Junior
Winterset, Iowa
Why Central?
I’m from Winterset, Iowa, and I knew I wanted a college that was close to home, and Central fit that description. I’m only about an hour and ten minutes away from home, which is really convenient if I want or need to go back home for something. It also makes it easy for my parents to come support me at wrestling events. I also wanted a school that with a small-town culture that could really feel like a “home” to me, and Central is exactly that. I knew as soon as I took my first visit here that I could see myself spending four years at this school.
Favorite professor and why?
That’s a tough one. I’ve really liked all my professors here at Central, because I feel like they form personal connections with students and really care about their students’ education. Because I’ve enjoyed the subjects of classes I’ve had with them, I’d have to say it’s a close race between Dr. Weihe, Dr. Benedict., and Anya Butt.
In your iPod?
I have a wide range in taste of music, based on what mood I’m in. I just went to shuffle and the first five songs that came up were these:
What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction
Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn
It’s a Great Day to Be Alive – Travis Tritt
M.A.A.D. City – Kendrick Lamar
Sandstorm – Darude
You’re majoring in environmental studies because?
I want to help save the planet. I’m passionate about the environment, and I want to do whatever I can to make sure that my grandchildren have the opportunity to experience the outdoors like I have growing up.
Teammate who would fit in best with Duck Dynasty crew
Austin Laabs. He just needs to grow his mullet out again and it’d be perfect.
Dream job
Prairie ecologist or natural resource specialist with the DNR
Person past or present you’d like to have lunch with
Jeff Olson, author of The Slight Edge
Place in the world you would most like to visit
My number one would probably be Denali National Park in Alaska. I want to travel all around the world to other places, too.
Favorite type of cereal
Cinnamon Toast Crunch, by far. During wrestling season, I usually have to go with Raisin Bran though.
If you had to sing one song on American Idol, what would it be and why?
A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton. I know every word, and I wouldn’t be nervous about performing for the judges since I performed it in the lip sync contest wearing a dress last year.
Favorite TV Show
I don’t usually watch TV except for sports, but I did binge-watch an entire season of Gotham in one day earlier this semester with my roommate, AJ Pestano.
The one thing people don’t know about Coach Van Kley?
He’s a fan of Katy Perry’s music.
Why do you love Central wrestling?
We are genuinely a family, and we push through challenges together that would mentally break most people.
“Ten years from now I’ll...”
Ten years from now, I’ll be 30 years old and I’ll have a job somewhere in Iowa conserving and preserving natural ecosystems. I’ll be coaching high school wrestling at a small school in Iowa. At the end of the workday, I’ll go coach wrestling practice, then come home to my beautiful hardworking wife and two amazing children.
Favorite food from Central Market
I love food so it’s really hard to choose just one. My top choices are pub style fish, brisket, chicken enchiladas, and anything from the dessert bar.
Bucket list
Travel to every continent (maybe not Antarctica), become an All-American wrestler at Central, beat the Emmenecker challenge at Jethro’s, live to be a great-grandpa.
