Iowa State will have two names in the mix when the Big 12 hands out its Athlete of the Year awards on July 23.
The Cyclones nominated freshman Mercyline Kirwa and senior Joshua Jefferson, giving the school a female and male candidate after both put together standout 2025-26 seasons in Ames.
Kirwa made her mark immediately in cross country and track and field. She won the NCAA outdoor national title in the 10,000 meters and finished second nationally in the 5,000 meters. Her production helped Iowa State finish sixth at the Women’s NCAA Outdoor Championship, the best result in program history, and she accounted for 18 points on her own in that meet.
Her season was loaded with hardware, too. Kirwa won Big 12 titles in the indoor 5,000 meters and outdoor 10,000 meters, and she collected three All-American honors in 2026. Off the track, she also has been involved with the Run Your City Ames youth running initiative.
Jefferson’s case is built on a season that barely left any room for a more complete stat line. The senior forward averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game, earning All-Big 12 First Team recognition and All-American status along the way. He also finished as a finalist for the Karl Malone Award and the Lute Olson Award.
He added a rare piece of Big 12 history, recording multiple triple-doubles and becoming the first player in league history to do that in conference play.
Jefferson’s college season ended early because of an injury just a few minutes into the Round of 64 in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, but his year still closed with an NBA moment. He was taken with the No. 28 pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, shook hands with commissioner Adam Silver on stage, and later became part of an agreed-upon trade that will send him to the Brooklyn Nets.
Both Cyclones now wait alongside nominees from across the conference for the July 23 announcement.
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