Featured Senior: Brian Peck

What was your most memorable moment throughout your career at Willamette?

Either running my final decathlon where I helped Keaton get to nationals by pacing him for the 1500 or any of the three times I was thrown on the 4 x 400 relay at the last minute. Two of which we podiumed and then proceeded to make funny faces at the camera.

Describe your feelings when you found out the season was canceled

Huge mix of emotions. As a senior I had to prepare for track to be over. So I was ready to move on to other aspects of my life. I wasn't bummed out so much that I couldn't compete anymore but bummed out that I didn't get to do all the senior things like give a speech before the last track meet and give everyone hugs and have some sort of closure. It just ended and I didn't even really get to say goodbye to the team and say goodbye to track and field itself. But athletically I have other pursuits beyond track so I didn't lose everything when my season was canceled. 

How have you been handling life in quarantine? Are you home or on campus? What's it like learning online and not having practice?

I'm living off campus with my roommates and it's been tough. Online classes are a difficult transition and not really seeing my friends is also tough. I asked coach Brett to make me a new training program so I still have some sort of a routine but the structure of having physical classes and practice to go to was really nice because it made me get up and do something. Now I'm being forced to do nothing which is horrible for an athlete and outdoorsman. 

What has your experience as a Bearcat taught you?

Big question. How to be respectful, how to have fun and be competitive, how to work hard and smart, how to be coachable, how to be dedicated, how to be diligent, how to handle stress, literally so many important lessons I could go on forever. 

If you could leave one piece of advice for future Bearcats, what would it be?

Have fun! People say this all the time but I don't think athletes really get it. The whole reason we do sports at Willamette is to have a good time so don't take your sport or yourself too seriously and go have a good time, smile while you're doing it! I swear you compete better when you're having fun and if you put pressure on yourself it makes it less fun and you won't compete as well. 

What are your future plans following graduation?

Five-year plan: Stay in Salem this summer, try to get a job and save some money up. Then I'm going to go to Utah and climb for about six months. Then I'm going to move to Tahoe with my brother and work at a ski resort and ski every day. Then after about 2-3 years of doing that I'm going to apply for Teach for America and start working towards being a high school environmental science teacher and track coach. 

From Brian's teammates

What was your most memorable moment of Brian?

Desiree Winslow: His laugh, and his ability to always tell us something interesting that brought good and funny conversations that everyone was involved in.

Adrian Schnee: Watching Brian finish the conference multi was really something, the last few laps of the 1500m run is brutal, especially after completing nine other events. It was such a cool moment to cheer for and witness an incredibly painful yet fun experience. We had to basically carry him into the van afterward. He did great and we all suffered together.

Jenette Cabrera: Brian hosting team bonding events at his house where we played games, ate spaghetti, and laughed a lot.

Emma Blackburn: My freshman year Brian, Sonja, and I spontaneously decided to go to the beach at 11 p.m. one weekend and it was so much fun, and we all got to know each other better. At one point Brian dropped his keys in the ocean and we panicked for a minute or so, but we found them so it was funny after the fact!

How has Brian impacted you in your sport or in life?

Desiree Winslow: At the beginning of the training season, I did not have many friends, and we got together and hung out. He inspired me to go out there and make new friends myself. He is always there for me, and for everyone on the team. His personality is just inspiring overall by the way he acts.

Adrian Schnee: Brian was a huge part of my first-year experience and really guided me through learning and dealing with the multi-event life. He was always entertaining and has a contagiously loud, distinctive laugh that made for no dull practices. We spent a lot of time together since our practices were super long, and even though some were torturous, they were enjoyable for the most part.

Jenette Cabrera: In my sport, he has taught me to have fun and to put in 100% effort in all I do. In my life, he has taught me to enjoy every moment and focus on the present.

Emma Blackburn: He has always been welcoming and friendly and very supportive of me as an individual, not only as an athlete.

What makes Brian special?

Desiree Winslow: He was our team leader, he always led the warm up routine. It did not feel right at practice when he was not there.

Adrian Schnee: Brian's ability to have no chill when it came to warmups or competition. He was always first and the quickest to chime in.

Jenette Cabrera: He gets everyone motivated, makes everyone laugh, and has a positive energy.

Emma Blackburn: Brian is so unique and funny and memorable, and made my time so far with the track team so much fun. Brian also makes fantastic soup!

Is there anything Brian brought to the program that will have a lasting impact?

Desiree Winslow: Brian is the person you think of when you think of a Willamette student-athlete.

Adrian Schnee: I believe we will never truly forget Brian nor will he let us.