Rochester Native Makes History as Thunder PDL Teams First Roster Signing

Former Rochester Prep Soccer Star to Play for Thunder

Rochester, MN – Former Rochester prep soccer standout John Zietlow will play soccer for the Rochester Thunder this summer. Zietlow, who is finishing up his sophomore year at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, will begin training with the team in May.

Zietlow grew up in Rochester, attending Resurrection Lutheran School from kindergarten through 8th grade and Mayo High School from 9th through 12th grade. At Mayo, Zietlow was a four-year varsity letter winner. He was a three-time all-conference selection, and as the captain of the Mayo High School team as a senior, he also enjoyed all-state honors. He also ran track for Mayo.

Zietlow has started every game in his two seasons at St. Olaf. He was named MIAC All-Conference, NSCAA All-Far West Region, best newcomer and team MVP as a freshman. As a sophomore, he led the league with 39 points and 13 assists and was second in goals with 13. He was again named MIAC All-Conference, NSCAA All-Far West Region and team MVP, and also added All-Conference and All-Far West Region academic honors to his awards. Zietlow has been named a team captain for St. Olaf next season, when he will be a junior.

Zietlow’s experience with soccer began through the Rochester Youth Soccer Association starting at age 7. He played with RYSA through U17s before moving to the Bangu Tsunami soccer club as a U18 because RYSA didn’t offer soccer for U18 boys. He captained the team that won State Cup as U18s and U19s and reached the Regional tournament each season.

Zietlow, whose family still resides in Rochester, is the second oldest of four boys. He is studying Chemistry at St. Olaf and plans to go on to medical school when his undergraduate work is complete.

“We’re excited to have John on the team,” said Thunder head coach Neil Cassidy. “He’ll bring a strong work ethic, good training mentality and his vision and passing range will be real assets for us on the pitch.”