Ben Zaiser

Height:
5-3
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Pittsburgh, Pa.
High School:
home school

JUNIOR YEAR | 2013: Saw action during 12 team competitions...posted the sixth-best vault score in Academy history (career-best 14.800) to finish seventh at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships...recorded the program[apos]s ninth-highest score on the floor exercise (personal-best 14.900) during a winning performance at the All-Academy Championships...also finished third on the still rings (career-best 14.750) and vault (14.700) at that meet...debuted on the Academy[apos]s top-20 list with that score on the rings. SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2012: USAG national champion on the vault...scored a 14.600 to finish first at the national meet...claimed USAG All-America honors for the second straight year...also placed first on the vault against Illinois-Chicago and Arizona State...scored a season-high 14.750 at Nebraska to lead the Falcons...that mark is an Academy standard under the new scoring guidelines for the vault...holds at least a share of four of the program[apos]s top-five all-time scores...earned a top-10 finish on that event at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships (14.600)...also competed on the still rings in every team competition...recorded a career-best score of 14.600 during the Falcons[apos] dual with Illinois-Chicago...participated on the floor exercise during seven meets, including the USAG Championships (team finals) and the MPSF Championships...scored a career-high 14.200 in the meet against Minnesota...earned the team[apos]s Most Improved Award. FRESHMAN YEAR | 2011: USAG All-American on the vault...scored a 15.500 to finish fifth at the USAG National Championships...competed on the vault in 12 meets...recorded a career-best score of 15.600 during five competitions...first tallied that score at Nebraska...posted that score in four consecutive meets (at Illinois-Chicago Quad, at Brockport, at Springfield, against Washington)...that mark is the eighth-best score in Academy history...won the vault titles at Nebraska and during the Falcons[apos] regular season finale against Washington. HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM: Was home schooled...passed AP tests in chemistry, statistics, physics and Calculus AB...two-time USAG Academic All-American...competed at the club level for Pittsburgh Northstars...coached by Scott Carslaw...participated at the 2009 Nationals in Cincinnati...four-time national qualifier...placed second on the pommel horse at the 2008 state championships...received the Greg Young Award, which goes to someone who shows respect to the coaches. PERSONAL: Full first name is Benjamin, but goes by Ben...nickname is Benji...son of Barry and Kim Zaiser...has one older sister, Bekah, who was a 2010 All-American gymnast at Florida...also has an older brother, Aaron, who is a 2011 graduate of the Academy and former member of the men[apos]s gymnastics team...majoring in civil engineering...future plans include becoming a pilot...served as Security NCO...named to the Athletic Director[apos]s List for excellence in academic performance...hobbies include paintball and rock climbing...favorite event is the vault, because 'I[apos]m good at it'...member of Cadet Squadron 12.