By Ziaire Ferrell
Since Deanna Zoch was a young girl, she had a love for running, but it was the mentorship and guidance of her coaches that truly transformed her into the coach she is today.
Zoch was always drawn to sports growing up. She is from Nassau Village, a small area just 30 minutes from Albany, where she attended Columbia High School in East Greenbush.
“I started track in seventh grade, and I had always loved running ever since elementary school,” Zoch said.
Although she did not participate in organized sports early on, a combination of her natural talent and encouragement from her gym teacher helped her discover her true passion for running.
During high school, Zoch’s growing interest in running led her to explore the possibility of taking running seriously and progressing to the college level. Searching for a program that could progress her abilities, she started considering schools in Potsdam, Plattsburgh and Cortland. Ultimately, it was the commitment of the coach at Plattsburgh that won Zoch over.
“What really sold me was the effort and genuine interest coach Willmott put into recruiting me. He saw potential in me even though I wasn’t the fastest or most polished runner at the time,” Zoch said.
Zoch describes her college journey as a series of ups and downs. In her early meets, she started out running in the 300-meter dash, yet her progress soon encountered a steep decline as the world transitioned into the pandemic. Despite these setbacks, Zoch’s determination never left.
By her fifth year, her hard work had begun to pay off, and she experienced a resurgence in performance.
Her breakthrough moment was during a meet where she managed to significantly cut down her time in the 60-meter dash — from an initial 8.6 seconds in her senior year to a personal best of 8.23 seconds.
The challenges that Zoch faced as an athlete eventually led her to coaching so that she could help others overcome their challenges. Transitioning from being a sprinter on the track team to helping others has had its bittersweet moments.
“I miss running, and I miss the thrill of competition,” Zoch said.
The transition from athlete to coach is predictable, but Zoch also made a less predictable transition after college; she began working with University Police.
“I spent most of my undergraduate career as a fitness and wellness major because going in I had an interest to become an athletic trainer,” Zoch wrote in a text. “Even when I started to fulfill my requirements for criminal justice I had no idea what I wanted to do after I graduated. That’s where the internship with UP appeared.”
Zoch said she had interest in criminal justice prior to college since her father is a retired corrections officer, but she did not make the switch from being a fitness and wellness major until heading into her senior year of college.
Zoch hopes to become a police officer down the road, but until then she said she is committed to helping the athletes at Plattsburgh State be the best versions of themselves.
Zoch said she believes that every setback, whether big or small, offers a crucial learning opportunity.
“I always tell my athletes that even a bad moment in a race is a lesson in disguise,” Zoch said. “Those moments are meant to help propel you forward.”
Zoch also shows her love and appreciation to the crucial role that other coaches played in her journey.
“Coach Willmott was the sprint coach. He figured out the type of runner I was after just one week of being at Plattsburgh, and that’s what helped my development and growth. He was also the person who encouraged me to become a coach as well,” Zoch said.
Zoch also credits Plattsburgh State track and field head coach Jordan Naylon for always being there to support her through the ups and downs.
“She has always helped in any way she could, and her support meant a lot to me,” Zoch said.
These mentors not only shaped Zoch’s athletic journey but also influenced her very own coaching style that believes in her athletes.
Zoch said she believes in helping others realize their potential. Her advice to aspiring coaches is straightforward: “Don’t ever second doubt yourself. Every experience you have — good or bad — is valuable and can make a significant impact on future athletes.”
