Upper Iowa University Athletics Hall of Fame
Jason Kesten, who graduated with a degree in social science and an endorsement in coaching in 1993, is being inducted into the Upper Iowa University Athletics Hall of Fame as an athlete.
Kesten was a four-time letter winner in football as a tight end from 1989-92. When he was a freshman, UIU went 0-10, but Kesten and his fellow Peacocks recorded a 6-4 season in 1992. The Riceville, Iowa product was named team captain and earned All-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First Team honors his senior season.
He played for both coaches Al Fischer and Paul Rudolph and remains in the top ten of seven categories including receptions in a game (3rd with 13, T-4th with 12, T-9th with 11), receptions in a season (4th with 64), reception in a career (9th with 104), receiving yards in a season (5th with 880), receiving yards in a career (9th with 1,427), touchdown catches in a season (T-3rd with 11) and touchdown catches in a career (T-6th with 17). The 1992 Peacocks still own a share of the Division III NCAA record for first downs in a game with 40 versus Loras College. Mount Union College matched the feat in 2005.
A graduate of Riceville High School, Kesten had an outstanding interscholastic career earning All-State Third Team honors from the Des Moines Register along with numerous All-Corn Bowl Conference honors in football, basketball and baseball.
Kesten currently works out of Mason City for Spee-Dee Delivery Services. He lives in Clear Lake, Iowa with his wife Nicole and their four children, Jaydon, Justin, Toby and Isaiah.
