Completed Event: Swimming and Diving versus Big 12 Duals on January 16, 2026 , , 5th, 781 points
Final
Swimming and Diving
Big 12 Duals
5th, 781 points
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Iowa State University Athletics
Postseason Awards And 2019-20 Captains Announced
04.08.2019 | Swimming and Diving
AMES, Iowa – At the team's annual end-of-year banquet, the Iowa State swimming and diving coaches announced the team awards for the 2018-19 season. Also announced at the event were the three student-athletes that will serve as team captains for 2019-20.
Most Valuable Swimmer/Melissa Fender Award: Haley Ruegemer
Ruegemer was a key swimmer in her senior campaign, earning 179 individual points and two All-Big 12 honors. She continued to write her name into the record books, ending her career as a top-five Cyclone in the 500, 1000 and 1650 free, 400 IM and 800 free relay. Ruegemer had an impressive 15 top-two finishes despite an injury that sidelined her for the first two meets of the year. The Melissa Fender Award acknowledges the effort it takes to be an Iowa State student-athlete, specifically rewarding strong school and team pride. Ruegemer consistently showed her passion and dedication as a Cyclone, always working hard to fulfill her role on the team.
Most Valuable Diver: Dana Liva
Liva was the top Cyclone on the platform this season, earning All-Big 12 recognition with a sixth-place finish at conference. The redshirt junior also posted a career-high 304.35 on the three-meter, which moves her into Iowa State's top-10 list in the event. Liva qualified for Zones in all three diving disciplines for the second-consecutive year.
Newcomer of the Year: Elynn Tan
The freshman was a huge factor in Iowa State's success this season. She was the top Cyclone in the 50 free and 100 fly, earning All-Big 12 honors in both events. She was also a member of four-of-five 'A' relay squads, setting school records in the 200 medley and 400 free relays. Tan ranks as the fastest Cyclone freshman in the 100 free and 100 fly.
Kerry O'Brien Award: Martha Haas
This award is given to the student-athlete that demonstrates the personal commitment necessary to achieve improvement to a national championship level. Haas was consistently one of the top Cyclone breaststrokers, winning eight events on the year. She earned All-Big 12 honors in the 200 breast and won the consolation final in the 100 breast at the Big 12 Championships. Haas also helped break the 200 medley relay school record.
Most Improved Awards: Anna Andersen and Sydney Ronald
Andersen was a productive swimmer for the Cyclones last season, ranking among the top-five in the backstroke and sprint freestyle events. She very well could have stayed right there, but a quick switch from the backstroke to the 200 free unlocked a new gear for the junior. She ranked as the top swimmer in the 100 and 200 free, also ending second in the 50 free. Andersen also earned All-Big 12 honors in the 100 and 200 free, while helping set a school record in the 400 free relay. Ronald wins the diving award for the second-straight season after overcoming an injury that held her out of three meets. She improved her top three-meter score with a 306.38 against Kansas.
Cyclone Relay Swimmer: Evan Hundley
Hundley was a member of the 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relays this season. In two of the three relays, she helped break a school record. She posted split times of 22.73 and 22.69 swimming the final 50 free of the 200 medley and 200 free relays.
Cyclone Strength and Conditioning Award: Kami Pankratz and Sydney Ronald
This award is selected by the Iowa State strength and conditioning staff to recognize a swimmer and diver that dedicated themselves in the weight room to achieve the strength and endurance to compete at a championship level. Pankratz assisted the Cyclones wherever she could, including difficult events in the 1650 free, 200 fly and 400 IM. Ronald had a strong year as a leader of this Iowa State team.
2019-20 Team Captains: Kat Jones, Emma Ruehle and Dana Liva
The three team captains were voted on by the swimming and diving team. Jones will look to be a leader in the distance events, Ruehle will serve as an important voice on the sprint free, backstroke and IM squads, and Liva will be the lead the divers in 2019-20. This will be each senior's first year as a team captain.
Players Mentioned
Sprint Free/Back
/ Swimming and Diving
Sprint Free/Breast
/ Swimming and Diving
Sprint Free/Back
/ Swimming and Diving
Distance Free
/ Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Swimming and Diving
Fly/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Swimming and Diving
Distance Free/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
Mid. Distance/Back/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
Sprint Free/Fly
/ Swimming and DivingThursday, July 22
Monday, January 27
Wednesday, December 19
Monday, December 10
