Moments in Motion: Capturing Grinnell Pioneers in Action

Nov 1, 2024

Take a look at Grinnell’s exciting fall season through this gorgeous photo essay.

This fall, Grinnell athletes participated in exciting competitions in volleyball, football, tennis, and more. From high-energy touchdowns on the football field to powerful spikes over the net, this photo essay displays the dedication, teamwork, and school pride that fuels Grinnell’s passionate and dynamic atmosphere every season.

Football  

The football program was optimistic going into the season, citing strength in numbers and a group of experienced seniors. Compared to the last three seasons, the records were the same: 2-8 overall and 2-7 in the Midwest Conference (MWC). The Pioneers did move up one place in league standings to seventh and they closed the gap in most games. A highlight was securing a victory against Knox College, ending their decade-long winning streak over the Pioneers. The other victory came on a last-second field goal on the road at Lawrence University. More proof of improvement came when the league awards were handed out to three Pioneer seniors: Tyrell Taylor, offensive line; Travis Chu, defensive line; and Hugh Werner, linebacker (all ’25). All three received All-Conference honors. This recognition from the MWC was the most Grinnell has received in 11 years.

A group of Grinnell football players in red uniform yell.

Three Grinnell football players tackle an opponent in white uniform holding a football.

Volleyball

The volleyball season was one for the books, marked by comebacks, close games, and relentless determination. Carving out a 7-1 MWC record (21-10 overall), the squad finished the regular season in second place. At the league tournament, the Pioneers advanced to the final game but fell to conference champs Cornell in four sets. In a conference match against Beloit College in Grinnell’s Darby Gymnasium, Emily Brewer ’25 became the fourth Pioneer to reach 3,000 career assists. . Meanwhile, her teammate Sophie Weber ’25 received the Midwest Conference Volleyball Defensive Performer of the Week award three times this season. They were joined by hitters Millie Leonard ’27 and Jenna Keller ’25 on the MWC All-Conference team.

A Grinnell volleyball player is in the air, ready to spike a volleyball.

Women’s Soccer   

Grinnell’s women’s soccer season was highlighted by an impressive third consecutive trip to the Midwest Conference Tournament. On an unforgettable Senior Day, the Pioneers kept their winning streak going against Beloit College, besting them in 33 straight matches, a record kept alive since the 1980s. During regular season league play, the soccer women placed third in the league. At the four-team conference tourney, Lawrence downed Grinnell, 1-0, enroute to the title.

Seniors Giada Bambi and Maddie Beltramo (both ’25) were named All-Conference, and six players were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team.The soccer women finished with a record of (8-6-3, 5-2-1 in conference).

A Grinnell female soccer player kicks the ball.

A Grinnell soccer player kicks the soccer ball.

Two soccer players embrace in happiness.

Men’s Soccer 

The men’s soccer team celebrated a season of thrilling milestones this fall. At home, Grinnell extended its lengthy winning streak to 16 matches against Cornell, leaving them winless against the Pioneers since 1991. On Senior Day, the Pioneers couldn’t help but have a record-breaking day, setting a school record with eight assists in an 8-2 triumph over Beloit. Most importantly, the soccer men posted a 4-2-2 conference record (8-6-5 overall), which was good for fourth place and a conference tournament bid. It was their fourth consecutive trip to the final-four event. Dylan Maddux ’25, Evan Larson ’25, and Zak Serby ’25 garnered All-Conference recognition.

A Grinnell soccer player defends the soccer ball from an opponent in blue uniform.

A Black Grinnell soccer player dribbles the ball away from four opponents in red.

Two soccer players embrace by the rest of their team.

Women’s Golf 

Grinnell entered the season on a high, having won five consecutive St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Women’s Golf Championship titles and boasting 11 league titles — of them coming from the Midwest Conference. The momentum didn’t stop there, with the team shattering a school record at the 2024 SLIAC, finishing with an 873. The record destroyed the previous league record and marked the second-best 18-hole round in program history. Meilin Hoshino ’27 won the individual title with a three-day score of 213. With the team title, Grinnell earned a spot in next spring’s NCAA Division III Championship. And, of course, the members of the unstoppable women’s golf team continued their winning streak, clinching their sixth SLIAC title and 12th crown overall. Saya Geisendorfer ’27, Hoshino, Vidushi Keni ’26, Kavya Keshav ’26, Mary Li ’25, Amy Nguyen ’26, Emily Lackershire ’27, and Waverly Yang ’28 earned All-Conference honors.

A golf player swings her club in the air.

A golf players aims her ball towards the flag.

Women’s Tennis 

The women’s tennis team continued its remarkable success this season, with half a dozen players clinching titles at the 2024 Midwest Conference Individual Tournament at the Nielsen Tennis Center. They also secured their sixth consecutive MWC crown by defeating Lake Forest College 5-2. By the end of the season, Grinnell finished league play with an outstanding 6-0 record, while completing fall team play with an impressive 9-0 mark. The Pioneers continued their remarkable legacy, boasting 45 consecutive victories against league opponents. Utsah Kalra ’25, Lily Perrin ’25, and Paige Sargent ’27 earned All-Conference in both singles and doubles.

A Grinnell tennis player in red uniform is about to hit a tennis ball with her racket.

Two tennis players give each other a high five.

A tennis player is about to hit a tennis ball over the net with her racket.

Women’s Cross Country  

High standards and projections fueled the women’s cross country team this fall. The Pioneers held a No. 6 regional ranking most of the season. At the Midwest Conference meet, Grinnell finished second behind Lawrence University, and all seven scorers earned All-Conference honors. Morgan Karow ’26 (fourth place), Hannah Roark ’26 (fifth), Genevieve Madigan ’28 (eighth), Hannah Roth ’27 (13th), Crystal Kaczmarczyk ’25 (15th), Emma Wharton-Hsieh ’27 (16th), and Tennyson Shultz ’28 (17th) gave Grinnell an overall score of 45 points. At the regional meet, Karow placed 19th out of 208 runners to earn All-Region honors; she was just two spots off the national meet cut line.

A drone shot of runners as they start a race.

Two Grinnell runners running ahead of runners in red uniform.

Two Grinnell runners high five each other.

Men’s Cross Country

The Grinnell men’s cross country team kicked off the season in traditionally strong form, showcasing strong performances against regionally-ranked Central College. Three runners blazed into the top nine, claiming second-place honors at the Central Dutch Invitational for the Pioneers. At Grinnell’s own Les Duke Invitational, the Pioneers kept the momentum going, placing two runners in the top six and securing second at the Grinnell College Golf Course. At the Midwest Conference championships, three Pioneers came away with All-Conference honors: Luke Robinson ’26 placed fourth, his classmate Connor Heagy ’26 ran eighth, while Sam Beck ’27 was ninth. Cornell won the meet.

A Grinnell male runner ahead of a horde of runners.

A picture of the runners from behind as they run.

A group of Grinnell male runners huddle in a circle, putting their hands in the middle.

Inside a circle of runners, one Grinnell runner cheers.