Jaace Weidemann is one of a handful of Iowa high school players to arrive at Iowa Central looking to better themselves as student-athletes.
And that's exactly what Weidemann has done as part of the Triton football program.
In a convincing win over Ellsworth this past weekend, the Belmond-Klemme High School graduate found the end zone for the first time at Iowa Central, scoring twice at Dodger Stadium. He will look to keep that momentum going when the Tritons return to the field this Saturday vs. ASA Miami in Fayette at Upper Iowa University.
"The fundamentals have to be the biggest adjustment I had to make from making the transition (from high school to college)," Weidemann said. "My overall knowledge of the game has grown and now, I look at the way I watch and play in games very differently."
As a senior, Weidemann ran for 1,656 yards and scored 19 touchdowns out of the backfield. During his junior season at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, Weidemann racked up 1,235 yards and 12 scores while also throwing for almost 300 yards and six touchdowns.
Weidemann also credits both Miguel Secor, head of strength and conditioning at Iowa Central, and his head football coach, Jesse Montalto, with helping him grow both on the field and in the classroom.
"The weight room has been a big part of growing into the college athlete I am today," Weidemann said. "Coach Secor has done a great job with everybody. Another big part was the guidance from Coach Montalto with the personal accountability with academics."
As for finding the end zone, Weidemann said "it felt great."
"The offensive line and receivers did a great job with blocking," he added. "I was very thankful to get the opportunity."
Along with playing ASA Miami this weekend, the Tritons will close out the spring season vs. New Mexico Military on Saturday, May 29 at Dodger Stadium in the Graphic Edge Bowl.
"I think it's amazing that we have two more opportunities to showcase what this team can do," Weidemann said. "We still have something to prove and it will be nice to finish out this season on a high note going into next year."
-By Dana Becker