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Zach Zwinak spoke for less than a minute during last Thursday morning's official selection ceremony for the 2010 Army All-American Bowl at Linganore High's gymnasium.
The Lancers' senior standout running back-linebacker thanked his family, friends, coaches, teachers and teammates during a brief stint at the podium. He's a man of few words, but as Thursday's festivities affirmed, one of many accomplishments.
"To get to play in a game like this is a great honor," Zwinak said. "I've wanted this for a long time."
Zwinak, who verbally committed to Penn State in September, will join Governor Thomas Johnson senior Nick Forbes on the East Team at linebacker.
Five U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Tour groups have been doing a cross-country tour, announcing each of the 90 players and 97 marching band members that are being selected to the bowl. The game is slated for Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It will be nationally televised on NBC, starting at 1 p.m.
Accompanied by his parents, Diane and B.J., as well as Lancers' head coach Rick Conner at the head table; Zwinak was presented with a ceremonial jersey by representatives of the Army and the bowl. To the amusement of teammates, he posed for a number of photos, including a jovial series of shots with the products of a deodorant sponsor of the game.
"I'm sure I'll hear some jokes during practice about the deodorant," Zwinak said.
The 2008 Gazette Player of the Year, Zwinak rushed for 1,442 yards and 20 touchdowns in leading Linganore to the Class 4A state finals as a junior. Through seven games this season he's rolled up 899 yards and 14 scores on 62 carries (14.5 yards per attempt).
"We're just so proud of Zach," Conner said. "We're so proud that his teammates have helped contribute to his success. It's a real feather in our cap."
Joining Zwinak in San Antonio will be fellow Nittany Lion recruit Silas Redd, a running back from Connecticut. Currently ranked 13th in both the Associated Press Top 25 poll and Bowl Championship standings, Penn State is 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten Conference. The Nittany Lions appeared in the Rose Bowl last January.
"It will be different to practice and play with guys who are all top recruits," Zwinak said. "It'll be interesting."
Conner was also invited by the Army to attend the game, as well as an exclusive weeklong coach's camp during the week preceding the bowl.
Zwinak will have some familiar company within the Big Ten. Highly touted Linganore offensive lineman Rob Havenstein has made his mind up and will join the University of Wisconsin football team in the fall.
"It's just a great fit for me," Havenstein said. "[Wisconsin is] a great place where I'll get to play in the Big Ten."
Havenstein informed Badgers' head coach Bret Bielema of his decision Wednesday. He's visited the Madison, Wisc., campus numerous times, and attended Wisconsin's season opener against Northern Illinois, a 28-20 Badgers victory, at Camp Randall Stadium on September 5.
Wisconsin (5-2 overall, 2-2 in conference) is currently ranked 21st in the Associated Press Top 25. The Badgers are a perennial Big Ten power, having claimed 11 conference titles.
November 12, 2011, at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., will be the first time Havenstein and Zwinak will meet on the collegiate gridiron. When asked Thursday which program will prove more successful during their careers, Zwinak smiled and said, "we'll see."
