Lake Park’s Ziemek grabs national honor

Zach Ziemek of Lake Park High School has been selected as 2010-11 Gatorade Illinois Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year, Gatorade officials announced Thursday.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the track, distinguishes Ziemek as Illinois’ best high school boys track & field athlete. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year award to be announced in June, Ziemek joins an elite alumni association of state award-winners in 12 sports, including Ryan Hall (1999-01, Big Bear HS, Calif.), Meb Keflezighi (1993-94, San Diego HS, Calif.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.) and Lolo Jones (1997-98, Roosevelt HS, Ia.).

The 6-foot-4 senior won three individual state championships this spring and led the Lancers to the Class 3A state championship as a team. Ziemek soared 50 feet, 6.75 inches to capture the triple jump, the nation’s No. 5 distance among prep competitors in 2011 at the time of his selection. He also cleared 16-6 to claim the pole vault title and leapt 23-8 to finish first in the long jump.

Ziemek has maintained a 4.40 GPA in the classroom. He has volunteered locally on behalf of the Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels and youth track programs.

“Zach was always willing to do whatever events would help the team most,” said Lake Park High head coach Jay Ivory. “He’s not just a vocal leader, but also a leader by example, and no one worked or trained harder than he did.”

Ziemek has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete in track and field on scholarship at the University of Wisconsin this fall.