After a record-breaking season and another BIG 10 championship, Iowa Girl Scouts are cheering on the Hawks as they prepare for March Madness and the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Jan Jensen, left, Associate Head Coach for Iowa Women’s Basketball, Diane Nelson, CEO for Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, and Lisa Bluder, Head Coach for Iowa Women’s Basketball.

In front, Girl Scouts Kaliana Woods and Lilly Smith from Troop 2405 proudly show their signs to cheer on the team.
Iowa City Girl Scouts Lilly Smith and Kaliana Woods delivered Girl Scout cookies to the Iowa Women’s Basketball team last week.

“We are so appreciative of Lisa Bluder’s support for Girl Scouts, and we wanted to share our gratitude for what this team has accomplished for women’s sports,” Diane Nelson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, said in a Monday release.

“This team is not only incredibly talented but amazing role models for Girl Scouts.”

Head coach Lisa Bluder hugs Lilly Smith for delivering Girl Scout cookies.

Bluder – the Hawkeyes’ head coach and a lifetime Girl Scout member — and Associate Head Coach Jan Jensen enthusiastically welcomed the Girl Scouts from Troop 2405, based in Iowa City. The girls were lucky enough to meet Caitlin Clark, Hannah Stuelke, and Kate Martin while the players entered Carver-Hawkeye Arena for practice.

Atop Regional 2 in Albany, the women Hawkeyes received a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1992.

The other No. 1 seeds include undefeated South Carolina, Pac-12 Champion Southern California, and Big 12 Champion Texas.

Kaliana Woods asks Hannah Stuelke for an autograph before practice.

The winner of No. 16 Holy Cross and No. 16 UT Martin on Friday will advance to face the Hawkeyes in the first round on Saturday, March 23 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The 2 p.m. game will be broadcast on ABC.