He’s studied how to make “small improvements” anywhere he can in his cross country and track game, but his studies aren’t limited to the physical. Nick proudly applies his philosophy toward sport to his academics, which has earned him the prestige of an Illinois State Scholar. It’s a spotlight that he considers a “big honor,” and it’s a product of his dedication to excellence, constant nights spent grinding away at books and the loving support of his parents. “It’s been something that my parents have instilled in me ever since elementary school, all the way down to when I started school,” he says. “It really is a big honor to see all that hard work pay off.”

The hard work doesn’t end here. When he graduates in May, Nick will be on a different brand of “track” to study kinesiology at a four-year university. He has yet to commit to a school but has his eye on either Eastern Illinois University or the University of Illinois. Studying kinesiology is a natural extension of his passion for athletics. “I’ve always been a big sports guy, an athlete,” he says. “My sophomore year I started getting into fitness and learning about the human body, and I really developed a passion for that, so the field fits me perfectly.” He also credits the development of this passion to his coaches, who helped him foster the appetite to “reach that next level.” We predict that when he lands a dream job in the field, he’ll help others reach that next level.

As we often hear from students in Jasper County, Nick believes he is a product of the robust community around him. “We’re not a very big town…we don’t have all the advantages that some other bigger cities do,” he muses. “We don’t have a huge amount of funding, we don’t have all the opportunities. But this community is super close. We always come together to help each other achieve our goals, and that’s been huge.” He appreciates his classmates, who he considers a community in training and a wellspring of support. When he leaves for the big time, he says he will miss Newton. “I’m gonna miss having that feeling of a personal connection with every single person that I meet,” he says.

We’re speaking to Nick well before commencement in May, but he wants to take the opportunity to pass on a few words of guidance to other students. “Listen to your passions,” he advises. “Follow what you want, then take the time to really think, what do I care about the most? What is going to make me successful, but at the same time, what am I going to enjoy?” That’s the type of advice we could all take to heart because you’re never too old to take an additional step forward (This sentiment is Nick Shamhart Approved).