[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE DIKE-NEW HARTFORD WOLVERINES

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, it is no secret this U.S. Senator for 
Iowa loves history. And I love rooting for our Iowa student-athletes 
who put in the work at practices and in the off-season to play hard and 
walk off the court as champions, whether or not they win or lose the 
game that day.
  Today, I would like to toot the horn for my hometown team and its 
victorious, history-making season. The Dike-New Hartford Wolverines won 
the 2A State basketball title at the Iowa Girls State High School 
Basketball Tournament in Des Moines on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Getting 
to play in the historic and storied annual Iowa Girls State High School 
Basketball tournament is a privilege sought by 7,500 basketball players 
across Iowa every year. This was the team's fourth consecutive State 
basketball title, and with it, the Dike-New Hartford Wolverines became 
the second program in State five-on-five history to take that crown 
four times in a row, 2021-2024. The Dike-New Hartford Wolverines now 
tie with the Ankeny Hawks who won four State titles from 2002-2005. A 
century earlier, Audubon took home the title 4 years in a row at the 
six-on-six tournament, 1921-1924.
  In an interview after the Wolverine's four-peat State title, the 
leading scorer in the championship game, Payton Petersen summed up the 
victory with a hot tip to her teammates and community. ``We worked so 
hard to get where we are. Sometimes you take things for granted, but 
just knowing you put blood, sweat, and tears into this, we're working 
hard every day in practice and every summer. That's a testament to what 
our team is, how our coaches coach and our community.''
  March is Iowa History Month and National Women's Month, both fitting 
themes to honor the accomplishments of the Dike-New Hartford 
Wolverines. Over their career, Barbara and I had the chance to see the 
team play and enjoyed every minute of it. We congratulate the players, 
managers, trainers, coaches, cheerleaders, fans, and family members for 
their history-making season. It is a thrilling achievement that will 
bring these young student-athletes a lifetime of memories and lessons 
for years to come, from the pageantry of the tournament to the teamwork 
it takes to overcome obstacles, build confidence, and lead to succeed.
  From the varsity starters to the bench players and fans in the 
stands, this was a team effort the entire community can take pride in 
celebrating. Congratulations to the coaches who devoted countless hours 
of time and preparation, led by head coach Bruce Dall and assistant 
coaches Matt Dove, Ashley Beninga, Craig Chapman, and Mandy Danner. 
Notably, Coach Dall has been named a finalist for the 2024 National 
High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year. To all the 
athletes on the roster, keep up the good work. #RollBlue:

                                Players

       Abby Jensen, Addy Joslin, Autumn Meester, Izzy Norton, 
     Jadyn Petersen, Josey Syhlman, Joy Eilderts, Kailyn Meester, 
     Keely Kauten, Kennedy Syhlman, Madde Buskohl, Mallory 
     Petersen, Mariah Asche, Maryn Bixby, Miranda Tyler, Payton 
     Foster, Payton Petersen, Rylee Reicks, Sophia Bennett, Seeri 
     Smith, Silvey Fuller, Sydney Anema.

                                Coaches

       Bruce Dall, Matt Dove, Ashley Beninga, Craig Chapman, Mady 
     Danner.

                                Managers

       Will Huck, Reedlynn Kannegieter, Zari Jones, Ashton 
     Schmitz.

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