Work ethic, practice, and running fast are all topics mastered by senior Zach Zembraski. This is what he knows best and what helps Zach to compete at the highest level when it comes to athletics.

Zembraski has been involved in the track program for a few years, and this year he is hoping to bring back some gold from Austin at the state meet.

“I actually originally joined track my junior year,” Zembraski said. “I decided to join the program to become faster and quicker for football season, not because it was something I enjoyed.”

Staying active and in-shape is something that Zembraski is a big advocate of, and becoming involved early is vital to emerge as an athlete down the road.

“Whenever I became old enough to play a sport I would have my mom include me in the activity,” Zembraski said. “Whether it was baseball, soccer, basketball, or football, staying active and in-shape is something that is important to me personally.”

Participating in various sports can ultimately help anybody looking to succeed in athletic activities. That type of mindset is one Zembraski is used to and utilized for his favorite sport, football.

“It is mainly track that has assisted me in other sports,” Zembraski said. “The original reason why I started to participate in the program was to become quicker and faster for football.”

Sports in general brings memories to everyone throughout their entire lives. As for Zach Zembraski, participating in track is one of his favorites.

“I love getting to spend time with my friends,” Zembraski said. “Being there with them makes the experience at practice, and meets makes it all the more better for me.”

With the state meet rolling around, each athlete is focusing on preparation and what they can do to contribute.

“We are all in pretty good shape for the meet,” Zembraski said. “It is late in the season, so we aren’t doing too difficult of workouts, but enough to keep ourselves in contention.”

As an athlete his entire life, Zembraski knows what it takes to put in dedicated work, and to compete at the highest level when it comes to track.

“The biggest factor anyone could accomplish is putting forth effort in practice,” Zembraski said. “Also, knowing how to run your race correctly and obviously being somewhat innately fast.”

Growing up, kids always have their favorite or most inspirational player in any sport. In track, Zembraski has his own as well.

“Coach Chancellor definitely,” Zembraski said. “He has pushed all of us so far and always sets the bar higher. If it weren’t for him making sure we came out to each practice and pushing us each and every day, we for sure wouldn’t have made it this far.”

Whether it is competing in sports or life in general, giving it your all is what matters, and leaving it all on the field.

“Just because something is tough or doesn’t seem worth it at the time, doesn’t mean it won’t be in the end,” Zembraski said. “I wasn’t planning on running at all after football, however, Coach Chancellor, the other track coaches, and my friends convinced me to run a few weeks into the season. The practices throughout were terrible and I didn’t exactly enjoy going to the meets either, but now that we are going to state, I couldn’t even imagine not running.”

Zembraski and his team ran placing fourth at the state meet, ending the team’s successful season.

“We didn’t quite do as well as we were hoping because we really were hoping to place,” Zembraski said, “but we still ran well and put up a good time. I  will always remember what it felt like running track on that big of a stage, with thousands of people watching, and running with all of those great athletes.”

The state meet marked the last race of Zembraski’s career, but the experience will never be forgotten.

“I’ll also remember hanging out with everyone in the hotel and all the fun we had together,” Zembraski said. “We made a lot of memories together while down there, and it was a great way to finish off an extremely eventful senior year.”