Zabriskies Related Through ISU Family

AMES, Iowa -- No, they are NOT related. But Iowa State's Dave and Rachel Zabriskie nevertheless have much in common. Dave, the defending Big 12 conference heavyweight wrestling champion and Rachel, the Cyclones' precocious softball pitcher have had a very good February.

Dave, who hails from Branchville, N.J., is ranked fifth nationally this season, posting a 24-4 record this season. He is small for a heavyweight, weighing in at around 220 pounds in a weight class where the majority of his opponents hover just below the NCAA limit of 285 pounds. This hasn't deterred the sophomore, who owns a career record of 51-12. He is preparing to defend his conference championship, March 8 at the Big 12 meet in Stillwater, Okla.

Even more impressive is Dave Zabriskie's 12-0 record against Big 12 foes, including a 3-2 win over Oklahoma State's Jared Rosholt in the deciding match of the 2007 Big 12 Championship. Zabriskie's win sealed Iowa State's first conference team crown since 1987. He takes that legacy in stride.

“I was sitting there throughout the meet watching the team scores, so I knew what was at stake,” Zabriskie said. “Once I stepped on the mat I only had to worry about my own match and concentrate on my opponent. I don't think about it much now.”

Zabriskie's 3-1 win over Nebraska's John May Sunday helped the Cyclones down No. 2 Nebraska, 22-12 in Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State finished the regular season with a 16-4 dual record and jumped from sixth to third in the final dual wrestling coaches poll.

“I like how the team is wrestling right now,” Zabriskie said. “The coaches have a plan and they have stuck with it the whole season.”

Rachel Zabriskie is truly going where no Iowa State pitcher has before. The freshman is off to an auspicious start, throwing a no-hitter in her first collegiate game as the Cyclones blanked Wisconsin-Green Bay, 8-0 Feb. 9. It was no fluke. The Austin, Texas native then tossed no-hit gems against Lousiana-Monroe and UT-Chattanooga en route to a 5-1 record in February. Iowa State as a team is 11-1, its best-ever start. No ISU hurler has ever thrown three no-hitters in a single season, let alone three in her first six starts. Zabriskie could face an even bigger challenge this weekend, a date against defending NCAA champion Arizona in Friday's Hildebrand Invitational Friday-Sunday in Tucson, Ariz. Zabriskie's success has been long in the making.

“I started pitching when I was nine years old,” Zabriskie said. “I realized in my freshman year of high school that I was pretty good.”

Zabriskie was a first-team all-district honoree all four of her high school seasons. She can quickly describe the difference between high school and NCAA Division I softball.

“In high school, if you made a good pitch you got people out,” Zabriskie said. “In college, the hitters will make you pay for a mistake and can hit even your good pitches.”

Rachel and Dave have met. When she first heard about the shared last name, Rachel called her parents to see if there was any extended family connection. There wasn't. But as the duo prepares for bigger challenges in the coming weeks they are linked by early collegiate success. Both figure to be part of the foundation upon which their respective ISU programs are being built for the future.

Players Mentioned

Rachel Zabriskie

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics