AMES, Iowa - Thirty years ago today the Iowa State community was rocked by a tragic plane crash which took the lives of seven members of the Cyclone athletics family.
The Iowa State women's cross country team was returning from the 1985 NCAA Championship in Milwaukee, Wis., on Nov. 25. The team had exceeded all expectations, earning the runner-up national championship trophy, the best-ever finish at the NCAA meet.
One of the three Iowa State planes crashed in Des Moines on its return trip, killing all seven members on board: Ron Renko (head coach), Pat Moynihan (assistant coach), Sue Baxter (team member), Sheryl Maahs (team member), Julie Rose (team member), Stephanie Streit (student trainer) and Burton Watkins (pilot).
Today, we honor the lives of our fallen Cyclones. We will never forget.
 |
Sue Baxter
Sue was an outstanding runner. As a 15-year-old, she was the athlete of the meet at the Greater London Championships and had finished second in the all-English Schools 1,500 meters. Sue had already etched her own mark as a distance runner and teammate in her first fall at Iowa State. She was on her way toward reaching her goal of running in the Commonwealth Games and representing her country in the 1988 Olympic Games. Sue was enrolled in the pre-business curriculum and was a collector of antiques. She placed 17th in team scoring and 32nd overall in a field of 129 runners in her final race, the 1985 NCAA Cross Country Championships as Iowa State placed second as a team.
|
 |
Sheryl Maahs
Sheryl is remembered for her personal qualities, then for her athletic and academic achievements. Both were remarkable. Valedictorian of her high school class, she participated in student government and choir among many prep contributions while running on the track that today bears her name at Spirit Lake High School. She organized her school's first cross country program, which originally included only herself. In her last race for Iowa State, the business major finished 29th in team scoring for Iowa State and 45th overall in a field of 129 runners in the 1985 NCAA Cross Country Championships as the Cyclones placed second nationally. A “naturally structured and motivated person,” Sheryl rarely backed away from a challenge and was considering a career in law, following in her father's footsteps. Her self-assurance complemented and fueled the success she experienced as a runner and a person.
|
 |
Pat Moynihan
After just one year at Iowa State, Pat's contribution to the program was significant. He played a major role in the recruiting and development of Olympic gold medalist Nawal El Moutawakel at Iowa State. Pat spent endless hours on the recruiting trail. He brought expertise in the field event and strength areas after coaching in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. A native of Yonkers, N.Y., and a 1978 graduate of Princeton University, he qualified for the Olympic Trials in the hammer throw in 1980. Academic success always came first for Pat, who was working toward a Master's Degree in chemistry at ISU with the intent of attending medical school. Only 29, he always referred to the Cyclone track and field student-athletes as “my girls.”
|
 |
Ron Renko
Ron's dedication to his sport and his student athletes enabled the Cyclones to build one of the most successful programs nationally. His innovative coaching techniques helped Iowa State athletes earn All-America status 26 times in track and cross country, with his 1981 ISU cross country team earning the AIAW national team title. Ron was selected as the NCAA District V Coach of the Year three of his last four seasons as Cyclone head coach. A native of Anoka, Minn., he served as head track and cross country coach at Golden Valley (Minn.) Community College (1974-79). Ron was planning the construction of a Christian sports camp among the trees and along a river in northern Wisconsin. He received a bachelor's degree from Sioux Falls College. Ron is remembered for his unbridled kindness and compassion. Heading into the 1985 NCAA Cross Country Championships, he thought a sixth-place team finish was a best-case scenario. His runners that day far exceeded the expectations of their coach. He was inducted into the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.
|
 |
Julie Rose
Julie had gathered the determination to overcome two ankle surgeries and had established herself as one of Iowa State's toughest competitors. She had quickly proven her mettle back home, becoming the first school girl to ever win an all-English Schools event three straight years. Julie, a sophomore in leisure studies, had raced to the 1982 English National Cross Country championship. She grew up in Ashford, Kent, England and was an outstanding all-round athlete. She finished 26th in team scoring and 42nd overall in a field of 129 runners in her final race at the 1985 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Iowa State placed second as a team. Her namesake, the Julie Rose Stadium in her native Ashford, is one of the best track and field venues in Great Britain. Its excellence is worthy of her name.
|
 |
Stephanie Streit
The stars shined on Stephanie. A native of Hawarden, Iowa, hoping to enter the medical profession, Stephanie worked as a student athletic trainer with a variety of Iowa State men's and women's teams. She was the recipient of the Guiot Scholarship, signifying excellence in the physical education program. She was also a member of the ISU Chorus. Stephanie did not travel with the team to Milwaukee, flying commercial to the meet so she could take the MCAT in preparation for a career in medicine.
|
 |
Burton Watkins
Director of the Iowa State University Flight Service since 1972, Burt was associate professor of industrial education and technology and associate professor of industrial engineering. He received his B.S. degree in 1950 and his M.S. in 1959, both from Iowa State, joining the faculty in 1959. Burt helped start and coordinate annual conferences held at Iowa State for the aviation industry - the General Aviation Seminar and Flight Instructor's Clinic. He received the State Aeronautics Commission Certificate of Recognition in 1968 for outstanding achievement in promoting aviation.
|
