IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa student-athletes Tony Cassioppi (wrestling) and Caitlin Clark (women’s basketball) were named December’s Student-Athletes of the Month, the University of Iowa Student-Athlete Advisory Committee announced. Voting was conducted in mid-January, as students returned to classes.
Cassioppi, the senior heavyweight from Roscoe, Illinois, was a perfect 6-0 during the month of December. Five of his six wins came via fall. Cassioppi pinned his way to the 285-pound title at the Soldier Salute in Coralville, with all pins coming during the first period. The Hawkeye spent just 7:38 on the mat throughout the tournament. In Iowa’s dual win over Iowa State, Cassioppi used a 9-2 decision over ninth-ranked Sam Schuyler of Iowa State to break a 15-15 tie, giving Iowa the 18-15 win. His win clinched the 18th consecutive series win for the Hawkeyes.
Clark, a junior guard from West Des Moines, tied Elena Delle Donne as the fastest women’s college basketball player to reach 2,000 career points in 75 games. Clark opened the month with a 45-point performance against #12 North Carolina State, before recording a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Hawkeyes’ 102-71 win at Wisconsin.
She also recorded two double-doubles, including one against Minnesota in an 87-64 win. Clark registered at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in six of the eight games in December. Clark received either the Player of the Week or Honor Roll Award from the Big Ten Conference in four consecutive weeks.