Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Central College Athletics

The Official Website of the Central College Dutch

Athlete Awards

Central Close-Up

Mason Back headshot

Mason Back

  • Award
    Central Close-Up
  • Week Of
    7/24/2025
  • Sport
    Men's Cross Country
  • Bio
    View Full Bio
Mason Back
Winterset, Iowa
Class of 2027


Why did you choose Central?


I chose Central because you can be successful in the classroom and in athletics without sacrificing one for the other.

Favorite professor and why?

Maggie Schlerman is my favorite professor because she isn’t afraid to tell you how it is, and she has helped me figure out my current career path.

You’re majoring in accounting, finance, & data analytics because?

I love numbers and studying how money works.

Besides athletics, what else are you involved in on campus?

I am involved in the student senate and FCA.

Who are your go-to musical artists?

My go-to music artists are Eminem and Tim McGraw.

How has attending Central and playing a sport impacted your life?

It has helped me understand what it is like to prioritize both academics and athletics. I have learned to be very good at managing my time.

What’s the longest run you’ve ever been on? 

15 miles.

What’s your best sport outside of distance running?

Pickleball, I spend lots of time in the summer playing pickleball with family and friends.

How many running shoes do you go through in a year?

I go through about 6-10 pairs of running shoes each year.

What’s your favorite smell in the world?

The smell of fresh cut grass

Favorite TV Show?

Seinfeld

What’s it like to run for Coach Dunham?

It is a lot of fun, but at the same time, very focused. As a team we are able to have lots of fun and enjoy every step that we run for Dunham and we know that every mile throughout the week is pointed toward getting faster and stronger.

What’s your favorite part about being a member of Central’s cross country team?

I love that we all hang out as a team outside of practice all the time. The team feels like family.

What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?

I plan to start a family and spend my free time outdoors, fishing or hunting.

Favorite food from Central Market?

Brisket Quesadillas. They are incredible.

Bucket list.

I want to become a millionaire by the time I am 30 years old.
 


Athlete Awards
Date Athlete Sport
1/25/2024 Nolan Brand Men's Basketball
1/18/2024 Cally Gibbs Women's Basketball
1/11/2024 Abby Alberti Women's Track and Field
1/4/2024 Colby Tool Men's Wrestling
12/28/2023 Samantha Scott Women's Basketball
12/21/2023 Brian Hart Men's Track and Field
12/14/2023 Kaleb Brand Men's Basketball
12/7/2023 Abbi Roerdink Women's Track and Field
11/30/2023 Duncan Delzell Men's Wrestling
11/23/2023 Austin Smith Men's Cross Country
11/16/2023 John Oltman Men's Golf
11/9/2023 Evan Hackett Men's Soccer
11/2/2023 MiMi Pavelka Women's Soccer
10/26/2023 Reece Miller Football
10/19/2023 Mitchel Benhart Men's Soccer
10/12/2023 Gracie Daniels Volleyball
10/5/2023 AJ Wilkins Men's Tennis
9/28/2023 Jenna Hernandez Women's Tennis
9/21/2023 Luci Laidlaw Women's Triathlon
9/14/2023 Elyse Johnson Volleyball
Previous12345...Next