Iowa State University Athletics
Cyclones Announce 2019-20 Farm Strong Team
09.26.2019 | 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 always 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 2019-20 honorees include…
Anna Andersen, swimming and diving, Albert Lea, Minn. – Andersen was one of Iowa State's top sprint freestylers in 2018-19, racing to ISU's top time in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle (the latter of which she earned All-Big 12 honors in) and as a member of the school-record 400-yard free relay team. She was also an Academic All-Big 12 First Team recipient.
Alanna Campbell, women's golf, Mt. Maunganui, New Zealand – Campbell was ISU's low-scorer at the Big 12 Championships last season. She also shot a career-low round of 66 in 2018-19, which included a school-record nine birdies. Campbell is an accomplished student-athlete, earning WGCA All-American Scholar and Academic All-Big 12 First Team distinction.
Maty Cancini, tennis, Valencia, Venezuela – Cancini enters her senior season with 103 career wins and coming off one of the best seasons by a Cyclone. Her junior campaign saw her defeat four ranked opponents, earn Big 12 Player of the Week honors and move up to as high as No. 74 in the ITA Singles rankings, the highest ranking achieved by a Cyclone in program history. She is an Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
Sydney Converse, gymnastics, Stone Mountain, Ga. – Converse returned from a major injury to become one of Iowa State's staples in the lineup in 2019. She posted scores of 9.850 on vault and bars and owns a career-high 9.875 on floor. She is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree and has been on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll each semester of her time as a Cyclone.
Marin Daniel, soccer, Johnston, Iowa – Daniel has worked her way into one of the most relied upon players in the Iowa State squad, starting all 20 matches in 2018 while playing the second-most minutes. She is an Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree. Daniel is an active member of ISU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and partook in a Soles4Souls trip to South America this past summer.
Tyrese Haliburton, men's basketball, Oshkosh, Wis. – Haliburton's freshman season saw him play more minutes than any freshman in the Big 12 en route to posting the nation's second-best assist-to-turnover ratio last season. Over the summer, Halliburton helped lead the USA U19 Team to a gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Cup. He was a member of the 2019 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.
Candelaria Herrera, volleyball, San Juan, Argentina – Herrera's first season as a Cyclone saw her work her way into the starting lineup and help lead ISU to an NIVC title, earning All-Tournament Team honors in the process. Over the summer, Herrera played for the Argentina Senior National Team, playing in 18 matches for Las Panteras.
Tripp Kinney, men's golf, Waukee, Iowa – Kinney had one of the best season's by a Cyclone golfer in program history in 2019, qualifying for the NCAA Championships and finishing tied for 47th. His season stroke average of 71.08 was a school record, with his 54-hole total of 206 at the NCAA Regional being the second-lowest by a Cyclone in the postseason. Kinney is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team member.
Cailie Logue, women's cross country, Erie, Kan. – Logue racked up a trio of Big 12 titles in 2018-19, claiming the cross country title (helping lead ISU to the team title) and the outdoor 5K and 10K crowns, earning Big 12 Performer of the Year both seasons. She also won the Midwest Region title in cross country. A 4.0 student, Logue earned Academic All-Big 12 First team in both track and field and cross country.
Thomas Pollard, men's cross country, Gilbert, Iowa – Pollard, a 2019 cross country team captain, has made a big comeback into the Cyclone lineup. On the track, Pollard scored for ISU at the conference championships indoors at 5K and outdoors at 5 and 10K in 2019. He is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree and holds multiple leadership roles within ISU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Bailey Righi, women's track and field, Blue Springs, Mo. – Righi is coming off the best season of her Cyclone career, capped with a personal best of 141-11 in the javelin to finish fifth at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships. She was the winner of the javelin competition at the Arkansas Spring Invitational. Righi is an Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree and has been on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll each semester at ISU.
Roshon Roomes, men's track and field, Woodbury, Minn. – Roomes has gone from an Iowa State walk-on to one of the most accomplished middle distance runners in the country. A four-time All-American, Roomes set the NCAA record in the 600-yard run (1:07.67) en route to winning the Big 12 title in the event last season. He is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree.
Marcel Spears Jr., football, Olathe, Kan. – A 2019 team captain and two-time All-Big 12 selection, Spears has become one of Iowa State's most accomplished defensive players, having been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week three times and the 2017 Liberty Bowl Defensive Player of the Game. He is also an Academic All-Big 12 honoree.
Sami Williams, softball, Laguna Niguel, Calif. – Williams was a star in all ways in 2019. A two-time All-Big 12 First Team honoree, she led the NCAA in doubles while breaking school records for hits, runs, doubles and home runs in a season. In the classroom, she is a 4.0 student, a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and the 2019 Big 12 Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Madison Wise, women's basketball, Greenfield, Ind. – Wise has been a staple of ISU's starting lineup, consistently stepping up as one of the Cyclones' top defenders. She has started in 63 games in her first two seasons, scoring 550 points and grabbing 278 rebounds in the process. Off the court, Wise was a 2018-19 Academic All-Big 12 First Team recipient.
Chase Straw, wrestling, Winthrop, Iowa – Straw had a big finish to his redshirt junior campaign, claiming ISU's first Big 12 title in three years, at 157 pounds, and qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the first time in his career. Along with his 54 career wins, Straw is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
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.
