Work ethic and dedication are crucial aspects of being a student athlete, and Zach Olechnowicz displayed these qualities in his time at Revere. Throughout his time at Revere he ran through defenders on the field and tackled his work in the classroom. Now, he is on the doorstep of fulfilling a life-long dream, becoming a college athlete. 

Zach Olechnowicz, a multi-sport athlete and two year captain of the football team, is now pursuing his dream of playing football in college by continuing his hard work as a student athlete. 

Olechnowicz became a leader in his time at Revere quicker than most do. He was selected as a captain of the football team his Junior and Senior years and was a Sophomore captain on the wrestling team before leaving it behind to focus on his future in football. He said the sudden responsibility caught him off guard.

“I was honestly really surprised when they first announced my name, but I knew what I had to do,” Olechnowicz said.

Olechnowicz believes that knowing his role when one is a leader is very important, especially as a younger captain. While sometimes people try to do more than they are capable of, Olechnowicz takes pride in knowing and executing his job.

“You’re not going to be the number one captain, you’re not going to be the main leader of everyone,” Olechnowicz said. 

Olechnowicz spent his junior year as a captain learning from older captains and used that knowledge to become the main leader his senior year. His leadership experience along with his on-field performance opened the door to college athletics. He is still undecided on which college he will attend but said he plans to major in engineering. 

“I’m between Case Western and Mount Union right now. I’m still trying to decide,” Olechnowicz said.

The process of researching colleges and making a choice is different for everyone, including Olechnowicz, who said his vision and goals changed as he learned more.

“At first I wanted to for sure try to be a D1 prospect,” Olechnowicz said.

The main factors Olechnowicz considered while looking at colleges were the campus, if they had his major and the football program as a whole. Olechnowicz also said that as he researched, he found himself amazed by the quality of some division three facilities. He said it is a huge commitment to decide to play football at any collegiate level, regardless whether it is division one or division three.

Olechnowicz also said that people who are looking to find their way through the recruiting process should worry less about their physical statistics such as height and weight.

“Instead of trying to get weight to the perfect level or worrying about your height, I’d say one hundred percent to focus on in-game situations and scenarios that you can work on to better your game,” Olechnowicz said.

To get where he is now, Olechnowicz attributed his success on the field and in the classroom to the community around him at Revere. Olechnowicz believes that everyone from teachers to teammates have helped him achieve success.

“The amount of people that actually support you is breathtaking,” Olechnowicz said.

Billy D’Amico is one of the many people who have supported Olechnowicz. D’Amico is his football and track coach, and he met Olechnowicz when he was in the sixth grade. Olechnowicz and D’Amico have since built a relationship as he grew in athletics and academics.

“I’ve seen him develop over the course of his three years at the middle school and four years of high school,” D’Amico said.

D’Amico said that Olechnowicz’s determination has separated him from other student athletes in track and football, both of which D’Amico coaches. Olechnowicz’s dedication has allowed him to improve dramatically as a player and a leader.

“One of the main reasons I recruited Zach to run track and field for me last year, aside from his overall athleticism and speed, is his ability to lead,” D’Amico said.

D’Amico was a college athlete himself at Baldwin Wallace University and said that Olechnowicz’s ability to know his role will be a key factor in his success as a college athlete. 

“In college that’s going to take you pretty far,” D’Amico said.

D’Amico also explained that Olechnowicz will step into another leadership role in college, even if it takes a little longer than it did for him in high school. D’Amico said that it takes a lot to compete as a college athlete, but he said Olechnowicz had worked hard to perform on the field and will continue to do so in the future.

“He’s very capable of doing that at the next level,” D’Amico said.

Olechnowicz earned the respect and trust of those around him, including D’Amico. D’Amico said Olechnowicz is a great leader and that his leadership and trust are hard to replace in football and track.

“Zach’s a great kid. I’d allow him to watch my dog, and I think that’s a pretty high level of trust in someone,” D’Amico said.

Olechnowicz also is esteemed among his teammates, not just his coaches. Senior Shawn Wick is close friends and teammates with Olechnowicz said that Olechnowicz has a great work ethic and a good mentality.

“His work ethic is unlike anyone I’ve ever seen… It shows on and off the field, in the weight room, in practice, wherever. He’s going 110%, and he’s always trying to get better,” Wick said.

Wick said that Olechnowicz is not only a hard worker, but also has elite leadership skills. Wick also said that Olechnowicz’s leadership enhances the people around him. 

“It’s better than anyone I’ve ever seen. He can take any group of people and make them the best group of people out there regardless of how talented they are… He can take them to the next step,” Wick said

Wick said that Olechnowicz’s leadership comes through his ability to include others. He said that Olechnowicz involves everyone and values people. Olechnowicz is able to connect with people in a unique way by getting to know all of his teammates.

“He always makes sure that everyone is involved. He will make sure that you are seen, he will make sure that he comes up to you and talks to you, and that you’re not just left out,” Wick said.

With Olechnowicz moving on to play in college, Wick believes the transition will go smoothly and he will perform well.

“I think he’s going to do awesome, and I hope he does too, he deserves it all,” Wick said.

Olechnowicz’s ability to perform on the field and in the classroom as well as leading in several sports opened the door to playing college football. The community around Olechnowicz, filled with supporters such as D’Amico and Wick, allowed Olechnowicz to now achieve his dreams.