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133 U niversity of Iowa senior Carson Schaake was nearing the end of eighth grade when his parents gave him their blessing to attend a private high school. He enrolled at Creighton Prep in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, because it "focused on academics, athletics, and handling ourselves as men once we graduate." A standout golfer, Schaake participated in four Nebraska High School State Championships, winning individual medalist honors as a junior and senior. Schaake thrived within Creighton Prep's culture and was seeking a similar environment in college. He visited the University of Iowa and then head coach Mark Hankins told Schaake that the University of Iowa focuses on family, school, and golf. "at hit home because I am a family-oriented guy," Schaake said at a University of Iowa Athletics all-staff meeting Nov. 16 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. "I focused on that in high school. When coach Hankins said that in the recruiting process, it was a no-brainer that I was going to come here and this was a perfect school for me." In 2015, Schaake shared Big Ten Conference medalist honors with Nick Hardy of Illinois. It marked the third time a Hawkeye was Big Ten medalist. e past two seasons he has been named to the Division I PING All-Midwest Regional team. Regardless of his success or popularity of the sport he plays, Schaake said it was apparent early that Hawkeye fans embraced the family atmosphere. Prior to flying to his first tournament — the Rod Myers Invitational in Durham, North Carolina, in 2013 — Schaake and his teammates were greeted at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids by fans requesting autographs and photos. "I realized what coach Hankins meant by family," Schaake said. "We're in the airport and fans come up to us all the time. We're the golf team, we're not even the football or basketball team. "at is truly a family and I don't feel it's like that at any other school. Alumni honestly don't graduate ever — they stay part of this organization and family and it's incredible to see." In four years at Iowa, Schaacke has learned the value of having balance in life. "Don't focus on one thing and leave everything in the background," said Schaake, a communication studies major. "Focus all your attention on everything and do the best you can. Student- athletes have so many things going on, but if you have fun with it and do your best with it, it is going to be a great experience." e Hawkeye men's golf team was in action most recently at the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate in Dallas from Oct. 24-25. Aer getting more than three months off from competing, Iowa returns to action Feb. 11-12 at the Big Ten Match Play Championship in Palm Coast, Florida.