Let Clark and Hawkeye women focus on their efforts, not their expectations

I walked into the Hy-Vee this morning to see a life-size cutout of our hero Caitlin Clark. She has earned her status with last minute heroics against Indiana and a 40-point triple double at Seattle. She has defied the defensive focus of every team she played. I have been a season-ticket holder for women’s basketball for many years and invite all Hawkeye fans to join us, but I feel caution is in order.

The expectations of Hawkeye fans are inevitably stratospheric. We freight athletic performance with all the weight and expectations of generational frustration. Let the games unfold. Let the women play and learn. Leave Caitlin alone to do what she and the team do best — to improve, to adapt, to lose, and to win. The victories are great, but the effort and the improvement are what we treasure.

Casey Cook

Iowa City