Off the TRACK with Jonah Tostrud
Monroe junior track and field athlete
Favorite movie: James Bond series
Favorite TV show: College basketball and NFL games
Favorite book: "The Lord of the Rings" series
Favorite genre of music: Country
The best thing about Monroe is: The size. It's not too big. You get to know everyone and there is a sense of community
Favorite thing to do off the track with my teammates: Going to friends' houses after practice to hang out
I can't live without: Pizza
Non-athletic talent I have is: Playing piano
Non-athletic talent I would like to have is: Playing guitar
If I could meet any two people from throughout history, they would be: Michael Jordan and Louis Zamperini
One thing on my bucket list is: Skydive
MONROE - Jonah Tostrud missed the first six weeks of the track and field season due to an assortment of nagging injuries that included a hip flexor, groin injury and pain in his hips and legs.
As a three-sport athlete at Monroe High School, Tostrud has had the mentality to fight through and run through the pain.
"There were a couple of cross country races in the fall where I barely finished," the junior said. "Then coming off of basketball, it was really bad."
Tostrud understood if he wanted to be at his best running, he would need to take a break from the pounding of playing basketball and running.
"It's been better," he said after the six-week hiatus. "I still have problems after races and trying to stay loose between races."
Tostrud was part of the Monroe boys 3,200-meter relay team that finished as the WIAA Division 2 state runner-up last year. The Cheesemakers' 3,200 relay was the top seed but finished second (7 minutes, 56.84 seconds), which was less than a half-second behind state champion Dodgeville-Mineral Point (7:56.43).
The top time for the Cheesemakers in the 3,200 relay this year is 8:06.
"I have used it as motivation to get back and this time win the 4-by-800," he said.
Tostrud also excels as a middle distance runner for the Cheesemakers. He may run in the 800 at the Division 2 regional in Monroe on Monday. There are several options, but Tostrud made it clear what his main priority will be in the postseason.
"The 3,200 relay is my main focus," he said. "I want to get all the way back to state and be a top contender."
Monroe boys track coach Scott Mosher said Tostrud's competitiveness sets him apart.
"He has dealt with some injuries by no luck of his own," Mosher said. "He will run through pain. I know there will not be any off days with Jonah. He doesn't have the same base that other runners do. What he doesn't have in the base he makes up for it in heart and determination. He guts it out more than other runners do."
When Tostrud is not in school or practice for track, his hobbies are taekwondo and playing basketball. He's been involved with taekwondo since he was 7.
"It (taekwondo) helped me put myself out there and has taught me discipline," he said. "It has really helped me in basketball with my balance and quickness."
Tostrud's top time in the 800 is 2:02 this season. If he runs the 800 at the regional, he understands it will take a top-four finish to move on to the sectional.
"I have run a 1:59 split in a relay last year," he said. "I know I can break 2 minutes because I have done it before. I know Dylan (Scace) will take one of those spots. I have an outside shot to make it to state. My main focus is the 4-by-800."
Mosher is confident that Tostrud has more left in the tank in the 800.
"I think he can be a 1:57 half-miler," Mosher said. "He hasn't run many open races this year. I think he will be a surprise because people haven't seen him run much. He's really making a name for himself in the middle distance."
Tostrud has another year to finalize his college plans. He's considering attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville or the Milwaukee School of Engineering to pursue an engineering degree. He hasn't considered running track in college.
"I haven't thought about it after high school," he said. "If I do, I will have to get my leg pain figured out more. Right now, I'm just focusing on my last two seasons of high school."
As a three-sport athlete at Monroe High School, Tostrud has had the mentality to fight through and run through the pain.
"There were a couple of cross country races in the fall where I barely finished," the junior said. "Then coming off of basketball, it was really bad."
Tostrud understood if he wanted to be at his best running, he would need to take a break from the pounding of playing basketball and running.
"It's been better," he said after the six-week hiatus. "I still have problems after races and trying to stay loose between races."
Tostrud was part of the Monroe boys 3,200-meter relay team that finished as the WIAA Division 2 state runner-up last year. The Cheesemakers' 3,200 relay was the top seed but finished second (7 minutes, 56.84 seconds), which was less than a half-second behind state champion Dodgeville-Mineral Point (7:56.43).
The top time for the Cheesemakers in the 3,200 relay this year is 8:06.
"I have used it as motivation to get back and this time win the 4-by-800," he said.
Tostrud also excels as a middle distance runner for the Cheesemakers. He may run in the 800 at the Division 2 regional in Monroe on Monday. There are several options, but Tostrud made it clear what his main priority will be in the postseason.
"The 3,200 relay is my main focus," he said. "I want to get all the way back to state and be a top contender."
Monroe boys track coach Scott Mosher said Tostrud's competitiveness sets him apart.
"He has dealt with some injuries by no luck of his own," Mosher said. "He will run through pain. I know there will not be any off days with Jonah. He doesn't have the same base that other runners do. What he doesn't have in the base he makes up for it in heart and determination. He guts it out more than other runners do."
When Tostrud is not in school or practice for track, his hobbies are taekwondo and playing basketball. He's been involved with taekwondo since he was 7.
"It (taekwondo) helped me put myself out there and has taught me discipline," he said. "It has really helped me in basketball with my balance and quickness."
Tostrud's top time in the 800 is 2:02 this season. If he runs the 800 at the regional, he understands it will take a top-four finish to move on to the sectional.
"I have run a 1:59 split in a relay last year," he said. "I know I can break 2 minutes because I have done it before. I know Dylan (Scace) will take one of those spots. I have an outside shot to make it to state. My main focus is the 4-by-800."
Mosher is confident that Tostrud has more left in the tank in the 800.
"I think he can be a 1:57 half-miler," Mosher said. "He hasn't run many open races this year. I think he will be a surprise because people haven't seen him run much. He's really making a name for himself in the middle distance."
Tostrud has another year to finalize his college plans. He's considering attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville or the Milwaukee School of Engineering to pursue an engineering degree. He hasn't considered running track in college.
"I haven't thought about it after high school," he said. "If I do, I will have to get my leg pain figured out more. Right now, I'm just focusing on my last two seasons of high school."
