Ethan Peal Shares A Few Slices Of His Track Career


Ethan Peal, Class of 2019 - Saint Michael-Albertville High School


What are all your personal records? What State Meet competitions have you been in, and what were your results?

My personal records are 10.72 in the 100, 21.73 in the 200 and 50.23 in the 400 (I've also gone 6.98 in the indoor 60, and 22.74 in the indoor 200m). I have gone to the State Meet every year, starting freshman year. That year I was an alternate for the 4x100. Unfortunately they actually got disqualified, so I didn't get medal that year.  My sophomore year we finished 5th in the 4x100 and 8th in the 4x200. Then last year I ended up winning State in the 100 and 4x100 and finished 7th in the 200.


How did you first get involved with track? Do you do, or have you done, any other sports?
I first got involved in track at around the age of 13 in 7th grade. It was at the Hershey track and field meets in Gustavus. As a kid I was super into sports. I played soccer, basketball, baseball, and football. I was only in 3rd or 4th grade when I played baseball and soccer, and quit basketball my 8th grade year. I start playing football my freshman year, but I stopped and didn't play my junior year. 


What is your favorite or most memorable competition you've ever been in?

By far my most memorable competition would be 2018 AAU Nationals in Iowa! After winning State in the 100 back in June, I was super hyped to see what I could do at the national level. I had qualified for the 100, 200, and 4x100, which meant that I would would run everyday that week if I made it to finals. When I found out I made semi-finals in the 100, I was in for a great surprise. When the heat sheet was released, my buddy came up to meet and showed it to me and said, "You better run the fastest you've ever ran." I had to race Tyrese Cooper. I was so pumped because this was the competition I needed and wanted. I finished right behind him running my personal beat of 10.72. I don't think anyone was expecting for it to be that close, and I didn't even expect it myself. The main thing I knew I had to do was to run my own race.

 

What was your reaction to winning the State 100m title last year? Was it something you were gunning for or expecting, or was it something that caught you be surprise?

Honestly for the rest of June I was still kind of in shock that I had done it. The indoor season last yer I had pulled my hamstring, so I was out for 3-4 weeks. This defiantly put me a step behind and was the only thing on my mind most of the season. But when I won all my section races is when I realized what I could do and made it my mission. The last person I talked to pre-race was my summer coach telling my to "run my race, focus on what we practiced, and get things done." The only thing I remember from that race is getting in the blocks on the wet track and then looking at the big screen when I crossed the line and seeing my name pop up in first.


Tell me one of your favorite memories from your track career.

The most fun and also most memorable moments would be the Howard Wood track meet in SD. It's not so much the competition and running that make it so fun its hanging out with the team post-meet at the hotel. Being in the pool, going to the gas station for food, and just chilling with the team playing Xbox made it super fun and memorable.


Who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against?

My favorite people to compete against are by for Joe Fahnbulleh and Dante White. They both aren't on my team so I don't see them often, but when I do we're all at our peak. Dante is also on my summer team, Track Minnesota Elite, which makes for a great time every summer. 


Who are some people that have been most helpful to you in your athletic career, and how have they helped you?

The four most helpful people that have helped me would be my mom, dad, and Eric and Cory Mensah. My mom is my biggest fan and cheerleader by a mile. And my dad records every time we practice together and go over film to get better. Both of them ran at the college level, which is actually how they met. So the passion for this sport runs deep. I first met Eric and Cory two years ago at my first practice at TME. They both are D1 track athletes so I was learning from some of the best and it unlocked all my untapped talent.


Who might we find cheering for you at competitions?  

The two people you will always find at any of my meets would be my mom and my dad. Like I said earlier they ran track too so they always try to make time to see me run. This year my sister is running on varsity as an 8th grader, so they have another kid to watch.

What are some of the challenges you've had to face?

Three big challenges I've had were that in 8th grade when I had to have knee surgery due to a cyst. This put me out my whole 8th grade season. The other one the hamstring that I pulled last year. Now I make sure to completely stretch and warm up/cool down both pre- and post-race. The last one and most present one would be that I have scoliosis. Since my spine isn't straight it causes a lot of back pain, some days more then others. And it almost always flares up post race the next day. But I've gotten many stretches from different doctors to help it and its gotten much better.


What are your main goals for this track season?

My biggest goals for this year are to go sub-10.70 in the 100 and get as close as I can to a 20 second 200 and 48 second 400.


When not doing anything track-related, what might we find you doing?

When not doing anything track-related, you can catch me riding my longboard, eating some Chipotle, and playing an unhealthy amount of Xbox! 


What advice would you give to younger athletes, or athletes just starting out in track?

The biggest piece of advice I could give is that you have a question on how to do something to ask a coach or a older athlete. Also, if you have an idol or role model you look up to, watch his/her film and see how they compete and learn a thing or two to better your self.


Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.

Probably the funniest/oddest thing about me would be that my left thumb is actually longer then my right. It's not circus-level, but it's definitely noticeable. My mom said the reason they're like this is because I sucked my left thumb constantly for so long as a kid.