After a record-breaking career at Arcata High, the recently-graduated Skyler Collenberg will begin a new chapter in his life and athletic career this fall.
The two-time state qualifier in track and field has committed to compete in the sport for Sacramento State.
He leaves behind a legacy that will not be easy to top at Arcata High, having set a school record in the discus and a league record in the shot put.
“I’m excited to move to Sacramento (this month), continue chasing my dreams and represent Sacramento State with pride,” he said.
His record-setting exploits in the throws was far from the only impact Collenberg had with the Tigers.
He also played a key role on the school’s historic march to a state title in football two years ago and followed that with a league championship on the wrestling mats in the heavyweight division, also in his junior year.
But it was in the throwing events that Collenberg really left his mark.
He qualified for the prestigious state meet in the shot put as a junior and qualified again as a senior in both the shot put and discus, placing sixth in the former to close out one of the impressive individual careers in school history.
And as you would expect, he received plenty of college interest.
“Over the past year, I’ve talked with a lot of coaches, but Sacramento State always stood out,” he said. “They believed in me from the very beginning.
“They showed up to invitationals to watch my progress, reached out every single week and never once made me feel like I was just another recruit.
“They made me feel valued, included and believed in. That kind of loyalty means something.”
Collenberg also placed first at the North Coast Section Meet of Champions in both the shot put and discus on his way to qualifying for this year’s state meet.
He set a PR in the discus at the MOC with a throw of 176’ 4”, having earlier set a league record in the shot put with a throw of 61’ 11” at the Brookings Harbor Rotary Invitational.
Collenberg could also have competed in either football or wrestling at the collegiate level.
And he made some special memories on the football field as a junior.
“As a four-year varsity football player, I had the opportunity to make big plays, help lead our team into the playoffs and be part of winning a state championship,” he said. “But football is never about one person. None of that happens without the guys in the trenches.
“Our offensive and defensive linemen were the foundation of everything we accomplished and Arcata football wouldn’t have been Arcata football without them.”
Collenberg says he also benefitted form his time competing on the wrestling mats.
“Wrestling taught me what resilience really looks like,” he said. “After suffering a serious injury my freshman year that required surgery, I fought my way back. Two years later I became the H-DNL heavyweight champion.”
Collenberg opted to sit out his senior year on the mats in order to focus on track and field, saying he knew his future was in the throwing events.
“Track and field became my passion,” he said, adding “Success doesn’t happen by accident. I train year round because if you want great results you have to put in the work when nobody is watching.”
Collenberg is also grateful to everyone who helped him on his journey, and one person in particular.
His mom, Amy, has been his throwing coach since before he got to high school.
“This journey wasn’t built by one person,” he said. “It took incredible coaches, teammates, competitors who pushed me to be better, my family, my close friends and an amazing community that supported me along the way.
“I’m especially grateful that my mom has been my throws coach since middle school.
“She has pushed me every step of the way, believed in me when others didn’t and helped shape me into the athlete I am today.
“I wouldn’t be here without her knowledge, commitment and countless hours of coaching.”
