The Next Level: Former Panthers who still compete in college

     Anyone who follows Monticello High School athletics knows about the success and history of the Panther boys track and field teams.

     That success is continuing in college for many former Panthers, as this week’s installment of The Next Level focuses on men’s track and field.

     Here’s a look at six MHS graduates who are still running, jumping or throwing:

Ben Ahlrichs

Junior, men’s track and field,

University of Northern Iowa

1,500, 800, steeplechase

     Q: What made you decide to continue your athletic career in college?

     A: I was offered the opportunity to compete in the sport I love at the highest level possible, a chance to race against the best of the best, and to see how far I can push myself to become the best I could possibly be.

     Q: How has it gone for you so far? What have been your biggest achievements (highest placings, etc.)?

     A: I have actually not had much success in college; I have spent almost my entire career injured. This last indoor season and upcoming outdoor season are the first two I will compete at 100 percent healthy and injury-free. Although I have not had the opportunity to compete as much as I have liked, I had earned a spot on the conference roster for this previous indoor season, which means I earned a spot that only 25 members of our team are allowed to have.

     Q: What events are you competing in this season?

     A: This upcoming outdoor season I will be experimenting with a new event, the steeple chase. I have had some great workouts and practices for it, and believe it may prove to work out well. Otherwise I will be competing in the 1,500, and an occasional 800 for fun.

     Q: How does competing at the college level compare with high school?

     A: High school alone cannot prepare you for the competition level in college. It is two completely different levels, and due to my lack of racing my first two years, I still feel behind in the knowledge and experience of college racing. This time, everyone who goes to the line wants to win, and everyone is fast; there are no easy races.

     Q: What goals do you have for your collegiate career?

     A: My goals for my collegiate career are simple, I'd like to place in the conference for every season I have left, and earn a spot to compete at the regional championships if possible.

     Q: What are your year in school and major, and what other activities are you in?

     A: Currently I am a Junior Biology and Biochemistry double major, Chemistry minor, with an interest in Medicine at the University of Northern Iowa. Outside of track and field I am involved with numerous activities, such as ODK, Pi Lambda Phi, undergraduate research within the Biology Department, SAA (Student Admissions Ambassadors, Pre-medical Club, and work off campus at St. John’s Lutheran Church as a youth ministry team leader.

J.J. Frawley

Senior, men’s track and field,

Wartburg College

Distance, steeplechase

     Q: What made you decide to continue your athletic career in college?

     A: I had some success at the high school level and wasn't ready to give up running yet. I had progressed a lot and knew that there was still some room to grow.

     Q: How has it gone for you so far? What have been your biggest achievements (highest placings, etc.)?

     A: I am having a great experience at Wartburg. I have great coaches, teammates and people to surround myself with. Some of my biggest achievements have been qualifying for the DIII national championships, becoming an All-American, and receiving All-Region and All-Conference honors.

     Q: What events are you competing in this season?

     A: In outdoor track and field my main event focus will be on the 3000-meter steeplechase. But I will also race the 800, 1,500 and the 5,000.

     Q: How does competing at the college level compare with high school?

     A: Competing in college is definitely much different than high school. In high school for most programs, even in cross country, they will have 2-3 meets a week and race several longer distance events in a row (in track). In college the focus is based around racing once a week in track and about every two weeks in cross country. The competition is greater and you need to be ready to compete hard in that single race. Often times we do double back in an 800 or a 4x400 if we have previously raced a mile for strength purposes.

     Q: What goals do you have for your collegiate career?

     A: For my final season of collegiate career, I have goals of setting personal bests in every event from the 800m to the 5000m. But really focusing on the 3000m steeplechase. I want to qualify and become an All-American as well as break the school record in that event (9:02).

     Q: What are your year in school and major, and what other activities are you in?

     A: I am a senior, graduating in May with a liberal arts degree in exercise science and minors in business and leadership. Aside from cross country, and track and field, I have been involved with several work study jobs lifeguarding at our indoor facility and as a recruiting ambassador for our cross country department. I have had several internships in personal training and our athletic department. I have also volunteered in service work such as making tie blankets for children less fortunate and sandbagging in the Waverly community. I was also a volunteer for the 2016 DIII Outdoor Track & Field Championships hosted by Wartburg.                

Michael Melchert

Junior, men’s track and field,

University of Iowa

1500, 5000

     Q: What made you decide to continue your athletic career in college?

     A: I had the opportunity to run after high school and I decided to pursue the opportunity because sports have defined me my whole life and I wasn't ready to give them up quite yet.

     Q: How has it gone for you so far? What have been your biggest achievements (highest placings, etc.)?

     A: Running at the University of Iowa has gone great so far with some minor injury setbacks. Thus far through my career I have been two-time All-Big Ten while also being on the academic All-Big Ten list. I have achieved Iowa Student Athlete of the Month multiple times and was Freshman of the Year. I am currently on the All Time list in the 1500 meters, mile, 3000, distance medley relay, and 4x800.

     Q: What events are you competing in this season?

     A: This outdoor season I am competing in the 1500m and 5000m races.

     Q: How does competing at the college level compare with high school?

     A: Competing at the college level is a constant climb. In high school the top of the mountain is much lower than the top of the mountain in college. In college everything is acclimated as expected.

     Q: What goals do you have for your collegiate career?

     A: In my collegiate career I want to become the best runner I can be. I would like to become the best distance runner to ever run at the University. I would also like to become an All-American and a Big Ten champion.

     Q: What are your year in school and major, and what other activities are you in?

     A: I am a junior, health and human physiology major at the University with a minor in global health.          

Matt Manternach

Freshman, men’s track and field,

University of Iowa

800, 4x400, 1500

     Q: What made you decide to continue your athletic career in college?

     A: As far back as I can remember sports has been my life. I have always competed in at least four sports, and have always been working and practicing to be the best I can be. I can't imagine my life without being involved in a sport. I have learned how to balance my academics with a sport and to this point that’s all I know.

     Q: How has it gone for you so far? What have been your biggest achievements (highest placings, etc.)?

     A: So far, track has gone really well for me. I enjoy practicing with my teammates every day, and I love all my coaches. My biggest achievement so far has been being a part of a school record setting distance medley relay, in which I ran the 800-meter leg on that team.

     Q: What events are you competing in this season?

     A: This season I am competing in the 800 meter races. I also run legs on the 4x400 meter relay and will probably run a couple 1500 meter races.

     Q: How does competing at the college level compare with high school?

     A: In high school some runners would take days off and not work as hard, so it was easier for me to get ahead of them by practicing every day and working harder than them. In college everyone wants to be the best, so I really have to focus on doing the little things better to get ahead. I have to have better workouts, a healthier diet, get plenty of sleep, and keep my body healthy. I try to do anything and everything to put myself ahead of my competition.

     Q: What goals do you have for your collegiate career?

     A: My goals for this year include running a 1:47 800, being first team Big Ten, and making the national meet in Eugene, Oregon in the 800 meters. My overall college goals are to be an NCAA first team All-American, be a Big Ten Champion, and set the school record in the 800 and 600 meters.

     Q: What are your year in school and major, and what other activities are you in?

     A: I am a freshman in college, and a business major. I also put in community service through the athletics program.

Noah Steiner

Freshman, men’s track and field,

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

High jump

     Q: What made you decide to continue your athletic career in college?

     A: I really enjoy competing, and high jump was something that I was decent at during high school. It was also a good way to stay physically active and meet new people.

     Q: How has it gone for you so far? What have been your biggest achievements (highest placings, etc.)?

     A: The indoor season went well. I changed up my approach a few times throughout the season, which set me back a little bit, but I was able to improve my personal best by about 1.75 inches to 2.00 meters (6-foot-6.75) and I tied for fourth place at the WIACC indoor conference championships

     Q: What events are you competing in this season?

     A: I am only competing in high jump.

     Q: How does competing at the college level compare with high school?

     A: The biggest difference between high school and college would be the competition and the size of the meets. There are more competitors and the competition is better compared to high school.

     Q: What goals do you have for your collegiate career?

     A: By the end of my college career, I would like to place top two at the indoor and outdoor conference meets, qualify for nationals at least once, and have a PR of 2.12 meters or greater (6-11.5)

     Q: What are your year in school and major, and what other activities are you in?

     A: I am a freshman, majoring in industrial technologies and management.    

Zach Timm

Freshman, men’s track and field,

Iowa State University

Shot put

     Q: What made you decide to continue your athletic career in college?

     A: I decided to continue throwing during the summer after my senior year of high school. I improved a lot in my last year of high school and thought that I had more to give.

     Q: How has it gone for you so far? What have been your biggest achievements (highest placings, etc.)?

     A: I have improved a lot since high school.  My biggest achievement so far would be placing third at Tulsa Duels.

     Q: What events are you competing in this season?

     A: I am just competing in shot put.

     Q: How does competing at the college level compare with high school?

     A: The competition in college is at a much higher level than high school. Everyone at the college level is talented and works hard.

     Q: What goals do you have for your collegiate career?

     A: I want to place at the Big 12 Conference Meet every year.

     Q: What are your year in school and major, and what other activities are you in?

     A: I am a freshman and my major is agronomy. I’m also a part of the agronomy club on campus.