Capturing the Spirit of the Season: Grinnell Pioneers in Action

From spirited touchdowns on the gridiron to precision goals on the field, this photo essay showcases the essence of Grinnell College fall athletics. Get into the vibrant colors, cool plays, and winning moments that make fall sports at Grinnell College special. It’s more than just a game — it’s a fun look at teamwork, hard work, and the Pioneer spirit. 

Football 

Grinnell College football coach Brent Barnes entered the 2023 season confident about his team. The team played hard each game, finishing the season 2-8 overall. This season, the GC football made history as Juniper Schwartzman ’27 became the first woman to play football at Grinnell. Schwartzman capitalized on that opportunity, booting an extra point following the Pioneers’ final touchdown in the third period.  

Volleyball  

The Grinnell volleyball squad wrapped up the season with a 13-17 overall record. This season had many memorable milestones, especially for Coach Eric Ragan ’12, who celebrated his 100th career victory in a stellar sweep against Buena Vista University. Adding to the wins, the team secured a historic win at Central College, marking the first victory on Central’s court since 1977, sealing the deal with a decisive four-set triumph.   

Women’s Cross Country 

The women’s cross country team had an outstanding season, finishing first in the MWC Championship Meet, while Grinnell’s Keely Miyamoto ’26 crossed the line first to become the individual champion. Five women received All-Midwest Conference honors (top 20). At the NCAA Regional Championship, they placed eighth as a team (Grinnell’s best finish since 2017), and Miyamoto received All-Region honors (top 35). The team finished out the season with four new entries on the College’s top-50 fastest 6k times in program history.

Men’s Cross Country 

The men’s cross country team had a fabulous season, finishing first in the MWC Championship Meet, while Grinnell’s Brian Goodell ’25 crossed the line first to become the individual champion. Grinnell's deep team had six men received All-Midwest Conference honors (top 20). At the NCAA Regional Championship, they placed eleventh as a team (Grinnell’s best finish since 2014), and many ran their best races of the season. The team finishes the 2023 season with four new entries on the College’s top-50 fastest 8k times in program history.

Women’s Soccer  

The curtain fell on the Grinnell College women’s soccer team’s stellar season with a 4-0 defeat to Lake Forest College at the Midwest Conference Tournament championship match. Despite this setback, team members can proudly reflect on a successful year that saw them clinch the most All-Midwest Conference first-team selections in two decades. Wrapping up the season with an impressive 10-4-5 overall record, the Pioneers demonstrated resilience and skill throughout their campaign.

Men’s Soccer

Wrapping up the season with a 9-6-5 record, the Grinnell College men’s soccer team completed an impressive journey that unfortunately concluded with a 2-0 loss to Lake Forest College in the Midwest Conference Tournament title match. Despite this setback, the team’s phenomenal late season run added an extra layer of excitement to an overall standout performance throughout the campaign.   

Women’s Golf

Members of the Grinnell College women’s golf team concluded the fall portion of their 2023–24 season on a fantastic note, mirroring their exceptional day one performance with an impressive 306 at the 2023 Golfweek October Classic. This stellar effort culminated in a three-day total of 924, securing a commendable 12th place among the 24 formidable teams present, including some of the nation’s premier squads.

Men’s Golf

The Grinnell College men’s golf team wrapped up the fall segment of the 2023–24 season on a high note, showcasing significant improvement by trimming an impressive 25 strokes at the Central Fall Classic. This remarkable progress underscores the team’s dedication and determination, setting a positive tone for the rest of the season. 

Women’s Tennis

The Grinnell College women’s tennis team wrapped up a remarkable season marked by individual excellence and collective recognition. In a new format for All-Midwest Conference honors, five Grinnell players stood out. Irene Agusti ’24, Ioanna Giannakou ’24, Lily Perrin ’25, and Paige Sargent ’27 all received well-deserved recognition as All-Conference singles players, while Agusti, Giannakou, and Sargent also shone as All-Conference doubles performers alongside Isa Voinescu ’26.

Adding to the accolades, Coach Zack Hasenyager was rightfully named Coach of the Year, a testament to his leadership and the team’s success. In the spirit of a stellar season, the team concluded with an overall record of 6-0.