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February 01, 2010
Linkenheimer's Leg Propels Him To Purdue
Mainland
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Spotlight Athlete: Jonathan Linkeheimer
Jonathan Linkenheimer wasn't always a kicker and he wasn't always a Mainland Buccaneer. The senior like many other high school kickers, made the transition from soccer. He picked up the game midway through his freshman year.
"Our kicker got hurt and our Coach asked if anyone could kick, and I stepped up," he explained.
That decision has paid its dividends. Linkenheimer transferred from Bartram Trail High School to Mainland for his senior season and a chance for more exposure, and a state title.
"I miss hitting people (as a quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back), but it's good being a kicker, hitting game winners, the game in your hand. It's like a dream come true," he said with passion.
His 2009 statistics are impressive hitting six of nine field goals with a long of 52 yards, averaging around 45 yards per punt, and having fifty touchbacks with a 99 percent touchback ratio. Linkenheimer breaks down his strengths and weaknesses.
"My strengths are definitely kickoffs because I can kick it deep. My weakness is that I don't always have the perfect form every time," he told us.
Linkenheimer, who is drawing comparisons to former NFL kicker and Seabreeze alum Sebastian Janikowski, said the recruiting process got off to a rocky start but finished strong.
"Well I had an offer to go to ECU at the beginning of the year then it got pulled. I was scared that I wasn't going to get picked up anywhere. Then Purdue became interested and late December they came to visit me."
The rest was a moment he will always remember.
"They came down and offered me an official visit on Sunday, January 31, 2010. I was sitting in Head Coach Danny Hope's office and he offered me a full ride scholarship to the University of Purdue. I was amazed and committed right on the spot," he raved.
Linkenheimer also said he loved the atmosphere, the people, and that everything about Purdue was "amazing".
He will become the fourth player from Mainland joining wide receivers OJ Ross and Chevin Davis, and cornerback Ricardo Allen, to commit to the Boilermakers in the class of 2010.
"It's exciting. I mean that's unheard of four players from one high school going to a school sixteen hours away. I mean we all loved it up there. We're all going to share a suite together, Linkenheimer boasted.
The recruiting process will come full circle tomorrow for Linkenheimer and his future Boilermaker teammates.
"I'm so ready for signing day."
Getting To Know Linkenheimer
Favorite food: Black beans and rice. I'm Hispanic so I have to go with that.
Last movie you saw: The Hangover.
Best advice you've received: Never give up because the decisions you make today shape what you are going to be tomorrow.
If you could go anywhere in the world: I'd go to Colombia and South America to see all of my family I never get to see.
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