Dunn signs with UNI

Mt. Pleasant?s Justin Dunn has signed his letter of intent to attend the University of Northern Iowa and compete on the track and field team next season.

?They have a really nice strength and conditioning program, a really good track program, and they value academics,? said Dunn, who will remain a Panther for his college career. ?It?s also small for an (NCAA) DI school, so it?s a nice size, and it?s close to home. I loved the people there.?

In the photo, Dunn signs his letter in the Mt. Pleasant Community High School library this morning. Pictured from left are Curt Dunn, Justin?s father; Lisa Dunn, Justin?s mother; Justin Dunn; Scot Lamm, Mt. Pleasant boys? head track coach; and Shawn Striegel, Mt. Pleasant boys? throwing coach.

?(Being a DI athlete) is kind of surreal, I guess,? Dunn said. ?It hasn?t sunk in yet completely.?

Dunn made his decision to attend UNI just over a week ago.

?I got a couple offers after Drake, and I went up and looked at them,? Dunn said. ?After that, it didn?t take too long to make the decision.?

His decision to attend UNI was just as much about his education as it was about athletics.

?Especially for a DI school, they value academics very much,? Dunn said. ?You have to maintain a GPA (around 3.5) to compete, and you can?t miss classes. I?m not going to throw the rest of my life, so I?ve got to get the education while I?m there.?

He may, however, be helping others throw for the rest of his life. Dunn wants to major in exercise science and become a strength coach.

?If I can help other athletes be stronger, that?s what I want to do for a living,? he said.

He?s confident that UNI will help him get there.