Perez-tucker heating up
Mohonasen sprinter is hoping warmer weather will result in top times
The winter months proved to be quite fruitful for Mohonasen senior sprinter Zionna Perez-tucker, culminating with achieving her preseason goals of winning state championships in the 55- and 300-meter sprints.
For the spring season, Pereztucker is looking to capture both the 100 and 200 at the state championships. Before that, the senior simply wanted it to be warm when competing.
Last week, the conditions heated up with daily temperatures reaching into the 80s. Perez-tucker made the most of that warmth and proceeded to generate a pair of sizzling times in capturing both the 100 and 200 titles at the Loucks Games held at White Plains High School.
“I definitely think with the weather, it is getting better,” Pereztucker said regarding her form. “Everything is progressing how it should be, finally. I am finally getting the chance to run in good weather.”
For her efforts, Perez-tucker has been selected as the Times Union’s Girls’ Athlete of the Week for the period of May 9-15.
Perez-tucker clocked in at 12.13 seconds in the 100 and crossed the line in 24.63 seconds in winning the 200. Asked which race she was more pleased with, the senior said, “The 100, for sure.”
The senior did not like the track conditions at White Plains, yet her times suggested she was more than capable of adapting to produce positive results.
Earlier this month, Perez-tucker tied for the second-best all-time Section II clocking in the 100 (11.93) to win at the Colonie Relays.
Perez-tucker, who captured a trio of titles with wins in the 100, 200 and 400 runs at Tuesday’s Colonial Council championships to help the Mighty Warriors capture the team crown, is thrilled to see the weather finally getting better as her scholastic career is drawing to a close. The Mount St. Mary’s University commit will be heavy favorite at sectionals
next week.
“I only have four meets left,” Perez-tucker said.
The state championships, being contested for the first time since 2019, are set for June 10-11 at Ciceronorth Syracuse.