Zariel Macchia of Floyd cross country and track commits to BYU

You’d need an extra set of hands to count Floyd’s Zariel Macchia’s achievements on the track and cross-country course. From Suffolk County champion, to state champion and even competing on a national level, Macchia’s talents have taken her worldwide: from Australia to Serbia, and soon, she’ll be competing in Peru.

Macchia’s next chapter, however, will take place in Provo, Utah at BYU following her senior year (she committed in June).

“We got calls from everyone,” Floyd cross country and track and field coach John Ryan said. “She had a lot of options, to say the least.”

After meeting BYU cross country coach Diljeet Taylor and some current runners on the team, Macchia believed BYU was the perfect fit.

“Something that stood out to me is that BYU develops their runners really well as athletes but also as people too,” Macchia said. “Coach Taylor has created a team culture and atmosphere that I’m really excited to be a part of.”

For Macchia, running came naturally. Both her parents ran at Columbia University, and from a young age, it was clear the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

“I convinced my parents to let me run a 5k on the beach in sixth grade,” Macchia said. “I ended up getting third place in women’s overall, and I was ahead of the whole high school team.”

Ryan was impressed by her performance that day and a year later, she joined him on Floyd’s varsity cross-country and track team.

“She’s been super from Day One,” Ryan said. “She’s just a natural talent.”

Macchia now holds all-time Long Island records for the outdoor 1,500 (4:16.23), mile (4:41.37), two miles (10:09.89), and 5,000 (16:13.04). She placed first in the state in the 3,000 (9:34.75) at the New York State Track and Field championships in Syracuse in June.

She also holds the all-time Long Island record for the indoor 1,500 (4:26.16), 3,000 (9:25.77), and two miles (10:07.17). She placed first in the state in the 1,000 (2:49.23) at the indoor track championships in March.

“To be able to win in a state like New York, it’s always a great accomplishment,” Macchia said. “Representing William Floyd and Section XI at that level is something that I take great pride in.”

In January, she was named the Gatorade New York girls cross country athlete of the year, and in June, she was awarded the Gatorade New York girls track and field athlete of the year.

“Just when we think she has done something amazing, she takes it to the next level,” Floyd coach Josh Ryan said. “She just keeps getting better and better.”

It’s not just her talent on the course and track that caught the eyes of plenty of elite programs. Macchia is an outstanding student, maintaining a 4.0 average even while taking challenging courses and participating in various clubs.

“I really enjoy everything I’m involved in,” Macchia said. “My art, or studying for a class helps me take my mind off of running, and visa-versa.”

She even uses her knowledge to help out her teammates.

“She actually tutors our athletes,” Ryan said. “If any of the younger girls need help in any of their classes, Zariel is always willing to help even if it means missing one of her club meetings.”

Zariel is interested in the engineering program at BYU.

“BYU’s running program is initially what got me interested in the school, Macchia said. “I’m probably going to major in engineering, and they have a very strong program for that.”

Macchia’s senior cross-country season is approaching, but she’ll miss the first week of practice to compete in the U20 world championships in Lima, Peru.

“I can’t wait,” Macchia said. “Having the opportunity to run for Team USA is something I never thought I would do when I first started running, it’s a really special feeling.”