XCOUNTRY

Senior spotlight: Jordan Dzikowich hopes his offseason workload pays off

Tim Johnson
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

MARSHFIELD - Jordan Dzikowich knew his senior cross-county season could be a special one for himself and the Marshfield boys team. So he made sure he would be ready for the fall. 

Marshfield's Jordan Dzikowich finished 11th overall in the boys race during the Wisconsin Valley Conference meet in 2016 and helped the Tigers to a second-place finish in the team competitiion.

The Tigers veteran logged nearly 500 miles in base training coming into the year, which was a personal high for him. He did it in part for his personal goals as well as for a Tigers boys team which finished second in the Wisconsin Valley Conference last year and is loaded with experienced runners this season. 

His workload has paid off as he finished first in the Spencer Invite last Thursday in Marshfield and helped the Tigers to the team title as well. 

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He has been running since making the transition from football in middle school and has developed into one of the leaders on the Marshfield squad. He said the mental aspects of the sport are as challenging as the physical at times. 

"When you get to that point where you feel you can't move any further (on a run), you have to tell yourself that you can," Dzikowich said. "There is no short-circuiting yourself there. Probably the hardest thing about cross is staying positive. There are a lot of times you're not going to a get a (personal record) or run your best. You just have to push past it."

Dzikowich recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about his family connection with running, his sports memories and his love for history and travel among other topics. 

Do you have a nickname that your friends/teammates/family call you?

The current one is "walnut" and I don't even know what that is for or where it started. 

You come from a running family, your sisters (Alexis and Emily) both ran for Marshfield as well. Talk about the family connection in the sport.

My dad really got into running when he was around 40 and has done marathons and half-marathons, and my mom ran for Columbus (Catholic), so it's in the family. We do the Turkey Trot (together) every year and all the regional races we try and go to together. 

What would you say your top sports memory has been?

Probably this year because we have a really good team and strong core for varsity. (The season) is really coming along nicely. 

Do you have any certain pre-race rituals or traditions?

I have neon socks that I wear (in races), but the night before I load up on proteins.

Do you have any teammates you will miss especially after this season?

A lot of them. The top varsity and junior varsity runners I will miss. They are fun guys and we have some good characters on the team that bring everyone together.

Who is your celebrity crush?

Jennifer Lawrence. 

Where is your dream vacation?

I like European history. If there is one place I could visit, it would be there. Most likely Britain. It would be nice to see the history there. 

What piqued your interest in European history?

History has always been a strong suit of mine but I feel I really got into it with (Marshfield High School teacher) Mr. (Dan) Dargenio. He is a real existential man and pretty cool. 

What is your dream career?

A commercial airline pilot. I have always thought that things that go off the ground are so cool. Helicopters are amazing, too. But my family and I love to travel and been around the country. We haven't been to Alaska or Hawaii yet, but all the other states and into Canada and a little bit of Mexico. But piloting would help to see the world. 

FAVORITES

Sport: Cross county, but my favorite to watch is football.

Course to run: Standing Rocks.over in Stevens Point. It's got a lot of hills and shows what true cross country is about.

Pro or college athlete: Steve Prefontaine or Mo Farah.

Musical group or artist: I like a lot of music, but probably indie rock or rap. Thats my normal go-to.

TV show: "Friends."