Photo by: Nick Tomoyasu
Zags Ink Trio for 2020-21 Season
4/20/2020 9:59:00 AM | Cross Country
Gonzaga men welcome DiMartino, Laird and Lewis
SPOKANE, Wash. – Director of Gonzaga Cross Country and Track and Field Pat Tyson announced the signing of Nicky DiMartino, Cooper Laird and Michael Lewis Monday.
Nicky DiMartino
Seattle, Wash.| Bishop Blanchet High School
DiMartino comes to Gonzaga after running cross country and track for Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle for three years. He has shown great growth each year. DiMartino dropped a lot of time in his junior year to help his cross country team reach the WIAA 3A state meet, and in the spring qualified for the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters WIAA 3A state championships. He placed seventh in the 3200 running a 9:25, and ninth in the 1600 with a time of 4:20. In his senior year, he was eighth at the state championships in cross country, and his team placed second overall.
"I chose Gonzaga because when I toured and met all of the guys that I'd be with for the next couple of years, it just felt right," DiMartino said. "It felt like home and something I wanted to be a part of. I love the coaching staff, the academics, and most of all my new teammates! I'm excited for this new chapter in my life!"
"We have had good luck with past Blanchet athletes," Tyson said. "Chris Boyle, Kellen Manley, Ciaran O'Leary and Peter Hogan are some examples. Nicky helped Blanchet to a second-place team performance this past fall. He loves the positive team atmosphere that helps create greatness. He is a hard worker and a great student. This kid is going to help the Zags. I'm excited to coach him!"
Cooper Laird
Kenmore, Wash.| Inglemoor High School
Laird ran cross country and track for four years while at Inglemoor High School. He's a three-time qualifier for the WIAA State Cross Country meet. During his sophomore year, he helped lead his team to the state meet for the first time in 14 years. Laird had a breakout senior season of cross country that included winning numerous meets including the Nike Twilight Invitational, the 4A Kingco League Championships, and capped off his season with a seventh-place finish at the WIAA 4A state meet in a PR of 15:23.
"I chose Gonzaga because I felt like it was the total package with their strong academics, a tight knit team, and a coach that I believe I can thrive under," Laird said.
"I'm really excited that cooper will be joining the Gonzaga Distance running program," Tyson said. "Cooper has the talent to evolve into an excellent West Coast Conference, NCAA West and NCAA National caliber runner. He will definitely help us in all he does. That means with his academics, athletics and in the community."
Michael Lewis
Seattle, Wash.| Bishop Blanchet High School
Lewis has run four years of cross country and track at Bishop Blanchet. He has qualified for the WIAA Cross Country State Championships three times, and has earned both first team and second team All-Metro League honors. In 2019, Lewis qualified for the WIAA Track and Field State Championships, where he placed 10th in the 3200. Although his senior cross country season was undermined by illness, he helped lead his team to a second place finish at the WIAA Cross Country State Championships, and one of the best team performances in school history.
"I chose Gonzaga because everything about it fit perfectly, from academics to location to athletics," Lewis said. "Coach Tyson is a fantastic coach who's always believed in me even when results weren't coming, and the team culture is unlike anything I've experienced, something I can't wait to be a part of."
"Our coaching staff really likes this young gritty kid from Seattle," Tyson said. "Interesting fact is that I coached Michael's uncle, Chris Lewis, the All-American high school sensation, while coaching at Mead High School in Spokane. Michael is a grinder. He will develop into a very good 10,000-meter runner. He loves to work and is a great student as well."
Nicky DiMartino
Seattle, Wash.| Bishop Blanchet High School
DiMartino comes to Gonzaga after running cross country and track for Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle for three years. He has shown great growth each year. DiMartino dropped a lot of time in his junior year to help his cross country team reach the WIAA 3A state meet, and in the spring qualified for the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters WIAA 3A state championships. He placed seventh in the 3200 running a 9:25, and ninth in the 1600 with a time of 4:20. In his senior year, he was eighth at the state championships in cross country, and his team placed second overall.
"I chose Gonzaga because when I toured and met all of the guys that I'd be with for the next couple of years, it just felt right," DiMartino said. "It felt like home and something I wanted to be a part of. I love the coaching staff, the academics, and most of all my new teammates! I'm excited for this new chapter in my life!"
"We have had good luck with past Blanchet athletes," Tyson said. "Chris Boyle, Kellen Manley, Ciaran O'Leary and Peter Hogan are some examples. Nicky helped Blanchet to a second-place team performance this past fall. He loves the positive team atmosphere that helps create greatness. He is a hard worker and a great student. This kid is going to help the Zags. I'm excited to coach him!"
Cooper Laird
Kenmore, Wash.| Inglemoor High School
Laird ran cross country and track for four years while at Inglemoor High School. He's a three-time qualifier for the WIAA State Cross Country meet. During his sophomore year, he helped lead his team to the state meet for the first time in 14 years. Laird had a breakout senior season of cross country that included winning numerous meets including the Nike Twilight Invitational, the 4A Kingco League Championships, and capped off his season with a seventh-place finish at the WIAA 4A state meet in a PR of 15:23.
"I chose Gonzaga because I felt like it was the total package with their strong academics, a tight knit team, and a coach that I believe I can thrive under," Laird said.
"I'm really excited that cooper will be joining the Gonzaga Distance running program," Tyson said. "Cooper has the talent to evolve into an excellent West Coast Conference, NCAA West and NCAA National caliber runner. He will definitely help us in all he does. That means with his academics, athletics and in the community."
Michael Lewis
Seattle, Wash.| Bishop Blanchet High School
Lewis has run four years of cross country and track at Bishop Blanchet. He has qualified for the WIAA Cross Country State Championships three times, and has earned both first team and second team All-Metro League honors. In 2019, Lewis qualified for the WIAA Track and Field State Championships, where he placed 10th in the 3200. Although his senior cross country season was undermined by illness, he helped lead his team to a second place finish at the WIAA Cross Country State Championships, and one of the best team performances in school history.
"I chose Gonzaga because everything about it fit perfectly, from academics to location to athletics," Lewis said. "Coach Tyson is a fantastic coach who's always believed in me even when results weren't coming, and the team culture is unlike anything I've experienced, something I can't wait to be a part of."
"Our coaching staff really likes this young gritty kid from Seattle," Tyson said. "Interesting fact is that I coached Michael's uncle, Chris Lewis, the All-American high school sensation, while coaching at Mead High School in Spokane. Michael is a grinder. He will develop into a very good 10,000-meter runner. He loves to work and is a great student as well."
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, June 30
Monday, June 29
Monday, June 29
Friday, June 26
