Peter Visser dominates long-distance running in Wyoming
AFTON, Wyo. (BVM) — It doesn’t matter whether it’s cross country or track and field. Peter Visser is the best in Wyoming when it comes to high school long-distance running. And he enjoys being the best in both sports equally.
“The best way I can describe it is like a parent trying to pick their favorite child,” Visser said. “You can’t really do that. There’s some days that one is better than the other. It depends on the day.”
The Star Valley senior-to-be is already a seven-time state champion and would’ve likely added to his collection of gold medals this past spring had the outdoor track and field season not been canceled. Visser, a two-time Gatorade Wyoming Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year, was named the state’s Gatorade Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year based on his accomplishments at the state meet in March.
He claimed first place in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs and was also part of the Braves’ first-place 4×800 relay team. Visser was looking to top his best times in both the 1,600 and 3,200 and defend his state title in the 3,200 this past spring before he lost the opportunity to do so.
“I was really looking forward to this outdoor season,” Visser said. “I was kind of coasting through indoor, trying to stay fit and get ready for outdoor. It definitely sucks having that one season taken away, but you’ve got to move on and look forward to the future and get fitter and faster and have a good time with it.”
Another full season of high school competition will give Visser an opportunity to accomplish even more than he already has. He owns several school records and is close to breaking others in both indoor and outdoor track. Visser will be favored to claim another cross country state title this fall and he’s driven to finish his high school track and field career on top as well.
“He just truly loves to compete and to push himself and see where he can stack up,” Star Valley head track and field coach Ty Draney said, “and I think that’s what sets him apart from the others.”
Visser doesn’t know yet where he’ll compete at the next level, but he’s already garnered interest from several NCAA Division I college programs, including BYU, Utah State, Wyoming and even some Big Ten schools.
“I’m as curious as everyone else to see where he decides to go and compete,” Draney said.
Wherever Visser attends college, he doesn’t plan to give up either of the sports he’s dominating at the high school level. And there’s no telling how far his exceptional long-distance running abilities will take him.
“I’ll take it as far as it can take me — ride the train all the way,” Visser said. “If that means a collegiate career or a pro career after college, I’d like to take it as far as it’s going to go.”
