by Joe Farcone
In German, Zerrenner translates to “the runner”, so it is easy to see how redshirt freshman Addi Zerrenner has been so successful competing in cross country thus far in her life. A two-time Santa Barbara Cross Country Athlete of the year, Zerrenner is as competitive and determined of an athlete seen at Arizona. Now that her redshirt season has ended, the rest of the country can see her hard work come to fruition.
Zerrenner did not always run cross country as she grew up playing soccer. Her brother, Zack Zerrener, played soccer at UCLA and was a three-time national champion in high school.
“I have been in my brother's shadow my whole life,” Zerrenner said. “I grew up playing soccer and figured I would play in college and then try and go pro. I went out on a limb with track late in my freshman year and was told that I was a natural born sprinter.”
While Zerrenner accepted the compliment, she had a desire to be with the distance kids as they looked like “more fun.”
It turns out that distance was her natural calling after all. “It was really the first time I was out of my brother's shadow,” Zerrenner said. “Not only was it more fun than soccer, but I had success as well.”
The success has come in bunches this year for Zerrenner. Four races have been completed and she has finished first for Arizona in all but one meet this year, in which she finished second to teammate Molly Callahan by literally one second.
Her overall finishes were astounding as well. She finished second overall in the George Kyte Classic, the Dave Murray Invitational and the U of A Cross Country Twilight. She also finished in 23rd place at the Roy Griak Invitational this year, rounding out her impressive series of performances so far this season.
Zerrenner never lets the success get to her head either. “I don't think of myself as one of the top people on my team because I feel when you take that mindset you can become complacent. It's nice to have some hard work payoff.”
“I am overly determined and I think last year I was over doing it,” Zerrenner said. “I took a step back and looked at my training. Redshirting last year allowed me to watch the whole team.”
At times redshirting was frustrating for her last year, even though it was due to medical reasons. “I always tell people that was one of the worst but best years of my life,” she said. Zerrenner was able to learn by sitting out, but it was not difficult to see how badly she wished she could have competed last year.
Now it is evident that the wait has paid off, and Zerrenner has really enjoyed her time so far this year.
“It's gone really well, freshman year was definitely a big transition,” she said. “Sophomore year has been nice to somewhat be established yet still be an underclassmen. I am having a lot of fun.”
Along with redshirting, teammate Claire Green has been a helping hand in her collegiate career.
“I got to room with Claire Green and watch how smart she was with her training,” Zerrenner said. “I have been trying to mirror everything she does.”
She also gives credit to her high school coaches, Len Miller and Micks Purnell, whom she said were invaluable to her success.
Zerrenner looks to continue her hot streak of success this weekend as she will travel to Louisville, Ky. to compete in the NCAA Pre-National meet on October 17th.
