From football to track, senior Michael Merical has been an important contributor during his years at Westside High School.

For the track team, Merical runs a 200-meter sprint, 400-meter sprint,  4×100 relay and a 4×400 relay, all in one meet.

Merical started running track because track coach Sally Shepherd told him too, but he turned it into a useful tool for his other main sport- football. He is able to prove he is hard working and willing to go the extra length in order to achieve success through his meets.

“My work ethic really developed when I was in about third grade and Ron Nolin was my football coach,” Merical said. “He installed work ethic into our whole team and I have to hand it to him for how hard I work.”

To mentally get himself ready for his meets, Merical makes sure he watches and listens to videos that pump him up and get him excited for each of his  events, even if it is different than most other students would.

“I watch the Notorious on YouTube which is essentially a hype video with UFC fighter Connor McGregor,” Merical said. “It really motivates me for each of my races and gives me the confidence I need to win each race.”

In between meets, Merical recovers by sitting in ice baths and the whirl-pool to keep his muscles loose. On days before the meet, Merical will stretch, warm-up, do some stride and then get in the cool tub that freshens him up.

So far, Merical has medaled in all of his races and has taken first place in all but one meet. He looks forward to continuing his success throughout the rest of the season.

“I really like running,” Merical said. “I like the challenge that track gives me so I enjoy running as much as I do.”