Though each of the 53 men on URochester’s track and field team has had standout moments during the indoor season, only one broke the school record twice and set a personal record five times during the season: junior Ethan Beer.
Beer started his track and field career in his junior year of high school. “My friends were on the track and field team in high school and I thought I’d give it a shot because it seemed fun,” Beer said. “Plus my high school coach begged me to join the team.” He started competing in the field events and never looked back.
Through his last four years of doing track, Beer has learned a lot and improved in and out of the circle. Despite his incredible indoor season in the shot put, it isn’t the event he loves most.
“My favorite event is the discus,” he shared. “It’s really fun on a nice day outside and it’s a great feeling watching it go far.”
Despite his current prowess on the field, Beer wishes he’d had more time to train for the event. “I wish I would’ve started earlier. Track has provided me with so many opportunities and memories that I wish I had started earlier so I could have more of those.” Opportunities and connections that are made on and off the track and field are important, considering you compete against the same people week after week; comradery and conversation help pass the time.
In that vein, Beer advises incoming student athletes to make sure that they love what they’re doing.
“You have to have a real passion for the sport if you want to make it far and get a lot out of it. Talent alone isn’t enough,” said Beer. “That’s why I think about how much fun I had doing track in high school, and try to have as much fun as I can in practice and meets. When I started doing that, my performances only got better and better.” There can be so much mental strain and frustration in the field events, but remembering why you started makes it better. “Just have fun” is Beer’s biggest piece of advice for the underclassmen throwers.
While the outdoor season is starting to wrap up, there are still three more meets before outdoor Liberty League finals. The team, and Beer, have more opportunities to continue the progression through the ranks and compete for even better marks.
