Feldman decides on Central

MT. PLEASANT — Mt. Pleasant senior Gabe Feldman will run at Central College next year.

The Panther trackster signed with the Dutch for both cross-country and track, with an emphasis on the ladder. Feldman says the decision, though, was mostly academic.

“My parents always wanted me to go for education first,” Feldman said. “I want to be a History teacher, so it was between this or UNI.”

Feldman chose Central because of the ability to run on the running teams. While there, he will reunite with some old teammates, including one very familiar face.

“Who really tried to zero me in was Nathan McWilliams,” said Feldman, referencing the 2022 Mt. Pleasant graduate. “I ran with him my whole high school career, and I told him one day I was thinking about going to Central, and he was like, 'dude you should go.'”

Feldman’s running career started early, as he was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when he was just two years old. He turned to running as a way to stay in shape.

“ My parents always told me, the best way to keep your lungs healthy is to run,” Feldman said. “I said I'm too scared to play football, I might as well do cross-country.”

Feldman was a big part of the Mt. Pleasant track and field team last year, helping the 4X800 relay team qualify for the state meet. He credits his coaches with helping mold him into a college-level runner.

“The first person I can think of is Coach Anderson. He's the perfect coach,” Feldman said. “He makes you fall in love with running. And then the other is Lyle Murray. You run a lot of miles with Murray come cross-country season.”

Feldman is getting closer and closer to beginning the new track season. The boys’ first home meet will be March 7 in Cedar Falls.