The 6-foot, 150-pound senior raced to the State Open championship this past season with a time of 15:46. Ahmad also won the Class LL state championship in 15:49, leading the Wreckers to the state title as a team. He broke the tape at the Stratton Brook Invitational and the FCIAC championships, while placing third at the New England Cross Country Championships and sixth at the Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Regional championships.
Ahmad has maintained a 3.66 GPA in the classroom. He will attend the University of Pennsylvania this fall, where he will compete in cross country and track and field.
Ahmad has volunteered locally on behalf of youth track programs and charity road races. "Zakeer is one of the best who has ever run for Staples High," said Staples coach Laddie Lawrence. "He's a knowledgeable, dedicated and determined competitor who has a true love for the sport."