Siblings Taylor and Nate Heise Shine on Same Day for USA Hockey and Iowa State

The multi-talented Heise family shared a remarkable moment on the same day in 2026.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 8:55am

On February 16, 2026, siblings Taylor and Nate Heise both had standout performances on the same day - Taylor scored a goal for the U.S. women's hockey team in the Olympic semifinals, while Nate hit a game-winning shot for the Iowa State men's basketball team against a top-ranked opponent. The Heise family, hailing from the small town of Lake City, Minnesota, has produced several elite athletes, with Taylor and Nate's success on the national stage capping off an impressive family legacy.

Why it matters

The Heise siblings' achievements on the same day highlight the remarkable athletic talent that has emerged from their small hometown of Lake City, Minnesota. Their success on the ice and court has brought national attention to their family's multi-sport prowess and the ability of athletes from non-traditional sports hubs to reach the highest levels of competition.

The details

In Milan, Italy, Taylor Heise scored a goal to help the U.S. women's hockey team defeat Sweden 5-0 and advance to the Olympic gold medal game. Hours later, her brother Nate Heise hit a go-ahead shot in the final minutes to propel the Iowa State men's basketball team to a win over the second-ranked Houston Cougars. The Heise siblings come from a family of athletes - their parents, Tony and Amy, both played college basketball, while their younger brother Ryan currently plays at the Division II level.

  • On February 16, 2026, Taylor Heise scored a goal for the U.S. women's hockey team in the Olympic semifinals.
  • Also on February 16, 2026, Nate Heise hit a game-winning shot for the Iowa State men's basketball team against No. 2 Houston.

The players

Taylor Heise

A standout women's hockey player who starred at the University of Minnesota before making the U.S. Olympic team, where she scored a goal in the 2026 semifinal game.

Nate Heise

The younger brother of Taylor Heise, Nate is a college basketball player who spent four seasons at Northern Iowa before transferring to Iowa State, where he hit a crucial late-game shot to beat a top-ranked opponent.

Tony Heise

The father of Taylor and Nate, Tony played college basketball at Wisconsin-River Falls and now owns an insurance agency in the family's hometown of Lake City, Minnesota.

Amy Heise

The mother of Taylor and Nate, Amy also played college basketball at Wisconsin-River Falls and has been involved in supporting youth sports in Lake City.

Ryan Heise

The youngest Heise sibling, Ryan currently plays basketball at Division II Winona State University in Minnesota after transferring from Upper Iowa University.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing like a sibling rivalry.”

— Nate Heise

“They'll wake up to some fun texts.”

— Nate Heise

What’s next

The Heise family will continue to follow the journeys of Taylor and Nate as they pursue their Olympic and NCAA championship dreams in the coming years.

The takeaway

The success of the Heise siblings on the national stage showcases the remarkable athletic talent that can emerge from small-town America, inspiring young athletes everywhere to pursue their passions and reach for the highest levels of competition.