On Monday, while much of the country observed Presidents Day, the Heise family had even more to celebrate.
Team USA women’s hockey defeated Sweden 5-0 in the semifinals to advance to Thursday’s gold medal game against Canada.
One of the five goals came from 25-year-old Taylor Heise, who plays professionally for the Minnesota Frost in the PWHL.
Through six games, Team USA has outscored its opponents by an average of five goals per game and has allowed just one goal.
Later that night, her younger brother had a clutch moment of his own.
Nate Heise of No. 6 Iowa State hit a quick-release corner 3-pointer with 1:17 remaining to seal an upset of No. 2 Houston in Big 12 basketball action.
The Cougars had led by 10 points with seven minutes left before the late rally.
Nate Heise was named player of the game and finished with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including 3 for 3 from 3-point range. He added six rebounds and one assist in 26 minutes.
After the game, Nate Heise was asked who had the better day — him or his sister.
He chose himself, citing his one-point, down-to-the-wire win against No. 2 Houston versus his sister’s dominant 5-0 victory over Sweden.
He also noted postgame that, with most of his family in Italy to watch his sister, they were asleep before the Iowa State game and missed his game-winning shot.