Intelligent, charismatic, athletic and handsome, Montezuma-Cortez High School senior Jonathan Walck stands out.
The M-CHS star remains humble however, impressing those around him with a type of maturity that is seldom found in individuals his age.
An excellent student with big plans for the future, Walck has come to epitomize the meaning of student athlete, while blazing a path for future generations.
Standout quarterback
Upon arriving at M-CHS in the fall of 2011, Walck’s natural athleticism was well known. Even so, few expected the lean freshman to start at quarterback as a freshman.
After an injury to then starting quarterback Tallon Ralstin, Walck was thrown into action and never looked back, winning the starting job as a sophomore, junior and senior.
Emerging as a dual-threat option last season, Walck threw for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 563 yards and five touchdowns.
Thus far this season, the-now muscular senior has been even better, rushing for 365 yards and four touchdowns, while playing a key role as a linebacker on the Panthers defense.
Uninterested in individual accolades however, Walck emphasized that this season is not about him, but his team.
“We’ve been doing really well this year,” said Walck. “We worked really hard this summer and everybody had high expectations coming into the season. I just want to stay consistent and help my team make the playoffs. That’s pretty much my main goal right now.”
Solid basketball player
By no means a one-sport wonder, Walck has also excelled for M-CHS’s basketball team, suiting up for the Panthers varsity team as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Capable of scoring inside and out, Walck’s ability to hit big shots and play solid defense helped the Panthers accumulate seven wins.
While Walck was careful to temper expectations for the upcoming basketball season, he said that he hopes that this year’s Panthers team can perform well.
“It’s going to be really different without some of the seniors we had last year, but we just have to step up to the plate and play like we’re capable of playing,” said Walck.
Exceptional student
As impressive as Walck has been on the field and court, the soon-to-be graduate has been equally exceptional in the classroom.
Currently holding a 4.66 GPA, Walck has earned all A’s over the course of his high school career while taking nearly every advanced class offered at M-CHS.
“(Academics) are my number one priority because I’m probably not going to be getting any athletic scholarships,” said Walck.
A standout mathematician who lists calculus as one of his favorite classes, Walck hopes to attend Stanford University and study aerospace engineering.
“I’d like to work for NASA or Boeing,” Walck said.
Between now and then however, Walck plans to enjoy his final year of high school and lead the Panthers to victory in their homecoming game Sept. 19.
“People can expect a good game,” said Walck of the upcoming contest. “Hopefully we can put a beat down on Ignacio.”