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Fairfield duo Top-10 at AAU Nationals
Giberson 8th, Zillman 10th in high jump at Drake Stadium
DES MOINES — Even in Iowa, not many athletes get the shot to compete at Drake Stadium’s blue oval, the most prestigious of the state’s tracks, but this weekend a pair of Fairfield high jumpers were able to make a return trip to the stadium.
Ryan Giberson, who will be going into his junior year at Fairfield, and Eli Zillman, who will be a sophomore, each competed in the AAU Track and Field Nationals at Drake Stadium.
Giberson cleared 6 foot, 2.75 inches to take eighth overall in the 15-16 year old division. Zillman tied for 10th after clearing 6 foot, 0.75 inches.
“It was cool,” said Zillman. “The biggest reason I think we did it was so we could get used to the field again.”
Giberson and Zillman each made the state meet this spring. Both went out after clearing 5 foot 11 inches, with Giberson taking 14th and Zillman finishing 17th.
“My first time going I was absolutely horrified,” said Giberson. “Seeing the crowd, and seeing the nice stadium and all my competition was intimidating.”
The jumpers both said they felt better the second time around, despite another large crowd.
“I think the crowd was bigger, but it didn't feel as intense,” Zillman said. “I feel like state felt super intense, just because it was our first time up there.”
The duo grew together this spring in their first high school season as teammates. Giberson was already a promising young athlete for the Trojans, and he says having someone else at that level beside him makes the process easier.
“It's great,” Giberson said. “We have so much fun when we jump together. It's always nice to have that support system.”
The elder of the two says the biggest advantage is the confidence boost both get when the other clears a jump.
“That’s the biggest confidence booster,” Giberson said. “Seeing each other do well.”
Zillman says Giberson helps him calm down when things are going rough, calling Giberson a ‘keep your head up’ kind of guy. The two also get quite the boost from jumps coach Pat Pacha, who joined the boys’ squad as a coach last season and helped the duo rise.
“The biggest thing he has done for us is just pushing us past our limits, and showing us the potential we have,” Giberson said. “He’s always there for us, cheering us on and giving us advice. He has pushed us all summer to work and improve.”
Zillman says he is thankful for those who pushed him into getting into track, including his family members and also current girls track coaches Jerrod Belzer and Matthew Schenck.
Looking ahead to spring, Giberson and Zillman will give the Trojans some quality experience in the field events. Fairfield took fifth in the SEC last year, and many of the big points scorers from the top teams were seniors.
“I'm ready for the track season to be here already,” Zillman said. “We're going to have new kids coming up, and I'm ready to see what the other high jumpers are going to do.”
