Upper Iowa University Athletics Hall of Fame
Jena (Kilburg) Ernst was inducted into the Upper Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame as an athlete. Ernst graduated from Upper Iowa in 2008 and played softball for the Peacocks for four seasons from 2005-2008. She graduated with a degree in accounting and financial management.
Ernst came to Upper Iowa from Bellevue, Iowa in the fall of 2004 and guided the Peacock softball team through their transition to NCAA Division II. She was named as an All-NSIC first team outfielder in 2007 and was a member of the 2007 NSIC All-Tournament Team as well.
A career .355 hitter over her four seasons, Ernst tallied 219 hits, which was the program record until All-American Katie Crogan topped it in 2022. She racked up 71 extra-base hits and a career slugging percentage of .576 thanks to 46 doubles, 13 triples and 12 home runs. She is second all-time in program history in steals, doubles, triples and runs scored.
Ernst is currently an Operations Officer at Bellevue State Bank in Bellevue, Iowa. She and her husband Brett are the proud parents of three children; Brayden, Leah and Lacy.
