Corpus Christi's Zach Dewalt relishing second chance to compete at state level
The track and field competition at this week's Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Summer Games of Texas marks a second chance of sorts for Flour Bluff High School's Zach Dewalt.
The speedster who made an immediate impact as a freshman with the Hornets in 2021 was having another strong season this spring as one of Corpus Christi's best sprinters and jumpers as the District 30-5A meet rolled around.
But then he felt what no athlete wants to feel during the 100-meter dash — a pull in his hamstring.
In an instant the soon-to-be junior went from one of the favorites to qualify for the UIL State meet to a bystander watching other athletes from the city qualify for Austin.
While it was tough and still hits an emotional nerve for Dewalt, who entered the season with high expectations after his surprising freshman campaign, it has served as motivation for his summer track season with the South Texas Punishers youth track club.
"It was tough at the beginning and it really hurt me," Dewalt said. "I tried to stay positive the entire time and get back on the track, listen to my trainers and help me get back. I was back at regionals and was able to run the 400-meter relay. It was not what I wanted, but I was glad to have that chance to get back on the track one more time."
In San Antonio, Dewalt watched as district competitors Wyatt Elwood and Darrell Nation each qualified for state in events he competes in.
"I did think regionals, UIL state was out there for me," Dewalt said. "I saw Wyatt go to state and I was right there next to him. I could’ve made it to state in triple jump. Darrell Nation, too, in the 100. Knowing that ... it really hurt.
"It happened and it really gave me a drive to push non-stop this summer to get better and get back out there. Work harder."
A fast start
For Dewalt, he first tried running in seventh grade, following his sister, who was a cross country athlete. After initially focusing on distance, coaches realized how fast he was and nudged him to compete in sprints.
When he won the 100 and 200 in his first track meet, Dewalt was hooked. Since then he has focused on getting faster and improving his times every time he goes out.
"When I won, I was like ‘Wow, where did this come from?’ After that, I’ve always strived to get better and faster," Dewalt said. "Being a full-time track athlete I focus on the fine points of running. Form. Getting out of the blocks and keeping that form through the whole race."
Dewalt has competed with the Punishers for almost as long as he has been running and Punishers coach Jaime Villanueva said it comes back to the individual athletes and how much they put into practice.
"It is all about the kids' work ethic," Villanueva said. "I give them an opportunity and they are the ones that show up and take advantage of it. I give them the platform and it is up to them. They show up day-to-day, all of them. For him the dedication and determination has led to his improvement."
Dewalt now says he feels better than he did before his unfortunate injury. Villanueva said he has been proud of how Dewalt has attacked summer track.
"He has been extremely resilient and stayed positive and did the right things to stay healthy," Villanueva said. "Sometimes (an injury) allows you take a step back and see from the outside in, and he did that and bounced back even stronger. He was determined to come back and he understands sometimes things like that happen. I couldn’t be more proud of what he accomplished."
Getting back at it
Dewalt said he has been into the 10.8-second range this summer in the 100-meter dash, also qualifying for state at the Games of Texas in the 200 and long jump.
During the high school season he hit 10.74 in the 100 in the race he was injured at district and surpassed the 45-foot mark in triple jump, also at the District 30-5A meet.
He heads into this week's competition on home turf with a mindset to qualify for the finals in his events, while understanding what it means to get another opportunity to end this season on a positive note.
"Right now, I feel stronger than I was before the injury," Dewalt said. "I’ve been working this entire summer to get better and I feel the difference."
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Sprinter Zach Dewalt relishing second chance to compete at state level
