Senior Paige Ziegler was a standout three-sport athlete for the Frazee Hornets during her high school career, competing in volleyball, basketball and track and field.
“Paige Ziegler has had a profound impact on our program,” exclaimed Head girls’ basketball coach Jason Reierson. “She has broken single season and career marks in steals. Her tenacity and grit has rubbed off on many of our younger girls. She went over a 1000 points even after losing a full season to injury. She has changed from a young athletic player to a savvy veteran that was a tremendous leader. She is at or near the top in every statistical category we keep track of for her career. She is a true competitor through and through.”
Ziegler counts coming back from tearing her ACL in July of her junior year to competing at the state track meet and taking third place in the 100 meter hurdles as her top sports memory.
Head Track Coach Jim Jacobson recounts her outstanding track career this way, “Paige has been a big part of our track program since 7th grade. As a 7th grader, she was a 30' triple jumper, and as an 8th grader she ran hurdles in the low 16's and was a 34' triple jumper. Paige is a multiple time state entrant and place winner, competing in the 100 hurdles, triple jump, 4x100, and 4x200. Paige has her name on the school record board for the 100H, 4x100, and 4x200. Paige always brought a sense of competitiveness to the track and is an athlete through and through. She has always had a desire to improve and to be the best. Paige has always had a love for track and field and has worked hard at improving her craft. While Paige has always been talented, last year was where I saw a lot of personal growth from Paige and a full devotion to her craft and herself as an athlete.”
“I was very heartbroken when I first heard the news of spring sports being canceled,” said Ziegler. “I just couldn’t believe it was true that I wouldn’t get to compete in my last high school sport for one more season. The same night I went to the track to hurdle still not wanting to believe it was done, but I have been keeping a positive attitude and going to the track every day to work out because I am lucky enough to be able to compete in college. Not being in school allows me to be a lot more independent and having to hold myself accountable to get all my work done. I really miss my teachers and classmates, but our school has been great with making this experience easy to deal with.”
Ziegler will be attending the University of Mary where she will major in Exercise Science with a goal of becoming a Physical Therapist. Her favorite subjects in high school were Chemistry and Painting.
“Sports have been my life for so long,” said Ziegler. “They are a way for me to just be free and have fun. I have made so many of my favorite high school memories by being in sports. I have also had so many opportunities presented to me through sports. And, most importantly they have taught me some very important life lessons and made me who I am today.”
Her volleyball coach Tavia Bachmann recalled how Paige came back strong from her injury to make a huge impact on the court, “Paige battled back after a knee injury that benched her during her junior season. She ended up filling a totally different role for us than she had in the past and did so with true determination and grit. She gave her all and helped lead us to a successful season. She was an asset to have back on the court this year for us and she will be missed next year. “
Paige concluded with this advice for underclassmen, “never take anything for granted and give it all you got 100% of the time because you never know when it could be your last time.”
