Hall of Fame
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Matt Kiesow is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of Augustana. Because of his many accomplishments, he enters the Hall of Fame in his first
year of eligibility.
Matt received All-American recognition eights times in track and cross country. In 1992 he was the Division II national indoor 1,500-meter champion. He holds three individual school records including indoor marks for 1,000 meters (2:25.41) and 1,500 meters (3:48.68). In 1991 he set the outdoor record for 1,500 meters with a time of 3:48.10. He was the individual champion at the 1991 NCC Cross Country Meet on a team that won Augustana's first conference and region championships. That same year, Matt was the indoor track MVP for the NCC. He was a six-time NCC champion in track.
Matt's greatest race may have been a race he didn't win. At the Drake Relays in 1992, Matt was anchoring the mile leg of the distance medley relay. After being cut off by another runner, he stepped on the rail and tumbled into the infield. Now in last place, Matt summoned up the courage to make a mad dash around the track on the last lap. As the crowd went wild, Matt brought
Augustana home to a third place finish. He wrote, "I was so worried about letting my teammates down I forgot how painful racing can be! I ran harder during that race than I did in any other competition." The Des Moines Register ran a story about Matt's comeback the next day. Matt also remembered the day head coach Rob Kinnunen left him and teammate Phil Biteler at the
Commons after they were a few minutes late for the team van. He wrote, "Our team was ranked #1 in the nationNand Kip left the #1 and #3 guys behind! We jumped in my 1983 Subaru and flew down to USD. We made it in time for the race, but we were never late again!"
HPER Professor Jean Eckridge had a positive impact on Matt in the classroom. He wrote, "She pushed me, especially in my Exercise Physiology class. She made me realize that my hard work can and will pay off!" Another influential member of the staff was athletic trainer, Dan Waite, who, "kept me healthy..." He traveled with us and had a way of keeping me loose and confident. He played a huge part in my success in college."
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