As the disc leaves his hand, it's easy to see why Houghton's Zach Sisson has quickly risen to the top of the collegiate disc golf world. But not long ago, his journey started the same way many others did—simply saying yes to a friend.

"I first got introduced when my friend Eben invited me to go play a round one afternoon," Sisson said. "He had already been playing for a couple of weeks, so he showed me a few tips, and it's just taken off from there."

That casual introduction during the early days of the Covid pandemic has since turned into something much bigger. Now the top-rated disc golfer in New York and a top-five collegiate player nationally, Sisson will represent Houghton on one of the sport's biggest stages this week at the College Disc Golf National Championship, held April 8–11 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

His breakthrough moment came in late 2022 at the Capital Discs Open, when he found himself leading after the opening round of his first non-local professional tournament.

"That was my first non-local pro tournament, and it felt really good to see that I was capable of putting together a strong round in a bigger event," he said.

From there, the climb has been fueled by something simple: a love for the grind.

"I'd say I just really enjoy practicing," Sisson said. "I like going out by myself and throwing as much as I can. When you love what you do, it makes it so much easier to get better at it."

A two-sport athlete at Houghton, Sisson has also found a unique balance between disc golf and basketball, transitioning seamlessly between seasons.

"I think they work together pretty well," he said. "Disc golf season runs from the spring into the fall, and then basketball starts in the fall and goes through the winter. They complement each other nicely, and it keeps things fun being able to switch between sports."

That basketball background has played a key role in his development on the course—particularly when it comes to the mental side of the game.

"I also think about free throws," Sisson explained. "They're pretty similar to putting in disc golf—you have time to focus, set yourself, and then execute the shot in both situations."

At the elite level, Sisson believes the mental game is what ultimately separates the best from the rest.

"I think the biggest difference between good and elite players is the ability to clear your mind and execute the shot like you've done thousands of times in practice," he said. "It's about not overthinking and just trusting what you know you can do."

That mindset has been developed through experience—especially learning how to handle adversity during a round.

"Over time, I've developed the ability to not overthink things," Sisson said. "I just clear my mind and throw the shot that needs to be thrown. I used to let bogeys or bad shots get to me, but now I accept that they're going to happen sometimes, so I just move on."

Now, Sisson and his Houghton teammates head to Rock Hill with both excitement and purpose as they compete for a national title.

"I've always loved competing, so having the chance to compete for a national championship means a lot," he said. "It would be a great stepping stone in my disc golf career. It's been a goal of mine to win one, and not many people get that opportunity."

While he's focused on soaking in the experience, Sisson isn't shying away from lofty expectations.

"My main goal is to have as much fun as I can with the guys," he said. "Nationals is such a cool experience, so I want to enjoy it. At the same time, bringing home a singles title is definitely a goal—I'm confident in my ability to do that."

For now, his focus remains exactly where it's always been—on the next throw, the next round, and the opportunity right in front of him.

"I try not to look too far ahead because I like to stay in the present and enjoy where I'm at right now," Sisson said.

And for one of the nation's best, that present just happens to include a shot at a national championship.
  Quick Hits with Zach Sisson

Go-to disc?
"FD3—super reliable and gets me birdies when I need them."

Pre-round routine?
"Warm up, throw, putt—and a quick prayer thanking God for the opportunity."

Best (and toughest) basketball teammate at disc golf?
"Malachi would be best. Destin might struggle a bit at first."

Craziest shot?
"Hole-in-one on 18 to win a doubles round—we were down one."

Dream course and group?
"Krokhol in Norway with my brother Carter, Anthony Barela, and Paul McBeth."
 

---

 More about Houghton's Teams

The Highlanders are sending three teams:

Men's Division 1 comprised of Reid Cockle, Rhyan Lorenc, Zach Sisson, and Peter Stickney.
Men's Division 3 with Wes Anderson, Caleb Loew, André Spronk, and Ryan Zirilli. 
Women's Division 1 with Carolyn Powers and Emily Schweigart. 

Each team will compete in four rounds of 18 holes over four days with a possible final 9 holes for the top places in the singles portion of play. 

From Head Coach Ben Campbell
"My expectations for the teams are simple: play the tournament one hole at a time, trying our best on that one hole. If it goes well, let's try to do it again, and if not, let's try to bounce back and get the next one. This tournament can't be won in a single round, but it can certainly be lost, especially if mental and emotional fatigue creep in. If we can do the simple things well, and have a positive mindset, we will be in the hunt for a championship for the entire tournament."

Follow the scoring and results.