Rosemount's three-sport standout

Just like that -- in a little over 53 seconds -- Zach Vraa's high school career was over.

Vraa, a three-sport standout at Rosemount High School, ran the 110- and 300-meter hurdles at the Class 2A track and field meet June 12. He finished the shorter event in 14.52 seconds, good for first place and a crowning achievement as one of the most decorated athletes to put on an Irish uniform.

When it was all finished, he said winning that championship was a top highlight of his prep career. And there have been many.

"After the track meet, I really thought about all the sports and how I've excelled at them," Vraa said. "I'm sure once the middle of summer kicks in, it will be a good time to really look back at everything."

Vraa always figured he'd be a part of Rosemount's track and boys' basketball teams. He ran as a freshman, and by the time he was a sophomore, he was getting big varsity minutes on the basketball team. He finished his senior season as the team's leading scorer with 17.1 points per game.

"You knew he was going to be something special," said activities director Mike Manning, also Rosemount's boys' basketball coach until this season. "And he's probably had one of the best seniors years of anyone in the metro area."

In addition to athletics, Vraa has gotten it done in the classroom. School has been just as much of a part of his last four years as competition. He graduated with a 3.75 GPA.

Football, though, is something Vraa said just "came to me my sophomore year."

Funny, but now that's his go-to sport. He was named the state's Mr. Football in November, and is headed to North Dakota State University in the fall to play for the Bison.

"I had no idea three years ago I was even going to play [football]," said Vraa, who caught 32 passes for 625 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall for the Irish. "After working hard for two years, it really paid off. This is what I wanted, and I'm proud of who I've become."

Vraa also considered the University of North Dakota and the Gophers.

"The U of M never offered me a scholarship," he said. "Hopefully I have a good four, five years at NDSU and then maybe the Gophers will look back and say, 'Geez, we should have got this guy.' I really hope I can increase my skill that much."

A major in architecture is the plan for now, but there are some who believe another path might be next.

"We really think he could be like Eric Decker," said Manning, referring to the former Gophers receiver who was drafted in the third round by Denver in April. "His athleticism is tremendous."

Brian Stensaas • 612-673-4127