When Wyatt Peck hears the gun go off this Friday in Seattle, he will take off in the 800 meter run knowing he has put in the work and that his teammates and coaches will be watching.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE RACE AT 6:05 P.M. FRIDAY EVENING.

Peck will be running in an all-expenses paid outing to the Brooks PR Meet where he has established himself as one of the fastest 800 meter runners in the country.

Other runners in the race will come from virtually every other corner of America:
Hugh Brittenham (Fort Myers, Florida)
Jacob MIley (Palm Coast, Florida)
Brandon Miller (St. Louis, Missouri)
Luke George (Issaquah, Washington)
Alex Scales (San Jose, California)
Wyatt Peck (Afton, Wyoming)
Cole Johnson (Rockford, Michigan)
Isaiah Claiborne (Northport, New York)
Sean Dolan (Pennington, New Jersey)

When asked about his personal evolution as a runner over the course of the last year, Peck deferred to his team.

“This year was pretty good,” he said of the cross-country and outdoor track & field team titles. “We had injuries but kept running through the season and we just gave it our best shot at state.”

It took a little more digging to find out what fueled this year’s success.
Team chemistry.

“The optimism on the team and the team spirit really hit home this year,” he responded. “We were super close and we were a family so it made the training that much better.”

The race that garnered the attention of the Brooks people was his 800 race at Utah Valley University where he destroyed the old school record and won the event title.
Coincidentally, the race turned out to be a microcosm of the season. Obstacles to overcome. Pain to embrace and runners to compete against.

“The competition was there; it was raging,” Peck continued. “Coach Draney and I decided not to run the 400 finals and focus on the 800 instead because I think he knew what I was capable of.”

An opinion not shared by Peck himself who says his time of 1:55 and change earlier that week was a far cry from the 1:51.27 he would run.

“He wanted me to push for that time,” Peck added. Whatever happens, happens; brush it off and move on.”

At the starting line, Peck tripped, putting him dead-last in the race as he made his way through the pack during the first 100 meters. He also kept his sights on Brayden Williams of Orem who was the race front-runner.

“As we ran through the race, he faded a little at the 300 mark and I pushed with all I had and finished up with a good time.”

Last to first, a new school record and an eventual invite to Seatttle to run against the best in the country.

“I’m just super excited to go and compete with some high level athletes,” Peck stated. “To have the opportunity is just phenomenal; I’m grateful. It’s not every day you get to do something like this. It’s a phenomenal feeling. It’s just these nine guys who come and compete for the title. It’s pretty sweet.”

Rather than focus on the finish, Peck is keeping his sight focused on his own performance.

“I just hope to finish with something that I’m proud of,” he said. “The placing will be what it will be. You can only do what you can and hope for the best. We’ve trained really early and at nights. The work has been put in. I’m grateful for Ty to help me put in all the extra time.”

• Online Streaming
The Brooks PR Meet will be streamed by RunnerCard.com. HERE IS THE WATCH LINK FOR THE MEET

• “Go Paint A Picture”
Peck praises his coaches in his development, especially head coach Ty Draney.
“Coach Draney has always come through for me and the team,” he continued. “I couldn’t be more grateful for him and the staff. He definitely helps [with] the mental game. When you’re just hurting so bad he’s taught us to break through and absorb the pain and go paint a picture. If you’re comfortable with the uncomfortable you’re going to be able to handle it that much better and we don’t want to disappoint him.”

• Paris Games of 2024?
Peck, who will be running for the College of Southern Idaho next year, has aspirations of Division-I competition and perhaps even a chance at the Olympic Games.
“A big goal I’ve been thinking about is making it to an Olympic trial,” he said. “It’s a long-term goal, but I’ve been thinking of the potential of being able to do that would be a big thing.”

• Milward Simpson Award
Peck was also named as a Finalist for the Milward Simpson Award which will be handed out on June 16, in Cody.
Peck is the first SVHS Male to be named to the Finalist list since Andy McKen in 2006. Others from SVHS have included Matt Linford (1997), Jason Sanderson (1994) & Corey Fullmer (1988).
Lexi Erickson is the only Female Finalist for the award from Star Valley in 2013.

2018 Milward Simpson Award
Female Finalists
Aubrey Frentheway – Cheyenne Central
Madison Hoopman – Douglas
Addie Stanley – Little Snake River
Grace Tanner – Big Piney
Madison Vinich – Kelly Walsh

Male Finalists
Blayne Baker – Sheridan
Brett Brenton – Natrona County
Haize Fornstrom – Pine Bluffs
Wyatt Peck – Star Valley
Danny Ramirez – Kaycee