BY JAKE KRZECZOWSKI AND ZACH SMITH | MAY 05, 2009 7:27 AM

If the Recreation Building were an older version of Wayne Maynor, than the track and field team’s new addition would be its “Bat Cave.”

“It’s just amazing,” senior All-American John Hickey said about the track and field team’s new digs in the northwest corner of the Rec Building. “We have a lounge now in the locker room, a 50-inch and a 42-inch TV with complete surround sound and iPod docks and DVD players.

“We can do pretty much anything.”

Conversely, for sophomore Hannah Roeder, who spent a year running for UCLA before coming to Iowa, she felt the original accessories at the team’s disposal were a bit out of date.

“The facilities before were definitely at a lower caliber,” she said.

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The new facility, which finished construction and became available to the men’s and women’s track and field teams in early March, is state-of-the-art all the way down to the black-and-gold carpet.

Entrance to the brand-new locker rooms, weight room, and training room is not allowed without the possession of an access key. In fact, access keys are necessary to get into any closed-door room.

Each locker room resembles more of an NFL locker room than that of a college track and field program. The lockers themselves have the athletes’ names and hometown in bold black-and-gold at the top and a large space for backpacks, duffle bags, and equipment. A large Tigerhawk rests on the floor in the middle of the room.

The weight room is a demonstration of the team’s investment in a strength and conditioning program. With several new weight benches and a complete set of barbells and dumbbells, Hickey said, the program’s tradition of stellar throwers is a nice complement to the new weight room and could help with recruiting.

“I think [the facility] is going to help a lot with recruiting,” he said. “If you look at all the other bigger [Division-I track and field] programs, they have the facilities to back their performances. Whereas we have had the performances, we just didn’t really have the facilities, and now we have both.

“It’s just like the icing on the cake.”

Women’s head coach Layne Anderson agreed that the new facilities the team can now enjoy presents yet another recruiting tool for the Hawkeyes.

“When we can bring a recruit in and show her our new locker room, our new weight room, our new track — it really helps in getting her on campus,” he said.

The track and field program is also having its outdoor track redone.

Iowa was slated to hold the outdoor Big Ten championships on its new track this season, but with the 2008 flood, the date has been pushed back to 2010, which will put the team’s new home track at the forefront of the Big Ten.

“It’s nice — we’ll be able to open the facility, get it going, and have the championship in a few years,” Anderson said.

While the new surroundings are definitely an asset to the team, he is hesitant to attribute improved performance to the new facilities.

“It kind of has a placebo effect,” he said. “But in the end, it comes down to doing your work.”

Original Here
BY JAKE KRZECZOWSKI | NOVEMBER 03, 2009 7:20 AM

The Iowa men’s tennis team finished up the fall portion of its season this past weekend at the Big Ten singles tournament at Michigan State.

The meet was a roller coaster, with wins and losses that forced the Hawkeyes to swallow hard to keep their lunch down.

On the first day of competition, Oct. 30, the inaugural doubles portion of the tournament opened with the pairing of sophomore Will Vasos and senior Tommy McGeorge, who continued their recent domination and defeated duos from Illinois, Michigan, and Michigan State before losing in the semifinals.

The two finished the tournament in third place.

“That’s really an accomplishment for those guys,” Iowa head coach Steve Houghton said. “Those guys keep getting better and better. That was definitely a highlight.”

Also competing in doubles matches were sophomore Marc Bruche and senior Reinoud Haal, who won their first match before bowing out in the ensuing round of Flight A play. In the Flight B portion, junior Nikita Zotov and senior Austen Kauss finished the tournament after two wins, as did the pair of senior Patrick Dwyer and freshman Garret Dunn.

In the first round, Kauss battled No. 2 overall seed Slavko Bijela of Purdue, defeating him in three sets before losing in the next round.

“That guy has been one of the best Big Ten players over the past two years,” Houghton said about Bijela. “Austen’s win was probably the biggest upset of the tournament. That was a big step for him to beat a guy like [Bijela].”

Haal and Bruche came into the tournament seeded 10th and 11th, respectively. Haal fell in the first round, but Bruche went on a run, blitzing through the first day of singles play on his way to the round of 16.

Also advancing past the first day were Dunn and Zotov, who both won their first round matches in the back-draw competition. Kauss and McGeorge received first-round byes.

Sunday wasn’t very friendly to the Hawkeyes, though.

Bruche fell to Mike Srocynski of Michigan (6-4, 6-3) in the round of 16 — a disappointing finish to an otherwise solid weekend for the German.

All of the back draw competitors fell in the third round.

“It was a bit of a disappointment after the day we had [on Oct. 31],” Houghton said. “I think we were done by noon on Sunday.”

The meet was the last for the Hawkeyes until Jan. 29, 2010, when the team will travel to Waco, Texas, for the Kickoff Classic. During the break, the team will train individually, with full-team practice starting back up once the team gets back to campus following winter break.

The fall portion of the team’s season is often characterized as a way to prepare for the spring. The Iowa players feel they have done a good job of that thus far.

“We definitely learned some things we have to work on,” McGeorge said. “Both we and the coaches know what those things are, and the break will give us a chance to focus on them.”

Original Here
BY DI STAFF | NOVEMBER 06, 2009 7:20 AM

Northwestern has more momentum entering this weekend’s game

Iowa would be the safe choice for possession of the momentum meter. At 9-0, the Hawkeyes are in the midst of their best start in school history.

Over the past few years, though, there has been one team that has been a thorn in Iowa’s side.

Northwestern has won in each of its last two appearances at Kinnick Stadium, in 2006 and 2008. Its domination on Iowa’s home turf has spurred many Wildcat faithful to refer to our beloved stadium as “Ryan Field West,” referring to Northwestern’s stadium.

The success on the road against Iowa, combined with a 3-3 record that puts them at the bottom of the Big Ten race, gives the Wildcats a feeling of nothing to lose.

Four of the Hawkeyes’ nine wins have been within three points, and Northwestern is no stranger to a tight game after narrow wins against Indiana and Eastern Michigan. Many say a man with nothing to lose is a dangerous man. This Northwestern team will arrive in Iowa City with everything to gain, while the pressure is on the Hawkeyes to continue their historic streak.

This year, Iowa has also had a tendency to overlook opponents in preparation for big games the ensuing week. No other time was this evidenced than the 24-21 win over Arkansas State that came one week before Michigan was in town for Homecoming.

The hunger to win and ability to pull through in close games, combined with a confidence garnered from its past two wins at Kinnick, make Northwestern a scary opponent.

The Wildcats may not win, but they definitely pose a dangerous threat to Iowa’s pristine record.

— by Jake Krzeczowski

Original Found Here (Daily Iowan)
BY JAKE KRZECZOWSKI | NOVEMBER 19, 2009 7:21 AM

At least once a year Iowa men’s tennis assistant coach Steve Nash finds himself in a foreign country, trying to order off strange menus at restaurants and remembering to stay on the left side of the road.

It’s all in the hope of finding his next prized recruit.

With 12 players on the men’s tennis team, four others from Canada, Russia, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Some might wonder how a third of Iowa’s tennis team could come from such distances. But the Hawkeyes have a history of recruiting successfully overseas, using a system head coach Steve Houghton has perfected in 29 years.His expanded view creates a larger talent pool.

Word of mouth helps. For years, the team had a string of Swedes, a run that ended last year with Christian Bierich.

“We’ve had enough international kids … that a lot of the time I’ll just ask someone who is from somewhere near them,” Houghton said.

Sophomore Marc Bruche, of Hoelsbrunn, Germany, followed a similar path to Iowa.

After finishing up a tour of duty in the German military, Bruche, a top-ranked player during his high school days, was spurred by a friend to pick up his racket and head for Baylor University in Waco, Texas. On a recommendation from that coach, he arrived in Iowa City this year.

“What really was a big thing for me was what I heard about coach [Steve] Houghton,” Bruche said. “He has a very good reputation.”

That statement of good character can also help persuade parents to send their 18-year-old son halfway across the world.

“We just try to be as honest as possible with these kids,” Nash said.

While in Europe, Nash’s job is to see prospects play and make the initial face-to-face contact with the potential future Hawkeyes.

With a budget allowing for two trips a year, a coach will visit four to five players in days, venturing quickly from one country to another.

While overseas, Nash will watch prospects play, often in a tournament or exhibition setting before sitting down with the player and his family to discuss what the Hawkeyes have to offer.

What everything comes down to is making the recruit realize what Houghton calls the “Iowa way” of doing things.

“At Iowa, I believe in what we do. We’re not going to take a scholarship away for lack of talent once you are on campus,” Houghton said.

Meanwhile, though, some have questioned whether scholarships from state-sponsored universities should go to foreign-born students. Many schools in the talent-rich South often spurn home-grown athletes in favor of those overseas.

Houghton, though, noted the benefits of having a diverse squad and combated the argument by pointing to the nation’s immigrant foundation.

This commitment to the student-athlete is something the coach described as a general characteristic of the Big Ten, which sometimes puts the conference on an uneven playing field — but for good reason.

As much a Houghton tries to stay humble when referring to himself as being a catalyst for many foreign athletes who want to play tennis at Iowa, it’s apparent he prefers to do things a particular way. He emphasizes values and morals in the recruiting process.

Original Found Here (Daily Iowan)
BY JAKE KRZECZOWSKI | DECEMBER 04, 2009 7:30 AM

The Iowa men’s track and field team will begin its season with its annual intrasquad meet in the Recreation Building at 4 p.m. Dec. 6.

The meet is a cherished part of Iowa head coach Larry Wieczorek’s season. It allows to see his team in a competitive setting before going against other squads.

The meet also provides student-athletes a manageable segue between fall training and winter competitions.

“You have practice on the one hand and competition on the other hand,” Wieczorek said. “This is kind of the middle ground where you can see those nerves, put the jerseys on, yet be competing against your teammates.”

The distance portion of the team that competed in the cross-country season during the fall will be held out of the weekend’s meet to allow the runners an extended break before competing once again.

While everyone on the team excites Wieczorek, the newcomers have truly gotten his blood racing.

Jeffrey Herron, a transfer from Texas-San Antonio, could have an immediate effect in his first year with the Hawkeyes. Having jumped a career-best 6-10 at his conference meet last year, he should bring bounce to his coach’s step in the coming months.

The new crop of freshmen includes Schaumburg, Ill., native Kyle Reid, a decathlete, Ethan Holmes, an Iowa state champion hurdler from Clinton, and Kevin Dibbern, a product of City High and one of the state’s best 400 runners.

Sunday’s meet will not only be for the youngsters, though. Seniors Adam Hairston, Paul Chaney Jr., and Ray Varner return to lead the Hawkeyes after stellar 2008 campaigns that ended in the semifinals of the NCAA national meet.

As a leader for younger members of the team, Hairston is far from worried about any possible trouble as the season gets underway.

“I think we’re pretty strong all around,” he said. “I think this is one of the best all-around teams we’ve had since I’ve been here — from the distances to the throws.

“We had a lot of regional qualifiers, and Ray and I qualified for nationals, so that’s something we can build off as a strength.”

The meet will also allow team members to shake off whatever dust, rust, or cobwebs that may have accumulated since the end of last season.

The team will officially open competition on Jan. 9, 2010, in a dual meet against Illinois in Champaign, Ill. The general feeling among the Hawkeyes is that January can’t come soon enough.

“I’m just looking forward to competing again,” Hairston said. “It’s been a while, since June. Just looking forward to getting back on the track in a competitive atmosphere and seeing where my fitness is at after the fall training.”

Original Found Here (Daily Iowan)
BY JAKE KRZECZOWSKI | DECEMBER 09, 2009 7:30 AM

On a night when gusting winds and snow kept many home and warm, the consolation side of the men’s intramural pre-holiday 3-on-3 basketball tournament came to a heated finish Tuesday night at the Field House.

UISSC advanced to the semifinal game after defeating Team Esteban on Monday, earning the chance to battle Omelettes with a title trip prime for the taking.

Because of inclement weather, officials closed the Field House early Tuesday evening, but just enough time was left to get the last few scheduled intramural games in before the championships.

The foursome of Nick Kron, Reed McManigal, Caleb Recker, and Clark Anderson proved too much for the Omlettes. The UISSC quartet combined for an offensive fury through the first half of the contest, mixing their long-range game with an array of acrobatic drives to the basket for a 15-10 win.

The squad then took the third and final matchup, 15-8, to move on following a close second contest.

“We try to drive first,” UISSC player Kron said. “We just try to find who is open. There’s no one who really takes over.”

The Omelettes took the show early, flashing an impressive 3-point game while employing quick first steps on the dribble to set up drives to the hoop.

The UISSC and Omlettes split the first two games of the best-of-three program.

Fatigue was anticipated to be a large factor in the final game of the series. UISSC players prepared themselves by substituting after every two points.

The fresh legs made all the difference, and UISSC earned the majority of its points off turnovers and hustle plays when Omelettes players began to falter.

“We were getting pretty tired toward the end there,” Anderson said. “Playing two games before didn’t help either, but the way we did subs helped.”

The UISSC defense also was crucial. McManigal served as a catalyst for UISSC, racking up several steals throughout the three games played.

“It’s all about finding the things that the other guys don’t want to do,” he said.

The pre-holiday 3-on-3 tournament is scheduled to conclude tonight in the Field House, when

UISSC will take on Blue Chips for the tournament championship.

UISSC players said they are ready to get back to action in the final round after previously falling out of the winner’s bracket and making a successful run while continuously facing elimination.

“We’re just trying to do the little things right,” McManigal said.

Original Found Here (Daily Iowan)
BY DI SPORTS STAFF | OCTOBER 13, 2009 7:20 AM

YES

Why wouldn’t fans rush the field after an exhilarating win like the one this past weekend?

At home, facing one of the toughest teams in the Big Ten, there is no reason to fault those who let their excitement spill over the barriers and onto the playing surface to celebrate with the boys who brought them victory.

Every week, there is another professional football player who orchestrates a perfect ensemble of two-steps after getting his one tackle for a year on special teams. This is looked upon as a reason to celebrate, so why not let the fans join in on the fun?

Last year, the Hawkeyes beat Wisconsin behind an amazing running effort by Shonn Greene, and again the fans couldn’t hold themselves back — me being one of them.

I’ll admit I rushed the field for that game, a game that had little significance over the season. It was all in good fun, and it was a memory I, as well as most everyone else that was out there, will have forever.

Gone are the days of taking down the goal posts after big wins. Storming the field has become the last outlet for fans to celebrate with the team. With such a divide these days between fan and athlete, even at the college level, it is comforting to know that anyone can run out after a big win and throw his arm around Ricky Stanzi or Adrian Clayborn and bask in the thrill of victory.

Now, to justify the rush of the field after the Michigan game. With only Northwestern, Indiana, and Minnesota coming through Iowa City the next few weeks, this was the students’ last chance to throw caution to the wind and feel that brand-new turf beneath their frozen toes.

So what if so-called powerhouses such as USC and Ohio State don’t rush the field after a big win? In my eyes, it just shows how jaded those teams are by their level of success.

Iowa is known nationwide for understanding how to have a good time, and rushing the field is just an extension of that spirit.

— by Jake Krzeczowski

Original Found Here (Daily Iowan)
BY DI STAFF | NOVEMBER 10, 2009 7:20 AM

YES

Hawkeye backup quarterback James Vandenberg receives preferential treatment among students on campus because of his “ability” to throw a football.

But with all the amenities afforded to football players at the university, a performance like the one Vandenberg turned in on Nov. 6 gives plenty of reason to criticize the redshirt freshman.

An interception on his first throw followed by a series of worm-burners that failed to reach even his receivers shoelaces on a fly was an absolute joke.

There is something to say about the pressure on a backup to keep a 9-0 team undefeated, but isn’t that why he’s in Iowa City in the first place?

On a team where roles are followed very closely, Vandenberg seemed to have forgotten his against a Northwestern team that was blowout-bound in the second quarter.

If he were a poor walk-on thrown to the lions, or Wildcats in this case, it would be hard to be critical.

But the fact remains he is a Kirk Ferentz investment, one meant to help the team win games, and on Nov. 6, he failed to do that.

Sure, he was one of the most prolific passers in Iowa high-school football history, but the display against the Wildcats looked more like the part of a bad intramural football player on the Hawkeye Recreational Fields than a Division-I quarterback playing in front of 70,000-plus fans .

The Hawkeyes don’t need another Jake Christensen. They just need Ricky Stanzi back.

— by Jake Krzeczowski