Krystosek has eyes on nationals after a successful Freshman season.
Whitewater, Wis (BVM)— Josh Krystosek has had a successful start to his collegiate track and field career.
As a Freshman Krystosek finished 5th at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Indoor Championship in high jump and set a personal record that season of jumping 1.98m.
The WIAC earlier this year had canceled all fall sports due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Even though there is still the possibility of no season, Krystosek is still motivated to train like it is going to happen.
鈥�The great thing about track is that it鈥檚 a winter/spring sport so we鈥檙e still hoping on a full outdoor season during the spring if everyone keeps wearing their masks and socially distances themselves,鈥� Krystosek said. 鈥淟ast year didn鈥檛 sit well with me, although I was a freshman I felt like I was on the verge of qualifying for nationals. So this season I鈥檓 putting my all into getting to nationals so I鈥檓 not left with an unsettling feeling.鈥�
Krystosek grew up in Palmyra, Wis. and attended Palmyra-Eagle High School where he participated in track and field, basketball, football, and golf. A state qualifier in long jump and high jump, while also getting second team all conference in golf and football as a senior.
Fifteen minutes away from UW-Whitewater Krysosek reflected on what it means for small town kids and the impact this university has meant to him over the years.聽
鈥淲hitewater has always been close to home and I鈥檝e been around for the recent national championship celebrations throughout town and the overall winning environment from different sports,鈥� Krystosek said. 鈥淪eeing Justin Beaver, a former alumni of my high school win the Gagliardi Trophy (Division III football鈥檚 Heisman trophy) at UW-Whitewater, gave me motivation that small town kids can make an impact athletically. I see his name every time I go workout in the Williams Center and it definitely is special to me.
Just like being a student there鈥檚 always ways to continue to learn and improve. Josh understands that there is still so much more to learn from his coaches. Cody Helgeson the UW-Whitewater high jump coach has taught Krystosek so much already in his short career.聽
鈥淐oach taught me a few things that stick with me everyday,鈥� Krystosek said. 鈥淔irst, no matter how bad you perform one week, there鈥檚 always next week to improve and compete. Earlier last year I was getting lower heights that I was used to, but as soon as I started to worry less about the height and more about having fun, I found peace and strength while doing so.鈥�
鈥淪econd was trust, trust him and trust myself. He wants the best for me and I want to be the best. When we have the same goals then we feel unstoppable, mentally and athletically. Without coach Helgeson I wouldn鈥檛 have gone as far as I did last year.鈥�
Whitewater has had a long history of athletic success, especially over the past few years. It looks as though Krystosek is on the right path to make a big name for himself not only in Whitewater history but on a national scale.聽
Hopefully if a spring season takes place Krystosek will get the opportunity he has been long waiting for and prove that he deserves a chance at nationals after coming up just short last season.
