“Being involved in sports has taught me how to work hard and to work with others,” said Flaten.

Flaten puts beating Verndale and Wheaton in football this past season as his favorite sports memories.

“Isaiah is a kid that has shown how much hard work and dedication can truly pay off,” stated Football Coach Chad Christianson.  “He has been on all of our special teams for the past three years.  He is a smart player that you knew was going to always be in the right spot and get the job done.  Isaiah was not your typical lineman as far as build goes and when you looked at him as a freshman and even a sophomore you would not think that would be where he would be playing, but he knew we would have a need there on both sides of the ball and he lived in the weight room to increase his speed and strength.  This year his hard work and dedication paid off as he started for us on both sides of the ball at guard on offense and end on defense.  Isaiah is a great example of what a team player should be and how hard work pays off.”

Flaten plan on attending either NDSU of the U of M where he will major in Finance.

“Isaiah hasn’t played basketball for a couple of years but is coming back out this year for his senior season,” said Head Boys Basketball Coach Cory Bedel.  “When I think of Isaiah the first thing that comes to my mind is a fun kid who likes to joke around and is always smiling.  He is a very hard worker at whatever sport he is playing.  He really puts his time into the weight room by getting stronger and working on his speed and agility and making himself a better athlete overall.  I would also say he is probably one of the bet teammates you can ask for, always positive and enjoying the moment no matter what.  We are looking for Isaiah to come into this basketball season as a post player for us and to push everyone in practice to get better.  When teams say they have a good locker room guy that is what I think of right away with Isaiah.”

Former Twins player Torii Hunter is someone Flaten has always looked up to.