FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Zach Thomas, Cloverdale

Zach is a senior at Cloverdale and participates in two sports, basketball and golf.

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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Zach Thomas: “I’ve learned to be more like a man, to become a better man. (Cloverdale assistant coach Daniel) Varnes is big in to church, is a great man of God and what he does on a day-to-day basis for us strengthens by future as a man and hopefully as a husband.”

BG: Talk about your sports.

ZT: “I love the team aspect of sports. I have loved basketball a lot this year because it doesn’t feel like we have to win to have fun. That’s probably a good thing this year because of the season that we’ve had, but despite the injuries and the struggles we’ve had, we’ve seen the positives of it and it’s been cool to see the outlook of what we could have in the future. We’re thankful for what we have right now.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

ZT: “I got crossed this year and fell down. It was embarrassing. Later, my mom sent me a live photo of me being crossed.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

ZT: “It’s pretty simple. I’ll read my Bible right before games. I’ll read what I’ve been reading that week with my teammates. That helps me get in the right head space and keeps me in line.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?

ZT: “Not really. I guess I’m a fan of Tiger Woods, even if he’s not doing so hot right now.”

BG: Taking a year off from a sport and coming back isn’t easy. How long did it take to get back into the swing of things and find your role in this team?

ZT: “I’m still growing every day in becoming a better point guard and starting to get the hang of it. It’s hard to come back because, people having seen my brother (Kyle), they expect a lot from me but I’m nowhere near as good as him. I’m just trying my hardest out there and doing what I can do.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

ZT: “I’m involved with FCA, which is one of my favorite things to do but, I won’t lie, it’s hard to get up in the morning sometimes.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

ZT: “I have church services throughout the week at Soul Harvest Church I attend; several teammates also attend. We have a youth group of about 60 kids, which is a lot of fun. I don’t know who I’d be without the people who know me there and have my back.”

BG: What are your favorites in reading, movies, TV and music?

ZT: “I don’t like reading but I do listen to my Bible; I’ll read and highlight while I’m listening to it through my phone. I also love playing 2K24.”

BG: Are you a person who wants to watch TV shows and movies or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc. or do something else with your free time?

ZT: “I definitely think I’d be playing 2K with Noah (Betz) and Eli (Kelley). It’s our go-to. We call each other after practice to see when we’ll be on. I love spending time with those guys and talking with them.”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

ZT: “I’d like to baptize somebody. That’s always been a big thing for me, to bring someone to Christ. That’s a big deal for Christians and that’s been a big thing for me, to baptize a teammate. Some have even mentioned me being involved, which shocked me a little bit but I also found it to be a cool little thing I could do.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

ZT: “Nothing. I only fear God.”

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

ZT: “It is a cereal night. Fruity Pebbles for me, Coco Puffs for my dad. I really can’t cook.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

ZT: “I have a hamster, Rosie Penel, and dogs Lulu and Ruger. Ruger’s a little older but he’s still standing.”

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

ZT: “My Bible. I don’t know what I’d do without it. I carry it everywhere now.”

BG: A family member has hit the lottery. After everything is paid off and money is set away for the future, you’ve been asked to buy something you have always wanted to get. What are you asking for?

ZT: “I’m not a big materialistic guy but I’d put money into the golf course (Clover Meadows) and make it a spiffy one. I’m not hating on our golf course and I’m blessed to live right by one but we don’t have the greatest everything. Then there’d be some additional revenue coming in.”

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

ZT: “Loving. I’m a very loving person. I don’t try to do things to make people mad, at least now. I try to do everything out of love and hope people do the same for me.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

ZT: “Probably Hilton Head, S.C. When I was a kid, we took a trip there and I have great memories of it with my family. There’s too many to count.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

ZT: “The Indians game. We always went to that at the end of our middle school years. It was always fun to go with that my friends.”

BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?

ZT: “I don’t think it’s completely important. It’s sometimes hard for people to see what you’re doing and go with it because, if we’re being honest, people don’t really do that. It’s more a between me and God thing. He’s always there for me, even in the tough times when my friends and family can’t be there for me, I have His support.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.

ZT: “Golf has become a winning culture here. I also feel like the sport is making us into the young men that we are going to be as we leave high school. It’s important to have role models like (Cloverdale basketball head coach Karl) Turk and Varnes. I’ve become a much better young man this basketball season to the point it doesn’t matter whether we win or lose 100 games. Coach Varnes has said that we might fail as coaches but we will not fail you as mentors; you are going to be good men as you come out of this program and I believe that to be true. I believe all my senior teammates are coming out of this experience as better people and I’m thankful for that.”

“BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

ZT: “I’d love for them to, even though it will never happen, have a theological class about what Jesus went through, to inform people who haven’t been told about that to learn.”

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

ZT: “I’m hoping to go to trade school, possibly at Lincoln Tech, for welding. I’m not a big school guy, so if I can do things with my hands and make good money, all the better. My main goal is to be a youth minister. I want to support myself to do that because I don’t want to make money off the church.”

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

ZT: “Yes. It is very hard. My mom gets on me every single day of every single week and I love her for it. I would not be passing if not for her; I might still be in kindergarten. It is difficult to stay focused.”

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

ZT: “Definitely my art classes and study halls. Having the extra time makes a huge difference. I struggle with focusing and staying on task. Having the extra time, even if it’s a 15-minute break, before getting to another assignment is very helpful.”

BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?

ZT: “I’d say probably something similar to a Monrovia, where things are a 10-15 minute drive away rather than a 45-minute drive away. I’d want to be where my family is but not in too big an area.”

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

ZT: “It has definitely gone fast. Without high school, I wouldn’t be the man I am becoming today. I’m thankful for all that it’s done for me and all that it’s provided me with.”