A new era began for the Iowa Hawkeyes 10 months ago when Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin jumped to the WNBA. Today, head coach Jan Jensen is looking for someone to fill the shoes those two left behind and believes she already has the ideal candidate: junior Hannah Stuelke.
When Clark, Martin, and head coach Lisa Bluder left the team at the end of the 2023-2024 NCAA season, everyone thought the Hawkeyes were adrift. Today, on the contrary, fans and media are witnessing the rebirth of Iowa, led by Jensen and Stuelke.
This season, Iowa is second in the Big Ten with a perfect eight-win record. Much of this success is due to Stuelke, who has been able to overcome the pressure of being considered Caitlin Clark's successor, finding her own voice on and off the court.
Stuelke Has Embraced Her Role as a Leader
On Friday, the Hawkeyes traveled to Cancun, Mexico, where they beat the BYU Cougars 68-48. Stuelke led the team with 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, knowing that she had an extra responsibility in the absence of Lucy Olsen due to injury.
"Without Lucy, I had to step up a little bit more. It was just a mindset. We came out, played great, and I'm really proud of us," Stuelke said in a press conference after the game. Beyond her statistics, the forward has become the heart of the team.
In this regard, Jensen emphasized that Hannah has managed to earn the love and respect of her teammates. "Over the summer, she's been the one that's organized team dinners from the very beginning, and that stuff's big off the floor," the coach said.
Stuelke's Evolution
Her new role on the team has left a mark on Stuelke's character. "I think it's changed a lot. My personality has changed a lot too. I used to be really nervous sitting right here, but now I'm doing OK. I think I've just gotten more confident on the court, and that'll just continue to grow," she said.
Jensen couldn't agree more. "Her voice is getting louder, which I love," said the coach, aware that they still have a long way to go, but knowing that with the right guidance, Hannah Stuelke can be the next star of the WNBA.