Two-time state champion Ethan Zuber of Ankeny has been named Iowa’s Gatorade cross country runner of the year for the second straight season.
The senior pulled away in the final half mile to defend his boys’ Class 4A title on Nov. 1 at Fort Dodge. He posted a time of 15:01.2 in the 5K race.
Zuber was part of the lead pack for the first two miles before he moved to the front along with Jaden Merrick of Cedar Falls and Keegan Decker of Iowa City Liberty. That trio then ran side-by-side for more than a half mile until Zuber pulled away.
Zuber became Ankeny’s second two-time champion under coach Jon Lindaman. Tim Sindt also won back-to-back crowns in 2017-18.
Sindt went on to compete at Iowa State, while Zuber committed to Missouri prior to the state meet.
“After talking to a few schools more seriously, I realized that I really loved the people and culture at Mizzou,” said Zuber. “It was a really tough decision just because it’s a big commitment to decide where you’ll spend the next four years of your life, but I’m very confident in my choice.”
Zuber said the culture of the Tigers’ program convinced him that he can become a part of something special.
“Everyone that I talked to from the coaching staff to the runners was bought in to turning their running program into a top program in the country,” he said. “The coaches really connected with me not only through the promise of hard work but also the pursuit of chasing that goal, turning around an entire program. This goal really enticed me and then the energy and youth of the team and coaches won me over.
“I’m really looking forward to repping the black and gold for the next couple years,” he added.