| Athlete of the Month: ASHTON GRONEWOLD |
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| Written by Chris Murray | |
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For any college athlete, leaving high school can be mentally tough. The realization that all of the status, recognition, and success attained in high school means absolutely nothing when an athlete steps onto the field their freshmen year, can be a hard pill to swallow. For most, we make excuses; “They’re only freshmen, its ok.” or “Give him a couple of years and then he can help us.” If there is one thing to be sure about, the University of Missouri-Rolla’s Ashton Gronewold excuses never entered the picture. Gronewold, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, has been an amazing addition to the UMR community these past three years. The statistics speak for themselves, but anyone who has had the chance to watch Gronewold play can fully understand the nature of the man we speak of. Ashton has been a major contributor to the Miner football team’s success from the start of his college career. Freshman year saw Gronewold take to collegiate athletics quickly, while playing in eight out of the eleven games that UMR competed in. During his freshman year, Ashton averaged four yards rushing, 13.1 receiving, 15.9 in kick returns, and ran for seven touchdowns. The seven touchdowns put Ashton in a tie for first place between teammates Cole Drussa and Brett Fischer. Ashton’s performance during his first season wearing the UMR jersey secured him as a core part of the UMR football squad. The world was now in Ashton’s hands and like a champion he decided to mold it to his will. Sophomore year began as fast as freshmen year ended, and with the New Year came a new season of Miner football. Gronewold, by now a staple of the Miner squad, continued where he left off his freshmen year and proceeded to send shockwaves through the collegiate football world. During the 2004-05 season, Ashton averaged six yards rushing, led the team for receiving with 11 yards, returned for 28.9 yards, and scored 18 touchdowns leading UMR for the season. After a break out sophomore year, Ashton finally received respect and honor earning honorable mention All-America honors from Football Gazette. Ashton was also named second-team all-region by Football Gazette and Daktronics in the southwest region and was named first-team all-IFA for the 2005 season. After such a rewarding season, some would let the attention start to affect their performance; but not Gronewold. Gronewold continued down his path to greatness and took on his junior year with renewed vigor. In what some call Gronewold’s best season to date, the junior athlete continued to trample the collegiate football world. Statistically speaking, Gronewold did not hit the marks that he had set in previous years, but to anyone attending UMR football the “stats” did not matter because it has become clear that Gronewold became a leader of the team. Gronewold has the qualities that cannot be quantified within a spreadsheet or racked up on a scoreboard. Ashton Gronewold is a presence on the field; someone that teammates look up to and opponents fear. This past Miner football season has solidified Gronewold as someone who means more to the team than just points on a scoreboard; it has become apparent that Ashton lifts his team up and makes them better. Gronewold has come into his own on the field and proven that he has that “X” factor; the difference that can win or lose a game. Even with a year still left in his college tenure, Ashton has left his mark on UMR football. Gronewold is a multiple record holder, 15 to be exact, and fully intends to write some more pages within the record book before his tenure is up. From everyone here at the Miner, UMR Athletics, and the UMR community, congratulations Ashton for all the success you have earned and may that success continue in the future! |
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