Salute To Seniors: Zachary Hall - Brooksville Central


What was your most memorable race?
 
My most memorable race was at districts this year. It was the 1600m run. When the gun went off no one really took the lead and set the pace. When I came around the first lap everyone was telling me to go. The first quarter was 74 seconds. I picked up the pace to put myself close enough to make a move at the 800. I was only at 2:21 then people started dropping off at the 1200 I was in 5th and started my kick. I ended the race in 4th place at a 4:35.
 
Who would you consider your biggest competition?
 
My biggest competition was my doubts. After a dissappointing cross country season I was unsure of m self, but I had great supporters that helped me overcome this and achieve success.
 
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
 
Of all my high school accomplishments the one that stands out the most is when I earned 54 points in a five day span. We had an in county meet against three schools. I won the 800, 1600, and 3200. A couple of days later we went to the Tavares Open where a couple of top runners from other  teams did not run, but I clinched Centrals first team win with 30 points. I repeated and won the 800, 1600, and 3200m runs.
 
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
 
My most difficult obstacle hit me this year on the second day of districts for the 3200m, At the 1200m mark my hamstring gave me a twinge. Tthen I relized it was in a lot of pain and my stride was a fraction of what it was at the 1600m mark. I fell into the grass with a pulled hamstring. I had to take time off and then I repulled my hamstring at regionals and had to take two weeks off.
 
What will you miss the most?
 
I will miss my team the most. I have been captain for twoyears, so most of them are used to me, but you get to know people so much better during track and cross country. I am sure I have showed the underclassmen that if you train hard and keep yourself clean that you can do anything.
 
Do you have any advice for younger athletes? 
 
Pre-race warm ups and cool downs are important. More than that there is no set distance on a warm up. It took me seven years to find out how far I needed to go for cross country. I do a two mile warm up. For track I start with a mile and half before my first race then progressively they get less.
 
 
What influence has your coach had on you with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
 
Coaches are your greatest asset. My coach looked me in the eyes before most races and gave me a plan to follow for each race. Every race whether I won or not I got on the line ready for what I needed to do. He also helped show me that I was ready to run in college and he told me about some of the colleges.
 
What are your college plans?
 
I am attending Florida Southern College and am going to run cross country and track for them.
 
Who would you like to say thank you to?
 
I would like to thank every one I have ever met. Each person has shaped who I am, but my family has given me great support. All my coaches have helped me each one has helped me with some part of my athletics from sprinting, to form, to endurance, to strength. A special thank you to Coach Millholland, Coach Henderson, Coach Penn, Coach Ballard, Coach O, and Coach Brandel.
 
Is there anything else you would like to add?
 
I would like to add this for most up coming freshman and sophomore. You may not come up being the best but with hard work and effort by your senior year you can be. For juniors and seniors don't ever give up everything hurts and is hard, so why not make it worth it and beat some people.