Ryan Zhang, a senior at Lexington High School, announced his commitment to John Hopkins University (JHU) for track and field. Known for the 55-meter hurdles, Zhang recently ran a personal best of 7.73 seconds on Jan. 20, earning him a spot at the New Balance Indoor Nationals and placing him third on the all-time leaderboard at LHS.

Zhang’s college recruitment began in the summer of 2024, when he reached out to the JHU track coaches. 

“I emailed the coaches, and they got back to me quickly about their timeline and what they were looking for athletically and academically,” Zhang said.

Later, during his recruiting visit to JHU, Zhang met with some of the school’s athletes, providing him with an experience of the campus and track team environment. 

“It was really insightful being able to link, meet with the team, and see the environment that I’m going to be going into,” Zhang said. 

He also had the opportunity to attend classes in biochemistry and linear algebra, which helped him understand what college would be like as a student-athlete.

Zhang’s passion for track and field started in middle school, although he was initially interested in playing volleyball. However, his interest in track grew over time, and he began putting in more dedicated training into track. 

Despite his success, Zhang has faced challenges in the sport. 

“Injuries are pretty bad because it prevents you from training, and prevents you from doing anything,” Zhang said.

Mental preparation also plays an important role in Zhang’s success. Before a race, he builds his confidence by assuring himself of his abilities. 

“I always tell myself I can beat anyone,” Zhang said. 

Looking ahead to his future at Johns Hopkins, Zhang has a clear goal: to qualify for the All-Conference. Academically, he hopes to do well in his courses, acknowledging the rigor of a school like JHU. 

“I know it’s a very, very hard university, but I think I can handle it,” Zhang said.