The Inside Track with Paige Palzinski 11 Questions to Get to Know This Future Vandal 1

Talented Oregon Thrower Signs with the University of Idaho

The University of Idaho Track & Field program is excited to announce the signing of Paige Palzinski of Hermiston High School in Hermiston, OR. Paige is a talented thrower who lives in Oregon, but Hermiston High School participates in the Washing- ton State Championships. Paige qualified and placed ninth at the Washington State Track & Field Champi- onships in the shot put in 2018 during her sophomore year. She has a personal best of 40 feet 10.75 inches in the shot put and three times threw over 40 feet in her sophomore year. She was the Mid-Columbia Conference Champion in the shot put and also placed first at the District 8 Championships. Paige also competes in the long jump, triple jump, javelin, and discus. Paige has a personal best of 34 feet 8.75 inches in the triple jump, 107 feet 8 inches in the discus, and 104 feet and 1 inch in the javelin. She looks forward to competing in her senior year after missing her junior year due to covid-19. She is also very passionate about equestrian. She twice has won the first place medallion at the Oregon Equestrian State Championships in dressage and jump- ing. Paige Palzinski will shine “We are excited to add Paige to the Vandal family. She at the University of Idaho is a very dynamic thrower and with her athleticism she has a lot of room to grow. She is also very talented in the class room and fits in great with the team.” -Tim Cawley, Director of Track & Field/Cross Country

The Inside Track with Paige Palzinski 11 Questions to Get to Know this Future Vandal 1. First off, why did you choose to pursue your collegiate track & field and academic career at the University of Idaho? I fell in love with the overarching message at the University of Idaho. After reading the mission statement for the entire university, coupled with the mission statement for the track and field team, I knew that I wanted to be in- volved at the University of Idaho. In addition to having incredible research opportunities scholastically, the Uni- versity of Idaho also encourages a family dynamic for athletics. After having several Zoom meetings with the track and field coaching staff, I knew that I belonged at the University of Idaho. I felt like I could have a home away from home and thrive as a Vandal.

2. What do you plan to study in your time at the University of Idaho? During my time at the University of Idaho I plan to study biology with a pre-med focus. Along with studying biology, I also plan to initiate a research project that focuses on programing STEM cells to eradicate cancer as a future form of medicine.

3. What are you most looking forward to next year training and going to school at the University of Idaho? In terms of athletics, I am elated to begin building upon my training for throwing the hammer, along with the other throwing events as well. As for my education and academics, I am ecstatic to begin learning in depth about biology and chemistry.

The mission of Idaho Track & Field/Cross Country is to create and foster a culture that thrives on excellence in character, academics, and athletics, while focusing on the process in a positive and collaborative environment. 4. If you had unlimited funds to build your dream house, describe what that dream house would be like and what would make it special. If I had unlimited funds to build my dream house I would find a piece of property around 15-20 acres and construct a farmhouse style of home, along with a barn to match. Furthermore, inside I would have a large kitchen and living room, and lots of windows to let natural light in the house. On another note, what would make my home really special would be the people in my life that I have to share it with.

5. What are five things you love? Five things that I love are: -Track and field: The competition, teammates that are like family, and coaches push- ing me to be my best. -Horseback riding-especially with my gelding, Sully. -Training and hunting with my dog, a black lab, Olive. -Having family dinners every night, full of conversation, sometimes debates, but always laughter. -The beach. I love to run on the beach and breathe the salty air.

6. If you were an action figure, what accessories would you be sold with? If I were an action figure, the accessories I would be sold with would be, cowboy boots with spurs, plus throwing implements (a golden hammer, platinum javelin, sil- ver disc, and bronze shotput), and a dog whistle.

7. What are your goals for this year at Hermiston High School? As for my goals at HHS, I want to keep my 4.0 gpa, get back into the weight room, and have a phenomenal senior track season. Although, I also want to pass my Ad- vanced Placement tests for AP Government, AP Art, AP Calculus, and AP Literature as well.

8. What other schools did you consider during the recruiting process? I considered other schools such as the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, the University of Montana, and the University of California at Berkeley.

9. What stood out at the University of Idaho over other schools you considered? What stood out to me when I compared the University of Idaho to the other schools I mentioned before, is that the University of Idaho cared about the athletic side AND the academic side of school. Additionally, and more importantly, I felt that I could be a productive member of the track team as well as a successful student in the biology program. The dedication and care the coaches have for their athletes made my deci- sion to come to the U of I an easy one. Meeting my future teammates cemented in my mind the positive environment I would be joining—there was no way I wanted to miss out on this incredible opportunity.

10. Who has made the biggest impact in your life and why? The people who have made the biggest impact on my life are my parents. Though there are numerous lessons they have taught me, there is one in particular that has been invaluable beyond any stretch of the imagination. The most important lesson they have ever taught me was to never give up and always give one hundred and ten percent. No excuses. Because of that lesson, I have grown into a person that I am proud of. Without learning how to give one hundred and ten percent effort, I would not be the person I am today. Most likely changing my persona quite significantly, since a majority of what makes me who I am is tied up in that lesson.

11. What do you anticipate your goals at the University of Idaho will be? I anticipate that my goals at the University of Idaho will be to throw far, excel in school, and most importantly, enjoy every second I have at the University of Idaho. Because with each second that passes while I am at the university, I will be a second closer to my dreams. Moreover, with enough dedication to my dreams they will even- tually become my reality.