Prospect High School senior Veronica Znajda was honored as an IHSA Academic All-State Athlete, just one of 26 chosen across the state for excelling in both academics and athletics.
Many high school students excel academically and athletically, but only a very few – 26 each year – earn IHSA All-State Academic Team status. Among the elite this year is Prospect High School senior Veronica Znajda, who, when congratulated, immediately deflects credit.
“I’m so honored and humbled to be recognized among such amazing athletes and students from all over Illinois,” Veronica said. “I’m so grateful that I’ve had the resources I’ve had at Prospect, amazing coaches and teachers to make it to this point.”
All-State Academic Team nominees must possess a minimum 3.50 grade point average, have participated in at least two IHSA-sponsored sports or activities during each of the last two years and demonstrated outstanding citizenship.
Veronica checks all the boxes. A 4.0+ student, she volunteered for Schoolhouse World, a free online tutoring platform. Last year she devoted eight weeks to peer-tutoring students on the reading and writing portion of the SAT. All of which supports her aspiration to become a teacher. She has been a cellist and participates in the school’s Spanish exchange program.
As an athlete, Veronica has played a key role in a remarkable string of success for Prospect girls’ cross country and track and field teams.
As a freshman, Veronica was a member of the Knights’ state champion 4x800-meter relay team, as the Knights finished 3rd overall as a team.
As sophomore, Veronica:
Placed 6th individually in the state cross country meet, as Prospect won the state team title
Was a member of Prospect’s 4x800-meter relay team
Placed 10th individually in the state finals of the 3,200-meter run, as the Knights placed 2nd as a team at the state track and field meet
As a junior, she:
Was a member of Prospect’s 4x800-meter state title relay team, as the Knights won the team track and field championship
Placed 6th individually in the state finals of the 1,600-meter run
Last fall, as a senior, Veronica earned her highest individual award yet, placing third in the state cross country meet, as the Knights placed 4th as a team.
“I never thought, as a freshman, that I would be able to make it to this point, in my sport especially,” Veronica said. “My teammates and all the other dedicated student-athletes at Prospect have helped me push myself and work hard.”
As demonstrated by a remarkable string of success. During Veronica’s years at Prospect, the Knight girls cross country team has earned one state title, finished 2nd once and 4th twice. The girls track and field team has won one state title, finished 2nd once and 3rd once.
“It feels so special to be part of that,” Veronica said. “It’s insane how much talent there is, and to be part of that has been so incredible and helped me improve.”
Teams do not excel at that level without dedication and much hard work, and while workouts are demanding, Veronica said she and her teammates approach it all with a positive attitude. “We stay calm and encourage each other, and we know we can do it. We know it’s for a purpose.” While proficient at distances ranging from 400 to 3,200 meters, Veronica’s preferred race is 1,600 meters, which, she said, offers the perfect distance for her to establish a rhythm and relax as a runner.
“I feel so grateful we have the coaches we have (Pete Wintermute, Ryan Hopper and Sarah Harden). They truly have been so encouraging to all of us; everyone on the team just loves them and they always have our best interests at heart.”
After graduation, Veronica will continue her education at William & Mary, in Williamsburg, Va., where she will continue to run cross country and track as she pursues a degree in education. “I was leaning toward a smaller school,” she said, “and when I visited there, the campus was so beautiful. I got to meet the team, and every single girl was so welcoming.”
Before then, however, Veronica looks forward to April’s All-State Academic Team banquet in Bloomington and one final track and field season at Prospect, where – as she and her teammates have demonstrated – anything is possible.