Star track runner Aden Zhang and his involvement in the US Naval Sea Cadets Corps
Staff Writer
Aden Zhang (10) has been running for the AHS track team since his freshman year, and a member of the United States Naval Sea Cadets Corps (USNSCC) since he was in the seventh grade. His drive for both programs has pushed him from a confident march to a speedy run.
“Aden Zhang, as a cadet, is exceptional in what he does,” said Joseph Carney, a student at Castro Valley HS and a fellow Petty Officer. “The Sea Cadet program requires a versatile personality to approach its challenges. He’s been able to maintain a high stature both privately and professionally within the program, and I can at least say he’s respected by everyone.” Zhang’s commitment to both programs requires different approaches to leadership. While the Sea Cadets demand a more regimented form of relationship, track is more personal.
Imran Durani (10) is a fellow track member and spoke about how he sees Zhang. “Aden serves like a mentor to me. When I started, I didn’t know how to block start or how to start, really,” he said. “And he taught me, telling me what to do, how to get better.” Zhang’s mentorship and leadership skills expand beyond the track team though.
Zhang ran the MVAL Championships Frosh/Soph 4x400m relay. “My goal on the track team is to make states for the 4x400m at least once, to run D1 times in the 100m and 200m, and run D2 times in the 400m,” said Zhang (Photo Credit: Perry Kwok).
Aiden Lam (12) is a fellow cadet under Zhang’s leadership. Lam reflected on Zhang’s leadership, and said, “He spends his free time coming to the program to help lead activities, which is a token to his commitment to the program.”
Zhang has made many accomplishments over his career on the track team. Adrian Castro (12), one of the captains of the track team, sees his biggest improvement as being a signifcant drop in times. “He started with a twelve second [100m], and then a decent twenty five [second 200m],” he said. Castro continued, “He naturally had a pretty quick initial time freshman year, but he just consistently dropped ever since then due to his hard work in the summer and his natural talent.”
While practice is time consuming, the Sea Cadets can eat up vacation time. In the USNSCC, a Summer in a Seabag award indicates attendance of two or more weeklong trainings away from home with the program. “I think that Zhang’s greatest achievement in the [Sea Cadets] was that he won two Summer in a Seabag awards in a row for going to an outstandingly high number of trainings for two summers consecutively,” said Lam. Zhang’s record is currently 7 trainings in a summer.
“My goal in the Sea Cadets is attending several trainings nationally and even internationally,” said Zhang, “Being able to tell other cadets about what I have seen and done will hopefully inspire them to go travel and do their own fun things.”
“I don’t see him slowing anytime soon,” said Castro regarding Zhang’s future on the track team. “I mean, he’s working really hard and his results are showing. Just as long as he keeps at the work, stays humble, and makes sure that he can keep competing, he should be able to [achieve a] personal record and break records.”
As Zhang put it, “Trying out for track doesn’t mean you have to enjoy running, but if you enjoy high levels of competitiveness, you will naturally put in a lot of effort. Even if you don’t necessarily like it or it becomes painful.”
Petty Officer 2nd Class Zhang during a summer training, working with the US Coast Guard at Coast Guard Station Golden Gate in Sausalito. “My goal in the Sea Cadets is to make Chief Petty Officer, but also to attend more prestigious, special, and fun trainings where I can meet more people,” said Zhang (Photo Credit: Corban Heitman).
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