Asthma doesn't stop Zamora from doing well in cross country

Javier Zamora runs with an added incentive.

Diagnosed with asthma as a child, Zamora, a sophomore standout for the Hanna cross country team, is eager to prove that it is not a limitation to participating in athletics.

"Sometimes it seems like a curse, but God allowed me to have asthma for a reason," he said. "I know I can show others that you can do well (running), and that it doesn't hold you back from anything."

With the help of asthma treatments, Zamora began non-competitive running in the sixth grade. With his family's support, there was no holding him back after that. He came out of Stell Middle School as the top junior high running prospect in the city, Hanna coach Jaime Vasquez said

"Javier is a runner who shows a lot of character," Vasquez said. "He doesn't make excuses (for having asthma). He's a perfect example of our team motto, which is ‘We don't limit our challenges, we challenge our limits.' We live by that.

"There are days when the air is a little colder or when it has a lot of allergy content and I see him affected by it," the Hanna coach added. "I try to stay aware of that."

At last year's District 32-5A meet, Zamora helped the Golden Eagles capture their second straight district title by placing third behind senior teammates Brandon Broden and Arturo Ibarra.

"Javier's times have definitely improved this year," Vasquez said. "He's not that far off Brandon's times."

Broden was the leader of the Hanna squad one year ago, and he signed an athletic scholarship last February to run cross country and track for the University of Houston.

Zamora is filling the gap created by the graduation of Broden. Vasquez said for the most part, Zamora has placed in the top 10 at cross country meets this season.

After going undefeated in summer track and winning the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races in his age division at the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation state meet in July in San Antonio, Zamora believes he is ready for a strong showing at Friday morning's 32-5A meet at the Brownsville ISD Encampment.

Zamora said he suffered a minor setback a couple of weeks ago when he was hospitalized for dehydration. He's feeling 100 percent now, he said.

"Based on my (strong) summer track season and training in cross country, I definitely feel like I'm ready to go," he said. "I want to do well at district, finish in the top 10 at regionals and go to state. That's my goal."

Along with Zamora, the Hanna boys varsity squad consists of Kevin Vasquez, Jaime Zarate, Juan Ibarra, Ezequiel Calleros, Manuel Vega and Freddy Troncoso.

"We're going to try our best to win a third (straight) district title," Jaime Vasquez said. "San Benito will be a big challenge for us. It's not going to be easy."

Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.