The Next Level: Former Panthers who still compete in college


Isaac Holtz (Photo submitted)

Darby Kramer (Photo submitted)
This week: men's track and field, women's golf
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

     This week’s installment of The Next Level looks at two more Monticello High School graduates who decided to continue their athletic careers.

     Here they are:

 

Isaac Holtz

Junior, men’s track and field,

University of Northern Iowa

throws

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

     A: I really enjoy what I do in track and field and knew I was far from reaching my potential, so I wanted to continue my career and see how good I really could be.

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

     A: It has gone very well, a lot of ups and downs with training and stress, but it is all part of the process. My biggest achievements would be my conference title in the discus last year, my NCAA Division I regional qualification in the discus last year, and my top-three finish in the shot put and weight this year indoors. As well as the freshman record in the discus and weight throw.

     Q: What events are you competing in this season? 

     A: I compete in the shot put and weight throw indoors, as well as the discus, shot put and hammer throw outdoors.

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

     A: The college level is much more competitive and requires your complete dedication or you will not see results.

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

     A: I have a lot of big goals and trust the process of training to get me there, but I like to keep them to myself for the most part. This outdoor season I would like to place top three in all three of my events and go to nationals for the discus.

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

     A: I am a junior in school and am currently an exercise science major with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy.

 

 

Darby Kramer

Freshman, women’s golf,

Wartburg College

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

     A: I was successful in high school golf, and I thought that playing in college would help me improve the physical and mental aspects of my game. I also knew I was coming to Wartburg, and because it is a Division 3 school I knew I could compete at this level.

     Q: How has it gone for you so far? What have been your biggest achievements?

     A: At first, I felt extremely out of place. Being the only freshman on the team, I was not anywhere near used to what the other girls were. I’m pretty sure my first qualifying-round was over 100. College golf courses are much harder and longer than high school. I would say my biggest achievement was breaking 90 in a tournament.

     Q: Have you been playing with the varsity team at your meets? What spot in the lineup do you occupy?

     A: Because we have seven girls and six are a team for varsity, I have played the fifth or sixth spot in a couple of varsity meets. If I wasn’t top six, I played as the team’s “individual,” and my score could not count toward the varsity score. Currently, I am not sure where I sit because our standings are not usually official.

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

     A: College level competition is not much different in terms of interacting with the other girls I play with; it’s not much more serious. We can even interact with spectators a bit, whereas in high school that would get a player disqualified. But in terms of difficulty, the courses played in college are much harder and longer than the ones in high school. We regularly tee off from men’s tees; we almost never touch the women’s tee box.

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

     A: I hope to improve as a golfer and gain lifelong friendships while playing courses I would never get to play otherwise.

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

     A: I’m a first year physics major. Through my sport, and not by campaign, I am a member of a student committee that meets once a month to help organize school-wide athletic events. Right now we are organizing the triathlon that will be held here in May.

 

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