Ethan Reed running a relay for an away track meet. Photo cred: Sydney Moretz, Watauga Yearbook
Ian Biles, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn
Ethan Reed’s early passion for running is one of a kind, included with his love for the sport and community that surrounds it. Reed, a sophomore, does both indoor and outdoor track and has years of training and competition under his belt. His unwavering dedication to making himself and his team better is a common sight to his peers.
“I feel like the track team has connected me to a lot of people,” said Reed. “Not just sophomores but juniors and seniors, going on trips and bonding with these people, cheering them on.”
Reed has been running with Watauga since 7th grade when he joined the middle school track team.
“When I was first starting out, I really didn’t want to do it. In fact, I really had a hatred of track,” said Reed. “But then as the years went on and seasons went by I had to commit to it more and more, I really started to love it.”
Reed has many inspiring figures that offer him motivation during his seasons. His dad, who was a track athlete in middle and high school, and his coaches’ influence, have led him to be the athlete he is today.
“Someone who inspired me and who I look up to was Coach Neff,” said Reed. “Back in middle school, every time we went to a meet he would stand at the finish line and cheer me on. Back in 2023 at the middle school state meet, I PR’d by a ton in my hundred-meter dash. He was right there cheering me on and congratulating me. He really wanted me to pursue track in high school. He is still one of my big inspirations in running.”
Although Reed is not sure whether or not he will pursue running in college, he is considering recruitment as an option. Reed explained he values the growth that track has brought him on both a physical and social level.
“I’d say my favorite part of track is spending time with the people,” said Reed. “When I first started track, I didn’t know anyone, and I was pretty weak. But then I met teammates and was able to grow with them as teammates and athletes. We got stronger together.”
Even though Reed wasn’t a fan of track when he first started, he offered this advice for younger athletes looking to get into the sport.
“Go for it! There's no wrong answer if you're on track,” said Reed. “If you’re slow, if you're weak, then you're just going to become stronger in a few weeks. You might not see it at first, but after a while, you’re going to see that you’ve grown from where you started to where you are now. Just don’t be scared to try it. A lot of people try track and feel that way when they start, but if you work at it and put effort in you’ll improve and learn.”
Commentaires