Welcome to Mustangs on the Move, a series to showcase the seniors from Dallas Center-Grimes School. Next up from the DCG Class of 2025 is Elias Arbuckle!
Whether you have seen him at school, Elevate Physical Therapy, maybe on the track, or on the weekends performing at a show; Elias Arbuckle does it all. Possibly having one of the most built and diverse resumes at Dallas Center-Grimes High School, Elias Arbuckle has had success in everything he does.
School-to-Work Intern
Beginning in October, Elias starts his mornings at Elevate Physical Therapy in Ankeny through the DCG High School school-to-work program. This gives Elias a chance to explore the ins and outs of the profession. Additionally as an athlete himself, Elias has personally found the benefits of physical therapy.
“Physical therapy helps me a ton during the track and field and cross country season. Especially during the cross country season when I was dealing with an injury,” says Elias.
Elias is getting the chance to get hands-on experience in the world of physical therapy. He cleans up after every patient leaves the clinic to help the safety and health of the next patient.
Throughout his time as a school-to-work intern at Ankeny’s Elevate Physical Therapy, Elias has seemed to excel. Elevate Owner And Physical Therapist Grant Jacobson shares, “Eli has been tremendously helpful. Eli is [their] first school to work intern, and it has been really fantastic having him here.”
Although suffering from an injury his senior year cross country season, Elias encourages all track athletes to use physical therapy not only to recover from an injury but as a tool to gain an advantage. Elias elaborates saying, “I would tell track athletes to get involved with physical therapy because any edge that I can give myself even if it is just 1% makes me feel better going into a workout or a meet, I am definitely willing to do”.
Following his mornings working at the clinic, Elias makes his way to the track as he continuously works to claim the title as one of DCG’s all-time best long distance runners.
Track Athlete
Elias started running track in the 4th grade; he ran track club. Ever since then, Elias has grown to become an amazing track athlete having a spectacular senior season. In fact, he qualified for three events at the 115th Drake Relays. Elias laced up in the 3200 meter, 4×800 relay, as well as the 1600 meter race.
Trained and coached by University of Iowa Track and Field Alumni Michael Melchert, he is very pleased with Elias’s growth over his high school career making him the runner he is now. Melchert explained that both Elias’ athleticism and strength has gone up, allowing him to achieve times he was never able to do when he was younger. Elias will be continuing his running career at the University of Iowa next year and would tell younger track athletes to “show up everyday and stay consistent”.
Magic Career
But that’s not all, possibly the most unique thing about Elias is that he is a magician! He started magic when he was 6 years old, after being influenced by his older brother who had a magic book showing Elias a couple of tricks. Ever since then, magic has brought Elias countless opportunities allowing him to travel all over the country and meet people from all over the world allowing him to interact with the audience and just enjoy his time on stage!
As he goes on to explore his path in physical therapy as well as his career in running, it feels good knowing Elias will always have magic. As he reflects on his journey he is positive, “magic will always be a big part of [his] life. Even during college and after college [he] knows it is always gonna be something [he will] be able to have fun with and perform”.
So there you have it! Elias Arbuckle, school-to-work intern, DCG track athlete, a magician, and a member of the DCG High School Class of 2025.
Senior Spotlight Series
The Senior Spotlight Series is produced by Neela Williamson, a school-to-work intern in the DCG Communications Department.