A Conversation With Lorain's Zion Cross

           Zion Cross is back from injury and ready to have a big senior season at Lorain.  


MileSplit Ohio recently had an opportunity to speak with one of Ohio's top sprinters, Zion Cross.  The Lorain High School senior excels at the 60m, 100m and 200m events and he's competed at the prestigious New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet on multiple occasions.  Among his many accomplishments on the track include his victory in the 100m finals at the 2016 DI Outdoor State ChampionshipCross battled injuries during much of 2017 but now that he's back to full health, he's motivated to re-establish himself as one of Ohio's best sprinters and he's looking to add to his state championship collection prior to departing the high school ranks.  Cross is also looking forward to competing at the NCAA level and he hopes to clarify his college choice soon.  


What are your goals for the 2018 track seasons?

My main goals are to win a state championship and to become the fastest sprinter in the entire state of Ohio.  I also want to be a New Balance All-American in the 100m and 200m.  Lastly, I want to run 10.4-3 in the 100m and 21.0-20.9 in the 200m.

Talk about your training program.  Describe some of your workouts and what your routine resembles.  

Monday: Light Speed Day 5 x 10, 3 x 20, 2 x 30

Tuesday: Speed Endurance / Form Day 12 150's (75%) walk back rest or 25 min jog

Wednesday: Speed Day - 5 x 50m block starts or recovery day

Thursday: Endurance

Friday: Light Speed Day - before meet day

Weekend: Meet Day + Rest Day


Who motivates you and pushes you in training?  How did you get started in this sport?  What is your favorite venue?

Coming from a rough neighborhood and seeing my mom have to work so hard motivates me to give it everything I have at practice.  One of my sprint coaches, Dre Hopewell got me started with track in 8th grade.  That year, I won the State Championship in the 100m, 200m and in the 4 x 100 at the Ohio Middle School Meet in Dublin.  I love competing at Aggie Stadium for NBN, Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, University of Akron Indoor Fieldhouse (Stile Athletic Center) and at SPIRE.


           Zion Cross indicates that self-belief and perseverance are the keys to attaining his goals.


How did you deal with your hamstring injury last year?  How did it happen?  How did you overcome this adversity?

I tore it the week before the Indoor State Championship last year during a sprint workout.  I was coming around a narrow curve at full speed.  I was on a mission after the injury and told myself I would make it to the Outdoor State Championship.  I kept my word and made it to the state meet in the 100m dash.  After placing 2nd at Districts and barely making the finals at Regionals, I managed to place first out of lane 8 at the Regional finals in the 100m.  Almost the same thing happened at State's.  I came into the State finals running 11.05 in prelims, having the slowest time.  I placed 3rd and ran 10.80 in the State finals after a full outdoor season with no speed and no endurance training.  A lot of people doubted me and I began to doubt myself too, but I went back to my old mindset from sophomore year and continued to progress each meet.


Are you planning to compete for a college next year?  Have you gone on any official visits?

Yes, I will be competing in college.  I've gone on three official visits to: Tiffin, University of Akron and the University of Pittsburgh with more to come.  I would like to play football and run track in college.


Zion, thank you for your time.  In closing, what else can you tell us about yourself and about your last year of competing in high school track.  

This season is my comeback season.  I want it more than anybody, I'm going to grind hard to put my school and my city on the map.  I also plan to bring relays down to the State Championship and take a shot at the Division 1 team title.  Stay tuned for the showdown in Columbus.