Back in action
Zach Pickett prepares to get into the pool at Union Mine High School before Ponderosa's game against Monterey Trail on Oct. 16.
Photo by Todd Shurtleff
When Zach returned to school in the winter of his junior year, it surprised many that he attempted to swim. But not those who knew him well.
Swimming was already part of his physical therapy, so he competed in two meets for the Bruins in the spring. He swam the 50-yard backstroke.
"I didn't care about my times," he said. "I just wanted to finish and be part of the team. I think people started accepting me as an athlete."
That spring he also participated in the U.S. Paralympics Spring Swimming Nationals at the University of Minnesota, taking home first- and second-place honors in the 50 back and breaststrokes, respectively.
Zach Pickett with best friend and teammate, Hayden
Cooksy, this past spring at the U.S. Paralympics Spring
Swimming Nationals in Minnesota.
Photo courtesy of the Pickett family
It was there that Zach met many kids who had suffered similar injuries and experienced common journeys. He also witnessed many athletes who sustained even more traumatic injuries than he.
All of it helped to inspire him to continue his water polo career. He was welcomed with wet, open arms by the Bruins.
"If he wanted to come back, by all means, a spot was always open for him," Jaehn said. "He had earned that. But it was a little hard to imagine how he was going to get it done. It wasn't going to be easy."
Few great things in life are, and Zach's impact on the Bruins, opponents and spectators has truly been that — great.
That includes the impact upon his childhood friend Cooksy, who not only helped save his life that fateful day, but earned his own Eagle Scout badge with Zach. Cooksy used the phrase "mind-blowing" again while watching his friend actually score a 5-meter (penalty shot) for his first goal early in the season. He added another goal later on.
"He's always been a strong person," Cooksy said. "I believe since the accident, he's been trying even harder things and putting forward a bigger effort at things he enjoys. … To see him conquering these things, it gets to you."
And changes you, Cooksy said.
"Take my swimming, for instance," he said. "I've been doing it a long time. I never thought it would be anything special to me. But after watching Zach and seeing how hard you can go for things, it told me I have something special and that I should try to keep at it too.
"I thank him for that every day."
Zack Pickett looks to pass the ball while guarded by a Monterey Trail player.
Photo by Todd Shurtleff
