SEWARD, Neb. – The awards have streamed in for rising star pole vaulter Zach Zohner. One day after being tabbed as the NAIA National Track & Field Athlete of the Week by the USTFCCCA, Zohner earned distinction as the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men’s Field Athlete of the Week and as NAIA National Men’s Field Athlete of the Week. Zohner has been honored with GPAC weekly recognition in back-to-back weeks while garnering his first career national weekly awards.
A native of Battle Creek, Neb., Zohner has progressively increased his pole vault personal best throughout this indoor season. He vaulted 16’ 7 ¼” at the Bulldog Early Bird, 16’ 8 ¾” at the Polar Dog Invitational and 17’ ¾” at last week’s Concordia Classic. With his latest PR, Zohner moved past Don Kitzman (17’ in 1989) for No. 4 on the program’s all-time indoor pole vault list. The top three are Gene Brooks (18’ ½”), TJ Kloster (17’ 6”) and Joel Sievers (17’ 3 ¾”). Zohner is currently ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in the vault. According to the USTFCCCA, Zohner’s 17’ ¾” mark ranks No. 7 on the NAIA’s all-time indoor pole vault list.
A two-time NAIA All-American, Zohner earned 2023 NAIA national pole vault place finishes of second for indoor and third for outdoor. He has made four career appearances at national meets and is the reigning GPAC outdoor pole vault champion.
Next up for Concordia Track & Field will be weekend action at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational (Feb. 2-3) and Fred Beile Classic (Feb. 3).