« Women’s Soccer 2016

Koree Willer

School
Iowa State
Position
Forward
Major
Mechanical Engineering

Classroom

Koree Willer is a model student in the classroom. She maintains a 3.90 GPA in one of the most challenging majors at Iowa State University, mechanical engineering. Her work in the classroom has earned her a spot on the Academic All-Big 12 First Team the last two seasons and the 2015 Big 12 Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

Character

Willer is characterized as a quiet leader who prefers a lead-by-example approach. She constantly takes initiative to study on buses and in airports, which is motivating to her teammates. Willer is well-respected by her teammates, and when she speaks, everybody listens. This past spring she was voted a team captain, demonstrating that even through her quiet disciplined approach, the team recognized the work ethic and character that she possessed and knew that she was an example to all. Said Head Coach Tony Minatta: “Koree will finish her career at Iowa State in the top five in points, goals and game-winning goals and top 10 in assists. Her pursuit for excellence in every aspect of her life while still staying humble is truly inspiring and will be her lasting legacy during her time here at Iowa State and with the Cyclone women’s soccer program.”

Community

Willer has never shied away from giving her time to others in need, as she spent more than two months this summer on a mission trip in China. During the 2015-16 school year, Willer volunteered her time as an elementary school volunteer working with a kindergarten class at Meeker Elementary in Ames. She also was a lunch and recess buddy at the elementary school weekly. She has been a member of the SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) for the last three years and was named to the executive board this year. During her time with the SAAC, she helped with many volunteer initiatives including Adopt-A-Family, CyCans Food Drive and Soles4Souls. Willer is currently a member of Iowa State’s APPLE team, which is a team of four student-athletes at Iowa State who attend a conference on student-athlete wellness and substance prevention. Through the program, the team promoted their initiative #ClonesMakeItHome on Student-Athlete Day last season. With the Cyclone soccer team, she also volunteered with Miracle League and attended multiple events, such as Read-A-Thons at local elementary schools.

Competition

Willer has led the Cyclones in goals for the past two seasons and is on pace to do so again. At nomination time, Willer had 22 career goals with Iowa State, which ranks third all-time. Willer also is climbing the Iowa State record books in assists as her career tally of 12 assists ranks tied for sixth. Willer holds the ISU record in game-winning goals with eight in her career so far. In 2014, Willer’s three game-winning goals ranked tied for fourth in school history. Last season, Willer was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and was the Team Offensive MVP in 2014.