by Brandon Call
Daily Lobo
Christina Zarrella is quickly making herself known on the UNM track and field team.
Zarrella, who usually competes in the 400-meter dash and long jump, raced in the 800-meter run at the DeHart Invitational hosted by UNM on Saturday.
Despite the event change, she finished second in her heat and fifth overall with a time of 2:19.83.
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UNM head coach Matt Henry said moving to a different event is not an easy transition.
"To be a sprinter and then work her way completely up to the 800, that's hard to do," Henry said.
Zarrella welcomes the switch from the 400 to the 800.
"I like the 800 a lot," she said. "The middle-distance races work very well for me. It's good for me to move up to the longer race."
After Saturday's race, Zarrella said the 800 is more of a mental race than the sprint in the 400.
"The 800 is more of a strategy run," she said. "You have to be smart."
Zarrella said she gained valuable experience from the event.
"I learned a lot," she said. "My heat, having so many girls in it - I don't think I've ever ran with that many girls before - I learned how to strategize my race and position myself so that I can run a better time."
Henry said he was impressed with Zarrella's performance.
"I'm really proud of her confidence," he said. "She wasn't afraid of the race. She stuck her nose right in there. She was right there with the other ladies. Really, she did a great job."
A 2005 graduate of Rio Rancho High School, Zarrella has a history of success. She was the 2004 New Mexico 5A State Champion in the long jump and 400. She was part of the Rams' state champion 1,600-meter relay team and was the 2005 district champion in the long jump, 200 and 400.
Zarrella excelled in other sports, as well. She lettered 10 times in track and field, basketball, cross country and volleyball for the Rams.
"I had a really good experience in high school," she said. "I'm really glad that I get the opportunity to continue competing in college."
Zarrella said she is anxious about improving in the 800.
"I look forward to the rest of the season, and hopefully, I can do pretty well at conference," she said.
Doing well at conference is exactly what Henry expects of her.
"She did something real special (Saturday)," he said, "but our real goal is do something special at the conference meet four weeks
from now."
Track and field hosts Dennis Heimrich Invitational
Friday, 6 p.m.
Albuquerque Convention Center
