TMC lands two local recruits
From the moment Zach Schroeder took over The Master’s College’s cross country and track programs, his vision has been twofold.
The head coach wants to build a national competitor and do so with local talent.
Those
goals took a big step forward with the recent signing of two Canyon
High School runners, Hayley Parkinson and Tyler Tockstein.
While
both are expected to be strong contributors to TMC’s up-and-coming
program, the signing of Parkinson comes with extra significance.
“This
is the very first local girl that we have ever brought into the college
here,” Schroeder said. “That is really my vision, one that I really
want to see is to bring in local athletes and maintaining that local
pride in what we are doing here.”
Parkinson said it was Schroeder’s vision that made the decision to commit to TMC an easy one.
“Mainly
the coaches, I absolutely love them,” she said of her signing. “I like
the idea that he has for the team. His goal and plans for what he wants
the team to have is exactly what I want. … He just really wants a
close-knit team, plus his workout plan.”
Parkinson spent most of last season recovering from a stress fracture in her right foot.
That hasn’t stopped her from dreaming big. Parkinson said her main goal is to become an All-American during her career.
Tockstein was a consistent scorer for the Cowboys this past season, when they finished fifth at the CIF State Division II meet.
Parkinson
and Tockstein will be joining former Cowboy Anthony Pizzo, who ran for
the Mustangs last season in his first year with the program.
“I
just would really look at her and recognize that this is really part of
a new era on the women’s side of the running program here at The
Master’s,” Schroeder said. “I really see her sparking a new movement
into the community.”
