April 25, 2024

Mostek continues pipeline to Northwest Missouri State

By SCOTT VICKER

Creston senior Maria Mostek signs her National Letter of Intent to run cross country and track and field next year at Northwest Missouri State University. Pictured are front row, from left: father Jeff Mostek, Maria Mostek, mother Kit Mostek and sister Natalie Mostek. Back row, from left: Creston assistant cross country coach Gary O'Daniels, head cross country coach Pat Schlapia, head girls track coach Clay Arnold and assistant girls track coach Maggie Arnold. (CNA photo)

Add another Creston track and field standout moving on to the next level at Northwest Missouri State University.

Senior Maria Mostek will make it five former Panthers in the Bearcat program next year after signing her National Letter of Intent on Friday.

“I’m relieved. It was kind of stressful picking a college and deciding the rest of your future,” Mostek said. “But I’m happy. I’ve talked to Emily (Wignall) and a lot of the runners down there and they love it. I’m excited to be part of their family and a Bearcat.”

Mostek will be the fourth Creston girls track and field athlete head coach Clary Arnold has sent on to Northwest Missouri State University, joining Audrey Bolinger, Wignall and Brianna Maitlen. Brandon Phipps is a member of the men’s cross country and track teams, as well.

Having a chance to reconnect with Wignall was a big influence for Mostek.

“Emily has always been a role model for me, so just seeing how she used running to go down there, it’s made an impact on my life,” Mostek said. “She’s always been the girl I wanted to be like. It’s cool to see how she’s done and how Audrey, Brianna and even Brandon. They’re just PRing and doing awesome.”

Mostek said the Bearcat coaching staff will likely have her running the 5,000 meters in track and field, and possibly moving up to the 10,000.

The distance in cross country will also jump up to 5K and 6K distances from the 4K distance she ran in high school.

“I think she’s so strong and she’s got great endurance, I think they could extend her however they want down there,” Arnold said. “We’ve primarily used her in the shorter races, but I think she could definitely extend. She’s got that the drive and the work ethic, put that with the talent she’s got, she’ll be fine.”

Mostke chose Northwest Missouri State University over the University of Iowa, in large part because it offered her the opportunity to continue her running career.

“I just don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have a sport,” she said. “It was kind of easy deciding that. I’ve never really had an offseason, and I don’t know what I would do if I did.”

Mostek has blazed a trail during her career at Creston, becoming the school’s first female to qualify for the State Cross Country Meet as an individual all four years. She also owns school records in the 1,500 meters and the 4x800 relay.

“Anytime you see any of the athletes being able to move on in their sports, that’s always nice to see,” Creston head cross country coach Pat Schlapia said. “From the get-go, she’s been a hard worker. She deserves all the accolades she’s earned.”

Mostek said she is thinking about majoring in business, with the possibility of adding a minor in computer science.

As for how she’ll do on the cross country course and on the track, Arnold said there’s no doubt she’ll be successful.

“I think she’ll do a good job down there in cross country and track, both,” he said. “There’s nobody that’s going to work harder than her. That’s just a fact. I really think she’ll just keep improving.”

Schlapia agreed.

“The sky’s the limit for Maria,” he said.