National Titles Highlight Six Athlete of the Week Honors
Natalie Rasmussen – Iowa Central – Sophomore – Shortstop
Natalie Rasmussen batted .800 this past week as Iowa Central took down Prairie State (Ill.) and Monroe (N.Y.). Against Monroe, Rasmussen went 2-for-3 and scored four runs while also driving in four more on two home runs to lead the Tritons to a 14-0 win. Then against Prairie State, Rasmussen went a perfect 2-for-2, hitting one home run, registering three RBIs and two runs scored. In total, Rasmussen went 4-for-5 with three home runs, eight RBIs, six runs scored, two walks and three stolen bases. This season, she is batting .364 in 10 games with four homers and 12 RBI -- along with 18 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.
Haydn Stockdale – Iowa Central - Sophomore – Weight Throw
Haydn Stockdale has dominated the Weight Throw all season long and earns Athlete of the Week honors after breaking his own personal record to win a national title. At the NJCAA Indoor National Championships, Stockdale threw 19.43 meters in the Weight Throw, beating the next closest mark of 18.65. Stockdale has held the top throw in the NJCAA this season since January and broke his own record this past week to remain on top and get the No. 2 throw in Iowa Central school history and the eighth-best in national meet history. Stockdale also competed in the Shot Put, achieving a mark of 15.39 meters for eighth place.
Jordan Cain – Iowa Central – Sophomore – Guard
Iowa Central defeated Ellsworth in a thrilling Region 11-B Championship game, led by the play of sophomore guard Jordan Cain. Cain tallied 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting while snatching three steals. With 40 seconds left, Cain's number was called upon, and he answered with a jump shot to take a one-point lead. His shot would end up being the winner. Later in the week, Cain, who was named Region 11-B Tournament MVP, and Iowa Central also defeated Dakota County Tech 97-75 in the North Central B District Championship to advance to their first National Tournament since 2012.
Madison Ninneman – Iowa Central – Sophomore
Madison Ninneman put on an incredible performance during the NJCAA Women's Bowling National Championship. Ninneman took home the 2026 NJCAA National Championship in the All-Event standings, becoming the first player in ICCAC history to do so. She finished with a tournament-best 2,320 total pins and a high game of 240. In turn, her performance earned her the NJCAA National Tournament MVP honor and a spot on the All-Tournament team. She finished second in the Singles standings. While paired with Rileigh Schillinger, the duo finished fifth in Doubles. Iowa Central was the NJCAA National runner up, finishing in second place as a team by 54 pins.
Francis Lockwood – Iowa Central – Freshman
Freshman Francis Lockwood took home first place at Bruzzy's Spring Fling at Dornick Hills Golf & Country Club in Ardmore, Okla. Over the two-day tournament, Lockwood shot rounds of 71 (+1) and 75 (+4) to total a 145 (+5). He won the event by one stroke over two Murray State players playing on their home course. Lockwood, currently ranked No. 14 in NJCAA Division II per Clippd, notched the tournament's only eagle, along with three birdies. Iowa Central won the tournament, beating ICCAC conference opponent Northeast by nine strokes.
Muhammad Bilal – Iowa Central – Freshman – 125 lbs
Iowa Central's Muhammad Bilal took home the 125-pound trophy during the NJCAA Men's Wrestling National Championship this past week. Bilal, the No. 4 seed, came out and breezed through his competition by recording either a technical fall or a major decision in each of his first four rounds. The final was a little tougher for Bilal, but he won 7-2 to claim the 125-pound title. He became the ninth Triton to take home the 125-pound trophy and the first ICCAC athlete to win at that weight since Iowa Central's Todd Small in 2017.
*Article courtesy of ICCAC.