Around The Quads | Athletics | by Bob Howe ’80
event in the United States where professionals from universities, colleges, museums, and art galleries gather to showcase pieces. This is a great accomplishment for someone who, while he was creating the ceramic piece, “Identity Crisis,” also was preparing for competition at the New England and national wrestling tournaments.
continued from 16
title. In his three matches leading up to the finals, he pinned all of his opponents before the first period ended, and in the finals, against a wrestler who had beaten him earlier in the season, Zach won convincingly, 15-1. “Wrestling itself takes loads of mental toughness along with physical endurance and strength,” Zach comments. “Preparing for matches has always been a tough thing for me, as the mental aspect has always been straining. This year I worked hard on getting a better grip on my emotions. I felt myself preparing for matches differently, especially the big ones. Instead of putting all the pressure on myself, I tried to enjoy the sport more than I had in previous years. This helped me to relax and wrestle better.”
Zach’s talents are emerging works in progress, and his energy to do more than what’s expected makes him the leader he has become. Students who come to Loomis and who learn to give back to others often are the ones who gain the most from their experience. Zach never has hesitated to step forward, try something new, and make those around him better just by giving his best effort in everything he does. Zach with his award-winning ceramic sculpture
Zach’s wrestling coach, Ben Haldeman, describes him as the ultimate captain. “After his winning the title at the New England Championships, Zach ran over to the crowd of LC wrestlers no longer competing for a group hug,” Ben recounts. “As good as he is as a wrestler, he’s an even better teammate.” Coach Haldeman will also attest that when there is a big match, when there is a lot at stake, nobody prepares and executes the way Zach can. He is a big-match performer. Perhaps that is why Zach has qualified for the wrestling nationals all three years that he has wrestled at Loomis.
bined with a unique work ethic has given Zach the ability to be a college-level recruit in multiple sports. However, athletics is only a part of who Zach is. If he didn’t look so athletic, you wouldn’t assume he was an accomplished athlete by talking with him. His interests are varied, and so are his friends. His dorm head in Longman Hall describes him as friendly and helpful on many levels. He is the kind of student leader who takes his role seriously and never leaves anyone behind. He sits with a different crowd at lunch nearly every day.
This spring Zach, who played two years of Loomis lacrosse, is joining the track program, where he will find ways to contribute to an already strong program. His athleticism com-
On snowy winter days Zach, working with work job coordinator Peter Gwyn, leads a group of students all over campus shoveling snow before the campus wakes up and heads to the
18 |
Photo: Patricia Cousins
“Loomis has taught me countless lessons about life and dining hall. This responsibility becoming independent. Living has evolved over the years as a away from home can be scary Harris family tradition, with to some people, but Loomis has Zach taking over from Nate, who made it an experience to look inherited the responsibility from back on with happiness,” Zach Caleb. Doing things for the good reflects. “I cannot express in of others when nobody is watchwords what an impact going to ing is important to Zach, and Loomis has had on my family. every day he finds something to Because my family is so large, do that helps someone. I would never have dreamed about going somewhere as elite This winter we saw yet another as Loomis.” Zach, like his brothside of Zach. He received an ers before him, is an extraoraward, along with fellow junior dinary leader and a worthy Paige Mickel, for their work in representative of the school’s ceramics. His work and Paige’s mascot, the Pelican, a symbol were selected out of 713 juniorof self-sacrifice, nurturing, and level entries to be displayed love. at the National K12 Ceramics Exhibition Foundation. The exBob Howe ’80 is the director hibition showcases outstanding of athletics. ceramic work completed by students, and the conference that coincides with the exhibition is the preeminent annual ceramic