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Hawkeye fans flock to Public House to watch the championship match

The Davenport bar had fans arriving up to four hours early to reserve their seats.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Hundreds of Hawkeye fans crammed into Public House in Davenport to watch the showdown with South Carolina.

Austin Chesney and his wife own the bar. He's a lifelong Iowa fan and loves bringing the energy to watch parties.

"Iowa people are amazing human beings. I've always been a huge fan since I was a little kid," Chesney said. "There's nothing better than Iowans to represent the state of Iowa, especially in situations like this."

As the game started, he led the bar in a chant spelling Iowa from on top of a barstool. 

Chesney said the Hawkeyes run has been great for area businesses.

"It's been very helpful. And I know other places in town benefit from the same thing, which is awesome," Chesney said. "It's amazing. Seeing Iowans together, having a great time. And just representing us in a wonderful way just as Caitlin Clark has done for the Hawkeyes."

The bar isn't all about partying. Money from table reservations and signatures on a petition to have Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin visit Public House goes to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital in Iowa City. 

"$1,700 on the first day is what they raised, so we need to bring her here," Emily Baenziger, a massive Hawkeyes fan and regular at Public House, said. 

While everyone has a favorite player, some connect to the team more closely. Olivia Cantu came to Public House with her friends from St. Ambrose.

"We're cheering on Syd Affolter in the Hawkeyes," Cantu said. "Our best friend Trey Affolter graduated from St. Ambrose with me."

Even though the Hawks didn't win, they still have the entire state behind them.

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