MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
When it comes to the Rio Hondo track and field team, Mike Zuniga did it all his senior year.
He led the Valley in the shot put the entire year with a distance of 57-09 and finished the year fourth in discus.
At the District 32-4A meet, Zuniga captured gold in both events. Then at the regional meet, he went on to qualify for the UIL state meet.
In Austin, Zuniga made it two medals in a row at state, winning the bronze after winning silver the year before.
Zuniga also signed on to throw at the University of Texas at San Antonio next year.
For those reasons, Zuniga is a finalist for the Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year award, which will be presented at the All-Valley Sports Award Banquet on June 14 in McAllen.
Q: How does it feel to be nominated for this award?
A: It’s a great honor to be nominated for this award. It is rewarding to see my hard work and dedication to the sport of track and field being recognized. It’s been a pleasure representing the Valley and I’ll sure miss my high school days.
Q: When did you first start training as a shot putter and discus thrower?
A: I began to train in the seventh grade. I was always one of the bigger, stronger kids in the grade, so I knew I could excel at it. It also interested me after watching my sister do it in high school when I was little. She would bring home an award and I would tell my parents, ‘that’s nothing, just wait until I get to do it.’”
Q: What would you say is the hardest part of your sport?
A: The hardest part of my sport is trying to learn and maintain your technique. If you think you know it all and are doing everything correctly, you’re probably wrong. I’ve been at it for six years and I’ve only scratched the surface of what there is to learn.
Q: Do you have any rituals or routines the day of a big meet?
A: On meet days, I would usually pray in the morning, go to school, have a good lunch, sit in the back of the bus to listen to some good thrash metal to get in that aggressive state of mind and then go out and have a good competition.
Q: What has been your favorite athletic memory?
A: My favorite memory would probably be coming back from injury and going on to win a silver medal at the state meet. This particular memory goes to show that anything can be done if you put in the time and effort.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete and why?
A: My favorite athlete would probably have to be Kobe Bryant because he has a great love and dedication for the game, and is one of the most competitive athletes out there and through any injury, he would give it his all to get back out on the court.
Q: Other than sports, what is your favorite hobby?
A: If I’m not playing sports you can usually find me listening to music, hunting and fishing, or drawing.
Q: Tell us something about yourself that most people may not know.
A: One thing that people may not know about me is that I don’t know how to swim.
Q: Who are your personal heroes and why?
A: My personal heroes would have to be my parents. They have worked so hard to make sure I have everything I need to be successful, and would do absolutely anything for me. I’m so grateful to have them.
Q: Sum up your career at Rio Hondo in a few words.
A: My career at Rio Hondo was a great experience. It was a pleasure competing and being able to do so well for the program, and I just thank everyone who helped me on my journey. Now that I’m a graduate, I ask for the student-athletes of Rio Hondo to strive for greatness and work hard to achieve their goals in sports as well as in the classroom. Rio Hondo will always be my home and I would just like to say, thanks for the memories.