PA Salute To Seniors: Garrett Zatlin - Great Valley HS
What was your most memorable race/competition?
I am torn among so many moments throughout my career. However, the most memorable was my sophomore year during cross country. During the District 1 championships, our team came in 2nd and placed ahead of some top notch teams (and the eventual state champs, North Penn). Along with that, I was able to medal with 2 other teammates of mine which was the cherry on top for such an excellent day.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
A past teammate and friend of mine, Sarah Kochinsky, put it perfectly. I face the biggest competition at practice every day. My teammates push me to be the best I can be and they are without a doubt my biggest competition. There would always be someone at practice with a half stride ahead of me looking to make me be my best. I've been lucky enough to race at high caliber meets like the XC and indoor track state championships multiple times. However, without my teammates, I never would've been able to make that possible.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
This past winter, my teammates and I ran in a DMR at Yale that turned out a lot better than I think many of us expected. We all knew we had the potential to run well and hit a great time so we were happy to see our true potential show in that race.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I will occasionally go back and question if I could've prevented certain injuries I had or if a certain race tactic was a good call or not. Yet, at the end of the day, I have no regrets. My high school running career was a learning process and mistakes were needed in order for me to learn and become a better runner. I would not change a thing.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I've had to face many obstacles. Although most of these obstacles were injuries. Throughout my high school training, I've been plagued with multiple injuries like, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, a chronic calf pain (no one ever truly figured this one out. Compartment syndrome and "biomechanical incorrectness" were thrown around by a couple doctors), strained hamstring, and sesimoiditis. Physical therapy and the chiropractor were visits I often made. Through all of this though, I still felt that I was able to come back and contribute to my team the best I could. For the weeks and even months that I would be out, I came back, overcame my lack of training, and hit PR's when it counted.
What will you miss the most?
I will definitely miss all of my teammates the most. My teammates have become like another family to me. My closest friends and I have struggled and succeeded together for four years so to leave them will be tough. The stupid jokes we would make on our runs and the topics of conversation were what kept me going through every practice.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
I have 3 pieces of advice…
1. Watch and learn. As a freshman, I was super cocky. I thought I knew everything there was to know about running. I was terribly wrong. I knew nothing. However, once I began seeing how my older teammates trained and raced, I noticed my performances improved as well. If you're willing to learn, you will improve.
2. Don't worry about anybody else's performances but your own. I found that I became too concerned about my opponents performances and not worried enough about my own. It got into my head mentally and I started telling myself I wasn't good enough to beat some people. I noticed my flaw my junior year during cross country and decided to stop looking at my computer until after the season was done. Once I did that, my races improved and I ran a big PR.
3. If you don't like it, don't do it. Don't waste your time on something you know you're not going to give 100% to. I have met and seen too many people who have done just that and have been miserable.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
Each coach I've interacted with has impacted me in one way or another. I believe they've made me better on and off the track. They've taught me that my actions don't just represent myself, but the entire team. They've taught me to do things with class and to do my talking on the track.
What are your college plans?
I will be attending Virginia Tech next fall. My hope is to walk on to the very talented cross country team. However, if that opportunity does not present itself, I will be running for the club team.
Shout-Outs?
So many people, such little space...
-My teammates, coaches, friends, and family all deserve a shout-out because I never would have succeeded without them.
-Shout-out to next year's GV XC and TF teams! Good luck to you all. You're going to surprise a lot of people!
-Last shout-out goes to my little brother Brett. You've been my biggest fan and I can't thank you enough for that. Now I can cheer for you as you start off your high school career.
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