University of Iowa Athletics
Samantha Zishka - Women's Track & Field - University of Iowa Athletics

Samantha Zishka

Position Distance
Class So.
Hometown Lancaster, Ohio
High School Lancaster

2015 — Track – did not compete.

2014 — Indoor – redshirted… placed 14th in mile at Iowa Invite (5:24.50) while competing unattached… Outdoor – placed ninth in 3,000 meters at Musco Twilight (10:21.72), running event at Arkansas Spring Invite (10:25.54) and Illinois Twilight (10:25.61)… placed 10th in 1,500 meters at Kip Janvrin Open (4:50.39)… Cross Country – led team in 6,000 meters (21:23.2)… Iowa’s top finisher at NCAA Midwest Regional, placing 58th in 21:23.2… competed in six of seven races… ran season-best 5,000 meters at Illinois State Invite (17:56)… placed 60th at Big Ten Championships (21:29.6-6,000 meters)… team earned USTFCCCA all-academic honors… academic All-Big Ten… letterwinner.

2013 — Cross Country – Iowa’s top finisher at Iowa Black & Gold Invite, placing 14th in 14:34.32 (4,000 meters)… also ran at Hawkeye Early Bird Invite (11.08.50-3,000 meters) and Roy Griak Invite (22:53.60-6,000 meters)… team earned USTFCCCA all-academic honors… letterwinner.

High School — three-time all-district selection and four-time all-conference selection and team MVP in cross country… Fairfield Country Runner of the Year her senior year… two-time cross country conference runner-up… two-time all-district selection in track… two-time team distance MVP.

Personal — born Sept. 13, 1995… daughter of John and Margo Zishka… has two siblings; John (9) and Joe (9)… her father ran track at the University of Oregon… president of the National Honors Society and Varsity “L” Club… pre-physical therapy major.

Zishka’s Collegiate Bests
Event Time Meet Date
1,500 Meters (O) 4:50.39 at Kip Janvrin Open 4/24/14
3,000 Meters (O) 10:21.72 Musco Twilight 5/3/14
3,000 Meters (CC) 11:08.50 Hawkeye Early Bird Invitational 8/30/13
4,000 Meters (CC) 14:34.32 Iowa Black & Gold Invitational 9/13/13
5,000 Meters (CC) 17:56 at Illinois State Invitational 9/12/14
6,000 Meters (CC) 21:23.2 at NCAA Midwest Regional 11/14/14