Class of 2020
Hull, Iowa
Why did you choose Central?
I chose Central because it let me study engineering while also giving me a place to play golf. Central was the only college I visited that had an engineering program and a successful golf program with great facilities. Also, it got me away from home. I didn’t want to live too close to my hometown so I could meet new people and create new relationships.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
My favorite professor is definitely Dr. Viktor Martisovits. I have had him in many Physics courses as a teacher and see him around campus all the time. He is probably the most caring person on staff and always wants to hear about how your life is going. Every time I missed a class for a golf tournament, he would talk to me after the tournament and ask how it went. He doesn’t know much about golf, but it means a lot because you know he really cares about his students.
You're majoring in engineering because?
I am majoring in engineering because that’s what my 8th grade career test results said I should do. I was always better than most kids in my class at math and science, so I was always pushed to go into this field. However, I loved working construction over the summers working hard and building things with my hands. The idea of designing and constructing buildings always interested me, and the best field of study for that dream is engineering.
Besides athletics, what are you involved in?
I am the president of Bridge Club and Ultimate Frisbee club on campus. Bridge Club meets to play the card game Bridge, and Ultimate Frisbee is basically football but with a frisbee and no tackling. I’ve been a part of both clubs since I was a freshman. I also help run Board Game Club, where we meet and play board games and party games as a large group. On campus, I work as a Physics lab TA to help students with their lab experiments and take stats at Central football and softball games.
What is your go-to artists?
I can’t say I have a favorite artist; I listen to almost everything. Kesha is pretty good though.
What are your summer plans for 2020?
After I graduate in May, I plan to stay in Pella and work at Pella Corp. as an Architectural Engineer. I worked last summer as an intern and accepted a job in the same department during the fall semester. I’m excited to start working full time and start a new chapter in my life.
Hardest class you've ever taken at Central?
The hardest class Central offers is Dynamics. It’s basically Physics on steroids.
How did you become a fan of the San Diego/Los Angles Chargers?
I am a Chargers fan because of Ladinian Tomlinson. When I grew up watching football, I loved watching LT play because he was incredibly talented but also a stand-up player off the field. Whenever a Chargers game was on a local broadcast, the game was on in our house. I can’t say I’m proud of the Chargers now, especially now that Philip Rivers is gone, but LT will always keep me a Chargers fan at heart.
What are 3 things you like doing during your free time?
I love going outdoors in my free time. I am basically addicted to disc golf. I picked it up from some friends and took off with it, and now I play tournaments and leagues during the summers. I also love fishing. I go all the time with my dad and my friends, and I’m excited for the spring fishing season to start. I’m a big hunter as well, and when the fall rolls around, I can’t wait to head up to South Dakota to get some pheasant hunting in. Whenever I have time, you can usually find me doing one of these three things.
What is your dream job?
My dream job is to work as a sports analyst for ESPN. I love talking sports, and I keep up on all the stats for every player and every team. It would be amazing to just talk about stats all day on the air and get paid for it. It wouldn’t feel like a job at all, it would just be like a normal day for me.
Favorite TV show?
I love the Netflix show BoJack Horseman. If you appreciate satirical humor like me, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this show.
What's it like to play for Coach Blasi?
It’s fantastic playing for Coach Blasi. He is extremely motivational; every time I get to practice, I can’t help but to try my best to get better. There is a lot that I don’t know about technique and strategy in golf, but with every practice, even if I don’t necessarily get better, I get smarter about my approach to the game and my attitude towards the game. Since playing under Coach Blasi, I’ve placed the highest I’ve ever placed in an actual college tournament, and I’ve shot some of my best scores ever on courses that challenge all golfers. Also, he’s started fun team traditions like playing pickup baseball and the beginning and end of the season and going to his house for cookies on Sunday nights. It’s been great playing for Coach Blasi these last two years, and I’m glad I was here to be a part of his Central legacy.
What's your favorite part about being a member of Central golf?
The best part about being a member of Central’s golf team is the team aspect. Everyone on the team enjoys each other’s company. It doesn’t matter who I play with when we do practice rounds; I always have a good time because I know all my teammates and we can have a fun round while also competing with each other. My high school golf team didn’t have this, and it made practices long and boring. This isn’t the case at Central; we all treat each other as if we’re all a vital part of the team, and it’s awesome.
What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?
In 10 years, I hope to be a licensed Professional Engineer, which means I will be running my own projects and managing a small team of engineers and drafters. It would be awesome to build my career up into a larger, more important position and take the lead on significant projects. Starting my career at Pella Corp. will help my dream of being a PE a reality.
Favorite food from Central Market?
Burger Bar on Wednesdays is easily the best thing Central Market offers. No questions.
Bucket List?
I really would love to land a 50” Musky one day. Luckily, that means I get to make more fishing trips to Canada. I would also love to own a square mile of land in South Dakota and make it my own wildlife preserve, with a lake fully stocked and tons of habitat for pheasants, ducks, and deer. That’s a pretty unlikely dream, but maybe one day it will be feasible.
