Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Fight For Iowa | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch – 2018-19
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Amy Gaiero, Ellie Flynn, Esme Gibson, and Sofie Stribos will join the University of Iowa field hockey team in the fall, head coach Lisa Cellucci announced Wednesday.
“We are excited to welcome Ellie, Amy, Esme, and Sofie to the Iowa field hockey program,” Cellucci said. “They are wonderful people, students, and field hockey players. They will add depth to every line on the field. Their athleticism, speed, skill, competitiveness, and desire to compete at the highest level will allow them to make an impact immediately. We can’t wait for them to get on campus and help us build on the tradition of excellence within our program.”
Amy Gaiero | 5’1”
Belfast, Maine
Belfast Area High School
Why Iowa: “I chose the University of Iowa because from a young age I knew I wanted to play at the highest level, and Iowa fit that description. That was the first thing that stood out to me. After my first visit, I quickly learned this was a team I wanted to be a part of as it carried a vibe I hadn’t seen anywhere else. They all were so proud to be Hawkeyes, and so welcoming and kind. Academically, I knew as I came into college with an undecided major I wanted a university that excelled in multiple programs, somewhere where I could find myself being successful and Iowa was that. I couldn’t be more happy to become a Hawkeye.”
- Played club field hockey for coach Kelly Terwilligier on the Maine Majestix
- Received first-team all-conference and all-state honors in 2017 and 2018
- Named team MVP and captain in 2018 as a senior
- Selected to the Rookie Team in 2015 as a freshman
- Received varsity letters in outdoor track and field (2016-19), indoor track and field (2015-17), and unified basketball (2018-19)
- Member of the National Honors Society and Peer Leadership Organization
- Class President (2016-19)
- Major: Undecided
Ellie Flynn | 5’6”
Downers Grove, Ill.
Downers Grove North High School
Why Iowa: “I chose the University of Iowa because I loved the campus and the town of Iowa City. Iowa gave me the opportunity to get a great education and play competitive field hockey. The culture of the field hockey program made me sure I want to be a Hawkeye.”
- Played for Windy City Field Hockey club for six years under head coach Katie Beach
- Won Junior Premier Outdoor League in 2016 and placed fourth in nationals in 2015 with Windy City Field Hockey
- Club team captain
- Graduated with high honors (4.0 and above)
- Member of National Honors Society and Student Representative to District 99 School Board
- Participated on the varsity tennis team in high school
- Major: Political Science
Esme Gibson | 5’6”
Malvern, Worcestershire, England
High School: Repton School, Derbyshire
Why Iowa: “I chose the University of Iowa having visited other U.S. universities and knew immediately it would be a great place to study and play the sport I love. The academic program in bio and medical sciences is amazing and the field hockey program is outstanding with fabulous facilities. The field hockey squad and coaches were incredibly welcoming and helpful showing what a great family they are. I’m so excited to be joining them and to become a Hawkeye.”
- First team honoree and sports scholar at Repton School
- Winner of 2018 and 2019 EH U18 Outdoor School Nationals, 2019 Independent Schools Hockey Cup, and 2019 EH Indoor Schools silver medalist
- Participated in 2016,’17, and ’18 Futures Cup and member of England U16 team in 2016-17 and England U18 in 2017-18
- Secured promotion to North League for Belper Hockey club in 2018-19
- Voted players’ player of the season in 2017-18 for Cannock Hockey club in the national league conference west
- Guested for Repton hockey club U18 team, the winners of EH tier 2 nationals
- Member of Stourport Hockey Club (2015-17), winning national finals and bronze medal in 2017 and first team member in back-to-back year
- Academic scholar (2017-19), UK math challenge bronze and silver medalist, and UK biology Olympiad bronze and silver medalist
- Parents Judy and Robert Gibson were college rowers at Mansfield College of the University of Oxford
- Major: Undecided
Sofie Stribos | 5’8”
Brussels, Belgium
High School: Lycée de Berlaymont, Waterloo, Belgium
Why Iowa: “It feels like ages ago when I first heard about the University of Iowa and the Iowa field hockey program through my sister, Marike, who played for the Hawkeyes from 2010-2014. Since the age of nine, I have dreamed of, one day, following in her footsteps. A dream that was triggered again when my other sister, Lokke, decided to also join the Iowa field hockey team one year ago. Lokke and I have always played on the same team back home, so I cannot wait to join the Hawkeyes and play together again like old times. What further attracted me to the University of Iowa is it provides a platform for students to excel at both sports and academics. As an incoming engineering student, such a set-up is key to being successful. I am excited to embark on this adventure.”
- Younger sister of former Hawkeye Marike Stribos, who played for Iowa from 2010-14, and current Hawkeye Lokke Stribos
- Member of the U18 Belgium National Team (2017-19)
- Member of First Team Waterloo Ducks (Belgian Champions Indoor, EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup Germany, EuroHockey Outdoor Club Cup UK) in 2018-19
- Participated on the U21 Belgium National Team summer program in 2017-18
- Started playing field hockey at the age of four for HTV Oranje field hockey club
- Made finals of U19 Braxgata in 2016-17 and finals of U16 Braxgata from 2014-16
- Mother, Janneke van der Meulen, played field hockey in college
- Major: Engineering
