Zack Howard '18 Recruiting Profile

When I was in eighth grade, my cross country coach moved me up to high school competition. After my first meet at the high school level, I knew that I wanted to run competitively in college.  While I have been running competitively since 8th grade, I learned the most during my freshman year.  Due to transfer rules I had to sit out of competition during my freshman year.  It was then that I learned about the value of daily workouts and the importance of leadership off the course.  I practiced with the team daily, encouraged them, and pushed them to improve their performance.  This taught me that being a part of a team is more than just competing. This has caused me to take a leadership role in organizing off-season workouts for my teams.

In cross country the typical distance for meets in Alabama is 5K.  To date my best run is 16:37. I ran this time at the 18th Annual Jesse Owens Classic in Oakville, Alabama.  In 2016 I earned all county, all section and all state honors.  I won the Helena Invitational setting a meet record.  In 2015 I earned all county and all section honors, in addition to qualifying for the state meet.

In track and field I have run a variety of events to date.  In 2016 I qualified for the state meet in the 1600 and the 3200 and in 2017 I qualified for the indoor state meet in the 1600 and 3200.  In 2017 I was recognized as all county in outdoor track.  I was also sectional champion in both the 1600 and 3200.  The best times I posted during the 2016 outdoor season are as follows:

1600m - 4:43; mile - 4:59; 2000m - 6:18; 2000m steeplechase - 7:00; 3200m - 10:24; and the 2 mile - 10:33.

The best times I posted during the 2017 indoor season are as follows:

1600m - 4:50; 3200m - 10:27.

The best times I posted during the 2017 outdoor season are as follows:

1600m - 4:38; 2000m - 6:07 (school record); 2000m steeplechase - 6:49 (school record); 3200 - 10:11.

I am looking for a program that will fit me both athletically and academically.  While I strive to do my best on the track, I also strive for success in academics.  I would like to study engineering, business, computer science or actuarial science.  I believe that maintaining a balance in athletics and academics is important to be successful in life, and that because of my focus on each I can help my teammates both on and off the track.  This focus, along with my leadership, discipline and work ethic, will help me have a positive impact on your program.