Meet Parker Deuel
8/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
How did you get into distance running?
"I was seven years old. I ran a mile when I was in kindergarten, and I ran a crazy time for a six-year old. Then, I got into USATF (United States Track & Field) and starting running. I made my first Junior Olympics through USATF. After that I started running track and it turned into the last 13 or 14 years of my life."
What made you want to come to The University of Alabama?
"Besides the facilities and the emphasis on success, I definitely saw that Coach (Dan) Waters was in it to win it. The coaches definitely made me feel like I could be the best I could be. I invested in my coaches a lot more than I invested just in the university. It helped that Alabama has such a good reputation for winning."
What did you have in California that you wish you had here?
"The beach. I wish I could get out and surf in the morning. I wish I could go swimming and sun tan - work on my perfect bronze body. A lot of my life revolves around the beach, so I miss it. I love the coast line of the beautiful Pacific."
What was an embarrassing moment you had during a race?
"One of my most embarrassing moments came during a steeplechase race. We were running really fast and I was on pace for a personal record. I had four or five laps to go because it was really early in the race. I couldn't see where I was going when we made it to the water jump, because there were three people in front of me. I took a leap without really knowing where I was going, and I hit my shin on the hurdle. Those hurdles don't really fall over, so I hit it and my foot hooked as I was going over. I just went `Superman' over the water pit to the other side. I didn't really hit the water. I completely missed the soft water."
If you weren't a distance runner, what track and field event would you like to try?
"I would like to be a pole vaulter because it looks like a lot of fun. It's a lot harder than people think it is, but you get to jump so high in the air. I don't know if I could jump very well, but I would definitely want to try."
What's your best advice for young runners?
"When it comes down to it, invest in what your coaches are telling you to do. Invest in the ideas that they're giving you. Whether they're telling you how to do something or explaining that you can do something you don't think you can, really listen to what your coaches are saying."
What's the best part about your running career thus far?
"The best part is that I've met so many people. A personal record is a personal record. Anyone can set a new one if they put their mind to it. Something special about the last 13 or 14 years is that I've met so many people down the road that I love and care about and I'll never forget. I have so many good friends who I'll always be able to relate to and always be able to contact. There's a lot of camaraderie and a lot of good people. I think that's something special about this sport."
