Minnetonka Senior Races Toward Excellence

Even during this winter's snow drought, Zach Goldberg has hit the ski trails every day. 

“I go where they make snow, like Theodore Wirth Park or Elm Creek,” said the senior and member of the Nordic (cross-country) ski team. He continues to ski daily, training for the next race.

After the snow melts, Goldberg will lace up his running shoes for track and field. He started running in seventh grade and is now captain of the cross-country running team.

Goldberg is eager for track to begin, since he missed the fall cross country running season due to a bout of mononucleosis. He suffered the classic symptom of mono: fatigue.  

“Now I feel great,” Goldberg said.

His personal best is a 4:38 mile, and he hopes to beat that time this spring. Goldberg’s main event is the 800-meter race, which is about a half mile. “I’m going to try to break two minutes this spring.”

In order to stay in top shape through the winter, Goldberg started cross-country skiing as a freshman. 

“I found out I loved it,” he said. “Skiing is my favorite sport. I’ve enjoyed meeting other people from different schools.” 

While driving to a ski meet with his father in December, Goldberg learned that he’d been accepted to Dartmouth College. “It was my first choice,” he said. “I’m going to try out for their ski team.”

He credits Minnetonka social studies teacher Chris Pears for encouraging him to consider Dartmouth. “Mr. Pears has been a big influence on me,” Goldberg said. 

And Pears believes Goldberg has the potential to succeed in the future.

"Zach combines outstanding academic ability with a commitment to sports and service that has made him a leader amongst his Minnetonka classmates," said Pears.

An Ivy League school, Dartmouth has a reputation of commitment to intellectual excellence, teamwork and outdoor living.

"Zach's character and ability makes him fit hand-in-glove with that institution," Pears added.

Goldberg is excited to live in New Hampshire, though he has been to the East coast only once, when he visited Dartmouth. 

“It’s a similar environment in that they have four seasons,” Goldberg said. “The campus is rural, and there seems to be a lot of outdoor activities.”

He is considering economics as a major. “I’ll probably go into business, like my dad and grandpa did,” he said.

Goldberg admits that leaving home will be bittersweet. 

“I’m close with my family and I’ll miss them,” he said. His family includes parents, David and Maile Goldberg, and a younger sister.

Goldberg said his father inspired him through the years, and he inherited some of his traits. ”My dad was a college athlete and now he does triathlons,” said Goldberg. “I think a lot of my attributes come from him.”

The Goldberg family recently celebrated the Chinese New Year with an ethnic meal, reflecting his mother’s Chinese heritage. His family visited China for spring break last year. But Goldberg doesn’t speak Chinese. “Just English and a little Spanish,” he said.

Spanish is one of Goldberg’s favorite classes at school. He also enjoys history and economics. He takes advanced placement courses and has landed on the honor roll every semester. 

When he’s not studying or skiing, Goldberg volunteers as a writing coach in the school's writing center, helping his peers with their papers and presentations.

He is also a first mate leader in the school mentoring program that pairs trained seniors with freshmen transitioning into high school. 

“I joined because my sister is a freshman and I want to make a difference,” said Goldberg. “My first mate leader was helpful to me.”

Goldberg’s advice to freshmen? “Join activities, whether it’s sports or clubs,” he said. “It will introduce you to new people and new friends.”

Many of Goldberg’s friends are fellow runners and skiers. 

“We hang out, play ping pong and watch movies,” he said.

One of his favorite movies is “Valentine’s Day,” but Goldberg said he has no special plans for the holiday of hearts. “I’ll be training for a state meet up north,” he said.

When it comes to movies, Goldberg admits, “I like romantic comedies– I like happy endings.”