Monticello High School saw five more student-athletes sign their National Letters of Intent to extend their athletic careers into the college ranks. Jack Geislinger, Dylan Janssen, Carson Callstrom, Jason Jones and Rose Urick all signed on Spring National Signing Day on Wednesday, May 8.
Geislinger will be running on the track and field team for the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. Geislinger has a 4.0 GPA and has run cross country, played basketball and football and is an All-State track and field athlete.
He has run in the 400-meter, the 4x100 and the 4x200 at the state tournament. He was a member of the state champion 4x4 relay team in 2023. He was a member of the record-setting 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams.
First-year track and field head coach Corey Derby said that Geislinger was the first athlete he reached out to when he took over for former longtime coach Dave Wik. Geislinger has been paramount in Derby leading the team in his own way while simultaneously looking out for the future of the program.
“He wasn’t just concerned about what we were doing this year for him but also how we can build the program in the future,” said Derby.
Janssen is going to play football for the University of Minnesota-Morris. He was a three-year letter winner at center for Monticello football and has a 3.21 GPA. He previously wrestled for the Magic as well.
Monticello football Head Coach Andy Pierskalla said that when Morris visited Monticello and asked him if he had anybody interested in playing for him, he immediately thought of Jenssen. He is a cerebral and tough player.
“He touches the football every play and not every player gets to say that,” said Pierskalla on Jenssen. “He’s going to be a tough spot to fill. Linemen don’t always get the recognition that they deserve.”
The first of three swimmers, Carson Callstrom, is headed to St. Cloud State University. He owns a 3.86 GPA and was a five-year letter winner for Monticello. He qualified for the state meet this past winter in four events and was All-State in three.
“Carson has been a tremendous addition to our program,” said boys’ swim and dive head coach Dirk Westveer. “Carson has been a very quiet leader and led by example. He did things right and the way they’re supposed to be done.”
Jason Jones is going to swim at the University of St. Johns. He has a 3.94 GPA and lettered six times for the swim team.
Westveer said that Jones was one of the most dedicated guys that he ever coached and was a no-nonsense guy. Last year, Jones did his basic training for the Army and is going to be in the ROTC program at St. Johns.
Jones did a good job holding everybody on the team accountable, “Jason didn’t like that some of the guys would slack and if they skipped yards, he’d give them a punishment,” mentioned Westveer.
But he didn’t let the guys go through that punishment alone. Whatever he handed out to his teammates, he would do alongside with them, “that is the kind of leader that he is,” said Westveer.
The final athlete who signed was Urick, who is going to swim at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Urick has a 3.96 GPA and lettered six times for the girls’ swim and dive team.
“I have had the honor of coaching Rose for the last three years since I became head coach,” said Stacy Biegler. “The best thing I love about Rose is her unique and fun personality.”
Urick was a very positive influence on the Magic and built a special relationship with Coach Biegler. It wasn’t just her influence that made Urick special. She was given All-State honors at the Minnesota Swim and Dive All-State Awards Banquet earlier this year.
She was part of the 200 medley relay team that took second place at the 2023 MSHSL Class 2A State Girls Swim and Dive Championships and was the consolation champion in the 100 breaststroke.
Most Popular
Comments / 0