Northwest's Diego Zarate finished his high school career as a 3-time Maryland state champion and one of the state's fastest milers ever with his 4:09 third place finish at the Penn Relays this past April. After coming up short of winning the state cross country title in the fall (3rd in the 4A race), Zarate had been on a tear for the rest of his senior year on the track raising his total to half dozen each of 4A West Region and Montgomery County titles, but unfortunately had to sit out this past May's Maryland State Outdoor Championships. Zarate shares in his Salute To Seniors series interview below the reason why he missed his final state meet. Zarate unfortunately contracted Lyme Disease from a tick bite, but hopes to make a full recovery in time to begin his college career this fall at Virginia Tech.
What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race was probably the State Championship 1600 meter run in Indoor track my Junior year. Of course I have had faster races in bigger competitions, but this was the start of it all. It was the race where I decided I wanted to win. And by the finish, I had won my first State Title. Then later in the meet my team and I proceeded to win the entire State Championships by only a few points. It was one of the greatest moments in my running career.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
I faced my biggest competition at the Penn Relays. It was the first time I had ever gotten to race in the big leagues trying to hold my own against some of the best high school distance runners in the country such as Mikey Brannigan and Andrew Hunter. It was very nerve wracking going into such a big race but I was excited for it. It was also very different from the racing I was used to but it was great and I loved it nonetheless.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
Well my greatest accomplishment was being able to be a part of this team. There is no greater Honor, no greater award I could have received that would trump being on this team. Of course there was arguing, of course there was disagreement, but in the end, we were all part of a bigger family. I cannot imagine going through High school without these amazing guys and girls at my side. It was an honor to be able to change the program into what it is today along with my team.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in High School?
One thing I would change is tell myself to have gone beyond hurt earlier rather than have waited until my Junior year. Another thing is I probably would have told myself to wear bug spray. Other than that, I loved my running career just the way it was.
What were your most difficult obstacles to overcome?
The most difficult obstacle I ever overcame was High school. Well that and Lyme disease. Many students go through a lot in those years and there were most certainly times where everything came crashing down. Even at the State meet when I discovered I had Lyme disease and was not able to run. However I had so many of my teammates, such as the young distance runners at Northwest, my family, my Coach, and my girlfriend help me get through it. It broke my heart to think I could not be out there with my team, killing myself for that State title. But what I heard from about what my team did, the effort they put out there, how they went the extra mile and beyond for me…it was truly touching and I will never forget my brothers back at Northwest.
Photo by Lisa McArthur
What will you miss the most?
Oh I can’t just miss one thing more than everything else. I will miss the early morning Saturday runs with trail running and drinking from rivers. I will miss the antics of the underclassmen. I will miss the absolute savageness of Andrew Daniels to Cedric. I will miss the team car washes, winning county, regional, and state championships. Going over strategy with the coach, going for runs with my girlfriend, putting hundreds of flyers around the school for our big meets, eating out at Noodles and Company, and so much more. I will not miss ice baths however.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Wear bug spray in forests. You do not want those vile ticks to ruin your entire running season. Also stay hydrated so you don’t pass out. Also make sure you stretch and warm up properly. Also bring snacks but always save a good snack for the bus ride home but only eat it when everyone else is asleep so everyone in the bus asks to “Get some” of your sandwich. Finally, bring toilet paper to meets. It tends to go out quite fast at meets.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My coach has been a world of influence to my performance and my overall life goals. He pushed me and my teammates every day to become better than we could ever imagine and eventually, we started to become that. He taught us to never give up and that if you believe that your body can do anything you will it to, then you can and will be able to do it.
What are your college plans?
I plan to run both track and field and cross country at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where I will be studying to become an engineer as a Hokie!
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to thank my friends at school, the staff and faculty at my school, my friends outside of school, my team, my coach, my assistant coaches, my mentors, my sisters, my weight training class, my mom, my dad, professional runners, the coaches and team at Virginia Tech, Noodles and Company, the County, all the officials at meets, the Gazette, the Washington Post, MileSplit, Running Maryland, MoCo Running, Fleet Feet, RnJ, Tri State Runnr, every coach and teams we have gone against, my family in Argentina, my doctors and nurses, Ride On bus drivers, anyone who at a stop lets me cross first when I am on a run, all my friends from opposing teams especially in Montgomery County, New Balance, Nike, Reebok, Minds in Motion, Hispanic Youth Foundation, Appalachian State, Pacers, the Derek Sheely Foundation, Saucony, Mizuno, Brooks, all the audience at all of my meets, all the teams supportive parents and families, Bob Evans, my neighbors, all the bus drivers who drove us to meets both near and far, my girlfriend and her family and anyone who I may have forgotten who know you have helped me in some way shape or form. Thank you all.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Go Jags. (And Hokies!)
