Update: Zachary Shinnick was named the 2017 San Gabriel Valley Tribune Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Head Coach Michael “Doc” Williams named the Coach of the Year. Read the full story:
Damien High School Senior Zachary Shinnick completed a stellar four-year career by running his fastest time ever in the 400 meters to claim the CIF State Title at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium at Buchanan High School (Clovis, CA) on June 3.
Shinnick, who signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Southern California, recorded the sixth best time in the nation for a high school student-athlete crossing the finish line in 46.12 seconds. The time was a Damien school record, personal record and the 12th fastest time ever in California track and field high school history. Karson Lippert of La Costa Canyon High School (46.91) and Myles Ellis of Antelope High School (47.23) placed second and third respectively.
It has been a storybook ending for Shinnick. Last year, the junior suffered a hamstring injury at the Arcadia Invitational and was unable to compete for a CIF-Southern Section or State titles. This year, the senior won the Baseline League (47.79), CIF Division 3 (46.93) and the CIF-SS Masters (46.38) titles.
Shinnick will get an opportunity to compete against the best in the nation at the Junior Nationals. Also qualifying for the 400 is Brian Herron (46.15) from Lakeside High School in Atlanta, GA and Micaiah Harris (46.87) from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, VA.