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Caitlin Clark

Clark and Ledecky lead charge of women’s sports in Indy

June 18, 2024 by Tara S

INDIANAPOLIS – Anyone looking for proof of the meteoric rise of women’s sport need look no further than downtown Indianapolis this weekend where within a five block radius fans turned out in their droves to witness the brilliance of Katie Ledecky and Caitlin Clark.

Seven-times Olympic gold medallist Ledecky qualified for her fourth Games under the lights of Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in front of an adoring crowd of 20,689, a record number for a swim meet.

Less than 24 hours later, Clark thrilled a sold-out arena of 17,274 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as the WNBA’s Indiana Fever beat the visiting Chicago Sky 91-83.

“It just shows that when given the opportunity, women’s sports are amazingly fun to watch and only on the rise,” Clark told reporters after scoring 23 points in the hard-fought win.

“People are finally starting to realise how great of a product it is,” she said.

“Once they come and watch one time they can’t get enough and they continue to come back.

“To be a small part of that is super fun and to play in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,000 people, that’s not something you ever take for granted.”

Clark was on the receiving end of a hard foul from rival Angel Reese during the contest but said that is just the way it goes when elite athletes battle head-to-head.

“People love to see the emotion and the passion that we play with,” she said.

“I think that was something that was maybe not appreciated in women’s sports and it should be. That’s what makes it fun.”

Ledecky said she was having more fun than ever after punching her ticket to the Paris Games with a triumph in the 400 metres freestyle.

The 27-year-old was by far the biggest attraction on the opening night of the U.S. Olympic Trials, which for the first time are being held inside an NFL stadium with the atmosphere of a rock concert.

“I was blown away walking out there and seeing all the fans,” Ledecky said.

“I hope it moves our sport forward. I hope there are some young swimmers out there that get excited about today.”

Clark’s team mate Aliyah Boston said she is proud to be part of a movement that is inspiring the next generation.

“Younger girls now have so many more athletes to look up to and say I want to be like her, I want to be an Olympian just like her,” Boston said.

“To be a part of that is amazing. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” REUTERS

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Women's Sports Tagged With: Caitlin Clark, Katie Ledecky

Caitlin Clark Makes History With 3,000 Career Points

December 7, 2023 by Tara S

MADISON WILLIAMS | Sports Illustrated

Caitlin Clark made college basketball history on Wednesday, scoring her 3,000th point. Now, the Iowa superstar sits in a class all by herself.

Iowa star Caitlin Clark needed just 22 points when entering Wednesday’s game vs. Iowa State to make NCAA Division I basketball history.

In the third quarter, Clark hit a three-pointer to score her 3,002nd point in her Iowa career.

The shot made her the first basketball player, either men’s or women’s, in NCAA Division I history to record 3,000 points along with at least 750 rebounds and 750 assists. She is the 15th player in NCAA history to hit at least 3,000 points.

It was fitting that Clark reached this historical mark in Ames, Iowa, which is just 41 miles from her home town of Des Moines.

Clark has never won at Iowa State in her career. But, since she was at an opposing arena, the crowd wasn’t as electric for her accomplishment than if she was at home.

Clark and the Hawkeyes played in front of a sold-out crowd at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa games tend to be sold out in every location the Hawkeyes play at, in part thanks to Clark’s popularity. The Hawkeyes even started their season with an exhibition game in Kinnick Stadium in front of over 55,000 fans.

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports Tagged With: Caitlin Clark

Iowa draws 55,646 to set record for women’s basketball game

October 18, 2023 by Tara S

ESPN Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Lisa Bluder’s idea turned into history.

The Iowa coach came up with the plan for her team to play an outdoor game at Kinnick Stadium, with the hope of setting a women’s basketball single-game attendance record.

Iowa did that, and more.

The Hawkeyes’ 94-72 exhibition win over DePaul in the “Crossover at Kinnick” on Sunday drew 55,646 fans, almost doubling the previous record of 29,619 set by Connecticut and Oklahoma in the 2002 NCAA championship game at San Antonio’s Alamodome.

“You know, you can have an idea and it could fall flat if nobody shows up,” Bluder said. “But, man, Hawk fans showed up today. Fifty-five thousand, breaking the record, getting to play outside. … It was a dream. It really was. It was just fabulous.”

“Fifty-five thousand? That’s pretty incredible,” said Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, the reigning national player of the year, who put up a triple-double of 34 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. “It’s hard to kind of imagine yourself playing basketball in front of 55,000.”

Bluder’s idea for an outdoor game came to her when 9,000 fans showed up for a campus celebration in April upon the Hawkeyes’ return from the NCAA championship game against LSU.

Sunday’s game was played under partly cloudy skies, with temperatures in the 50s and a gusty wind swirling around the north end zone where the court was set up.

“Great weather,” Bluder said. “It was raining all week, and then great weather today? I’m so thankful.”

The wind played havoc with some of the shots. The Hawkeyes were 36-of-73 from the field but just 6-of 22 on 3-pointers and 16-of-30 on free throws.

Clark hit one of her familiar long-range 3-pointers early in the second quarter, but she also air-balled a free throw in the second half.

“It was a little windy,” Clark said. “The cold was perfectly fine. It was a bit chilly, and I’m glad we play an indoor sport. I promise I’ll never air-ball a free throw again. The wind took that one, for sure.”

The game was Iowa’s answer to August’s “Volleyball Day in Nebraska,” an outdoor doubleheader featuring the national power Nebraska Cornhuskers and three other in-state college teams that drew 92,003 to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln for the highest documented attendance ever for a women’s sporting event.

“I think this was amazing,” DePaul guard Michelle Sidor said. “Sixty thousand people coming out for women’s basketball was pretty special.”

Women’s and girls basketball has a long and rich history in Iowa. Girls played six-on-six high school basketball more than a century ago — three offensive players, three defensive players, only two dribbles and none allowed to cross half court. The girls’ basketball state tournament, first held in 1920, was a huge event televised statewide and in neighboring states until the five-player game took over in the 1980s.

Last year, the Hawkeyes ranked second nationally in attendance and Iowa State was seventh.

“We’ve had basketball here since the 1920s,” Bluder said, noting that associate head coach Jan Jensen’s grandmother is in the state girls high school hall of fame. “I mean, this is deeply rooted in this state. So it’s just perfect that it was here.”

Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke, who grew up in nearby Cedar Rapids, said, “Breaking the record in our home city, my home state, is really amazing. I think it’s just really cool being able to change the game and change people’s mindset on basketball.”

Players and coaches from both teams also participated with the crowd in “The Hawkeye Wave,” the tradition of fans at Kinnick waving to young patients and their families who are watching games through the windows at the adjacent Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Proceeds from the game are being directed to the hospital. A check for $250,000 was presented during a break in the game. Among the attendees were former Iowa players Megan Gustafson, the 2019 national player of the year, and Kathleen Doyle, the 2020 Big Ten player of the year.

“Before the game, I just talked to them about this being a historic day for us,” Bluder said. “How we were playing for more than just ourselves. Playing for the university, fighting for the children’s hospital. We just talked about playing for everybody else and and not for ourselves.”

Bluder’s team has never been more popular in the state. The program is coming off its best season, Clark is the returning Associated Press player of the year and a show-woman with her deep 3-pointers. Every home game this season is sold out.

“It’s hard to really wrap your head around everything that’s happening,” Clark said. “Obviously, you can imagine it but it’s never the same until you’re actually in the experience enjoying it and loving it.”

Filed Under: Women's Basketball Tagged With: Caitlin Clark

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark wins Honda Cup: ‘Sky’s the limit’ for women’s sports

June 27, 2023 by Tara S

Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is no stranger to winning, be it awards or basketball games. And she won one of the biggest awards of her career Monday, as she was named the 2023 Honda Cup winner and Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

The 12 finalists for the Honda Cup came from 12 NCAA women’s sports, including Florida gymnast Trinity Thomas, Virginia swimmer Kate Douglass and UCLA soccer player Lilly Reale.

Two other athletes joined Clark among the top three finalists — Texas volleyball player Logan Eggleston and Stanford golfer Rose Zhang — but the Iowa basketball star took home the honors.

Clark, who also won player of the year accolades in her sport, led Iowa to its first national championship game in school history this April. She also became the first Division I women’s basketball player to have more than 1,000 points and 300 assists in the same season.

“It’s truly a tremendous honor. And, to all these women, you guys are incredible. It could have gone to any of you. I’m just lucky to be up here in your guys’ presence and obviously my two coaches who are amazing women. We have an all-woman coaching staff. I get inspired by the best every single day, whether it’s them, whether it’s my coaches,” Clark said as she accepted the award. “I know my family is watching back home. Just a tremendous honor. I’m lucky to be here.”

The summer already has been a busy one for the star. After throwing out the first pitch at an Iowa Cubs baseball game in early June, she traveled north to see Taylor Swift in Minneapolis. Next, she’ll take her talents to the golf course at the John Deere Classic Pro-Am golf event on July 5.

Clark noted that getting to spend the weekend alongside the other athletes was “so much fun.”

“I get to learn what the other athletes’ daily lives are like. I’m their biggest fans as well,” she said. “I try to make time for every women’s sport and want to help elevate their sports to the next level, too.”

She also said that while she attends sporting events to cheer on other Iowa women’s sports teams and athletes, the weekend has helped fuel the fire to attend even more of those events.

“It makes me want to watch and support them even more,” Clark said. “If you’re not watching women’s sports, you’re truly missing out. Now is the time to tune in, as the sky’s the limit for women’s sports.”

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports Tagged With: Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark is a Superstar Who’s in Right Place at Right Time with the Right People

January 26, 2022 by Tara S

Caitlin Clark Reflects on Success

Iowa sophomore guard Caitlin Clark speaks on her accomplishments, her hopes for the remainder of the season and her plans for the future.

By Zachary Draves | SB NAtion

If you’re looking for a 6-foot point guard who is a consummate playmaker and can handle the ball with such precision, get her teammates involved at every chance, shoot the ball from beyond the arc as good as the likes of Steph Curry, put up triple doubles and win you the game, then Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is the player for you.

The 19-year-old sophomore is on a roll and she has been collecting accolade after accolade going all the way back to the 2020-21 season when she first came to Iowa City.

After scoring an impressive 27 points in her first game as a Hawkeye, Clark set the Iowa freshman record of 26.6 points per game that season and became Division I’s scoring leader.

Along with that, she led the nation in total assists (214), total points (799), field goals made (266) and 3-pointers made (116).

As a result, she was named Big Ten Conference Player of the Week a record five times and was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. In addition, she led her team to the Sweet 16.

[Read more…] about Caitlin Clark is a Superstar Who’s in Right Place at Right Time with the Right People

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Women in Sports, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports Tagged With: Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark becomes Big Ten’s fastest to 1,000-point mark in Iowa’s 93-56 win over Evansville

January 26, 2022 by Tara S

Alyssa Hertel Hawk Central

Sophomore guard Caitlin Clark needed just three points to reach 1,000 in her career ahead of Sunday’s home game against Evansville.

Clark has averaged 22 points per game this season, so it wasn’t a question of if she would reach that milestone but when. She gave Iowa its first lead of the game with a jumper in the opening two minutes. With 5:04 on the clock in the first quarter, Clark sunk a deep 3-pointer on a fast break.

She officially broke the 1,000-point mark and, in doing so, became the fastest player in Big Ten history to accomplish this feat. It took Clark just 40 games to score 1,000 points, which beat out previous record holder Kelsey Mitchell, who did it in 41 games for Ohio State.

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) makes a basket during a NCAA non-conference women's basketball game against IUPUI, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

Clark finished the day against Evansville with a career-high 44 points, a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record, and accounted for nearly half of Iowa’s points in the Hawkeyes’ 93-56 win.

In her historic day, she also recorded eight assists, five rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes of play.

“No matter who’s on the floor, it’s a read and react offense,” Clark said about what about Iowa’s offense makes her so successful. “Nothing’s really set in stone and that’s really when I’m at my best, when I’m just playing, my teammates are flowing, when we pass the ball as well as we do and we just shoot it really well.

[Read more…] about Caitlin Clark becomes Big Ten’s fastest to 1,000-point mark in Iowa’s 93-56 win over Evansville

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Women in Sports, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports Tagged With: Caitlin Clark

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark makes basketball history with second straight 30-point triple-double

January 26, 2022 by Tara S

Caitlin Clark Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Mechelle VoepelESPN.com

Stat stuffing is a favorite hobby of Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark, who leads Division I women’s basketball in scoring at 26.2 PPG. But her history-making past two games were pretty ridiculous even for her.

On Thursday, the sophomore became the first player in Division I basketball history, men’s or women’s, to record back-to-back triple-doubles while scoring 30 or more points in both games. Clark also became the first player in Big Ten women’s hoops history to have back-to-back triple-doubles, and she did it on a night when Iowa got its largest margin of victory ever — 56 points — against a Big Ten foe.

[Read more…] about Iowa’s Caitlin Clark makes basketball history with second straight 30-point triple-double

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports Tagged With: Caitlin Clark

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