Dickinson State Athlete of the Week - Hoyt Zander

Hoyt Zander, a sophomore on the Dickinson State men's track and field team, won the men's pole vault at the Blue Hawk Games, clearing a height of 4.4 meters, or 14 feet, 5 ¼ inches, on Friday, April 19, at the Biesiot Activities Center. He hit the bar on all three of his attempts to make 4.65 meters, the 'B' standard for the NAIA national meet.

On Tuesday, April 22, Zander won the event at the Cobber Twilight in Moorhead, Minn. when he cleared 4.65 meters, qualifying for nationals.

DP: Where are you from and why did you choose Dickinson State?

HZ: "I'm from Killdeer, North Dakota, and originally I was at the University of Mary and I transferred this semester. I figured I'd come closer to home, so I can have more fans and stuff watching me."

DP: What is your major?

HZ: "My major is physical education with a minor in coaching."

DP: Do you participate in anything else on campus?

HZ: "Mostly just track."

DP: How long have you been competing in track and what do you most enjoy about it?

HZ: "I've been competing in track since seventh grade. I've been pole vaulting since seventh grade and I've been throwing javelin since ninth grade."

DP: What is the most difficult part of pole vaulting?

HZ: "I'd say the most difficult part of pole vaulting is on the new height, you see the bar just way up in the sky."

DP: How does it feel to qualify for nationals, especially being so young?

HZ: "It feels pretty good to qualify. It's definitely great to be a part of this team and qualifying means I get to spend a couple extra weeks with the team."

DP: Who is your favorite athlete?

HZ: "Russell Westbrook."

DP: If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

HZ: "Spaghetti, but parmesan cheese and no sauce."

DP: If you had to vacation one spot for the rest of your life, where would it be?

HZ: "Probably, Alaska."

DP: What is the best show or movie you've watched recently?

HZ: "Family Guy."

DP: What is your spirit animal?

HZ: "Bengal Tiger."

DP: Who or what is your biggest inspiration to succeed?

HZ: "Definitely my parents. They've been there since day one."