Aaron Zedella
School: St. Edward, Lakewood, OH
HS Class: 2013
Personal Bests
- Discus 192-11
- Hammer Throw 198-2
- Javelin 137-6.75
- Shot Put 63-11.5
- Weight Throw 78-2.5
St. Ed Senior Aaron Zedella is one of the States leading throwers. He placed 2nd in the OHSAA D1 Shot last Spring with a throw of 62-7.75 and 4th in the Discus, throwing 183-9. He attributes his success this year, and even more importatnly, throughout his career, just to the plain hard work and dedication that he and his coaches have done. He is focused as we move into our Championship season on advancing through the district and regional meets and becoming a state champ in the shot and disc.
Ohio MileSplit: Aaron, you are currently ranked number two in Ohio and 5th nationally with a shot throw of 63-11.5. You are ranked 3rd in Ohio and 12th nationally in the Discus with a throw of 192-11. You re also ranked 3rd in the nation in the Weight throw with a throw of 78-25 and you had a 188-3.75 in the Hammer Throw at 2012 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, that placed you 4th. Of the weight events, which is your favorite? Why?
Aaron: I don't really have a favorite it pretty much changes every week based on which one I do the best in.
Ohio MileSplit: When did you first start to throw the shot? Did you throw in Middle School? Waht did you throw?
Aaron: I started to throw the 8lb shot in middle school in 6th grade. I started off just throwing the shot, but then got into the discus more in 7th and 8th grade. I threw 169' in the disc in 8th grade with the 1k and like 45 with the 8lb shot.
Ohio MileSplit: As a Freshman, you did not make it to State. As a Sophomore in 2011, you were 8th in the State with a put of 54-11.50. As a Junior, you placed 3rd in the OATCCC in the shot with a throw of 58-3 and won the Weight Throw, throwing 72-7, placed 2nd in the OHSAA D1 Shot with a throw of 62-7.75 and 4th in the Discus, throwing 183-9. Now, as Senior, you have so far accomplished the following:
2nd OATCCC Indoor State Championships in the Shot Put with a throw of 60-4.25.
1st OATCCC Indoor State Championships in the Weight Throw with a throw of 76-7
3rd in the Discuss at the Penn Relays Carnival with a PR of 192-11.
1st in the Hammer Throw at Northeast Ohio Hammer Meet with a PR throw of 198-2.
What would you attribute your success thus far this year to?
Aaron: I can attribute my success this year mainly to hard work and dedication that my coaches and I put in. To find success in a wide variety of events takes alot of focus and I couldn't do it without my coaches.
Ohio MileSplit: Do you do any other HS sports in the Fall?
Aaron: Yes. I've played football in the Fall since 4th grade and was one of my first loves. I played all through high school as well.
Ohio MileSplit: The spin technique has proven over the years to have advantages over other techniques. Have you always used this technique? What difficulties did you encounter in learning this technique? Is the technique the same for the shot and the discuss?
Aaron: Yes, my technique is pretty much the same in the shot and disc with minor differences. The spin technique is known for having a high risk and high reward but I tend to think of the reward more than the risk. It was difficult to pick up at first but after a while it became muscle memory and hasn't failed me since.
Ohio MileSplit: Where do you position the shot? How important is shot position?
Aaron: I position the shot on my neck right behind my right cheek. This is just where I naturally would put it and I don't think its that important.
Ohio MileSplit: What is your starting stance in the ring?
Aaron: My starting stance in the ring is just like anyone else who does the spin. I try to get as far back in the ring as possible so that I have the maximum amount of circle to work with.
Ohio MileSplit: Movement, balance, and tempo are very important with the spin technique. Probably more so than just power and position. How do you control the rhythm of your spin?
Aaron: I watch film of myself throwing sometimes in slow motion in order to correct problems with balance. I break down different parts of my spin because one thing leads to another and one minor mistake in the beginning of the spin can lead to a big difference in distance. Rhythm just comes from muscle memory for me and has just become natural.
Ohio MileSplit: What type of drills do you use to establish moving balance in your movement?
Aaron: I don't really do too many drills besides doing half turns in the ring in order to improve the second half of my throw.
Ohio MileSplit: Do you do 180 and 360 degree drills to help develop balanced rotation positions.
Aaron: Yes. I find doing half turns to be very helpful in developing balance in the second half of my throw.
Ohio MileSplit: Let’s talk some about your workouts throughout the season. What are your preseason workouts?
Aaron: I find cleans, deadlifts, and squats to be the most important lifts for throwing and I start off with a heavy dose of those workouts in the offseason and the beginning of the season, then I tend to taper off of those types of workouts as the postseason comes closer.
Ohio MileSplit: What are your competitive season workouts? Take us through a typical week with a competition on Saturday.
Aaron: During a typical week in the middle of the season, I lift twice a week in the beginning of the week and I usually try to incorporate at least one of these lifts into my workout
Ohio MileSplit: What are your typical running, throwing and lifting drills?
Aaron: I don't do any distance running. However, every once in a while I will incorporate some sprints into my workout. After my workout, sometimes I like sprinting 100 meters on the track then jogging 100 meters then sprinting 100 meters and continuing on this pattern for 3 laps on the track. That would be the extent of my running workouts during the season.
Ohio MileSplit: Do you visualize your throws?
Aaron: I think its pretty much natural for a thrower to visualize hitting big throws and as meet day gets closer and closer I see myself visualizing throws more and more. This builds up anticipation and adds to the adrenaline rush I feel when I step in the ring.
Ohio MileSplit: How much time do you spend on each event during a typical week practice?
Aaron: I usually spend an hour on each of my events during the season (shot and disc) and sometimes I'll throw in a little hammer practice to prepare for the summer.
Ohio MileSplit: What are your goals for the remainder of the Outdoor seasons?
Aaron: I have some lofty goals in each of my events this year but for now, I'm focusing on advancing through the district and regional meets and becoming a state champ in the shot and disc. I also think it would be cool to be the Ohio Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Plus, if I take care of accomplishing these goals it will do nothing but help our team's chances in the state tournament and that's what its all about.
Ohio MileSplit: Thanks Aaron. We will see you at State and watch you as you continue your career at Ohio State.
Aaron Zedella
School: St. Edward, Lakewood, OH
HS Class: 2013