Certain sophomores are looking to gain success, while some are looking to continue it.
By Blake Dowson
The Daily Iowan takes a look at five Iowa athletes from each class who are likely to make an impact on their respective squads in 2016-17. The Sophmore class is highlighted today.
Carly Mohns, Women’s Basketball
The Brodhead, Wisconsin, native was granted a medical redshirt after she underwent surgery on Dec. 17 that ended her season. Mohns isn’t the best shooter on the team, doesn’t have the flashiest post moves, but she is a very solid player.
She will grab a lot of rebounds for the Hawkeyes this coming season, and she has turned herself into an adequate 3-point shooter as well. Her overall athletic ability allows her to guard pretty much any position, and her willingness to do the dirty work of setting screens and getting rebounds will earn her a large amount of playing time this year.
Jack Smith, Men’s Swimming
Smith, a native of England who found his way to Iowa last season, had a big freshman year. He jumped into the pool as the fastest freestyle swimmer his first day on campus and was part of the record setting 400-medley relay team for the Hawkeyes.
He isn’t short of confidence, and he will more than likely set his sights on a top-five finish in the Big Ten in both the 50- and 100-meter freestyle next season. He will need to make a pretty big leap in order to accomplish that, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility for the long-armed and -legged Smith.
It will be fun to watch Smith progress during his second year on campus, as he gets more and more used to the American swimming lengths and life away from Great Britain.
Makenna Grewe, Field Hockey
The midfielder started all 19 games for the Hawkeyes last year and was one of the best players on the team. Heading into her sophomore season, she could contend to be one of the best players in the Big Ten.
Grewe was third on the team in goals in 2015 and paced Iowa with 11 assists. That was seventh in the Big Ten and 22nd in the nation. Her 25 points throughout the year were 11th in the nation among freshmen.
She is poised to have a huge year for Iowa field hockey, which could use a major bright spot.
Reagan Davey, Volleyball
Her 2.17 digs per set average was second-best on the team, and that number seems to be the low-water mark for this season. The 5-9 outside hitter from Ocala, Florida, made 16 starts last season and appeared in 21 matches, tallying 158 kills on the year.
In her first career start, Davey recorded 10 kills and 7 digs in a win versus rival Iowa State — a team the Hawkeyes have not had good luck against in recent years.
Davey got better as the year went on, posting a double-double against Minnesota and a career-high 14 digs against Maryland.
Jay Scheel, Football
The Hawkeyes are thin at receiver, and it’s presumably Scheel’s time to step in and contribute.
To clarify, Iowa has plenty of bodies at wideout; it’s just that there aren’t many guys who have proven themselves to be reliable targets. Scheel was a highly regarded recruit coming out of Union High School but hasn’t seen the field much since stepping on campus.
Receiver coach Bobby Kennedy had high praise for Scheel this spring, and he will get a good look at some consistent playing time. He has the speed, the hands, the athleticism — it’s just a matter of if he can put it all together and be someone quarterback C.J. Beathard can look to down the field.