WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today that she has nominated 41 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to United States Service Academies.

“I am proud to nominate these deserving Iowa students for admittance to our U.S. Service Academies,” said Senator Ernst. “This nomination is a critical part of the admissions process, and it is my honor to assist them in achieving their goal of serving our great nation. These exemplary young Iowans have exhibited leadership skills, dedication to academics, and commitment to their communities, and I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish.”

Each year, Senator Ernst has the honor and responsibility of nominating Iowa students to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

To learn more about service academy nominations, click here.

Below is a complete list of the students nominated by Senator Ernst for the Class of 2022.

United States Air Force Academy

• Kevin Brisker, Wilton
• Cory Critchlow, Carlisle
• Olivia Cowart, Dubuque
• Jolynn Harris, Des Moines
• Christine Hess, Shelby
• Joseph Kenkel, Panama
• Sheryl McGowan, Sioux City
• Mallory Nesmith, Cedar Rapids
• Cody Meyers, Pacific Junction
• Jacob Mulcahy, Ankeny

United States Naval Academy

• Chaz Clark, Pleasantville
• Jared Johnson, Urbandale
• Ian Kennedy, Stuart
• Katherine McAllister, New London
• Max Oberman, Clive
• Joshua Paskach, Des Moines
• Kyle Puttmann, Orange City
• Wesley Sebetka, Chelsea
• August Taylor, Villisca
• Patricia Teggatz, Hampton

United States Military Academy at West Point

• Adam Bender, Cedar Falls
• Hunter Carey, New Hampton
• Eleanor Drexler, Bettendorf
• Drew Graves, Iowa City
• Peter Greer, Iowa City
• Carli Hansen, Adel
• Payton Hart, Riverside
• Brianna Hartman, West Des Moines
• Sierra Howardson, Danville
• Victoria Johnson, Marshalltown
• Claire Jones, Council Bluffs
• Jaxon Jones, Forest City
• Caleb Kleman, Cedar Rapids
• Nicholas Krabbenhoft, Denver
• Robert Phillips, Sioux City
• Austin Rognes, Ankeny
• Connor Urquhart, Ankeny
• Luke Whitman, Des Moines

United States Merchant Marine Academy

• Nathan Betts, Dyersville
• Katharina Commins, Altoona
• Jarred Gaudineer, West Des Moines

Senator Ernst received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University where she joined the university’s ROTC program. After graduating, Ernst was commissioned as an officer in U.S. Army Reserves, and after a few years in the Reserves, transferred to the Iowa National Guard. In 2003, she served as a company commander in Kuwait and Iraq, leading 150 Iowa Army National Guardsmen during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Senator Ernst retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard after 23 years of military service.