The Miss Iowa USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Iowa in the Miss USA pageant. It was directed by Future Productions based in Savage, Minnesota since 2008 to 2024.

While Iowa has not been greatly successful in the past four decades, they were one of the most consistent states in the first decade of the pageant's existence. In 1956, Carol Morris became the second Miss USA to win the Miss Universe crown. The most recent placement was Madeline Erickson in 2026, finishing 3rd runner-up.

Jamie Solinger, Miss Teen USA 1992 and Miss Iowa USA 1998, crowned her sister Jaclyn Solinger as Miss Iowa USA 1999.

The current titleholder is Madeline Erickson of Ankeny, who was crowned on May 30, 2026 at The Franklin Center in Des Moines. She represented Iowa at Miss USA 2026, finishing as 3rd runner-up.

Gallery of titleholders

Results summary Placements Miss USA: Carol Morris (1956) 3rd runner-up: Madeline Erickson (2026) 5th Runner-up: Carlyn Bradarich (2014) Top 10/12: Jan Hoyer (1993), Jensie Grigsby (2000) Top 14/15/19/20: Marilyn Shonka (1953), Ione Lucken (1954), Judy Hall (1957), Kay Nielson (1959), Trudy Shulkin (1960), Baylee Drezek (2019), McKenzie Ariana Kerry (2024)

Iowa holds a record of 12 placements at Miss USA.

Awards Miss Congeniality: Dana Mintzer (1983), Rebecca Hodge (2012) Interview Award: Madeline Erickson (2026)

Winners Color key

Year Name HometownAge1 Local title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes 2026 Madeline "Maddie" Erickson Ankeny 22 Miss Ankeny 3rd runner-up Cheslie Kryst Interview Award Previously Miss Iowa Teen USA 2023 Top 20 at Miss Teen USA 2023 2025 Hayley Buettell Mediapolis 27 Miss Johnson County 2024 McKenzie Ariana Kerry Des Moines 26 Miss Capital City Top 20 People's Choice Later Miss Iowa 2026 2023 Grace Lynn Keller Coralville 24 Miss Johnson County Previously Miss Iowa 2021 2022 Randi Estabrook Mitchellville 24 Miss Central Iowa 2021 Katie Wadman Iowa City 21 Miss Iowa City Later Miss District of Columbia 2025 2020 Morgan Kofoid Leon 22 Previously Miss Iowa Teen USA 2013 Longest reigning Miss Iowa USA at 2019 Baylee Drezek Davenport 21 Top 15 2018 Jenny Kim Valliere Cedar Rapids 27 Joining Miss Iowa USA on her 8th consecutive year, before winning the title in 2018 2017 Kelsey Anne Weier Des Moines 25 Later contestant on season 24 of The Bachelor and season 7 of Bachelor in Paradise. 2016 Alissa Katelin Morrison Davenport 24 2015 Taylor Lynn Even Jesup 21 2014 Carlyn Nicole Bradarich Iowa City 23 5th runner-up Sister of Ashley Bradarich, Miss Illinois USA 2010 Advanced to the top 6 as a fan vote winner Later Miss Illinois World 2015 Top 12 at Miss World America 2015 2013 Richelle Elizabeth Orr Hampton 20 Previously Miss Iowa Teen USA 2011 2012 Rebecca Jean Hodge Iowa City 22 Miss Congeniality 2011 Rebecca Anne Goldsmith Chariton 26 2010 Katherine Anna Connors Bettendorf 20 Threw out the first pitch at a Washington Nationals baseball game following a joke by Nationals pitcher Miguel Batista at Miss Iowa's expense. Batista sent flowers, but declined Connors' challenge to "walk the runway in a swimsuit." 2009 Chelsea Lynn Gauger Ames 19 2008 Abbey Nicole Curran Davenport 20 First person born with a disability (cerebral palsy) to compete in Miss USA 2007 Dani Reeves Hamburg 21 2006 Sarah Corpstein Anamosa 23 2005 Joy Robinson Altoona 25 2004 Brooke Hansen Fort Dodge 22 2003 Linsey Dara Grams Urbandale 20 2002 Lauren Wilson Bettendorf 22 2001 Clarissa Kroese Pella 22 2000 Jensie Grigsby West Des Moines 26 Top 10, Finishing in 10th Place 1999 Jaclyn Colleen Solinger Altoona 20 Sister of Jamie Solinger, Miss Iowa USA 1998 1998 Jamie Solinger Altoona Previously Miss Iowa Teen USA 1992 Miss Teen USA 1992 Sister of Jaclyn Solinger, Miss Iowa USA 1999 Later Mrs. Iowa America 2004 3rd runner-up to Mrs. America 2004 under her married name, Jamie Patterson. 1997 Shawn Marie Brogan New Hampton 1996 Jill Simon Burlington 1995 Angela Hearne Mount Vernon 1994 Callie Pandit Des Moines 1993 Janis Ann "Jan" Hoyer Fort Madison Top 12 Previously Miss Iowa Teen USA 1987 Sister of Miss Iowa USA 1982 Jeanne Hoyer 1992 Pam Patrick Ottumwa 1991 Heather Bowers Toddville 24 1990 Elizabeth "Libby" Muelhaupt Des Moines 1989 Marcy Requist Red Oak 1988 Julie Kemmerling Des Moines 18 1987 Katy Lynn Magee Jefferson 19 1986 Holly Wilkins Clear Lake Miss Iowa City First runner-up at Miss Iowa USA 1985 1985 Karen K. North Ames Devin Steinberg Manson 21 Original winner, dethroned after she married during her reign. 1984 Michele Boisvert Decorah 21 1983 Dana Ruth Mintzer Des Moines 21 Miss Congeniality 1982 Jeanne Hoyer Fort Madison 21 Sister of Miss Iowa USA 1993 Jan Hoyer 1981 Jennifer Lynn Wimpey Coralville 19 1980 Lori Kromminga Keystone 21 Miss Ames 1979 Teri Lee Rees Sioux City 21 1978 Michelle Elaine Daley West Des Moines 1977 Cindy Woodard Urbandale 1976 Sheri Lynn Davenport Des Moines 1975 Kathleen M. "Kathie" Duggan Council Bluffs 1974 Susan Jane Thompson Cedar Rapids 1973 Dyanne Roberts Oskaloosa 1972 Jennifer Jo Owen Maxwell 1971 Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Helmers Sibley 19 Top 10 Best in Swimsuit 1970 Jacqueline Lee Jochims Carroll Miss Starling Later represented Iowa in Miss World USA 1970, did not place Later Miss U.S. International 1971 3rd runner-up at Miss International 1971 1969 Becky Stoner Laurens 1968 Markie Anderson Sioux City Miss Morningside 1967 Kathleen "Kathy" Solt Jefferson 1966 Janis Mieras Alta 1965 Mari Hardy Sioux City 1964 Barbara Rogers Perry 1963 Dr. Ramona Kathleen Meylor Le Mars 23 1962 Regina Prusha Marshalltown Miss Cedar Rapids 1961 Deanne E. Ostermann Ocheyedan 19 1960 Gertrude Cele "Trudy" Shulkin Sioux City 22 Miss KMNS Sioux City Semi-finalist 1959 Catherine Lucille "Kay" Nielson Council Bluffs 22 Miss Council Bluffs Semi-finalist Previously Miss Nebraska 1957 1958 Sandra Mary Olsen Sioux City 18 1957 Judith Ann "Judy" Hall Council Bluffs 20 Semi-finalist 1956 Carol Ann Laverne Morris Ottumwa 20 Miss USA 1956 Previously Miss Iowa 1954 Miss Universe 1956 1955 Jerri Jean Cole Holstein 18 1954 Ione Luken Le Mars 20 Semi-finalist 1953 Marlyn E. Shonka Pocahontas 20 Semi-finalist 1 Age at the time of the Miss USA pageant

References

External links