Chad Zallow has established himself as the nation's preeminent short hurdler this winter by consistently beating his own US #1 mark in the 60-meter hurdles. His top time of 7.70 is the fastest in the nation by more than one tenth of a second. The Warren JFK senior is a three-time All-American and four-time Ohio State Champion with personal records of 13.93 for 110-meter hurdles, 36.87 for 300-meter hurdles and 54.00 for 400-meter hurdles. Zallow will defend his OATCCC Indoor State Championship in the 60-meter hurdles this weekend.
MileSplit: How does it feel to be ranked US #1?
Chad Zallow: It feels great! I remember when I was younger looking at the rankings on MileSplit and how bad I wanted to be the top in the nation. It comes with a lot of pressure and high expectations to perform at an elite level at every meet I run in. It keeps me on my 'A' game everyday whether it's in training or in meets because everyone wants to be number one and everyone wants to take that spot away from me.
What was your reaction when you first found out that you ran the nation's fastest time? Did you see it on MileSplit or did someone tell you?
I was relieved when I ran US #1. Before my meet I checked out the rankings and found out what the fastest time was and I made it my mission to beat that time. I had the fastest returning time coming into this season so I knew I had what it takes to be up there so I just had to come out and prove myself!
Are you a MileSplit stalker? :)
I am a big fan of MileSplit and I'm always checking out the headlines on the front page but I try to not focus on the times that my competitors run because I can only control what I can do and as long as I know that I'm #1 thats enough for me.
How do you feel about your fitness right now, heading into the Ohio State Championship?
I feel better than ever! My times keep on dropping and I'm staying healthy and I can't ask for more.
Can you run us through a typical week of training? (The more details, the better!)
Monday: Shake out day. Go through warm up, stretching routines, and hurdle mobility.
Tuesday: Speed endurance day. Ladder with longer distances(200m-400m)
Wednesday: Lifting with a little mix of plyometrics
Thursday:Hurdle drills with some starts over the hurdles
Friday: Speed day. Block starts, fly 30s, with some sled pulls
Saturday: Meet day or rest day
Sunday: Recovery day
You suffered a hamstring pull last year and missed three months of training between indoor and outdoor, only to come back and place runner-up in the 300H at the outdoor state championship. Describe that experience and what kind of work (both physically and mentally) you did to return to elite competition so quickly.
Missing so much training was really rough. I came back out of shape and rusty on my mechanics. I never suffered an injury to that extent before and it was really hard to cope with watching Indoor States and Indoor New Balance Nationals go on, knowing I could've been right up there competing for a State and National Title. I had to work twice as hard at practice and had to put in extra time just to catch up to my competition. I still felt I wasn't in 100% shape going into the State meet. I placed runner up to John Lint; one of the best athletes I've ever ran against. He ran 36.32 which was one of the fastest times in the nation and one of the fastest time ever ran in Ohio. I was happy to come back to defend my title in the 110mH to that caliber of an athlete.
In an interview earlier this season, you told Ohio MileSplit that you are a "student of the game when it comes to hurdling." Who are your favorite hurdlers to watch on YouTube and why?
I watch a lot of Allen Johnson because he is around my height (5'11'') and has one of the best starts of all time. I also love to watch David Oliver, he amazes me how much power he generates between and over the hurdles. I try to emulate what the professionals do and compare their races to mine a lot.
What is your athletic background and how did you get into hurdling?
When I was younger I played a lot of sports such as baseball, football, soccer, and track. So I've always had a athletic background from a very young age. I got into hurdling partly because of my brother Carl (Now a Freshman running track for Youngstown State). When we were younger we were really competitive and always used to go at it in track meets and practices. My Dad suggested for me to do the hurdles because he wanted to see us both succeed in different events and he got tired of us always going at it. So I tried it and I picked up on the technique quickly and everything worked out!
Why do you think you were able to pick up on hurdling technique immediately? Was it due to experience in another sport?
I believe my athletic background from playing so many sports at an young age helped me pick up the technique so quickly. Hurdles is a very athletic event so just being athletic is half the battle. Also, in the hurdles you have to be aggressive and fearless and I attribute my football background into a lot of the success I have in the hurdles now because of those traits.
You turned down several Big 10 schools to join your brother, Carl, at Youngstown State University next year. How did you make your college decision?
I based my college decision based on the school I would feel comfortable in and have the most success in athletically and academically. I felt that YSU really believed in me, cared about me and would work with me to develop me into the best athlete I can be. I have a great bond with the coaches there. I even talked with the President Jim Tressel before my decision and I just got the feeling they cared the most and I would be appreciated there. Also there is no better feeling than representing your home town and I hope to represent Youngstown on the big stage!
What influence does Carl have on your life, both growing up and now? How many other siblings do you have? Can you describe the Zallow household - are you all run junkies?
He has a big influence on my life. We've always competed on the same sports teams and always have pushed each other to our limits to be the best we can be. We will continue competing together and pushing each other when I go to Youngstown State next year and and run for the Penguins! I have one other brother Corey; he is a senior at YSU and has stayed away from the athletic scene. But for the most part the Zallow family is always keeping up with the track world and going to meets. My mom has ran in Marathons and half-marathons. My dad competed in track in High School as a 800m runner at Warren Western Reserve.
What's one thing that most people might not know about you?
I'm a big gamer. I love playing Call of Duty, Madden, and 2k15 on the Xbox or PS4 with my friends when I find some free time away from track and school!
If you weren't a track athlete, what would you do?
If I wasn't a track athlete I would probably be playing football. I love football and I gave it up my senior year to focus on track.
What's your funniest (or most embarrassing!) running-related moment?
When I was younger around 9 or 10 years old my Dad entered me in the mile at one meet, and I did horrible! I came in dead last. This was probably my worst experience ever on the track. Ever since then I stay away from anything over 400m!
If you could have dinner with any three people (living, deceased, celebrity, whoever!), who would they be?
1. Jesus Christ
2.Leonardo da Vinci
3.John F. Kennedy
FUN STUFF!
Pre-race pump-up song: Til I collapse-Eminem
What did you eat for breakfast this morning: Scrambled eggs and french toast
Last book you read: Slaying the Dragon by Michael Johnson
Favorite movie: American Sniper
If you could work out with any athlete (from any sport, dead or alive), it would be... Usain Bolt
