Kalkhoff to throw for Minnesota State

Monday was a big day for Newton High senior Sarah Kalkhoff. In front of her parents, her high school head track coach and a few others, Kalkhoff signed a national letter of intent to compete in track and field at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn.

“I liked the coaching staff and the school. For track and field, it presents a great opportunity for me to go places and have a good throwing career,” Kalkhoff said of her decision to compete for the NCAA Division II Minnesota State.

Kalkhoff is Iowa’s Class 4A discus champion and Newton girls’ record holder in the event. She set that mark winning the 4A state championship in May. Kalkhoff won the event with a throw of 140 feet, 11 inches. As a sophomore, Kalkhoff finished second in the event at state.

Kalkhoff earned the Iowa Association of Track Coaches All-Elite honors and first-team Class 4A state honors.

Making the decision now, clears the deck for Kalkhoff to concentrate on extending her Cardinal girls’ record in the discus and defending her state championship in the spring. She signed the letter in front of her parents, Dave and Lorraine Kalkhoff, and NHS girls’ head track coach Rachel Tomas.

Also on hand were NHS Activities Director Scott Garvis, NHS Principal Bill Peters and Michele Heisdorffer, activities administrative assistant.

“Minnesota State has a good chemistry department,” Kalkhoff said. “I want to study biochemistry, so it has what I need acedemically.”

Over the summer, Kalkhoff spent time at an elite youth junior camp at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. She was among 20 up-and-coming athletes working with OTC resident team coach Zygmunt Smalcerz in the weeklong camp.

Kalkhoff pointed to her work in the weight room and competition in weightlifting as major factors in her reaching her goal of a state championship in the discus in May. She said she plans to focus on weightlifting and throwing during her senior year at Newton.

“Minnesota State has a couple of really, really good throwing coaches and a strong strength and conditioning program,” Kalkhoff said. “I met a couple of the throwers and they were very nice. I’m really happy with this decision.”

Under head coach Jen Blue, the MSU Maverick women qualified two individuals for the 2014 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships. One was a thrower. The throwing coaches are Kevin Sanger and Todd Dejong.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com