Jack Zakelj was just doing his homework last week, like most students home from school.But it was mom's night off work, so he was in…
Jack Zakelj was just doing his homework last week, like most students home from school.
But it was mom’s night off work, so he was in a hurry.
“He tries to get it done fast, so that he can go to Alpine,” said his mom, Melissa, handing her cell phone to the West Geauga eighth-grader.
Jack has been a snowboarder since he was 4, first trying it with his friend, Jesse, at Lindsey Elementary School during snow days.
He finished his competitive season last month with medals: a gold, four silver and one bronze.
Traveling around Ohio and western New York at events held by the United States of American Snowboard Associ-ation, Jack competes in Slopestyle (going downhill through obstacles, like rails and jumps) and Rail Jam.
Jack described his events: “Basically, it’s a mix of jumps and rails and you just keep heading up the hill and hitting rails. Whoever can throw down the best trick, wins.”
The Zakelj family, including Tony (dad) and Amanda (sister) has lived in Chester Township on Lyman Road for 17 years. It was Jack’s friend, Jesse, who got him snowboarding.
It was Instagram that led him to competing, when Brandywine Resort (@BMBW) in Brecksville posted a competition through Snow Ohio, the local branch of the USASA.
“The first medal was kind of fun, but it was like, whatever,” he said. “But after that, it was like I was getting more and more.”
Being a daredevil can make Melissa nervous at times. As an operating room nurse at Hillcrest Hospital, she has seen things.
“But I tell him wear your helmet, be safe, be careful,” she said. “If I told him not to do something, it would probably break his heart, especially something he’s passionate about.”
Jack plays football for West Geauga, and expects to continue his freshman year. He’s played basketball and baseball, as well. But over the winter, he dedicates himself to the slopes.
“He really does it as often as he can,” his mom said.
His best day was at a Peek’n Peak Resort in Clymer, N.Y., where he finished with three silver medals.
“I’m going to keep going,” Jack said.
