PEPPERS ON THE TRACK
Peppers, who competes part-time as a sprinter, won gold medals in both the 100 and 200 meters at the Meet of Champions.
Photo courtesy of Scott Langan
Peppers started his sophomore year running in the 11-second range for the 100 meters, a time that is very fast — but not elite.
As a junior he ended his basketball season early and began to dedicate himself to the spring track season. In between taking recruiting trips and meeting with visiting football coaches, Peppers managed to shave over a half-second off his 100m time, clocking a 10.5 outdoors in the rain.
Peppers has been called the ultimate competitor, for the ferocity with which he competes. He's not a year-round track runner — in fact Peppers does not even compete in indoor track. Still, he has no qualms about doing battle with — and defeating — runners who perfect their craft 12 months a year.
"When you're in a relay and you get him the baton, there's no telling what time he could run if there's a kid in front of him," Russo said.
At the Meet of Champions, Peppers took home gold in both the 100m and the 200m. Next year, he has even bigger plans.
"What I really want, and what I will come back for next year, is to set state records in both of the sprint events," he told
the Bergen Record.
Here are some of Peppers' top achievements on the track:
*Non Public A state champion in 100m and 200m
*Meet of Champions gold medal winner in 100m and 200m
*Personal best of 10.51 in the 100m
*Personal best of 21.13 in the 200m
