Alexander Ziegler and Yavgeniy Olhovsky may come from entirely different worlds, but when it comes to the Virginia Tech track team, they have one very important thing in common: the will to win.
For both of the athletes, competition is nothing new.
Ziegler, a freshman, began participating in the hammer throw in 1999 in his native country, Germany.
“We start earlier,” he said, referring to the leg up he has obtained over many of his competitors.
It’s not just the extra time spent training that has earned Ziegler an indoor weight throw Atlantic Coast Conference title, though.
Greg Jack, Tech’s associate head men’s track and field coach and Ziegler’s throwing coach, said several factors are at work in his advantage.
“(He has) a really good understanding of his event,” Jack said. “(He has) the best work ethic of any athlete I’ve coached. He works on his weaknesses and he works on his strengths.”
Ziegler also shows his work ethic in the classroom. Wednesday, he was honored by the ACC, earning a spot on the conference’s Men’s Track and Field All-Academic team.
Jack said these factors make coaching Ziegler “pretty easy.”
Olhovsky, a senior, also brings a very different background to the program.
Like many pole-vaulters, Olhovsky first began to train at the age of 15, but before he competed in his first event as a Hokie, he served three years of mandatory service in the Israeli army.
The three-year hiatus and lapse in practice time could have hindered his progress.
“I couldn’t train full time,” Olhovsky explained.
Quick to find a silver lining, however, the senior looked on the bright side.
“I was refreshed to come here,” he said.
Tech pole vault coach Bob Phillips also saw the benefits.
“He’s more mature, and as a result I think he’s a little more disciplined,” Phillips said. “He’s just a hard worker.”
In addition to putting in extra hours of practice, both Ziegler and Olhovsky have a true love of their event.
For Ziegler, the practices are actually one of his favorite things to do as a member of the track team.
“I love to work out,” he said. “I like to be around people, and that’s basically what it’s about.”
According to Olhovsky, nothing compares to “the feeling in the air.” With the ability to vault over 18 feet in the air, he gets his fix of heights.
A version of this article appeared in the Apr 16 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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