Salute To Seniors: Zayd Abdul-Ali

Zayd's Athlete Profile

What was your most memorable race/competition?

Easily the most memorable competition I have ever been apart of was running the 4x400m at the Penn Relays Carnival this year. There was this intense, competitive, electric aura emanating throughout the stadium. There's nothing really quite like it. I'll never forget waiting in line to compete, staring at the thousands of people who came to watch high schoolers like me run around in a circle. It was a very surreal experience. 



Where did you face your biggest competition? or What was your favorite meet and why?

My favorite meets were always the postseason, championship meets. I loved the pressure that accompanied competing in those events, because that's when I always did my best and cared the most about each individual event. Even in the events I wasn't competing in, I relished in seeing my teammates compete and excel. 



If you could, what would you do differently with your high school running career?

I never really took Track & Field seriously up until my Junior year and I feel that was the year I really broke out and started seeing results. If I could restart my high school running career, I would have worked harder my freshman and sophomore years. Also, I would have started eating healthier earlier.



Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
 

Breaking the school record for the outdoor TJ. "Breaking" the school record for the 4x100m comes in a close second.



What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

Injuries. I had the misfortune of having recurring ankle injuries that plagued me for the majority of my sophomore season and half of my junior year.

 



What was your most difficult workout?

 I'll never forget my first week joining the track team. Coach Jones made the entire team run 12 fast 400s with little time in between each.

 


What will you miss the most?

 I'll miss a lot of things about high school track: the friendly environment at each meet, competing against my peers, being successful in my field of expertise, representing McLean. The aspect I'm sure I'll miss the most is spending time with my teammates together as a unit. We've bonded so much and pushed each other over these last few years and especially this last year, I don't know what I'll do without them.  

 


How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals?

Coach Megan Ney has done a wonderful job as a first time head coach and I am extremely lucky to have had her. She has inspired me so much to really fulfill my potential, and I'm so grateful. Also, I am really considering becoming a high school Track & Field coach because of her.  




What are your plans for college?

 I'll be attending the Virginia Commonwealth University and competing for their D3 T&F program. Go Rams!




What is your advice for an incoming freshman running/competing in the same events as you did?

 Work hard; push yourself and push others. Cherish your moments of success, because that's what makes it all worth it. Don't take yourself too seriously. Enjoy the company of your teammates. Don't skip practice.  

 

Shout Outs? 

 Shout out to Ooh Kell 'Em, Shake 'n' bake, CP3, Prock Lock & Drop It, and most importantly: The Boxer Boys. 

 

 

 

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