Longing for London: Ziemek qualifies for 2017 IAAF World Championships

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Longing for London: Ziemek qualifies for 2017 IAAF World Championships

June 23, 2017 | Men's Track & Field

“Double Z” finishes second in decathlon at U.S. championships

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Two years ago, Zach Ziemek competed in the decathlon at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.

Last year, "Double Z" did the decathlon at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

This year the former Wisconsin men's track and field star will take his talents to London, England for the 2017 IAAF World Championships after finishing second in the decathlon on Friday at the 2017 USA Outdoor Championships at Hornet Stadium.

Ziemek finished the grueling 10-discipline event with a score of 8,155 points despite battling temperatures in excess of 100 degrees.

The Itasca, Illinois, native also had to battle some adversity in the pole vault, his signature event, as he snapped his pole on his first attempt at 17 feet, ¾ inches.

Pole break at 5.20 for @TheOnlyDoubleZ pic.twitter.com/pedPNaDXnm
— Nate Davis (@CoachNateDavis) June 23, 2017

But Ziemek battled back and passed the height before clearing 17-4 1/2, the best mark of the competition.

#DoubleZ = #BadgerTough

After breaking his pole on his first attempt at 17-4 1/2, @TheOnlyDoubleZ calmly clears it on his second attempt pic.twitter.com/DfUnO77gLf
— Badger Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) June 23, 2017

Ziemek opened the second day of the decathlon in third before running 11.84 seconds in the 110 hurdles and throwing the discus 138-9

Following the pole vault, "Double Z" earned a mark of 183-9 in the javelin before finishing the 1500 meters in 4:47.61.

Ziemek finished behind Trey Hardee, who won with a score of 8,225 points. Ziemek, Hardee and third-place finisher Devon Williams will compete in the decathlon for Team USA at the 2017 IAAF World Championships on August 11-12.

Ziemek wasn't the only former Badger to thrive on Friday as Evan Jager advanced to the finals of the steeplechase thanks to his section win. The silver medalist in the steeplechase at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Jager crossed the line in 8:38.19 and will run for his third U.S. crown on Sunday at 4:16 p.m. CT.

Evan Jager jogs for the win in the heats of the steeplechase. Michael Jordan, Mason Ferric, Donn Cabral and Travis Mahoney also advance. pic.twitter.com/U8bXF293Yd
— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) June 24, 2017

A pair of Badgers will be in action on Saturday in Sacramento. 2016 Olympian Kelsey Card will throw the shot put at the senior meet at 2:30 p.m. while UW freshman Rashid Coulibaly will compete in the pole vault at the junior championships at 6:05 p.m.