Athlete of the Week: Jozef Miesak, Windermere High

After taking a year away from running track on the high school circuit, recent Windermere High graduate Jozef Miesak made sure to leave a mark on the 2025 high school track-and-field season before continuing his athletic and academic career as a member of the Yale Bulldogs track team while pursuing a degree in physics.

When his senior season was all said and done, Miesak captured a total of 13 individual and relay gold medals — including winning the 400-meter dash championships at states, regionals, districts and metros. Along with finishing in the top-three a total of 18 times this season, he also broke the Windermere record in the 400 with a time of 46.68. 

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?
It’s pretty nice, I’m glad to see that I was noticed for my sport. I thought that track and field was more of a niche thing, since I never got recognized outside of track meets, so it’s really nice to see that it extends beyond that.

What do you enjoy the most about track and field?
I like the racing, because it allows me to compete against other athletes that train in the same event. Holding pace behind other runners and watching them start to break down toward the backstretch drives me to push harder.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from track and field?
You can’t (judge) a person from looks alone, 100%. Athletes (who) truly are fast never look how you’d expect, so humility and knowing your place is important. It teaches you that you need to be confident running by yourself to do well.

What is your favorite track-and-field memory?
Winning the state championship in the 400-meter dash. Although I have gone to much bigger meets, the state meet felt like a goal that was always truly in the back of my mind since the beginning. (Since) starting track, I really never thought that it would happen, but as I progressed onward, the idea became more realistic, and I know that telling my freshman self I actually did it would be astonishing.

Who is your favorite athlete?
Wayde van Niekerk, because he runs the same event as me, but he’s literally the world champion. Aside from him running the 400, we’re also about the same height and have a similar build, so seeing him run gives me hope that I could be just as great.

What is your go-to pre-meet meal?
I don’t really do meal prep or plan out meals because it messes with me. But one thing I can probably always count on eating before a meet would be some sort of fruity snack, like grapes.

What is your go-to pre-meet hype song?
This changes a lot based on the week, but right now I’d say “Love Me” by Lil Wayne.

What is your favorite non-sports hobby?
Coding and app development. Being able to have an idea and then create it, make its parts and Frankenstein it to life allows me to express my creativity.

What is your favorite subject in school?
I like science-related subjects — I’m actually majoring in physics at Yale at the moment — but I’ve always had good experiences in science classrooms, met really cool people and got along with the teachers. 

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
A lot of Saran wrap, a big cutting tool like a machete or something and a lighter. The Saran wrap is to waterproof things, the knife is to get wood to make things and the lighter is because I can’t start a fire and would probably die without it.

What is your favorite movie?
“10 Things I Hate About You,” no contest. I saw it during an official visit to Brown … and I really liked the story and the ending, and then the follow-up after the movie walking through campus really made the moment complete.

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be?
My grandpa from my mom’s side. I wish I could show him the things I’ve done because he left too soon.

If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
I would go to pre-colonial China, so I can see if the cartoons are accurate; and I want to see lotus flowers.

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell myself that you have a steady pace and learn how to keep the pace or at least not fully stop when it gets hard. That’s what separates people from the rest.

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?
I would ask what my regrets are and I would make sure to fix them. 

Who is your favorite superhero?
My favorite superhero is Batman because I watched “The Batman” in theaters with my friends, and I still remember the night. The movie was awesome and the memory brings that whole group back to life when I think about it. Batman really helps me reflect on them and remember how good things are.

Who is your favorite supervillain?
The Joker because his makeup is funny, and I think the way he talks is funny.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Probably super speed, so I could win track meets easily but not have to train for them anymore.

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?
I would travel to Brazil, Morocco and Japan. All of these places are spots I definitely want to see in my life and I want to fill in any ethnic gaps I miss within my own family. The culture from these places are super interesting to me, and I have friends from all of these places so that just adds to the mystery.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why?
I would be a dog so I can see what it’s like for them to be so happy all of the time. Also dogs don’t have to make conversation and do homework.

What is your most controversial food take?
Most of your athleticism comes from what you eat. Training is helpful and everything, but if you eat wrong, it doesn’t help. And vice versa: If you eat right, you don’t need to be training your butt off every day.

Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Absolutely; it’s actually my favorite. I always get a Hawaiian pizza every time I order, and for some reason, my picky friends don’t like it, even though they’ve never tried it. But once they get put on by me, it’s a go-to for them, too.