Zach Allison has discovered that making sacrifices can be beneficiary not only for yourself, but for your team too.

The junior sprinter out of Grimes, Iowa spent his first two years with the Storm participating in both basketball and track and field.

This year Allison has decided to focus primarily on track and put his basketball career aside.

“I loved basketball but I would just get into the track season too late,” Allison said. “This year I got to do indoor which helped get me into better shape and I am so much closer to my peak now rather than it being at the end of the season.”

Allison has been making an impression on new Head Coach Tim Byers.

“When we ask Zach to do something he does it without any questions,” Byers said. “He works extremely hard in practice and it is showing through what he has done at the meets so far this season.”

Allison has posted a team best posting of 22.30 in the 200 meters this season and a 49.66 time in his specialty, the 400.

“My favorite has always been the 400 but the 200 is starting to grow on me a little bit,” Allison said.

During the indoor season Allison posted a first place finish at the Cornell meet in the 400.

“Having the athletes participate in the indoor season is important,” Byers said. “It’s a time for them to compete and it gives them a mental edge for the outdoor season.”

According to Allison one of the reasons for his success is because of the training and preparation the team does.

“The coaches make workouts planned for what distance we run,” Allison said. “We don’t work on something that will never help us in a meet.”

Allison is working on his history major with his focus on education. He hopes to teach and coach someday.

“Zach is an all-around great kid,” Byers said. “He is a joy to coach.”