Iowa State University Athletics
Cyclones Announce 2020-21 Farm Strong Team
09.03.2020 | 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.
"These exceptional Cyclone student-athletes recognized as members of this year's Farm Strong squad share the hard work ethic and dedication of Iowa farmers," Craig Hill, IFBF president said. "Although 2020 is not how any of us anticipated this year to be, these student athletes set a positive example for their teams and community. Just like Iowa farmers, they continue to put their best foot forward while rising up as effective leaders during these challenging and unprecedented times. Their work both on and off the field stands as a testament to the Farm Strong way of life, and we are pleased to celebrate their achievements and success."
The 2020-21 honorees include…
Brooke Andersen, volleyball, Waukesha, Wis. – Andersen has been a consistent contributor to the Cyclones on the court, playing in 35 matches across her first two seasons in Cardinal and Gold. An Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree, Andersen is an active member of community service activities, including Special Olympics, the Iowa Games and nursing home visits.
Joy Chou, women's golf, Taipei, Taiwan – Chou has been one of ISU's top golfers during her career in Ames, ranking in the top-three for stroke average each of the last two seasons. ISU's 18-hole (64) and 54-hole (208) scoring mark record-holder, Chou won the 2020 Iowa Women's Amateur. She is an Academic All-Big 12 honoree.
Chie Kezuka, tennis, Fujisawa, Japan – Kezuka made an immediate impact on the Cyclone tennis program in her first season in Ames, entering the ISU lineup at the No. 5 position and finishing with a 17-14 singles record. Her win in the Cyclones' 4-3 victory over Iowa helped ISU snap a 39-match losing streak to the Hawkeyes. In the classroom, she earned Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team and ITA National Scholar Athlete honors.
Tripp Kinney, men's golf, Waukee, Iowa – A repeat honoree on the Farm Strong squad, Kinney broke his single-season stroke average school record for a second-straight season. The All-American and 2019 NCAA Regional medalist is the first player in program history to play at three NCAA Championships. An active member of the ISU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Kinney is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree and a Srixon/Cleveland All-American Scholar.
Cailie Logue, women's cross country, Erie, Kan. – Logue, a repeat member of the Farm Strong team, is one of Iowa State's most decorated student-athletes, with two All-America honors and six Big 12 titles to her name. In 2019-20, she was honored as the Celia Barquin Arozamena Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year. A 4.0 student, Logue earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team in both track and field and cross country.
Andrea Maldonado, gymnastics, Bayamón, P.R. – Maldonado's debut season with the Cyclones was one of the best in school history, as she went on to First Team All-America and All-Big 12 honors in the floor exercise, an event she had four 9.950s on last year. She was a three-time Big 12 Event Specialist of the Week and a two-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week. In the classroom, she earned WCGA Scholastic All-America honors.
Ian Parker, wrestling, Saint Johns, Mich. – Parker was one of ISU's top wrestlers last season, earning NWCA First Team All-America, posting a 22-3 record en route to a Big 12 title at 141 pounds and his second-straight NCAA Championships bid. A two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree and NWCA Scholar All-American, Parker is an active member of the Cyclone wrestling program's community service initiatives.
Thomas Pollard, men's cross country, Gilbert, Iowa – Pollard, a member of the Farm Strong squad for a second-straight season, continued to add to his accomplishments in and out of competition in 2019-20. The 2019 Big 12 Cross Country Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a three-time All-Big 12 performer in cross country, Pollard is entering his fifth year on the ISU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Board.
Roshon Roomes, men's track and field, Woodbury, Minn. – A former walk-on turned six-time All-American, three-time Big 12 champ and NCAA record holder in the 600-yard run indoors, Roomes has excelled for ISU in competition and in the classroom. His conference titles at 600 yards and 800 meters led ISU to its first Big 12 Indoor Track & Field championship in 2020. In the classroom, Roomes has been named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll four times.
Kristin Scott, women's basketball, Kasson, Minn. – Scott has been a consistent performer for the Cyclones from the day she arrived in Ames. Despite a season of battling injuries, Scott earned her second career All-Big 12 honor in 2019-20 while averaging 14.2 points per game (including four 20-point games) and 6.9 rebounds per contest. Scott is an active member of ISU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Eric Steyer, men's basketball, Ames, Iowa – Steyer is one of Iowa State basketball's most accomplished student-athletes, a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team and NABC Honors Court recipient. In 2020, Steyer was one of the recipients of the Big 12's Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award. In his third year with the program, Steyer has been a member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll each semester as a student-athlete.
Lehr Thorson, swimming and diving, Fort Dodge, Iowa – Thorson had a breakout season in the pool in 2019-20, earning the Big 12 silver medal in the 100 breaststroke and the bronze in the 200 breast, earning All-Big 12 First Team honors in both events. A two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree and CSCAA Scholar All-American, Thorson is President of the Iowa State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for the 2020-21 school year.
O'Rien Vance, football, Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Entering his fourth season with the Cyclones, Vance has been an outstanding contributor to the program. An Honorable Mention All-Big 12 pick in 2019, he started in 12 games, posting 66 tackles and a team-best 6.5 sacks. He is regarded among his teammates as a leader in the locker room, and is active in service and outreach within the program.
Keiara Williams, women's track and field, Kansas City, Mo. – Williams has consistently made more of an impact on Iowa State in and out of competition each year at Iowa State. In competition, Wiliams scored for the Cyclones in the shot put and weight throw at the Big 12 Indoor Championships in 2020. An Academic All-Big 12 honoree, Williams is on the Executive Board of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is active in multiple community service projects.
Sami Williams, softball, Laguna Niguel, Calif. – Williams is one of the most accomplished students and athletes in ISU softball history. A two-time All-Big 12 First Team honoree, she is ISU's career doubles and home runs leader. Last year, Williams became the third student-athlete in Iowa State history to earn three CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in their respective careers. She is also an active member of the Iowa State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Georgia Wimmer, soccer, Omaha, Neb. – Wimmer made seven starts in Big 12 play as the Cyclones' goalkeeper during her freshman season. She made 37 saves on the year, including a season-high eight saves at Baylor. Despite her young age, she has immediately found her way into a leadership role within the Cyclone soccer program. A Materials Engineering major, Wimmer earned Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team honors in 2019-20.
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.
