Athlete Spotlight: Dru Zander

WILLISTON – Dru Zander had one of those weekends last season at the ND state swimming and diving championships athletes dream of.  A weekend when the all the hours of training, the preparation and focus paid off in the form of a state championship.  None one, but two! 
Indeed, last season ended on a high note for Zander, who won the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly against a talented field.
Those victories were earned well ahead of that November day in West Fargo.
“The biggest challenge for me was putting in the work necessary for my goals,’’ Zander said. “Realizing that to do what I want to (accomplish), I have to be willing to dedicate more than most are willing to do.”

The challenge heading into her final season is can she do it again. Defending a title is much more challenging than winning the first time, but she carries a quiet confidence with her, says Williston coach Krista Pierce.
“She’s confident, but its a humble confidence,’’ Pierce points out. “She’s the kind of athlete that isn’t done yet. She is amazing now, and I just know that even greater things are coming the next seasons of her swim career.”
For Zander, that will be at the next level. Soon she will announce her college swimming intentions, but the focus is on another strong showing at the state meet.Like many, she began swimming at an early age. “I started swimming club when I was about five,’’ Zander said. 
She was involved in the club program for seven years before moving into the high school level as seventh grader. 
Over the years she’s developed a deeper focus in practice and a strong work ethic. “I feel as if I have grown a lot in the type of mindset I approach practice with,’’ she said. “I show up ready to put 100 percent into practice. I make this easy on myself by remembering my end goal every time I step in and out of the pool.”

For several years Dru was a double athlete in the fall, running cross country and swimming for the Coyotes. She elected not to run last year and focus her efforts solely in the pool. It paid off.
Pierce says working alongside great coaches of the years Dru developed a great work ethic and habits. “Along with her physical drive is her ability to overcome the grind of the season mentally,’’ Pierce said. “I believe that is one of the things that separates the good from the great.”

Swimming is both an individual and team sport. Athletes are competing on their own with the hope their accomplishments elevate their team to high finishes. 
“Dru is both a vocal and quiet leader,’’Pierce said. “As you can image on a team of 40-plus girls both are needed. She leads her team both in word and by example. She trusts and backs her coach which I’m grateful for. She supports the future greats of our team. She is an ideal teammate.”

Like many standout swimmers, the all-stater has proven she can excel in several different events. She enters the first week of November with the state’s fastest time in the 50 freestyle (:24.44); third fastest in the 100 freestyle (:53.88) and third in the 100 butterfly (:59.25).
“My favorite event to compete in is wherever the coaches need me to go,’’ Zander said. “I wouldn’t say there is an event I feel most confident in, rather I’m confident in my training.”
As far as the upcoming state meet, she will enter the events that give her the best opportunity to win.
It’s a good bet one of those will be in the 50 freestyle, an event she also won at the 2024 WDA Championships.

Pierce adds that Dru not only works hard and swims fast, but she swims smart. “Race strategy and studying her opponents are some of our favorite things to talk through,’’ she said. “We are looking forward to the ND state championships and see how things shake of this year.”