Athlete Name: Zack Howard
School: Briarwood Christian School
What was your most memorable meet and why?
The most memorable meet for me was the All-Star race last summer. It was an honor to be a part of the first All-Star XC race. I met two of my future teammates at the meet, and I got to run a more tactical race than what I am used to.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
I faced my biggest competition at Jesse Owens this past year, where I pushed myself to the point of collapsing during the race. Because of this race, I learned a lot about my body and how to race smarter.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most and why?
The accomplishment that stands out the most is me winning XC state for 5A this past year. This stands out the most to me because I had a rollercoaster of a season, and ended it on a great note. This also showed me that God is truly amazing in the way He uses us.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would go back, and focus more on working smart, not hard all the time. Your body needs rest, and I wish I would have realized that my freshmen and sophomore year.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome during your HS Track career?
One of the most difficult obstacles I had to overcome was when I collapsed. I really was discouraged after that race, but I had to put it behind me in order to continue through the season.
What will you miss the most?
I will really miss the people who run in high school. I have made some of my best friends through running.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
The biggest piece of advice I can give is listen to your body and train smart. Also, the most important thing is that you are having fun with the sport.
What are your post-highschool or college plans?
I will be attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville. I will be studying Finance and I will be running XC and track there.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to say thank you to my parents for always cheering me on and encouraging me. I would also like to thank all of the coaches who have poured themselves into me. Thank you Coach Margene, Coach McWaters, and Coach Parker for giving me specific workouts to help me get faster. Thank you Coach Cain for giving me the opportunity to run at the next level, it is truly a dream come true. Also, thanks to my brother Brandon Lee for training with me and helping me become a student of running.
