Since 1994, one female and one male athlete have been chosen to represent Iowa as its State Games Athletes of the Year. The selected nominations then are sent to the National Congress of State Games for consideration for the State Games National Athlete of the Year. In addition, the winners annually serve the official torch bearers in the following Summer Iowa Games Opening Ceremony. The award was re-named in 2003 after former Iowa Games Athlete of the Year Marty McHone, who died of cancer in 2002.
Nominations will open for 2025 following the Summer Iowa Games.
2023 Male Athlete of the Year • Joey Dursky
| YEAR | ATHLETE | SPORT(S) |
| 2024 | Ryleigh Wilken | Track & Field |
| Joe Soderberg | Billiards | |
| 2023 | Mary Doerder | Diving |
| Joey Dursky | Track & Field, Ninja Warrior | |
| 2022 | Callie Brendeland | Taekwondo |
| Alan Schenck | Swimming, Diving, Basketball Shooting | |
| 2021 | Jarod Hart | Cross Country |
| Jasmine Luedtke | Wrestling | |
| 2020 | No athletes selected due to COVID | |
| 2019 | Kevin Klingbeil | Water Skiing |
| Emily Feldkamp | Cross Country and Triathlon | |
| 2018 | Curt Nystrom | Swimming |
| Tai Tomasi | Paratriathlon | |
| 2017 | Jim Schon | Weightlifting |
| Sara Schwendinger | Track & Field | |
| 2016 | Philip Ramsey | Flag Football, Spikeball and Ultimate |
| Ann Hegstrom | Cross Country and Track & Field | |
| 2015 | Norman Bower | Swimming |
| Piper Wall | Canoe Kayak, Whitewater | |
| 2014 | Tanner Weitzel | Taekwondo, Wrestling |
| Natalie Whitcher | Strongman | |
| 2013 | Bridger Deaton | Archery |
| Gabby Brewer | Figure Skating | |
| 2012 | Danna Kelly* | Triathlon |
| Carroll Marty* | Track & Field, Badminton, Racquetball | |
| 2011 | Sue Gordon | Shooting |
| Tim Dwight | 25 Events | |
| 2010 | Amber Woodford | Track & Field |
| Mark Hauschildt | Weightlifting | |
| 2009 | Cindy Hauber* | Swimming, Triathlon, Road Race |
| Nate Sickerson | Track & Field | |
| 2008 | Heather Ezell | Basketball |
| Ron Peterson | Track & Field, Basketball Shooting | |
| 2007 | Diane Love | Weightlifting |
| Chad Vance | Wrestling | |
| 2006 | Beth Henrickson | Track & Field, Road Race |
| Jeff Warrick | Diving | |
| 2005 | Kay Glynn | Track & Field |
| Caleb Utesch | Swimming | |
| 2004 | Linda Terry | Swimming |
| Alvin Ravenscroft | Track & Field, Road Race, Cross Country | |
| 2003 | Michelle Ihmels | Road Race |
| Chase Madison | Track & Field | |
| 2002 | Marijane Torjesen | Swimming |
| Houshang Bozorgzadeh* | Table Tennis | |
| 2001 | Stephanie Schinnow | Taekwondo |
| Joe Breakenridge | Basketball | |
| 2000 | Nichole DeKlotz | Swimming |
| Melvin Larsen | Track & Field | |
| 1999 | Tesi Dawson | Track & Field |
| Jamie Beyer* | Track & Field | |
| 1998 | Jennie Lillis | Basketball |
| Gary McCall | Wrestling | |
| 1997 | Abby Hagan | Swimming |
| Richard Latch | Weightlifting | |
| 1996 | Marty McHone | Track & Field |
| Michael Kitchell | Road Race | |
| 1995 | Tammi Blackstone | Basketball |
| Glen Mente | Track & Field | |
| 1994 | Whitney Sondall | Swimming |
| Dave Eilders | Shooting | |
*Named National Congress of State Games Athlete of the Year
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