Kyle Konrardy: From Soccer Player to Iowa State's Heroic Kicker

Kyle Konrardy is a walk-on redshirt freshman kicker for the Iowa State Cyclones football team. He has quickly made a name for himself with his impressive performances, particularly in the recent Cy-Hawk game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
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Background and Early Career

Konrardy is originally from Dubuque, Iowa, where he attended Dubuque Senior High School. Interestingly, he only began playing football during his junior year of high school, having previously focused on soccer. Despite his late start in the sport, he quickly excelled and earned a walk-on position at Iowa State University.

College Career

Konrardy's college career has been marked by rapid progress and significant achievements. He competed with highly accurate graduate transfer Chase Contreraz last season, which proved to be mutually beneficial. Contreraz went 21-for-26 on field goals, ranking 31st nationally among FBS kickers, while Konrardy continued to develop his skills.

Recent Performance

In the 2024 Cy-Hawk game, Konrardy delivered a standout performance that will be remembered for years. He made a 54-yard field goal with just six seconds left on the clock, securing a 20-19 victory for Iowa State over No. 21 Iowa. This kick was his first collegiate field goal attempt, and it came after he had missed a 41-yard attempt earlier in the game. His ability to stay calm under pressure and deliver when it mattered most was a testament to his mental toughness and skill.
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Personal and Community Involvement

Konrardy is also involved in community service. He has announced that he will leverage his statistics on the field to support the "Count the Kicks" campaign, which aims to prevent stillbirths by teaching expectant parents the importance of tracking their baby’s movements during the third trimester of pregnancy. This initiative has helped reduce Iowa's stillbirth rate by 32% and has saved babies in 36 states and six countries.

Future Prospects

Konrardy's recent success has solidified his position as the primary kicker for Iowa State. His coach, Matt Campbell, has praised his mental toughness and consistency, noting that Konrardy has earned the right to be confident in his abilities. With four seasons of eligibility remaining, Konrardy aims to continue improving and making significant contributions to the team.
In summary, Kyle Konrardy is a promising young kicker whose recent heroics in the Cy-Hawk game have highlighted his potential and resilience. His journey from a soccer player to a key player for Iowa State is an inspiring story of dedication and rapid development.