Zolnierek recently announced that she would pursue cross country and track and field at Northern Michigan University. Along with participating in these two sports, Zolnierek plans to earn an NMU academic degree in elementary education.

Carrying on as a student-athlete will be necessary for the new Northern Michigan Wildcat as she will continue managing academics and athletics.

“(Getting an opportunity to play at the collegiate level) is very exciting because back in third grade, I started running, and just to be able to continue doing what I love is so amazing,” Zolnierek said. “Running helps me feel free and puts me in my own world, which is why I love it.”

Aside from running exceptionally, studying in the educational field is Zolnierek’s top priority.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey The Zolnierek family poses for a picture on Tuesday at Alpena High School. Samantha Zolnierek has signed to continue her academic and athletic career at Nothern Michigan University where she will continue to run cross country and track and field while she persues a degree in elementary education.

The Wildcats offer an excellent education program, making Zolnierek’s choice of Northern Michigan even easier.

“I want to go into elementary education and have a minor in language. I just want to be able to help kids learn English, and if I decide elementary education isn’t what I’m looking for, that minor will give me something to fall back on,” Zolnierek said.

Over Zolnierek’s career as an Alpena Wildcat, she had collected several awards individually and as a part of a team.

Finishing as a two-time captain for both sports, a four-year cross-country runner, and a three-year track and field runner, Zolnierek provides her new school with plenty of leadership and experience as a runner.

This year, Zolnierek was individually awarded as a part of the Big North Conference All-Conference team, a 2023 Spartan Invite Medalist, and this past year’s cross-country female MVP.

As a teammate, Zolnierek also has a plethora of accomplishments.

In her junior year, her team achieved the 2022 Elite Eight in cross country and track.

Zolnierek and her team still finished with a 2023 cross-country Fab Five by senior year.

Along with these incredible awards, Zolnierek posts a 19:58 5K time, which ranks 14th all-time in Alpena High School history.

Looking at academic awards, a three-time scholar-athlete award winner for both sports presents the exact student Zolnierek is in the classroom.

Her track coach, Trevor Roznowski, and cross country coach, Joe Donajkowski, both highly praise Zolnierek’s unbelievable work ethic as a student-athlete.

“She’s one of the hardest working athletes in the school…she was so dedicated throughout the entire season and just got faster and faster and faster before the season ended,” Coach Donajkowski said.

“You talk about someone who is perseverant, and that is what Sam embodies every day…She steps up to every race confidently, and we are so proud of what she will accomplish at Northern,” Coach Roznowski said.

Before her collegiate career begins, offering thanks to family, friends, and coaches ahead of this change is the perfect way to make this decision official.

“I’d like to obviously thank my family, the Szymanski’s for being my second family, all my coaches over the years, and the coaches at Northern for giving me this opportunity,” Zolnierek said.