Siblings Shine in Winter Olympics and College Basketball on Same Day

Team USA's Taylor Heise scores in women's hockey semifinal, while her brother Nate Heise hits game-winning shot for Iowa State

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Siblings Taylor and Nate Heise had standout performances for their respective teams on the same day, with Taylor scoring a goal to help the U.S. women's hockey team advance to the gold medal game at the Winter Olympics, and Nate hitting a late three-pointer to lead Iowa State to an upset win over No. 2 Houston in college basketball.

Why it matters

The Heise siblings' success on the same day highlights the athletic prowess of the family, with all three brothers - Taylor, Nate, and Ryan - competing at high levels in their respective sports. It's a remarkable achievement for the family and showcases the competitive drive that runs through the Heises.

The details

Team USA forward Taylor Heise scored one of five goals in the Americans' blowout win over Sweden in the women's hockey semifinal, helping the U.S. advance to the gold medal game against rival Canada. Hours later, Taylor's brother Nate Heise, a guard for Iowa State, hit a late go-ahead three-pointer to lead the No. 6 Cyclones to a 70-67 upset victory over the No. 2 Houston Cougars.

  • Team USA's semifinal win over Sweden occurred on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • Iowa State's win over Houston also took place on Monday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Taylor Heise

A forward on the U.S. women's hockey team competing in her first Winter Olympics.

Nate Heise

A guard for the Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team.

Ryan Heise

A forward for the Winona State men's basketball team, who scored a career-high 30 points in a recent game.

Tony Heise

The father of the three Heise siblings, who commented on the family's competitive nature.

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What they’re saying

“They all like competing against each other. It's fun.”

— Tony Heise, Father of the Heise siblings (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“So they'll wake up to some fun texts.”

— Nate Heise (Associated Press)

What’s next

The U.S. women's hockey team will face off against Canada in the gold medal game on Thursday, February 20, 2026 at 1:10 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

The Heise siblings' success on the same day showcases the remarkable athletic talent and competitive spirit within the family. Their achievements on the world stage and in college basketball highlight the drive and determination that has propelled them to the top of their respective sports.