BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Fifth-year senior Zach Ziemek knew his chances of an NCAA championship in the heptathlon would come down to the pole vault — the second-to-last event in the seven-event classic. The Itasca, Illinois, native won the vault and went on to win his first national title, scoring a Big Ten Conference-record 6,173 points at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday.
"It means everything to be able to do it for Wisconsin, myself, my coach, family, friends, (and) supporters," said Ziemek. "I want to thank all of them for this. It was awesome. I want to say thank you and On, Wisconsin!"
After opening the day with a ninth-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.31 seconds to remain in second place overall, Ziemek won the pole vault, tying his indoor personal best at 17 feet, 8 ½ inches. The win gave him a 111-point advantage over second-place Garrett Scantling of Georgia, heading into the final event — the 1000 meters.
"I knew pole vault was my money maker," Ziemek said. "I knew coming in, I had to make some bars for the competition. I went out there and made it happen."
Ziemek made it happen in the 1,000 meters as well, running a smart race and staying in the middle of the pack. He finished fifth in two minutes, 53.53 seconds, more than 10 seconds ahead of Scantling to win the two-day event.
"Just to run what I've always been able to do because I can't control what (the other competitors) do," said Ziemek of the 1,000 race. "I went out there and ran and made it hurt."
Ziemek broke the old Big Ten record of 6,165 points set by the Badgers' Japheth Cato in 2013. Ziemek is UW's first NCAA heptathlon champion after Cato finished second twice — by agonizingly close margins in 2012 and 2013. Ziemek's total is also the seventh best all-time among collegians and the fourth-best score in meet history.
"Incredible day," said Mick Byrne, the director of cross country and track and field, of Ziemek's performance. "When you look at his progression over the last couple of years, it has just been phenomenal. He's been to this championship, he knows what it takes to win. Overall, his experiences last couple of major championships has really helped him the last two days."
Arizona's Pau Tonnesen finished well ahead of Scantling in the 1000 meters to finish second overall with 6,027 points.
Fifth-year senior Kelsey Card rebounded from yesterday's tough performance in the weight throw to finish fifth in the women's shot put today. The Plainview, Illinois, native moved up after qualifying ninth, recording her best throw of the day at 57-9 on her final toss. Card earned her fifth first-team All-America honor.
"Yesterday was one of those bad days in the office but it was incredible for Kelsey to shake off that and come out today and finish fifth," said Byrne. "Kelsey is always going to give you everything she has out there. I'm happy for her that she was able to end up with another All-American certificate and get something out of the experience. Unfortunately it wasn't a great weekend for her but she's going to learn from this and be better outdoors."
Sophomore Morgan McDonald competed in his first NCAA championship, finishing 12th in the men's 3000 meters in 8:12.92.
Byrne, who speculated about putting McDonald in the mile instead of the 3000 meters earlier this week, took the right attitude about his decision.
"It's very easy to say 'Well, we should have put him in the mile,'" said Byrne. "Coming off that hard double at Big Tens, where he ran the 5000 meters and 3000 meters, it's very tough for young athletes to do that. You could see it today, he looked heavy in the legs. In a day or two, he'll reflect on his performance and see that he belongs at this meet."
The Badgers men scored 10 points thanks to Ziemek to tie for 20th in the team race while the Wisconsin women scored nine points to tie for 21st.
