Luque Named Iowa State's Female Athlete of the Year

AMES, Iowa – Four All-America honors, three Big 12 titles, a school record and a national record. That would be a great career for some, but for Jhoanmy Luque, that is what she accomplished in her 2017 season. Her collection of awards expanded by one on DAY when Luque was named Iowa State's Female Athlete of the Year for the 2016-17 athletics year.

Luque is the 10th women's track and field/cross country student-athlete to be named Iowa State's Female Athlete of the Year.

"It means everything to be chosen as Iowa State's Female Athlete of the Year," Luque said. "I remember during my freshman year, seeing my teammates being honored at the football game, and thought that was really awesome. I wanted to be athlete of the year one day, and I did it. I am really happy and proud of myself."

The recently-completed outdoor track and field season saw Luque earn a pair of First Team All-America honors with her fourth place finishes in the long jump and triple jump. The long jump effort was the highest finish by a Cyclone in the long jump since 1976, while the Venezuelan took fourth in the triple jump for a second-consecutive season. At the NCAA West Preliminaries, Luque set the school record in the long jump with a best leap of 21-7 1/4 (6.58m), which was also a Venezuelan National Record. At the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, Luque posted an all-conditions personal best of 45-3 1/2(w) (13.80m) to move from third to first on the final jump of the competition to take the conference crown. She swept the long jump and triple jump titles at the Drake Relays.

During the indoor season, Luque earned Second Team All-America honors in the long jump and triple jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships with 12th and ninth place finishes, respectively. Luque swept the Big 12 conference titles in the long jump and triple jump, which earned her the Big 12 Women's High Point Award at the conference championships. Her efforts during the indoor season, which included five other event wins, won her the Big 12 Women's Indoor Performer of the Year and USTFCCCA Midwest Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year awards.

"Winning the long jump and triple jump at Big 12 Indoors was a great weekend," Luque recalled. "That was one of the best moments I have had at Iowa State."

After three years in Ames, Luque has picked up eight All-America honors and three Big 12 titles. Off the track, Luque received her Bachelor's Degree in Marketing in May. However, there is still more to do during the 2017-18 season.

"Being a Cyclone means that I am a fighter, and I can do everything I have ever hoped or wanted to do," Luque concluded. "For now, it is time to rest and prepare for my last season. It will be sad, but I am going to do everything I can and hopefully have another great season."

Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year Winners
1980 Mary Seybold Track & Field
1981 Debbie Vetter Track & Field
1982 Annette Ackerson Swimming
1983 Tanya Roach Swimming
1984 Diane Doles Volleyball
1985 Tonya Burns Basketball
1986 Jane Lobenstein Basketball
1987 Nawal El Moutawakel Track & Field
1988 Linda Evans Volleyball
1989 Carmen Jaspers Basketball
1990 Jennie Condon Softball
1991 Jennifer Adams-Keitges Swimming
1992 Edith Nakiyingi Track & Field
1993 Karen Glerum Track & Field
1994 Melanie Young Basketball
1995 Kary Law Volleyball
1996 Beth Bader Golf
1997 Kim Mazza Gymnastics
1998 Stacy Frese Basketball
1999 Stacy Frese Basketball
2000 Stacy Frese Basketball
2001 Megan Taylor Basketball
2002 Angie Welle Basketball
Gina Curtis-Rickert Track & Field
2003 Gina Curtis-Rickert Track & Field
2004 Janet Anson Gymnastics
2005 Anne O'Neil Basketball
2006 Janet Anson Gymnastics
2007 Lyndsey Medders Basketball
2008 Lisa Koll Track/Cross Country
2009 Kaylee Manns Volleyball
2010 Lisa Koll Track/Cross Country
2011 Kelsey Bolte Basketball
2012 Betsy Saina Track/Cross Country
2013 Betsy Saina Track/Cross Country
2014 Christina Hillman Track & Field
2015 Chonlada Chayanun Golf
2016 Caitlin Nolan Volleyball
2017 Jhoanmy Luque Track & Field