins 247 ranking

Perkins is a 6-foot-9, 260-pound lineman from Eagle, Idaho. He is a three-star prospect in the class of 2025, according to 247 Sports. He is the ninth highest-rated tackle from Idaho and the 173rd offensive tackle overall in his class.

Perkins helped pave the way to a 7-2 season for the Mustangs, who reached the Class 6A SIC district championship game this fall.

Perkins’ announcement comes shortly after he fielded an offer from Iowa State on Thursday. He reportedly also had offers from Eastern Washington, Idaho and Montana.

He is the second offensive lineman to commit to the Cyclones in an eight-day stretch, with the other being Mason Bandhauer from Fort Collins, Colorado in the recruiting class of 2026.

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Iowa State football 2025 recruiting class

Perkins is the 16th player to commit in head coach Matt Campbell’s 2025 recruiting class.

He joins three-star tackle Will Tompkins of Cedar Falls as the lone commits on the offensive line so far.

Here is the Cyclones’ 2025 recruiting class to date:

  • Wide receiver Karon Brookins (Winslow Township, New Jersey)
  • Defensive lineman B.J. Carter (Middleburg, Florida)
  • Athlete Mason Ellens (Glen Ellyn, Illinois)
  • Linebacker Will Hawthorne (Gilbert, Iowa)
  • Cornerback LaMarcus Hicks II (Des Plaines, Illinois)
  • Edge rusher Jack Limbaugh (Algona, Iowa)
  • Wide receiver Dyllan Malone (Yorkville, Illinois)
  • Quarterback Alex Manske (Algona, Iowa)
  • Running back Ryver Peppers (Independence, Missouri)
  • Safety Joshua Patterson (Jacksonville, Florida)
  • Wide receiver Xzavion Robinson (West Des Moines, Iowa)
  • Safety Ethan Stecker (Spirit Lake, Iowa)
  • Offensive lineman Will Tompkins (Cedar Falls, Iowa)
  • Edge rusher Trey Verdon (Hamilton, Ohio)
  • Edge rusher Charlie Woleben (De Soto, Kansas)

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.





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Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes upset USC 76-69, ahead of Clark jersey retirement

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Iowa Hawkeyes upset USC 76-69, ahead of Clark jersey retirement


IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG/AP) – The Iowa Women’s basketball team came out victorious in its game against No. 4 USC on Sunday, winning 76-69.

Lucy Olsen scored 28 points and Addison O’Grady had 13 as Iowa topped No. 4 USC 76-69 on Sunday, snapping the Trojans’ 15-game winning streak.

The win came on a day when Iowa retired Caitlin Clark’s jersey number 22 in a postgame ceremony, and the Hawkeyes delivered a win to add to the honor.

Iowa (15-7, 5-6 Big Ten) opened the game with an 18-1 run, fought off a 17-1 response by the Trojans in the second quarter, then matched USC the rest of the way.

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The Trojans’ biggest lead was 47-41 in the third quarter, and they were up 50-45 with 2:09 left in the period before the Hawkeyes scored six consecutive points, capped by Olsen’s jumper right before the buzzer.

Olsen and O’Grady took control of the game in the second half. They had 23 of Iowa’s 25 fourth-quarter points to secure the win.

Sydney Affolter had 11 points and nine rebounds, and Hannah Stuelke added 10 points for the Hawkeyes.

JuJu Watkins led USC (19-2, 9-1) with 27 points. Kiki Iriafen had 13 points, and Kennedy Smith had 11.

Takeaways:

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USC: The Trojans were staggered by Iowa’s early start, yet had a second-quarter response. Watkins got her points, but was 8 of 22 from the field, 1 of 7 in 3-pointers.

Iowa: The Hawkeyes were at their best to start the game, feeding off the emotion of a sellout crowd of 14,998. With Clark in attendance, the game felt like some of her best moments over the last couple of the seasons.

Key moment:

USC had gotten to within 63-60 with five minutes to play, but O’Grady and Olsen answered with three consecutive field goals to put the Hawkeyes in command. Olsen later converted on a 3-point play — O’Grady had the assist on her layup — and Iowa had a 72-62 lead.

Key stat:

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USC missed 20 of its first 22 shots. Watkins had the Trojans’ lone field goal in the first quarter.

Up next:

Iowa: At Minnesota on Thursday.

The game came ahead of the University of Iowa’s ceremony retiring basketball star Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 jersey inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball,” Clark said. “It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I’ve admired for so long.”

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Iowa high school girls basketball state rankings by class

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Iowa high school girls basketball state rankings by class


Here is a look at this week’s High School on SI Top 10 Iowa high school girls basketball rankings by class for the week of Feb. 3:

1. Johnston (16-0)

Previous rank: 1

The Dragons will put their perfect record on the line against Ankeny Centennial in a rematch after roasting West Des Moines Valley.

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2. West Des Moines Dowling (15-3)

Previous rank: 2

No trouble for the Maroons against Ankeny as they move towards a showdown with Waukee Northwest. 

3. Waukee Northwest (14-3)

Previous rank: 5

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Four straight and 10 of 12 around losses to Johnston for the Wolves. 

4. Davenport North (14-3)

Previous rank: 6

After handling Davenport Central, North got by Bettendorf, 67-53.

5. Cedar Rapids Prairie (14-2)

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Previous rank: 3

Riding high, the Hawks were stuffed by Cedar Falls, 53-47.

6. Pleasant Valley (13-4)

Previous rank: 4

After a loss to Central DeWitt, the Spartans rebounded, reeling off two straight convincing wins.

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7. Iowa City High (12-4)

Previous rank: 10

The Little Hawks get Cedar Rapids Prairie next with Iowa City Liberty on the horizon.

8. Ankeny Centennial (10-6)

Previous rank: 7

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The Jaguars were clipped at Waukee, 57-53, falling to 3-3 in their last six.

9. Bettendorf (13-4)

Previous rank: 8

Bettendorf hung tough with Davenport North before seeing its five-game win streak come to an end.

10. Iowa City West (12-6)

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Previous rank: Not ranked

The Trojans knocked off Iowa City Liberty, 47-36, improving to 7-4 in their last 11.

1. North Polk (16-1)

Previous rank: 1

There were no lingering effects from the loss to Ankeny Centennial, as the Comets crushed Winterset, 66-34.

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2. Waverly-Shell Rock (16-2)

Previous rank: 2

The Go-Hawks will see some interesting teams here next, taking on Denver and Aplington-Parkersburg. 

3. Dallas Center-Grimes (14-3)

Previous rank: 3

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A couple of nice wins over Newton and Oskaloosa for the Mustangs, who host Norwalk next.

4. Sioux City Bishop Heelan (15-2)

Previous rank: 4

The Crusaders have reeled off six straight since their last loss. .

5. Norwalk (17-1)

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Previous rank: 5

The Warriors are set to face Dallas Center-Grimes, riding a seven-game win streak since they last played. 

6. Maquoketa (16-1)

Previous rank: 6

Four in a row for Maquoketa, who has one tough test left in Iowa City High.

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7. Sioux Center (16-2)

Previous rank: 8

The Warriors knocked off both Central Lyon and West Lyon last week, stretching their run to seven in a row. 

8. Carlisle (14-3)

Previous rank: 9

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The Wildcats were able to get by Gilbert after stomping Ballard.

9. Cedar Rapids Xavier (14-4)

Previous rank: 10

Six in a row for the Saints, including several against 5A schools.

10. Central DeWitt (15-2)

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Previous rank: 7

The Sabers moved up to face Davenport North, suffering a loss before bouncing back to win three in a row.

1. Mount Vernon (16-1)

Previous rank: 1

The Mustangs close the year with some key games against the likes of Center Point-Urbana and Clear Creek-Amana.

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2. Des Moines Christian (15-3)

Previous rank: 4

The Lions have won 15 in a row, allowing under 23 points in each of the last three.

3. Williamsburg (17-2)

Previous rank: 5

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These Raiders are red-hot, knocking off Clear Creek-Amana around several easy wins.

4. PCM (17-2)

Previous rank: 6

Eight in a row by the Mustangs, who rolled Perry and Nevada, allowing just 37 points.

5. Cherokee (14-2)

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Previous rank: 7

Cherokee flexed its might in a win over Estherville-Lincoln Central, adding to key wins over Spirit Lake and Storm Lake as of late.

6. Estherville-Lincoln Central (15-3)

Previous rank: 2

The Midgets fell for the first time in 2025, losing at Cherokee, 50-44.

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7. Forest City (18-1)

Previous rank: 3

For the first time this year, the Indians lost, suffering a 49-40 defeat at Waverly-Shell Rock.

8. Harlan (14-3)

Previous rank: 8

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The Cyclones keep adding up wins, as they have now scored seven in a row.

9. Dubuque Wahlert (14-2)

Previous rank: 9

A key date with Cedar Rapids Prairie is on the horizon for Wahlert, who has won four in a row.

10. Algona (15-3)

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Previous rank: 10

The win streak hit double figures last week for the Bulldogs. 

1. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (18-0)

Previous rank: 1

Two more convincing wins for the Rockets, who appear poised for a strong postseason run again.

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2. Hinton (17-0)

Previous rank: 2

Hinton will try to put a cap on a perfect regular season, as they have two games left.

3. Rock Valley (15-1)

Previous rank: 3

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The Rockets rolled last week, blasting all three opponents they faced. 

4. Iowa City Regina (16-1)

Previous rank: 4

It was business as usual for the Regals in wins over Tipton and West Branch.

5. North Mahaska (17-2)

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Previous rank: 5

Three straight wins by North Mahaska now since the loss to Montezuma. 

6. MVAOCOU (17-1)

Previous rank: 6

Before regionals start, the Rams will try to secure a conference tournament title.

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7. Denver (17-1)

Previous rank: 8

The Cyclones have rebounded since their first loss, picking up convincing wins in the process.

8. Treynor (15-2)

Previous rank: 9

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After the loss to Atlantic late last month, the Cardinals showed their might, winning three straight.

9. Central Lyon (12-4)

Previous rank: 7

Following a hard-fought win over West Lyon, Central Lyon could not get past Sioux Center, 53-50.

10. Maquoketa Valley (17-1)

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Previous rank: 10

The 17-game win streak came to a halt at the hands of 1A state contender North Linn, 44-37.

1. Council Bluffs St. Albert (16-1)

Previous rank: 1

The Saintes bounced back from their first loss last week, topping Atlantic, 53-43.

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2. Newell-Fonda (13-2)

Previous rank: 2

Make it seven in a row for the Mustangs, as they continue to march towards the postseason.

3. North Linn (16-1)

Previous rank: 3

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It was a postseason-like environment as the Lynx tipped Maquoketa Valley, 44-37.

4. Riceville (16-1)

Previous rank: 4

Sweet 16 for the Wildcats featured an easy win over Waterloo Christian.

5. Algona Bishop Garrigan (17-2)

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Previous rank: 5

Stage is now set for the rematch with Forest City, who topped the Golden Bears last month, 64-59.

6. Montezuma (13-4)

Previous rank: 7

The Braves continue to build momentum towards a meeting with Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont later this month.

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7. Riverside (17-2)

Previous rank: 9

Nobody has scored over 32 against the Wildcats in their last four games.

8. Mount Ayr (18-1)

Previous rank: 6

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The Raiders were stunned by Lenox, 60-50, but quickly got back on track with a 70-22 drubbing of Southeast Warren.

9. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (15-3)

Previous rank: 8

The Rebels saw their win streak come to a halt at the hands of Aplington-Parkersburg on the road.

10. Woodbine (14-4)

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Previous rank: Not ranked

Four in a row for the Tigers since a tough loss to Carroll.



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Iowa osprey population continues to grow, DNR reports • Iowa Capital Dispatch

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Iowa osprey population continues to grow, DNR reports • Iowa Capital Dispatch


Data from the 2024 osprey nesting report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources shows the bird population is well established and continuing to grow in the state.

Last year, volunteers across the state monitored 50 osprey nests, and according to the 2024 report, saw 64% of the nests raise their young to the fledgling stage, or the age where the baby birds can fly, which the department considers a “successful nest.” 

The osprey, a bird of prey unique for its entirely fish-based diet, was restored to Iowa from 1997 until 2016, and now the populations are monitored by DNR. 

DNR Avian Ecologist Anna Buckardt Thomas said it is not always clear why some nests are successful and others are not, but she said Iowa had a high number of fledglings this year because of the overall growth in its osprey population. 

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“The population has taken hold in Iowa,” Buckardt Thomas said.

The bird was never observed by European settlers in Iowa but tribal nations who lived in the region have accounts of the birds nesting along Iowa’s many waterways. According to DNR, osprey populations across the country were heavily affected by organochlorines, like DDT, and by 1981 the continental U.S. had just 8,000 pairs of osprey. 

The restoration process, which moved young birds from Minnesota and Wisconsin into strategic areas in Iowa, was successful. In 2024, Iowa had 39 active osprey nests, mostly in the Des Moines area, in the corridor between Waterloo and Iowa City, at Spirit Lake and near Sioux City. 

Osprey nests in Iowa. (Map courtesy of Iowa DNR)

Three-fourths of the observed osprey nests in 2024 were located on top of cell phone towers, which can cause problems for the birds when tower maintenance and nesting season coincide.

Ospreys are large raptors with wingspans up to 6 feet wide, light-colored underbellies and distinctive dark markings on the underside of the wings and around the eyes.

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Buckardt Thomas said because the birds subsist entirely on fish, ospreys are indicative of water quality and fish populations in the state. 

According to the report, the nests near Spirit Lake have the most fluctuation. In 2024 the area had three active nests, which was up from the singular active nest in 2023, but still down from the five active nests that were observed at the lake in 2018. 

The nests are mostly monitored by volunteers who go out several times during breeding season to see if breeding is occurring, if eggs are being incubated, how many eggs hatch and finally, how many of the young reach the fledgling stage. 

Buckardt Thomas said anyone interested in volunteering to monitor osprey nests, or any Iowan who notices a nest and wonders if it is being monitored, can email DNR’s volunteer wildlife monitoring program coordinator.

“We do have a great number of volunteers … but more volunteers is always better,” Buckardt Thomas said.

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DNR is also looking for volunteers to monitor bald eagle nests and is hosting a workshop for interested volunteers on Feb. 9. In 2024, community volunteers monitored 400 eagle nests across the state. Registration for the workshop ends Feb. 6 and is mandatory.

YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.

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