Zack Novak

Steve Virgen

As graduation day approaches, Estancia High’s Zack Novak is preparing

for what most people call “the real world.” Novak should do just fine

in that world -- he plans to become a police officer -- so long as

there is a challenge in front of him. He passed several tests in the

final month of his track and field season.

During CIF competition in the high jump, Novak became known for

rising to the occasion. He achieved or matched his personal record of

6 feet, 6 inches at opportune moments, leading him to the finals of

the CIF State championships.

Novak, who did not qualify for CIF meets last year, finished in a

tie for sixth-place in the state finals after clearing 6-6 at

Cerritos College June 7. He won the CIF Southern Section Division III

title, then qualified for the state preliminaries after grabbing the

fifth and final qualifying spot at the CIF Masters Meet. In the state

prelims, he won a jump-off to gain the final qualifying spot in the

finals.

“Where do I begin?” Novak said, searching for the words to

describe his magical run to the state finals. “It was amazing. That’s

all I can say. A lot of hard work was put into this past month.”

Novak, the Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week, attained his personal

best at just the right time during the past month, though he probably

could have cleared 6-6 earlier in the year. Throughout the track and

field regular season, it seemed Novak was searching for a challenge.

He easily won the Golden West League title with a 6-4 clearance, yet

he could have won at 6-0.

During dual meets, Estancia boys coach Steve Crenshaw had to

create various goals to motivate Novak, who developed a friendly

competition with teammates Scott Sankey and Matt Cachola. In

addition, Crenshaw would tease Novak, telling him he had better work

hard or Costa Mesa’s Sharon Day would outdo him at the Golden West

League finals.

“Zack has always had the talent, but I don’t think he totally

realized that,” Crenshaw said. “I don’t think reality sunk in until

he won the league title. Then he snapped. It seemed like the light

came on.”

Novak surprised many opponents when he cleared 6-6 to win the CIF

Southern Section Division III title May 24. He even surprised

himself.

“I never thought I could get 6-6,” Novak said after the meet.

But, after the state finals, Novak was past the state of shock.

“[Clearing] 6-8 is not going to be hard. I promise you that,” he

said after nearly clearing 6-8 in the state finals.

Confidence can work wonders, especially for Novak, who developed a

knack for thriving in big meets the past month. During the basketball

season, Coach Chris Sorce assigned Novak to defend the opponent’s top

scorer. Perhaps, that’s when Novak started to develop his affection

for challenges.

“It’s from just playing sports in general,” Novak explained of his

competitive fire he showed during the CIF meets. “I’ve just gone

through sports with the thought that I need to do my best. That

thought sticks to me; that I have to rise to the occasion.”

Novak, who will compete at Orange Coast College next year, said he

intensified his training to prepare for the CIF meets. He became

involved with plyometrics -- exercises designed to develop speed and

power.

Estancia jumps coach Frough Jahid pointed him in that direction.

Jahid wanted Novak to reach his potential, which continues to grow.

“The sky is the limit for him,” Jahid said. “I can see him jumping

for a [NCAA] Division I school after two years at OCC. He’s going to

be able to clear 6-10, without a doubt.”

Novak plans to enroll in a police academy after OCC, but he said

he not pass up a future scholarship offer from a four-year school.

“I would definitely take that,” he said.

Just another challenge for Novak.