MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
RIO HONDO — Rio Hondo senior Michael Zuniga is currently focused on getting back to the UIL state track and field meet, but he can now take solace knowing the road will continue on after high school.
Zuniga will join the University of Texas at San Antonio track and field program this fall after inking his national letter of intent Friday afternoon at Rio Hondo High School.
Signing on with the Roadrunners isn’t only an extension to Zuniga’s throwing career, but a dream come true.
“It’s a goal I had since I started throwing in the seventh grade,” Zuniga said. “I always knew I wanted to be a collegiate athlete — it’s what I’ve always worked for.”
Zuniga will throw shot put, discus and hammer throw.
Arriving at the decision to sign at UTSA was a process, but after seeing what the school had to offer, Zuniga decided it was a no-brainer.
“I looked at a couple of schools, but I just knew that UTSA was the right fit for me,” Zuniga said. “They had great facilities, their coaches are awesome and I just fell in love with the place.
“They’re a successful program and I just want to add on and help get points at the conference meet and hopefully help them earn a conference title.”
Zuniga, who owns the Valley’s top mark in the shot put, is trying to complete his return to state where he was a silver medalist in the shot put last year.
Zuniga won the District 32-4A title in the shot put and discus earlier this week and hopes to take the next step at the Region IV-4A meet on Apr. 29 on the campus at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
He won’t let the signing distract him, but admits that it’s a good motivating factor.
“It helps me knowing that I’m going to be a collegiate athlete,” Zuniga said. “It pushes me to do better, practice harder and do better at the meets.”