Merritt Island senior Nick Friel finished fourth in the 110 hurdles at last year's 3A state meet. This year the Mustang standout is ready to stand at the top of the podium. See how he got into the sport and his goals for 2012.
How did you get started in track and field?
It started with football. I was mainly doing it just to train for that.
You realized you were good at both after you started winning some races. At Merritt Island you are a three year letter winner in football and four year letter winner in track. Do you prefer one over the other?
I couldn’t really choose between the two sports. I think track is tougher just because you are out their alone and there is nowhere to hide if you make a mistake, but football gave me the drive and determination to win which helps a lot in track. The speed work from track also definitely helped on the football field.
Do you remember your first race?
My first race was the shuttle hurdles. I had no form at all and was just running and jumping as fast as I could.
What do you enjoy most about running the hurdles?
The thing I like most about the hurdles is the pressure of being out there all by yourself. You can’t fake being good at the hurdles. You either are or you aren’t.
Being a hurdler takes a lot of mental focus as well as speed. You’ve taken a couple falls in your career, but been able to bounce back, right?
I have taken a couple of spills mostly in the 300 hurdles. At regionals my sophomore year I fell face first on the very last hurdle. I was in third before I fell. I think I ended up getting fifth or sixth. I didn’t even get to put my hands down so when I heard the whole crowd cringe I was pretty embarrassed.
What meets are you looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to the Spruce Creek Invitational, FSU Relays and state.
Last year you finished fourth in 3A in the 110 hurdles. What are your goals for the season and what is it going to take to achieve them?
I definitely want to win gold at state, but even more I want to run below 13.6. It's going to take a clean race with no mistakes and I believe it will come.
Personal Bests
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110 Meter Hurdles14.34
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300 Meter Hurdles39.82
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