BENTONVILLE - NWACC recieved an immediate jolt of talent for the fast-approaching Spring 2026 season Monday with the signing of freshman Lily Zakaras.

Zakaras has seen success in both long-distance running and gravel biking; she is a member of the Mach1 U23 Development Team and has semi-pro biking experience. As a runner, she boasts two UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) youth 10k national championships and last competed in cross country for Bentonville High School.

She is expected to contribute primarily in distance events but also hopes to contribute in mid distance runs.

"Distance is my specialty...but I'd like to work on my fast-twitch muscles and perfect my weaknesses," Zakaras said. "I'm excited to try out different distances; I would like to try to do the 800 [meter] and the mile this year."

Despite being two years removed from high school, Zakaras is just 17 years old. 

"Being the youngest doesn't scare me, per se, but I think it kinda makes me excited to get better and be a strong component for the team even though I'm young," Zakaras said.

Zakaras hails from the small town of Springfield, Neb., half an hour from Omaha. She has called Bentonville home for the past two years and began attending NWACC in Fall 2025. She will compete in her first season of collegiate athletics with NWACC this spring.

In a young career that has already been affected by health, Zakaras has experienced multiple tibia injuries, hip issues and fallen arches in both feet. After all the adversity, Zakaras looks forward to returning to running with a new perspective.

"[Injuries] definitely taught me how to love the grind and really first love the process versus the proceeds. You can't get the proceeds without digging into the process."

The Spring 2026 Track and Field season will be released in January 2026 and will be available on NWACCEagles.com and @NWACCxctf on Instagram.