By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
RIO HONDO — After Rio Hondo’s then-junior Mike Zuniga captured the silver medal at last year’s UIL state track and field meet, two things were sure: he was one of the top shot putters in the state and nothing would stop him from returning to state.
Zuniga took home silver in the 4A boys shot put more than one year after suffering a knee injury playing football as a sophomore, making his triumph at state all the sweeter.
Well, bittersweet.
“I was trying to do my best with what I had due to my knee,” Zuniga said. “It was satisfying going to state last year not knowing how I’d do and bringing home silver.
“It did leave a bad taste in my mouth knowing I could’ve done better and easily taken gold.”
This year, Zuniga has that chance after winning the Region IV-4A title with a throw of 56-08.50.
Zuniga’s best mark this year was a 57-09, which he set at the Bobby Morrow Relays back in February.
That mark has held up all season long as the best in the Valley by nearly two feet.
Harlingen’s Travis Barnes was the closest to Zuniga with a 55-11.
Zuniga is also going to compete in the discus, which he qualified for with a mark of 158-10 and is second in the Valley with a 165-11.
For Zuniga, this year’s success has been simply the result of hard training and trying to best the marks of tough local competition.
“It’s been easy finding good competition at meets,” Zuniga says. “It’s good to know that I compete against some of those guys and beat them because I also know they are capable of the same. So to be able to be one of the best in the Valley is a good feeling.”
Being the best in the Valley takes a lot of work, which Zuniga puts in on a daily basis.
Throwing coach and cousin Dave Zuniga says the drive to be the best makes the senior thrower such a model athlete and a good face for the Rio Hondo track program.
“Mike has been a blessing to our program,” coach Zuniga said. “He’s the definition of dedication and commitment. He comes in, works, throws his throws and goes all out. He tries to reach a certain point and isn’t satisfied until he reaches that mark.
“He comes out, doesn’t miss practice — just the will he has to be the best, that’s Mike Zuniga.”
Coach Zuniga likes Mike’s chances at state, but thinks the season is an accomplishment regardless of the outcome.
Mike has other ideas.
Before he heads off to UTSA to begin his college throwing career, Friday’s state meet is the last chance the driven senior will have to accomplish his goal of going out on top, thus adding more accolades to an already stellar high school career.
“To win in both at state is what I have worked towards since picking up a shot put and discus my sixth grade year,” Mike said. “It would be the cherry on top and it would help me heading into my college career.”