Palmer track and field’s Zamari Burrell thrives on competing against the best

There is so little room for error when it comes to running just 100 or 200 meters. But for sprinters like Palmer’s Zamari Burrell, that’s what makes a race so much fun and exhilarating.

And when it comes to competing against some of the best sprinters in the Colorado Springs, Burrell loves the fact that he’s keeping step with some incredibly fast runners as just a junior. He has three top-10 finishes in the 100-meter dash and another two in the 200. And when looking at some of the guys finishing ahead of him, everything he’s doing this season is that much more remarkable.

“I’m with the best of the best,” Burrell said. “And I’m only a junior running with these seniors so it’s a good feeling.”

His fastest time in the 100 this season is 11.25 seconds. With eyes on the state track meet in just a few weeks, that time would’ve been good for a sixth-place last year.

Four kids from the Colorado Springs area reached that final and got to stand on the podium at the end of the race. Burrell certainly wants that feeling but knows that in order to get there, he has to be at his best at every race.

What he likes about his races so far this season is that every time he’s lining up on the blocks, he knows that he’s surrounded by some of the fastest guys in the state and savors every opportunity to try and get ahead of them.

“It’s good competition,” he said. “When that gun goes off, you just focus. Everyone starts neck and neck and you never know what might happen.”

He couldn’t quite get ahead of some of the runners at last week’s Coronado Cougar Classic at Garry Berry Stadium. Vista Ridge’s Brandon Hills got the win. Hills took sixth in the 5A 100-meter final, so his speed didn’t really come as a surprise.

The feel of the Cougar Classic was perhaps the closest it would feel to the state meet as 38 teams made their way to Garry Berry. With teams constantly shuttling through the infield and a packed crowd in the stands, the competitors couldn’t have asked for a better day except for maybe one slight change with the weather conditions.

“This gets me pumped,” Burrell said. “It’s good weather, a little windy though. That wind can throw you off a lot because you never know if you’re running with it or into it.”

It doesn’t matter as he knows he just has to put his head down and battle through it, just like everyone else on the track.

Burrell and the Terrors will compete at the Doherty Spartan Invite this week and All-City Track Meet next week before truly setting their eyes on the state meet which begins on May 19 at Jeffco Stadium.