Mason County Eastern’s Annabelle Zwagerman Named Athlete of the Week for Volleyball and Cross Country

Athlete of the Week

September 7, 2026

Senior Balances Leadership in Multiple Sports

Mason County Eastern High School senior Annabelle Zwagerman was recently acknowledged as Athlete of the Week by Mason County Eastern, an honor featured by local radio stations. Zwagerman is currently participating in both volleyball and cross country, adding cross country to her schedule for the first time this fall while also continuing her commitment to volleyball.

Journey in Athletics

Zwagerman described her transition into cross country as influenced by the encouragement of her coach, Ben Nizaki, who had suggested the sport to her for years. She ultimately joined the team with the goal of improving her endurance for other athletic pursuits, notably track, which she counts as her favorite sport. She highlighted that volleyball has been a foundational sport since middle school, crediting early friendships for sparking her interest and noting significant growth and confidence over time. As a senior, she has taken on a leadership role, impacting the closely knit volleyball team predominantly comprised of her graduating class.

Academic and Athletic Balance

Zwagerman is dual-enrolled at West Shore and manages a demanding schedule by staying organized, using both paper planners and whiteboards to keep track of commitments. She emphasized the support and flexibility shown by teachers at her small school, which has allowed her to maintain a strong focus on both athletics and academics. Her current coursework includes corrections and microeconomics, completed online to fit around sports obligations.

Motivation and Mentorship

Zwagerman credits her mother, her coach Ben Nizaki, and other mentors including Patty Peterson and Casey Dieter for their support and guidance. She also acknowledged the positive influence of fellow students and teammates, citing the strong sense of community at Mason County Eastern. Zwagerman helps foster team spirit by motivating her peers and maintaining a positive outlook, especially during challenging moments in competitions.

Looking Forward

While undecided about her post-graduation path, Zwagerman expressed interest in pursuing college track and learning more about careers in law enforcement, inspired by personal connections. She also said she is working towards breaking the school’s 300 meter hurdle record and hopes to compete successfully at the state level in hurdles and long jump during her final high school season.

Zwagerman’s recognition as Athlete of the Week highlights her leadership, time management, and dedication as she continues to make a positive impact at Mason County Eastern in both academics and athletics.

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