Lisa Griebel Inducted into Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame
Sioux Falls native Lisa Griebel (Agar) was inducted into the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame in September, 2018. She competed in track and field during her time at ISU and is considered one of the greatest shot putters in the school’s history.
Lisa Griebel (Agar) poses with her former SFLS teachers, Rod and Tina Lenz, at the September 14 Iowa State University Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Griebel, who attended Sioux Falls Lutheran School from preschool through 6th grade, said she has always been a sports-minded girl. During her years at SFLS, she played basketball with her classmates through the YMCA.
“We practiced with the guys, which was really fun,” Griebel said. “We were all in one class and we got to practice together. I think we were all better players because of that opportunity.”
In addition to basketball, Griebel has many other fond memories of her time at SFLS, including annual Christmas programs, preschool with Mrs. Sandy Tams at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and making the move to 37th Street for kindergarten with Mrs. Tina Lenz.
A fellow church member and family friend of the Griebels, Lenz attended the ISU Hall of Fame induction ceremony with her husband, Rod, who taught Griebel in 3rd and 4th grade.
“When I think of Lisa, she strikes me as a strong Christian who lives her life as an example of Christ,” Tina said. “It really wasn’t a surprise to me when I found out that she would be inducted into the Hall of Fame, because she is such a positive individual who fully commits to every single thing she does.”
After 6th grade, Griebel went on to attend Edison Middle School and Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, where she participated in club soccer, softball, varsity volleyball, varsity basketball, and varsity track. By the time she was a senior, Griebel was ranked among the top five throwers in the U.S. and being recruited by schools across the nation.
“I chose Iowa State because I connected well with the coach,” Griebel said. “My advice to kids now if they’re getting recruited is that they better get along well with their coach, because that’s who they are going to spend a lot of their time with.”
According to Iowa State, Griebel’s accomplishments as a collegiate track and field athlete include:
Six-time All-American in the shot put (1999-2002)
Six-time Big 12 shot put champion
Named to the Big 12's 10th anniversary track & field team (2006)
Placed third in the shot put at the 2002 NCAA Indoor Championships
Placed sixth in the shot put at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials
Placed fifth in the shot put at the 2001 U.S. Outdoor Championships
Owns the second-best outdoor shot put throw in ISU history (54'-07.5")
One of only five women's track & field performers to earn All-America honors six or more times.
“I think the moment it really hit me that I was going to make it as a college athlete was when I was competing as a freshman at the big 12 meet,” Griebel said. “It was the first big meet indoors, and I won it as a freshman. At that point I was like, ‘Oh my gosh… I think I’ll be okay!’ You know? Not that I didn’t think I could do it, but it was really reassuring to know that I could compete.”
After graduating from ISU and teaching in Iowa for six years, Griebel accepted a position at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls in 2006. She married her husband, David Agar, in 2016 and has two step children, Meghan and Tristen.
Griebel currently teaches AP Human Geography and AP World History, coaches track and field, and helps coordinate special events like homecoming coronation, prom, and graduation at Roosevelt.
“Coaching is a good way to connect with kids,” Griebel said. “I’m a unique coach because I coach both boys and girls track and field. Most high school boys never have a female coach, so that’s kind of fun. And I’ve never had a bad experience. I feel like my athletes trust that I know what I’m talking about. I really encourage them to just enjoy high school and have fun with it.”
As for her relationship with Rod and Tina Lenz, Griebel said it serves as a great illustration of the friendships she made during her years at SFLS.
“I’m still in touch with a lot of the people I went to grade school with,” Griebel said. “Not only did I go to school with them, I went to church with them and I got confirmed with them, and that keeps you close.”
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