Phil Hamilton

Senior, Evan Kilstrom playing in a game against the cross town rival, Bettendorf High School.

This year will be an exciting year for the senior class, but for Evan Kilstrom, it got even better for him. On the 19th of January, Kilstrom decided to continue his athletics and educational career at Iowa State University.

Kilstrom has been playing football since fifth grade and has loved it ever since, so playing football in college seemed like a dream. Kilstrom got offers from Nebraska, South Dakota, UNI, Iowa State, and six other division ll schools. After going on many visits, he finally decided on Iowa State.

“I took a few visits this fall to Iowa State, and I knew from my first one that Iowa state is where I wanted to go. The program is heading in a great direction, and I definitely wanted to be part of it. The coaches are terrific, and they hold everybody in the program to a high standard. They are really invested in making you the best you can be,” Kilstrom said.

Even though sports only last for a season, there is still so much work that goes in during the offseason, so athletes will be at their peak for the start of a new season. Kilstrom says, “High school football has taught me to just embrace the hard work. Though it is not as hard as college football, it requires hard work and dedication year round in order to succeed. That hard work is something I feel I can bring to Iowa State.”

Kilstrom is seen as a full package player by many of his peers and coaches. “Evan has been a great player and leader for our program.  He is somebody that does things right on the field and in the classroom. He’s a multi-sport athlete who has achieved great success. For current and younger Pleasant Valley athletes he would be somebody to immolate,” Rusty VanWetzinga, the head coach of Pleasant Valley’s football team, shared.

After finishing this past football season, varsity ended 5-5 (4-1 in districts). Even though the team didn’t get as far as they would have hoped for, Kilstrom looks forward to see what his future football career holds for him up in Ames this upcoming year.