3 football players arrested

Three members of the Iowa football team were arrested in downtown Iowa City early Monday morning and charged with public intoxication. All three players are listed as redshirt freshmen-to-be.

Among those charged was offensive lineman James Ferentz, a son of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. This comes nearly six months after James Ferentz was charged with a PAULA and suspended for the final portion of the 2008 season.

Also allegedly involved were fullback Tyler Christensen and tight end Zach Derby. While Derby and James Ferentz pleaded not guilty and await trials scheduled for May 8, Christensen pleaded guilty to both public intoxication and fifth-degree criminal mischief charges.

According to police reports, Christensen and Derby attempted to pick a fight with an off-duty UI police officer as James Ferentz stumbled out of the parking ramp at the Old Capitol Town Centre.

Christensen refused to take a breath test; acccording to police reports, James Ferentz blew a 0.160 and Derby blew a 0.207.

“Short term, all three will be suspended for the remainder of spring practice, and they will be expected to fulfill significant community-service obligations the next several weekends,” Kirk Ferentz said in a statement Monday. “Additional action will be determined at a later point and return to the team will be based on additional criteria.”

— by Brendan Stiles

Clayborn hearing scheduled

Hearings are set to begin April 30 for Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn, who is accused of punching an Iowa City cab driver in January.

The junior pleaded not guilty March 20 to assault causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor that could land him in prison for up to a year and cost him a $1,500 fine if convicted.

Clayborn’s troubles made national headlines after the alleged incident. In a March 25 press conference, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said the St. Louis native had been “an exemplary student and citizen” since he came to the university.

Clayborn started 11 games at defensive end for the Hawkeyes in 2008, amassing 50 tackles, eight for losses. Clayborn was also one of three sophomores named to the Hawkeyes’ 2008 Leadership Group.

— by Zhi Xiong

Women’s golf tied for third

The Iowa women’s golf team is tied for third place after the first two rounds of golf at the Indiana University Invitational on Monday. Iowa carded a 635 (59 over) for the day with rounds of 322 and 313 on the 6,179-yard par-72 course.

The Hawkeyes are off to a strong start, despite carding only two birdies in round two.

Seniors Tyrette Metzendorf and Becky Quinby lead Iowa, and they sit tied for 10th after shooting two-round scores of 156. Metzendorf carded rounds of 79 (7 over) and 77 (5 over), and Quinby bounced back from a first-round score of 80 (8 over) with a 76 (4 over) in round two.

Freshman Chelsea Harris finished a few spots behind the senior duo, tied for 20th with a 159 after rounds of 80 (8 over) and 79 (7 over).

Sophomores Laura Cilek and Lauren Forbes finished the day tied for 48th and 59th, respectively. Cilek shot a two-round score of 167, and Forbes carded a 169.

Junior Alison Cavanaugh rounded out Iowa’s scorecard on the day sitting tied for 71st with a 175.

— by Peter Gustin