Shattering the record books
Cameron Turner Photo
NHS’s fastest sprinter, Zack Race
NORWICH – The prototype athlete is usually what college and pro-level coaches talk about.
However, student-athletes in the high school realm can also be that prototype, and not even know it yet.
Enter sprinting phenom, Zack Race.
Rewind to two years ago and ‘Racer’, as they call him, had never even stepped on a track to compete.
Race, now just a junior in high school already is the outright owner of nine Norwich High School Track and Field sprinting records.
Race is closing in on the end of just his second year of competing in varsity Track and Field, and now owns the following records:
• NHS school record in the 100m dash at 10.7 hand held and 10.93 FAT
• NHS school record in the 200m dash at 21.83 FAT
• NHS school record in the 4x100m relay at 43.83 FAT
• REK record in the 100m dash at 11.03 FAT
• REK record in the 200m dash at 22.42 FAT
• REK record in the 4x100m relay at 44.39 FAT
• Ulrich Facility record in the 100m dash at 10.8 hand held and 11.03 FAT
• Ulrich Facility record in the 200m dash at 21.9 hand held
• Ulrich Facility record in the 4x100m relay at 44.39 FAT
Let’s all soak that in for a second.
A junior, who has only one full season of running varsity Track and Field under his belt, currently holds all of the major sprinting records at NHS.
No slight to some f Norwich’s iconic sprinters in Barry Benjamin and Jason Morris, but it is without a doubt safe to say that Zack Race is the fastest sprinter that Norwich has ever had the pleasure in watching.
“It’s still so surreal remembering when I first saw that article in the paper (The Evening Sun) about me being the fastest sprinter in Norwich history. I wish I could find the way to describe the feeling. In reality I really don’t have many words to describe the way it feels besides the fact that it’s an absolute honor,” said Race. “I’m truly blessed with the opportunities I’ve been given here in the Track and Field program in such a short time. Being mentioned with athletes like Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Morris is once again a huge honor.”
However, with success gained so fast, one might think all the accolades would go right to the ego of Race – you’d be wrong.
“Zack is a coach’s dream. He has talent, he’s coachable, he works hard, and he is very appreciative of the time his coaches put in for him. 10.93 is his best 100m, 21.83 is his best 200m, this qualifies him for nationals,” said Norwich sprinting coach Phil Curley. “His family is great. They give him a lot of support, they’re at every meet. He (Zack) absolutely hates to lose. He qualified for the state championship’s last year, and he was more concerned that he didn’t win the race, even though making states is a huge accomplishment. Zack will not let you win. If you beat him, it’s because you deserve it, not because he let down. He doesn’t know how to let down.”
Despite the records that have fallen, Race began his Track and Field career somewhat reluctantly.
“I began running in March of last year (2016). Coach (Scottie) Decker had been on me every time I saw her about track. She said track will open doors that I never imagined I’d be able too get to,” said Race. “So I took her advice. Fast forward a year later and she was completely right. Honestly, I wish I took her advice years ago, but I tell her that it was better late than never.”
Race regularly participates in the obvious events of the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay – stay tuned in Friday’s edition of The Evening Sun for the relay NYS Championship previews.
Other than the main three events, Race could also be found running in the ever-daunting 4x400m relay as well, later on in the 2017 season.
“I don’t really have a favorite event, now that I’ve become better at blocks for the 100m. I’d say certainly that the 200m is my better event though. I ran a 21.83 last weekend (200m time at State Qualifiers) which is my best time. Headed into states I’m much more level headed than last year, as I have been here before,” said Race. “I’m hoping to be able to compete for the DII championship in the 100m and 200m.”
Race’s key to his success is all mental – whether it be through his workouts, preparedness, or simply staying humble – Race has documented his successes and his downfalls, and continues to set new goals, constantly.
“In my opinion, you just have too look at it (NY State Championship) as another meet, another opportunity for me too run and hopefully run some PR’s (personal records). Obviously, the pressure will be there, but I love the pressure and the nerves, it’s all part of the competition.”
So what has helped Race excel so fast, in such a short time – as he ran his best times as a sophomore at 11.08 in the 100m FAT, and and 22.36 in the 200m FAT. Both marks have significantly been bettered in 2017.
“Zack joined the team last year as a sophomore. He had a lot of learning to do. He had good speed, but his technique and race strategy needed some adjusting. After winning three events at the Class B Championships last year, he realized he could have a pretty good career in track and his athletic focus leaned heavily towards sprinting,” said coach Curley. “I think what separates Zack from other athletes is his willingness to do what needs to be done and faithfully follow his training program. He will sometimes question what we are doing, or if there is a better way to do it, but he always accepts the answer and follows through. He qualified (for the NY State Championship) in two events last year, three this year, don’t be surprised if he qualifies for four next year.”
Last year Race placed 13th in DII in the 100m dash with a time of 11.32 – while taking fifth-place in the 200m for DII with a time of 22.52.
In 2017, Race is seeded fifth for DII in the 100m dash, with his best time of 10.93 seconds. Jaheim Jones of Lourdes – last year’s champion – is ranked first with a time of just 10.81 seconds. Race is set up even better in the 200m dash, where he is seeded third in DII, with a 21.83. Again, Jones of Lourdes is ranked first with a close time of 21.54.
That split second difference in both events, is all that separates Race from Jones and other competitors.
“Making it this far is a humbling experience as I will be in some very elite company this weekend. Looking at the times other guys have ran, compared too mine, just shows how much I still need to push myself. There’s always room to improve, no matter what you do or how fast you run,” said Race of his ever-driven mindset. “In addition, I’d like to thank the coaches once again for all the time they take away from their own lives and families. Also, my own family for supporting me, day in and day out. I hope to bring home some hardware for Norwich.”
Race will be competing in his first event on Friday, June 9, at Union-Endicott High School in the DII 100m boys semi-final at 1:50 p.m.
NHS’s fastest sprinter, Zack Race
NORWICH – The prototype athlete is usually what college and pro-level coaches talk about.
However, student-athletes in the high school realm can also be that prototype, and not even know it yet.
Enter sprinting phenom, Zack Race.
Rewind to two years ago and ‘Racer’, as they call him, had never even stepped on a track to compete.
Race, now just a junior in high school already is the outright owner of nine Norwich High School Track and Field sprinting records.
Race is closing in on the end of just his second year of competing in varsity Track and Field, and now owns the following records:
• NHS school record in the 100m dash at 10.7 hand held and 10.93 FAT
• NHS school record in the 200m dash at 21.83 FAT
• NHS school record in the 4x100m relay at 43.83 FAT
• REK record in the 100m dash at 11.03 FAT
• REK record in the 200m dash at 22.42 FAT
• REK record in the 4x100m relay at 44.39 FAT
• Ulrich Facility record in the 100m dash at 10.8 hand held and 11.03 FAT
• Ulrich Facility record in the 200m dash at 21.9 hand held
• Ulrich Facility record in the 4x100m relay at 44.39 FAT
Let’s all soak that in for a second.
A junior, who has only one full season of running varsity Track and Field under his belt, currently holds all of the major sprinting records at NHS.
No slight to some f Norwich’s iconic sprinters in Barry Benjamin and Jason Morris, but it is without a doubt safe to say that Zack Race is the fastest sprinter that Norwich has ever had the pleasure in watching.
“It’s still so surreal remembering when I first saw that article in the paper (The Evening Sun) about me being the fastest sprinter in Norwich history. I wish I could find the way to describe the feeling. In reality I really don’t have many words to describe the way it feels besides the fact that it’s an absolute honor,” said Race. “I’m truly blessed with the opportunities I’ve been given here in the Track and Field program in such a short time. Being mentioned with athletes like Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Morris is once again a huge honor.”
However, with success gained so fast, one might think all the accolades would go right to the ego of Race – you’d be wrong.
“Zack is a coach’s dream. He has talent, he’s coachable, he works hard, and he is very appreciative of the time his coaches put in for him. 10.93 is his best 100m, 21.83 is his best 200m, this qualifies him for nationals,” said Norwich sprinting coach Phil Curley. “His family is great. They give him a lot of support, they’re at every meet. He (Zack) absolutely hates to lose. He qualified for the state championship’s last year, and he was more concerned that he didn’t win the race, even though making states is a huge accomplishment. Zack will not let you win. If you beat him, it’s because you deserve it, not because he let down. He doesn’t know how to let down.”
Despite the records that have fallen, Race began his Track and Field career somewhat reluctantly.
“I began running in March of last year (2016). Coach (Scottie) Decker had been on me every time I saw her about track. She said track will open doors that I never imagined I’d be able too get to,” said Race. “So I took her advice. Fast forward a year later and she was completely right. Honestly, I wish I took her advice years ago, but I tell her that it was better late than never.”
Race regularly participates in the obvious events of the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay – stay tuned in Friday’s edition of The Evening Sun for the relay NYS Championship previews.
Other than the main three events, Race could also be found running in the ever-daunting 4x400m relay as well, later on in the 2017 season.
“I don’t really have a favorite event, now that I’ve become better at blocks for the 100m. I’d say certainly that the 200m is my better event though. I ran a 21.83 last weekend (200m time at State Qualifiers) which is my best time. Headed into states I’m much more level headed than last year, as I have been here before,” said Race. “I’m hoping to be able to compete for the DII championship in the 100m and 200m.”
Race’s key to his success is all mental – whether it be through his workouts, preparedness, or simply staying humble – Race has documented his successes and his downfalls, and continues to set new goals, constantly.
“In my opinion, you just have too look at it (NY State Championship) as another meet, another opportunity for me too run and hopefully run some PR’s (personal records). Obviously, the pressure will be there, but I love the pressure and the nerves, it’s all part of the competition.”
So what has helped Race excel so fast, in such a short time – as he ran his best times as a sophomore at 11.08 in the 100m FAT, and and 22.36 in the 200m FAT. Both marks have significantly been bettered in 2017.
“Zack joined the team last year as a sophomore. He had a lot of learning to do. He had good speed, but his technique and race strategy needed some adjusting. After winning three events at the Class B Championships last year, he realized he could have a pretty good career in track and his athletic focus leaned heavily towards sprinting,” said coach Curley. “I think what separates Zack from other athletes is his willingness to do what needs to be done and faithfully follow his training program. He will sometimes question what we are doing, or if there is a better way to do it, but he always accepts the answer and follows through. He qualified (for the NY State Championship) in two events last year, three this year, don’t be surprised if he qualifies for four next year.”
Last year Race placed 13th in DII in the 100m dash with a time of 11.32 – while taking fifth-place in the 200m for DII with a time of 22.52.
In 2017, Race is seeded fifth for DII in the 100m dash, with his best time of 10.93 seconds. Jaheim Jones of Lourdes – last year’s champion – is ranked first with a time of just 10.81 seconds. Race is set up even better in the 200m dash, where he is seeded third in DII, with a 21.83. Again, Jones of Lourdes is ranked first with a close time of 21.54.
That split second difference in both events, is all that separates Race from Jones and other competitors.
“Making it this far is a humbling experience as I will be in some very elite company this weekend. Looking at the times other guys have ran, compared too mine, just shows how much I still need to push myself. There’s always room to improve, no matter what you do or how fast you run,” said Race of his ever-driven mindset. “In addition, I’d like to thank the coaches once again for all the time they take away from their own lives and families. Also, my own family for supporting me, day in and day out. I hope to bring home some hardware for Norwich.”
Race will be competing in his first event on Friday, June 9, at Union-Endicott High School in the DII 100m boys semi-final at 1:50 p.m.
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