Zallow leads Penguins into Horizon League meet
YOUNGSTOWN — Carl Zallow has heard the pop of the gun go off many times, so much that it has become second nature.
The John F. Kennedy High School graduate knew one thing when he left the Eagles’ program, the WATTS would be his new training site. Youngstown State University is his home.
Starting his freshman year, Zallow won 60- and 200-meter indoor track and field titles that season as the Penguins came up just short of a Horizon League crown.
Since then, YSU has dominated the Horizon League the last two years and looks to do it again this season.
Today and Sunday, the men’s team looks to retain that league crown one more time.
Chad, a junior hurdler and sprinter for YSU, wants to give his brother, Carl, a senior sprinter, one more chance to hold another Horizon League title.
“Carl has had a great legacy,” Chad said. “He’s had the blueprint for YSU track and field. A lot of people have come in behind him. He kind of started this whole thing with all these championships.
“It would be great to give him another championship on his way out.”
Chad comes in as the defending 60 hurdles and 60 and 200 champion, looking to defend all three.
His specialty is the 60 hurdles, where he his ranked third nationally behind NCAA leader Grant Holloway (Florida) and Ruebin Walters (Alabama).
Zallow won his third straight Alfreeda Goff Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Men’s Athlete of the Year Award.
His ultimate goal is winning the NCAA Championship in the 60 hurdles this year.
He finished fourth at the Millrose Games in New York City recently against professional competitors.
“I have a great start and was able to beat a lot of those guys halfway through the race, but they have really good stamina, really good speed endurance,” Zallow said. “That’s something I have to work on a lot, I notice a lot. Those guys are really strong, especially in the back end of the race. I think a lot of that is the weight room. Guys are definitely a lot older than me. That comes with time.”
Over time, YSU has dominated the Horizon League men’s field.
For Zallow and his brother, Carl, they want to be part of that growing tradition once again.
“It’s a big team event and that’s why I like this meet a lot,” Chad said. “It’s the one meet a year where you work together as a team.”
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