Ka’Deem Wynn | Writer
Nick Diaz doesn’t even know why he started running. He only knows that he’s continued to progress since his days as an energetic third grader; and everyday he continues to challenge himself.
As the track & field season nears its pinnacle and athletes finalize their plans for the future by signing to colleges, it’s important to stay focused over the next couple of weeks. However, the senior from Miami Sunset is getting ready to finish out the year strong, and isn’t feeling much pressure. He’s just ready to go.
“I’m gonna go out there for both races and show everyone what it means to be a Florida Gator,” he says.
The University of Florida signee will be running cross country for the Gators in the fall, and track in the spring. Once there, he’ll join past competitors such as Jack Rogers, Jack Guyton, Trey LaNasa, Connor Vaughan, and Ryan Rodriguez amongst others.
As he wraps up his senior season, he looks back at all that’s occurred over the past four years at Miami Sunset.
“Running for Sunset with all the experiences I have gained has progressed me in running in ways I couldn’t imagine four years ago,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine how my life would be like right now if I had not been under Coach Shaw’s training these past couple of years.”
Nick goes to meets to run, but somewhere in between his team tent and the starting line, he’ll hear the occasional “That’s Nick Diaz!”
Nick says that “fans” pump him up before his race, and give him a good laugh. No wonder why people are awestruck to see him. Nick has had quite a career.
Nick has ran at the cross country state meet all four years for the Knights, one of which he became the cross country state champion in 2013, running 15:22.90. Along with those accomplishments, Nick has also run at both Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) and Foot Locker Nationals. He says that both experiences have inspired him to continue running and progress.
He’s also made trips to the state meet in track as well, making it in the 1600 all three years, and twice in the 3200. In the 1600, Nick has continued to move up at the state meet, placing fourth his freshman year, and third and second his sophomore and junior year. If the cycle continues, Nick will achieve his longtime dream.
“I have always said that my goal since freshman year was to be a state champ in both events, and I will die trying to reach those goals, especially since it’ll be my last high school race.”
Currently in the best shape of his life, Nick has improved his time in all of his races except the 1600 this year, and he’s looking to not only knock down his time (4:16.11), but double in the 1600 and 3200 at the region meet before he attempts to do it on May 2nd. He’ll have many, including the duo of Carlin Berryhill and Kurt Convey from Coral Reef to push him throughout the race.
After the state meet, Nick plans on hanging up his spikes and trainers for a few weeks to rest. Once done, he’ll be back training for the next cross country season as a Florida Gator.
Nick believes that as the years go by, and during his time at Florida, he’ll continue to learn more about himself, as well as others, and become both a more confident runner and person as a whole.
“I don’t really know what’s to come but I’m really excited for what next year will bring for me and the new recruiting class,” Nick said. “I think we’re going to have a really good time and make the best out of the team, facilities, and hard work that will be put in.”
Nick expresses that he’s also excited for what Florida will offer him educationally. He’s not only interested in the prestige of the athletics, but of the learning and college experience as a whole.
Nick Diaz has no regrets about anything that’s happened during his career. He says that everything that he’s done wrong has taught him a lesson, and that every injury he’s ever sustained, minor or great, has made him a stronger runner as well as a greater person mentally and physically. It all comes together in the young man that Nick is today.
“Running has just made me a more focused and determined person overall,” Nick said.
Not considering himself as a veteran runner yet, Nick realizes that he still has much more to accomplish with running, and that this is only the beginning. He knows that in every race, as well as in life, there’s going to be a lot of people going against you and coming after you. But what makes Nick an anomaly is that he’s ready for whatever comes. He knows that when the crowd is done cheering and the sun sets, it’ll just be him and the clock.
