Fremont's Ronhovde has handle on success
Even when he’s not running, Jon Ronhovde is still running.
To understand, the Fremont senior won the state cross country title last fall and runs the 3,200-, 1,600- and 800-meter runs and a couple of relays during the spring track season.
When he’s not competing, he’s cheering on teammates, helping keep track of their times and their pace.
“He’s like another coach because he knows how to encourage and how to be kind of tough with his teammates,” said Fremont cross country coach Sean McMahon.
The same goes for Ronhovde in the classroom, said Fremont principal Joe Sajevic.
“He’s in about every club imaginable, choir and band, and he stays focused in everything he does,” Sajevic said.
The challenges in the classroom and on the track are the drivers to Ronhovde’s engine.
He ranks No. 1 in his class of 304 and is among the state leaders in most of his track events, too.
“I guess I’ve always been competitive and I’ve always wanted to know how to get a handle on things,” Ronhovde said. “I’m confident that if I give my best then I’ll be happy. Even if I lose a race and gave everything I have, then that’s OK. If I struggle in a class, but give it all I’ve got, then that’s OK, too.
“And I really enjoy it when my teammates succeed. I think when I’m 50, I will be one of those guys who still goes to track meets and cross country meets because I really like to watch people try and succeed.”
The classroom battles have been few and far between for Ronhovde.
The son of Fremont math teachers Edie and Mike Ronhovde has earned a Regents Scholarship to Nebraska.
So math ranks up near the top of his interests. Right?
Ironically, his only grade other than an A in school came in the fifth grade ... in math.
“Honestly, I like history the most because I like knowing what happened and how things came to be,” Jon said. “My parents ingrained in me an appreciation of wanting to learn more no matter what the subject is.”
He also knows that his classes with his father — calculus and computer programming — could be his hardest classes.
“People think he wouldn’t give me a B since I have had all As. But he’d be the first to give me something other than an A because he knows I can do the work,” he said.
McMahon said Ronhovde seeks the challenges.
“Jon is self-sufficient and reliable and has a lot of self-confidence,” he said. “I’ve known him for 12 years and I’ve never had an athlete or student like him.
“He challenges you professionally — in a good way that keeps you on your toes — because he feels he’s holding up his end and he wants you to hold up your end of things, too.”
Ronhovde will also get a partial scholarship from the Husker track team next fall.
To understand, the Fremont senior won the state cross country title last fall and runs the 3,200-, 1,600- and 800-meter runs and a couple of relays during the spring track season.
When he’s not competing, he’s cheering on teammates, helping keep track of their times and their pace.
“He’s like another coach because he knows how to encourage and how to be kind of tough with his teammates,” said Fremont cross country coach Sean McMahon.
The same goes for Ronhovde in the classroom, said Fremont principal Joe Sajevic.
“He’s in about every club imaginable, choir and band, and he stays focused in everything he does,” Sajevic said.
The challenges in the classroom and on the track are the drivers to Ronhovde’s engine.
He ranks No. 1 in his class of 304 and is among the state leaders in most of his track events, too.
“I guess I’ve always been competitive and I’ve always wanted to know how to get a handle on things,” Ronhovde said. “I’m confident that if I give my best then I’ll be happy. Even if I lose a race and gave everything I have, then that’s OK. If I struggle in a class, but give it all I’ve got, then that’s OK, too.
“And I really enjoy it when my teammates succeed. I think when I’m 50, I will be one of those guys who still goes to track meets and cross country meets because I really like to watch people try and succeed.”
The classroom battles have been few and far between for Ronhovde.
The son of Fremont math teachers Edie and Mike Ronhovde has earned a Regents Scholarship to Nebraska.
So math ranks up near the top of his interests. Right?
Ironically, his only grade other than an A in school came in the fifth grade ... in math.
“Honestly, I like history the most because I like knowing what happened and how things came to be,” Jon said. “My parents ingrained in me an appreciation of wanting to learn more no matter what the subject is.”
He also knows that his classes with his father — calculus and computer programming — could be his hardest classes.
“People think he wouldn’t give me a B since I have had all As. But he’d be the first to give me something other than an A because he knows I can do the work,” he said.
McMahon said Ronhovde seeks the challenges.
“Jon is self-sufficient and reliable and has a lot of self-confidence,” he said. “I’ve known him for 12 years and I’ve never had an athlete or student like him.
“He challenges you professionally — in a good way that keeps you on your toes — because he feels he’s holding up his end and he wants you to hold up your end of things, too.”
Ronhovde will also get a partial scholarship from the Husker track team next fall.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.