In a season that no one really expected, sophomore sprinter and jumper Zay McGinnis has become Mount Pleasant High School’s most exciting track athlete. In early 2025, Zay shocked everyone by breaking multiple school records, including the outdoor 100-meter dash with an impressive time of 10.86 seconds, and indoor 60-meter dash with 7.24. He also helped lead multiple relay teams to new personal bests, including helping the Oilers drop the 4×100 relay time to 42.89 seconds and their 4×400 to 3:23.23. These performances show just how fast Zay is and how great he is at working with his teammates in relays.
Behind all the impressive times and records, Zay’s success comes from a lot of hard work and careful recovery. He follows a daily routine, always with the goal of “getting ready for whatever’s next.” Even with such a busy schedule, he makes sure to keep things balanced: school, practice, and free time all have a spot in his day. “Knowing when to rest and when to push myself,” he says, has been key in staying sharp on the track and focused in school.

This season wasn’t without its challenges. At first, Zay struggled to break 11.5 seconds in the outdoor 100-meter dash, which made him question his progress, especially since his teammate, Torry Gagne Jr., kept beating him. When Torry got injured during the spring season, Zay thought their 4×100 relay dreams were over. But instead of giving up, he stepped up and led his team to a record-breaking 42.89 performance. Not satisfied with just sprinting, Zay also focused on the long jump, jumping 22 feet 6 inches at the regional meet to qualify for states. And also winning Prelims with a 100 dash time of 10.91, showing off his skills in multiple sprint events..
Zay’s motivation comes from the constant support of his older brother, whose advice and encouragement help him through all the success. This guidance has helped Zay see competition not as a one-time goal, but as a continuous journey of improvement. Fellow great athlete Prosper Enehiroana who was on the relay team with Zay also has high praise for Zay, saying, “He’s confident in himself and his teammates, and he’s both versatile and reliable.”
Looking to the future, Zay has clear goals: to qualify for the state championships in four events—both individual sprints and relays—and to keep improving his times. “Expectations aren’t goals, they’re milestones,” he says, focusing on progress rather than a final finish line. His advice to other athletes is to work hard, trust the process, and remember that while talent might get you started, persistence and balance are what keep you going.