Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/85024
Senior Jessica Barnett is all-everything for the University of Iowa field hockey team. "She does it all, she walks the walk," said UI head coach Tracey Griesbaum. "She's a true competitor. She's a diehard and every day, she comes out to practice ready to compete. She'll do anything for this team." That involves taking on a number of different roles -- that has been Barnett's modus operandi since arriving on campus in 2009. She has started from day one and has been immediately relied upon in all facets. During her prep career at Handsworth Secondary in Vancouver, Canada, Barnett was a three-sport standout, excelling at field hockey, soccer, and basketball. It wasn't until her sophomore year that she knew field hockey was her calling. 42 "It wasn't until 10th grade that I felt very strongly about field hockey, " " she said. "As I was growing up, I always thought I would play soccer at a university, because it is what I loved most. As I got older, I realized that field hockey was where the best opportu- nity was for me. She was right. Griesbaum first saw Barnett play at a prep tournament in the United States and fell in love with her athleticism. Iowa was the first school to show interest in the defender, and the Hawkeyes were rewarded as a result. "It was exciting for me to have that sort of interest," said Barnett of Iowa's recruitment. "When I came to Iowa on a visit, the whole experience was amazing, and the facilities were like nothing I had ever seen before in my life. " 24 HAWKEYES TO WATCH