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Defense leads Dream, Valkyries to WNBA Finals

National Sports

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State forward Kayla Thornton knows every basket in the WNBA Finals will be tough to come by, given how much the Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream take pride in making stops. The league’s two best defensive teams are about to square off for a championship in a best-of-seven series that could be low-scoring. The Valkyries host Game 1 on Saturday with their raucous “Ballhalla” home crowd to back them on the biggest stage this second-year franchise has reached. “We’re the top two in the league,” Thornton said, “so I think it comes down to just the ...

ISU announces Benko as next AD

Local Sports

TIMES-REPUBLICAN AMES — President David Cook has selected Jared Benko as the next director of athletics at Iowa State University. Benko, who has spent the past two years as the executive deputy athletic director at Auburn University, will start on Oct. 30, pending approval by the Iowa Board of Regents. “Athletics is vital to the strength of our university,” Cook said. “Jared Benko brings the leadership experience and strategic vision to build on our success, support our student-athletes as students first and ensure Iowa State is well positioned for the future of college ...

Iowa's Lutmer a Lott Trophy quarterfinalist

Local Sports

TIMES-REPUBLICAN IOWA CITY — University of Iowa fourth-year defensive back Zach Lutmer has been named a 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy Quarterfinalist, it was announced Thursday by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation. The 16 quarterfinalists represent the finest defensive players in college football who have had the biggest impact on their teams both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. Lutmer has started the first six games at free safety in 2026, recording 34 tackles, including one tackle for a loss, and four pass ...

Bobcat girls drub ’Dogs in Ottumwa

Local Sports

OTTUMWA — The Marshalltown girls’ swimming squad stormed past Ottumwa in Tuesday’s final dual meet of the season, blasting the host Bulldogs 105-45 in an Iowa Alliance Conference meet at Beach Ottumwa. The Bobcats (7-2) claimed their seventh-straight dual meet after an 0-2 start to the ...

Iowa’s Pieper named as AP Midseason All-American

Local Sports

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa fourth-year offensive lineman Kade Pieper has been named to the Associated Press Midseason All-America team, it was announced Thursday by The Associated Press. Pieper has started 19 consecutive games at guard, dating back to the start of last season. The ...

Affolter joins Iowa staff as special assistant

Local Sports

IOWA CITY — Sydney Affolter has been named special assistant to the head coach for the University of Iowa women’s basketball program. Affolter enters her second season on Iowa’s staff after serving as a graduate assistant during the 2025-26 campaign. She joined the staff in the summer ...