By Jacob Balatico

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Senior Zachary Carvalho is a runner for the cross country team, but not just any runner.  His friends and coach say he’s pretty fast at doing what he does.

Carvalho recalls running ever since he was little, saying,  “I’ve been running since third grade and I just continued it throughout the years.”  Carvalho stated inspiration to become a cross country runner comes from his coaches.  “They pushed me to do better,” he said.

Cross country is a team sport but each runner runs individually.  The competition is won due to a point system.  Carvalho has participated in meets and has only won first and third in the smaller meets.  Whatever the outcome of the race, he is still cheered for by his teammates whom he has grown very close to. 

Senior Aron Okamoto, a fellow teammate and friend to Carvalho, has known Carvalho since middle school.  “I’ve played basketball with him at recess,” stated Okamoto, continuing, “We’ve been pretty close since sophomore year.”  Regarding team spirit, Okamoto cheers for Carvalho during the meets.  Okamoto said, “In the beginning we just knew each other, but I feel when we got closer, I cheered him on harder and harder.  Carvalho is probably the best runner I’ve seen.” He describes Carvalho as “one hamma” when it comes to his running.

Coach Dane Matsunaga met Carvalho when he was a freshman but heard of him while Carvalho was attending Mililani Middle School from the coaches there.  Like Okamoto, Matsunaga said, “(Carvalho’s) always been a good runner. He’s one of the better runners we’ve had and he’s probably the fastest runner on the boys team.” Carvalho has learned to work well with others.   Matsunaga said, “He’s usually on the quiet side.  He was selected as one of the captains this year so he had to break out of his shell.”

Carvalho’s running career will not continue after high school, as he will seek a new beginning in the medical field.