Pensacola Catholic track and field's Zamari Purifoy wins PNJ Athlete of the Week award
Ben Grieco
- Zamari Purifoy, a freshman at Pensacola Catholic, is making waves in the high school track scene, both statewide and nationally.
- Purifoy's impressive speed in the 200- and 400-meter dashes has earned him recognition, including the fastest freshman time in Florida for the 200-meter dash.
- At the Nike Indoor Nationals, Purifoy clinched first place in the Freshman 400-meter dash, solidifying his status as a rising star.
- His outstanding performance at the Nike Indoor Nationals earned him the title of PNJ Athlete of the Week, with over 64% of the votes.
Zamari Purifoy has entered the high school track scene as a fast freshman for Pensacola Catholic.
And it's not just in Northwest Florida. It's across the entire state, and even nationally in some regard. Purifoy has shown off incredible speed in the 200- and 400-meter dashes all season long, and has been a staple on Pensacola Catholic's 4x100-meter relay.
During spring break, Purifoy ran the 200-meter dash in 21.80 seconds at the Paul W. Bryan Spring Break Battle by the Beach Invitational at Pine Forest, which puts him as the fastest freshman time in the event in Florida, according to MileSplit.
But that's not the reason for the PNJ Athlete of the Week award.
During the week of March 10-15, Purifoy ran at the Nike Indoor Nationals in Manhattan. In the freshman 400-meter dash, Purifoy won the race with a time of 49.79 seconds, winning by 0.22 seconds over other top freshmen around the country.
For his efforts, Purifoy won the PNJ Athlete of the Week award, sponsored by Florida Power and Light, after mustering 64.01% of the poll's votes the following week on the PNJ's website. Each weekly winner is awarded a one-of-a-kind PNJ Athlete of the Week shirt.
Here's a question-and-answer session with Purifoy after he spoke with PNJ Sports Reporter Ben Grieco.
Q&A with Pensacola Catholic runner Zamari Purifoy
PNJ: Looking at your season as a whole, how's your freshman year going?
Zamari Purifoy: "It's been going great. I hope to keep improving on my times. I'm just hoping to end on a good note and make it to state."
PNJ: The week you won Athlete of the Week, you won at the Nike Indoor Nationals. What was it like going against the best-of-the best?
ZP: "It was a great feeling. I'm glad I was able to perform well, and win."
PNJ: Is it a different mindset running outdoor track vs. indoor track?
ZP: "In indoor, it's just running with the pack more. In outdoor, you can run a little more freely. ... It's about just running, going out there, having fun and doing your best."
PNJ: I know the postseason is coming up soon. How excited are you for, at least, the county championships and districts?
ZP: "I'm ready to compete. I'm just hoping to perform my best, and I'm hoping the team can do well, too."
PNJ: Do you have any individual end-of-season goals?
ZP: "I hope to go to state and run a 47 in the 400, and a 21.5 in the 200."
PNJ: Now for some quick ones. Either before a race or a meet, do you have any superstitions or traditions that you follow?
ZP: "I just pray before a race."
PNJ: Do you have a go-to pre-race meal or snack?
ZP: "I like to drink Powerade and a Quake bar."
PNJ: Do you listen to any sort of music before a race?
ZP: "A little bit. But I also enjoy listening to the natural weather at a meet."
PNJ: Is there a dream track you've always wanted to run on?
ZP: "Not really. I got to run in Oregon, so that was nice."
PNJ: Is there a track influence that you follow a little more heavily?
ZP: "I like Justin Gatlin and Gout Gout (from Australia)."