Upper Iowa Athletics is proud to reflect on a standout year in 2024, celebrating the achievements and memorable moments that have helped shape our athletic programs. From impressive team performances to individual milestones, we recognize the hard work of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff who continue to elevate the UIU Athletics brand. In no particular order, here are the top moments from 2024 that helped make this year one to remember.
Nicole Pozorski became the Peacock volleyball program's all-time assist leader towards the tail-end of the season after eclipsing the previous mark of 3,833 assists set in 2009 by Keri Vance. She finished her career with 3,883 assists and averaged 9.60 assists per set, good for fourth in the GLVC. Pozorski added 93 kills (.253) and 25 aces, finishing the campaign with Second Team All-GLVC honors.
2024 graduate Jake Hilmer became Upper Iowa men's basketball's all-time leading scorer after his five-year tenure with the Peacocks, recording 2,552 points. He surpassed Jim Bushkofsky (1970-74), who set the previous record at 2,194 points after his Peacock career. Hilmer is listed 1st in the GLVC record book for points in a season, with 776 in 2023-24.
Upper Iowa football defeated Missouri S&T 51-7 in its last game of the season to conclude the 2024 campaign with an overall mark of 7-4 (6-2 GLVC) for the program's first seven-win season since 1997. This was the team's first time scoring 50 points in a game since 2017. The Peacocks tied for second place in the GLVC after being picked seventh in the league's preseason poll.
Women's wrestling opened its inaugural season in 2024, and Rich Manning was hired to be at the program's helm as Upper Iowa University's first head women's wrestling coach. The women's wrestling squad has competed in three open tournaments up to this point in the season and will compete through February until the NCWWC Region VII Championships take place in Indianola, Iowa on Feb. 22.
Men's basketball earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after finishing the season with a 21-9 record. The Peacocks defeated the #2 seed Kentucky Wesleyan in the NCAA Midwest Region Quarterfinals 82-72 and advanced to the Round of 32.
Women's basketball notched the team's first post-season win since 2002 after defeating # 2 seed McKendree 79-66 in the GLVC Championship Tournament, and they advanced to the semi-finals.
Men's wrestling showcased two All-Americans at the NCAA DII Championships in Chase Luensman and Tate Murty. The pair led the Peacocks to a 17th-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division II Championships. Luensman (165) concluded his wrestling career with a second-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Championships. Murty notched a career-best finish at the 2024 NCAA Championships, placing fifth.
Peacock Nation, we appreciate your continued support throughout 2024 and look forward to building on this success in 2025.
