Iowa State University Athletics
2018-19 Iowa State Farm Strong® Team Announced
08.27.2018 | Athletics
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State student-athletes share much with Iowa farmers when it comes to embracing the qualities it takes to be a leader today, including hard work, commitment and integrity.
That's why each year, Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa State Athletics Department come together to celebrate those shared values by honoring 16 student-athletes (one from each of its sports) on the Farm Strong® Squad.
"Although farming may look different in today's world, what hasn't changed are the values and characteristics of farmers and Iowans in general," Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. "We believe these Cyclone student-athletes exemplify those same values. It is exciting for us to partner with the Iowa Farm Bureau to help recognize these special individuals for their Farm Strong character."
Iowa Farm Bureau leaders agree.
"We celebrate these exceptional, hard-working Cyclone student-athletes and the values they represent as members of the Farm Strong team. They go above and beyond to set a positive example for their teams and help us share the story of agriculture with a whole new audience of consumers--ISU fans who want to know more about how their food, fuel and fiber is grown in Iowa," said Craig Hill, IFBF president. "Just as they are always striving to reach new levels of athletic excellence, we as farmers also must continue to strive to embrace the challenges of growing food, while protecting the land and water. Their work stands as a testament to the Farm Strong way of life, and we can't wait to see what they will achieve."
The 2018-19 honorees include…
Riley Behan, soccer, Davenport, Iowa – The senior and second-year team captain has worked her way from walk-on to scholarship student-athlete, going from playing just five games as a freshman to all 18 as a junior. In the classroom, she has continued her success as a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team recipient.
Adriana Camber, women's basketball, Lund, Sweden – On the court, Camber has worked hard to increase her role within the team, starting the majority of her sophomore season and recording her first career 20-point game at Kansas State. In the classroom, Camber earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors during her second season in Ames.
Regina Espindola, tennis, Tabasco, Mexico – Espindola comes into her senior season having put up one of the most accomplished careers in school history. She is one win shy of her 100th career victory, and was a member of Iowa State's No. 1 doubles team last season. In the classroom, the senior earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2018.
Amelia Grohn, women's golf, Coffs Harbour, Australia – The Australian has competed in every tournament of her ISU career, owning four career sub-70 rounds and a pair of top-10 finishes. In the classroom, Grohn earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2018.
Michael Jacobson, men's basketball, Waukee, Iowa – After transferring to Iowa State and sitting out last season, Jacobson will be making his debut as a Cyclone this year. While redshirting, he has been a difference maker for ISU off-the-court, being one of Iowa State's two representatives on the Big 12 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and earning a pair of Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll nods.
Tripp Kinney, men's golf, Waukee, Iowa – Kinney's passion for Iowa State has translated both on the course and out of competition. On the links, Kinney has been a staple of the ISU lineup, helping the Cyclones to consecutive NCAA Championship appearances. Over the summer, he won the Iowa Amateur and was second at the Iowa Open. In the classroom, Kinney earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2018.
Bryce Meeker, football, Cedar Rapids, Iowa – The redshirt junior got into the starting lineup for the first time in 2017, helping anchor an offense which had one of its most prolific years in school history and helped pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher David Montgomery. Meeker was an Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree in 2017.
Thomas Pollard, men's cross country, Gilbert, Iowa – Pollard is an important leader for Iowa State both in and out of competition. He has been one of the centerpieces of the ISU men's cross country turnaround, helping the Cyclones to their first Big 12 cross country title in 2017 and a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Championship. Beyond running, Pollard maintains a 4.0 GPA while also holding multiple leadership roles within ISU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Haley Ruegemer, swimming and diving, Plymouth, Minnesota – Ruegemer had her best season athletically as a junior, earning All-Big 12 First Team honors in the 400-yard IM with the second-fastest time in ISU history (4:18.15) and All-Big 12 Second Team in the 1,650-yard freestyle. In the classroom, Ruegemer is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team recipient.
Jess Schaben, volleyball, Defiance, Iowa – The two-time AVCA All-American is one of the most-decorated players in school history, earning two All-Midwest Region and All-Big 12 Honors and 2015 Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Along her excellence on the court, she has been a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team recipient, and on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll each semester at Iowa State.
Meaghan Sievers, gymnastics, Gary, South Dakota – A two-time NCAA Gymnastics Championships qualifier and two-time NCAA Regional Gymnastics Championship vault winner, Sievers has been a contributor to ISU gymnastics' success since her first day in the gym. In the classroom, Sievers is a three-time NACGC/W Scholastic All-American, two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree and has been on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll each semester at Iowa State.
Jasmine Staebler, women's cross country, Guttenberg, Iowa – One of Iowa State's best student-athletes across both competition and the classroom. She is a four-time All-American in track and field and has helped the cross country team to three-straight NCAA Championship appearances. In the classroom, she is a 4.0 student who is a three-time USTFCCCA All-Academic Honoree to go with two Academic All-Big 12 First Team nods.
Hank Swalla, wrestling, Ames, Iowa – Swalla worked his way into Iowa State's dual lineup in his third season with the program and has earned a pair of open tournament titles in his ISU career. The Ames native earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2018.
Zach Timm, men's track and field, Monticello, Iowa – The junior has been a reliable contributor to the ISU track teams in the shot put his first two years in Ames, improving each season. In the classroom, Timm earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team accolades in 2018 and has been on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll each semester as a Cyclone.
Emma Whigham, women's track and field, Bettendorf, Iowa – Whigham has maintained excellence in competition and in school even when put up with new challenges. Despite transitioning to new events in 2018, Whigham continued to improve throughout the season and was part of ISU's Big 12 champion distance medley relay at the Big 12 Indoor Championships. In the classroom, Whigham is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
Sami Williams, softball, Laguna Niguel, California – Williams' first two seasons as a Cyclone are among the best in program history, as her sophomore year saw her lead Iowa State in batting average, doubles, home runs and RBIs. She earned All-Big 12 Second Team and NFCA Third-Team All-Region honors. In the classroom, Williams has a 4.0 GPA and earned CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team honors in 2018.
The Farm Strong squad will be honored throughout the year via in-game recognitions, a mural on the concourse at Hilton Coliseum, the Iowa State Athletics website, social media and the annual Cyclone Scholar-Athlete Banquet.
