Perez-tucker picks up victories
Mohonasen sprinter has impressive meet at Armory’s fast track
Both sectionals and state qualifiers are fast approaching in indoor track. Zionna Pereztucker continues to look like the Section II runner to beat in the sprints.
Saturday, the Mohonasen senior star registered a pair of impressive wins in the 55 and 300 at the Stanner Games at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York City.
“I love the Armory,” Pereztucker said. “Not only has it always been called the fastest track in the country, but I love the atmosphere there. I have been running there since my first indoor season, so it has a very familiar feel to it.”
After posting a 7.19-second clocking in the preliminary round, Perez-tucker prevailed in the final with a time of 7.29.
The senior registered a 40.05 preliminary time in the 300, then knocked out a 39.59 in the final for the state’s No. 2 time in the event this season.
“It went better. I figured out how to execute the race better, but I still have work to do,” Perez-tucker said regarding her run in the 300 final. “I definitely knew what I had to do and got it done.”
For her efforts, Perez-tucker has been selected as the Times Union’s Female Athlete of the Week for the period of Jan. 10-16.
Perez-tucker, who is committed to competing next for Mount St. Mary’s, said having no junior indoor season because of the coronavirus pandemic only made her hungrier to produce big results this season.
“All my hard work is paying off,” Perez-tucker said. “All the chances I didn’t get last year are finally coming through. I am getting to show I am not just somebody from
Rotterdam, that I can be somebody.”
Perez-tucker not only was grateful for the large field at the Stanner Games but also for being challenged in each event to generate strong results.
“I am always looking for competition. I know when I go to these meets, that is what I am going to find,” Perez-tucker said. “I’m always looking for someone else to help push me instead of just racing against the clock.”