Emmi Sandoval Named co-Kriegel Award Winner

Sandoval on his way to a school record 94 yard kickoff return

Along with QB Sam Poulos, Emmi Sandoval was named co-winner of the Steve Kriegel Pioneer Award.  Emmi was asked to move from WR to CB as a first-year and then battled injury as a sophomore and junior.  Injuries and frustrations continued to follow him throughout the off-season leading up to his senior year.  Come reporting date this August, we really weren't sure what we were going to get with Emmi this year.  What a pleasant surprise!  Emmi came in healthy, in great physical condition, and with a great attitude.  He was rewarded with his best season yet, leading the team with 38 receptions and 458 yards.  He also had five receiving td's and one kickoff return td, a school record 94 yard return.  More importantly, Emmi was a positive influence for the entire offense, and embraced a role as a leader and mentor for our younger players.

Emmi has graduated at the semester and is returning home to join the workforce and apply for graduate school.  Congrats Emmi.  Best of luck!!

Former Pioneer Chris Jarmon Gets Shoutout on Monday Night Football

Chris Jarmon (right) during his playing days as an all-conference OL

Former Pioneer offensive lineman Chris Jarmon gets some nice recognition during the Monday Night Football broadcast this evening.  Jarmon interned for both the NFL Network and ESPN during his time at Grinnell, and accepted a position at ESPN immediately after graduation.  His first assignment was working women's soccer, but he was quickly moved to the Monday Night Football crew in their research department.  Looks like his hard work over the years is not going unnoticed.  Great to see you get some recognition Chris!   Keep up the good work!

Sam Poulos Wins Steve Kriegel Pioneer Award

Poulos eyes his target

Named after longtime local coach Steve Kriegel, the Pioneer Award is one of the highest honors we bestow on our players.  Over the years Coach Kriegel was involved at South Tama High School, Grinnell High School, and Grinnell College.  He was loved and respected by all for the way he cared for and pushed his student-athletes.

Sam was a four-year starting quarterback for us, starting from day one.  His highlights included leading us to an upset victory over Monmouth in 2012, being a part of the Division 3 Play of the Week during that upset victory, and throwing five touchdowns in the season finale in both 2014 and 2015.  Along the way Sam made many plays with his feet and his arm, and always providing a fighting spirit.

Sam will be headed to France after the new year to continue his playing career.  Good luck Sam!

Barrett Morrissette Named Abe Rosenbloom Award Winner

Morrissette with his family on Senior Day

Barrett Morrissette was awarded the annual Abe Rosenbloom Award for the 2015 season.  The Rosebloom Award is given each year to the outstanding offensive or defensive lineman for the Pioneers.  Barrett joins last years recipient, Rich Renteria, as outside linebackers that have won the award.

During his four years as a Pioneer, Barrett had a tremendous impact on special teams, as a running back, and as a linebacker.  He was the undisputed leader of the defense this year, and he'll graduate holding the single game record with two blocked punts in a game.

Congrats to Barrett on a fine career and a bright future.

The Dave Antrim "Every Play Matters" Memorial Scholarship

Center Jonathan Antrim '09, as big a fixture on the OL for four years as was his father Dave Antrim in the crowd

One of the greatest aspects of coaching at the Division 3 level, and at Grinnell College in particular, is getting to know the families of our student-athletes.  We recruit nation-wide, and even internationally, so there are some families I will only meet once or twice over a four-year period.  There are others, however, who are fortunate enough to make it to nearly every game, if not every single game.  One such parent was Dave Antrim, father of Jonathan Antrim '09.  From the moment Jonathan declared his intention to enroll at Grinnell, Dave became one of our biggest fans and supporters.  A driving force behind our Parents Pre-Game Tailgate, Dave was a regular at both home and road games.  Unfortunately, Dave recently passed away, but he left behind a large legacy both at Grinnell and at his high school alma mater, Salina Central.  As a result, Jonathan and the rest of the family have established the Dave Antrim "Every Play Matters" Memorial Scholarship.  The scholarship will be awarded each year to a Salina Central graduate that plans to play football at the collegiate level.  I can't think of a better way to honor a great man.  Thank you to Dave and to the Antrim family.

Former Pioneer Running for State Representative

Former Pioneer and US Marine corps veteran Pat Ritter is running for state representative in District 55 in Iowa.  Running on a platform of "investing in education, promoting the creation of good jobs, and taking care of our seniors and veterans," Ritter is a perfect fit for the district where he grew up.  Please check out his announcement on the Iowa House Democrats page.  

Ritter is looking to become the second Pioneer to be elected as a state representative.  Charles Blake is currently the representative for Arkansas' District 36, which includes his hometown of Little Rock.  Thanks for your service Charles, and good luck to you Pat!!

Graham Fisher Named Dick Ullrich Award Winner

The Pioneers hosted their annual banquet last Friday, and Graham Fisher took home one of the major awards of the evening.  Already named first-team all-conference for the second time (and all-conference for the third) Fisher took home the Dick Ullrich Award '34, presented annually to the best offensive or defensive back.  To my knowledge, the Ullrich Award has never been presented to a special teams player.  Fisher was not at the banquet, as he was capping a record breaking career by kicking and punting at the National Bowl in Miami.  Fisher returned home Monday in time to learn of his selection as a second team all-region punter by D3football.com.

Fisher averaged 41.7 yards per punt this past year, the 8th best single season in Midwest Conference history, and his 38.3 yard career average is 6th best.  He's 5th in punts inside the 20 with 17 in 2014, and 2nd in career punts inside the 20 with 62 (the record is 63).  Graham is also tied for 9th in MWC history with a 50 yard field goal against Beloit in 2012 (he also kicked a 49 yarder against Beloit this fall).

Graham has a lot to look forward to with the upcoming baseball season, but he will graduate as the best punter in Grinnell College history, and one of the best in MWC history.  Congrats Graham!