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Iowa State University Athletics
Big 12 Announces New Student-Athlete Cohort for Beyond Borders Program
07.10.2026 | Football, Track and Field
Two-year leadership initiative begins this week in Washington, D.C., with Capitol Hill visits and a community impact project at a local school
IRVING, Texas - The Big 12 Conference today announced the newest student-athlete cohort of the Big 12 Beyond Borders program. The two-year opportunity - first launched in 2024 - immerses student-athletes, coaches and administrators in a variety of historical and cultural experiences in the U.S. and internationally. Xavier Martinez (football) and Kamari Brown (Women's Track & Field) have been selected to attend from Iowa State.
Each Big 12 member institution selected two student-athletes to participate based on their demonstration of leadership skills and character on and off the field.
The program begins this week in Washington, D.C., providing participants with opportunities to engage in civic leadership, explore significant historical sites and make a meaningful impact in the local community. Participants will meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill and visit several cultural institutions, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Additionally, while in D.C., the Big 12, in partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation, will help revitalize several spaces at a local DCPS middle school, including the creation of a community garden supported by Plots & Pans. Student athletes will also engage with students through a field day, arts and crafts activities, and an educational panel discussion.
Washington, D.C., serves as the first experience in the two-year journey that will expose participants to diverse cultures, communities and leadership opportunities across the United States and abroad.
"We created Big 12 Beyond Borders as a way to help develop our student-athletes into the global leaders of tomorrow," said Jenn Hunter, JD, Big 12 Chief Impact and Student Services Officer. "The program utilizes history, culture, food, art, community engagement and advocacy as a way to understand our connectedness and place in this world. With the skillsets our group of student-athlete leaders possess, their opportunities are endless, and we are excited to witness the journey that this next cohort will experience."Â
The full list of student-athlete participants can be found below.
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Arizona
Bryce Melton - Major: Business Management; Sport: Track & Field
Molly Ladwig - Major: Business Management; Sport: Women's Basketball
Arizona State
Champ Westbrook - Major: Psychology; Sport: Football
Leila Meraz - Major: Finance; Sport: Water PoloÂ
Baylor
Jordan Davis - Major:Â Â Business; Sport: Football
Karynton Dawson - Major: Health/Kinesiology/Leisure Studies; Sport: Softball
BYU
Noah Moeaki - Major: Finance; Sport: Football
Ana Loveridge - Major: Exercise Science; Sport: SwimÂ
UCF
Rocklyn Kelley - Major: Business; Football
Taylor Kittleman - Major: Teacher Education, Physical Education; Sport: Softball      Â
Cincinnati
Joy Kimwemwe - Major: Public Relations/French; Sport: Soccer
Romaro Knight - Major: Construction Management  ; Sport: Track & Field
Colorado
Preston Ashley - Major: Communications; Sport: Football
Jordan Whiteaker - Major: International Affairs/Sociology; Sport: Women's Soccer
Houston
Re'Shaun Sanford II - Major: Computer Engineering; Sport: Football
Lily Barron - Major: Teaching and Learning; Sport: Volleyball
Iowa State
Xavier Martinez - Major: Exercise Science; Sport: Football
Kamari Brown - Major: Communication Studies; Sport: Track & Field
Kansas
Amir Herring -Â Major: Political Science; Sport: Football
Logan Bell - Major: Sports Management; Sport: Volleyball
K-State
Donte Lewis - Major: Psychology; Sport: Baseball
Reese Brownlee - Major: Business; Sport: Track & Field
Oklahoma State
Jeremy "JuJu" Cook - Major: Human Sciences/Forensic Science; Sport: Football
Madison Hoffman - Major: Business; Sport: Softball
TCU
Keylan Abrams - Major: Criminal Justice; Sport: Football
Evan Hendrix - Major: Marketing/Finance; Sport: Volleyball
Texas Tech
Holden Phillips - Major: Business Management; Sport: FootballÂ
Kenna McKenzie - Major: Business Management; Sport:Â VolleyballÂ
Utah
Byrd Ficklin - Major: Strategic Communications; Sport: Football
Chelsea Amoah - Major: Sociology/Pre-Law; Sport: Track & Field
West Virginia
Isaac Scheer - Major: Entrepreneurship and Marketing; Sport: Men's SoccerÂ
Sabria Jones - Major: Forensic Science; Sport: Track & FieldÂ
Players Mentioned
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