Glendale college's Grace Zamudio honored at city hall
GLENDALE — Grace Zamudio received her share of awards and accolades after enjoying an excellent season as a member of the Glendale Community College women's track and field team.
On Tuesday night, Zamudio picked up another honor far away from the track when she was recognized at Glendale City Hall.
Zamudio, a three-time state champion distance runner, received a commendation from Glendale Mayor Dave Weaver recognizing her outstanding body of work following her sophomore track season this spring.
"I'm a person who loves sports and this is very fitting," Weaver told Zamudio, who was flanked by her family and Glendale Community College track and field Coach Eddie Lopez and assistant Bryan Ramos. "What you have achieved is so rare that I probably will not see it again in my lifetime."
Zamudio achieved plenty on the track, recently finishing up her outstanding season with historic proportions.
At the California Community College Athletic Assn. Track and Field State Championships, which was held May 17-18 at the College of San Mateo, Zamudio won three races.
Zamudio opened by taking the 10,000-meter race in 37 minutes 22.19 seconds on May 17.
She then came back the next day to win the 1,500- and 5,000 events. Zamudio took the 1,500 (4:36.13) before capturing the 5,000 (17:41.04) to become the first female athlete in the state to win state crowns in those races in the same year.
For good measure, Zamudio picked up 30 of Glendale's 41 team points to help the Vaqueros place sixth overall. Zamudio was named the California Community College Sports Information Female Athlete of the Month for May.
"It's an honor to receive this kind of recognition," said Zamudio, an All-American. "I'm real grateful and this is like icing on the cake.
"I found out a week or two ago that I would be meeting the mayor. I've never received anything like this before. I was able to get a lot accomplished. I'm ready to move on [with my career]."
Zamudio had earlier won Western State Conference and Southern California championships in each event, giving her a grand total of nine titles.
Lopez, who was named the conference's men's track and field coach of the year, said it was the first time he could recall a Glendale college track and field athlete picking up a commendation from the city.
"Good things happen to good people," Lopez said. "It's an honor when you get to meet the mayor.
"The mayor asked her about her accomplishments [before the meeting began]. What Grace was able to do this season was incredible. It still hasn't sunk in with what she's gotten done."