What he did: Zabka placed fifth individually – best among local runners – on Saturday in the Leavey Invitational at Leroy Oakes in St. Charles, finishing in 15:02.


Batavia's Mitch Zabka is the St. Charles Bank and Trust-Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week. Zabka caught up with the Chronicle Sports staff to touch on his attention-grabbing showing at Saturday's Leavey Invitational. The following is an edited transcript:

Were you pretty excited with Saturday's finish?
Yes, I was very excited. I didn't really expect to do that well. I was pretty excited when I came in with that time and place.

What were your individual expectations coming into the year?
My time from sophomore year was 16:05 and I know the top guy last year was 15:17. I wanted to at least get below 15:30 but now that I've gotten that [already], I want to try and break 15, and see where that goes.

What's your toughest class so far?
I'd say that would be Chemistry honors.

Favorite sports movie?

I might have to say "The Waterboy" or "Happy Gilmore."