Maryland Boys Track Athlete of the Decade: Wright or Zarate?

Photos by Lisa McArthur (left) and Brandon Miles

Over the past month and a half, you have helped us narrow down an initial batch of 32 boys to two finalists in an attempt to crown Maryland's top track and field athlete of the decade. Northwest High School fans have showed big-time support over the course of the tournament, and now former teammates Diego Zarate and Shyheim Wright will face off in the finals!

Unlike the matchup in the girls bracket, our two boys finalists starred in different events throughout the course of their high school careers. Zarate was an 800/1600 specialist, one with the speed to run under 50 seconds in the 400 and under 15:30 on the cross-country course. Wright excelled in the hurdles and holds the 4A indoor state meet record in the 55 meter hurdles, as well as solid performances in the sprints and jumps. Both also benefit from playing big parts of perhaps Maryland's best track dynasty of the decade at Northwest. You can cast your vote for the boys track and field athlete of the decade up through 11:59 PM on Sunday, September 13!

Matchup 46: (5) Shyheim Wright v. (7) Diego Zarate

Shyheim Wright	Name	Diego Zarate
Northwest	School	Northwest
2016	Class	2015
Def. (8) Aaron Robinson, 91-9	Final Four	Def. (2) Champ Page, 95-5
37.28 300H (MD #4 all-decade, US #27 2016) 7.27 55H (MD #4 all-decade) 13.92 110H (MD #6 all-decade) 6.54 55, 35.58 300, 6'2 HJ, 22'6 LJ, 45'3.25 TJ 4x state champion, 1x runner-up 6x regional champion, 5x county champion Competed twice at New Balance nationals Holds 4A indoor meet record (55H)	Accolades	4:08.24c 1600 (MD #5 all-decade) 1:52.07 800, 9:18.16 3200 4x state champion 5x regional champion, 5x county champion Competed in mile at 2015 New Balance nationals and Penn Relays

Watch Wright's state meet #3 all-time performance in the 300 hurdles!

Watch Zarate win the Emerging Elite mile at the 2015 New Balance Indoor National championships!