NICC Cougars

06/11/2026

Shoutout to the The Guttenberg Press on doing a feature story on OUR National Champion Kaden Nehl!

Check it out: https://claytoncountyianews.com/local-news/nehl-a-successful-athlete-for-nicc-esports-program/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSXtcpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEecAHLstVwjSPvgJQDojq-6EDyOfjgXYFv8YJP5nPT42EYBt4tx9rqmBMjxTU_aem_A6plX3W2LcNnFeFVs2EDKg

By Steve Van Kooten If someone were to imagine a "student athlete," they likely aren't going to think of someone sitting at a computer playing a video game. In fact, some might say that's the opposite of an "athlete."

06/09/2026

All of the grades are finalized, and more than 80 NICC student-athletes received Academic All-Region honors from the ICCAC for their work in the classroom this spring.

"I continue to be amazed with our entire group of student-athletes and their success in the classroom and in competition," Athletic Director Nick Weinmeister said.

Full story: https://niccathletics.com/general/2025-26/releases/20260609enbcp5

05/27/2026

Last Thursday was a great day for the NICC Athletics Golf Outing at the Oneota Golf & Country Club!

Thanks to all of the teams and sponsors who participated, and congrats to the winning group from CUSB Bank, that shot a 55!

The Athletic Department still has its south end outing coming up next Friday, June 5. If you want to support NICC Athletics, this is a great way to do so! Learn more here: nicc.edu/peostagolf

05/22/2026

Kaden Nehl became the second Cougar esports athlete to win a National Championship in Hearthstone earlier this month, defeating Salt Lake CC 3-0!

"Being a National Champion means that at this point in time you are seen as the best in the specific area in your country at that level," Nehl said. "That's what I am."

Full story:

On his way to the championship game, he defeated Kirtland Community College 3-2 and Lake Michigan College 3-0. He then comfortably handled SLCC to win NICC’s second Hearthstone National Championship in two years.

05/19/2026

Shoutout to all of the Cougar student-athletes that graduated last week! Thanks for leaving your mark on the Athletic Department and the College!

(Pictured are esports members Dakota Hamann
Mason Caldwell, Jamarious Lucius, Brett Graney, Zeke Church, Lane Folstad, Ethan Stedman, Lukas Mackedanz and Stephen Varga)

05/14/2026

Check out some of the highlights from our Overwatch and Marvel Rivals teams this season!

One cool aspect the Cougar esports team added this year was commentary during many of their games! NICC students Luke Breitbach, EJ Feldman and Jenny Langel all helped provide insight on what was going on. It made for an entertaining viewing experience.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/13/2026

The Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) announced today the DII All-Region Teams, and two Cougar baseball players were recognized for their performance this year.

"Receiving postseason awards is a reflection of some on-field success as a team," Coach Conner Klostermann said. "As we continue to move forward as a program, our standards internally are going to continue to increase."

Full story: https://niccathletics.com/sports/bsb/2025-26/releases/20260511hk5amv

05/11/2026

It’s graduation week at NICC! Cougar student-athlete sophomores will be walking across the stage this Thursday and Friday, and they’ll be representing the Athletic Department with these stoles.

Thank you to all of sophomores who helped make the first year of NICC Athletics great!

05/08/2026

The first Cougar Athletics Banquet was held last night, and what a night it was! Awards were handed out and there was a ton of recognition to go around. Year one of Cougar Athletics is in the books, and thank you to everyone who supported NICC athletic programs this year! The support our student-athletes and coaches received was terrific to see and very much appreciated.

One thing to remember - this is only the beginning! Go Cougars!

All of the award winners are below and a link to a photo album is as well.

Friend of Cougar Athletics - Farley Park Board
Administrator of the Year - Amy Gaffney
Moment of the Year - Nico Olszewski
Cougar Spirit Award - Allison Luka
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year - Michael Kleinhans
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year - Elizabeth Ward
Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year - co-winners Jack Fenwick and Kaden Nehl
Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year - Natalie Nenne
Coach of the Year - Verrick Foust
Team of the Year - Cougar Softball

2026 Cougar Athletics Banquet