Aggie McNeal looking to improve times
Whether it’s on the football field or the track, Utah State’s Rod McNeal just wants to improve.
McNeal is a junior and a recent addition to both the track and football team. While he has been running for only three years, he has played football all of his life.
“That’s my love right there,” he said. “I love football.”
He started to run while a student at Compton Junior College, after the football season to keep his time occupied.
“I just like to compete – period,” McNeal said about why he joined track. “I’m a competitor. It’s always cool when you win.”
McNeal is a junior majoring in sociology. For him, it was quite the decision to make when it came to choosing a school to go to. He had offers from Oregon, Mississippi State, UTEP, Idaho State and UNLV.
“I like it here. I can be more focused on what I need to get done,” he said “It’s the best school I’ve ever been at. I feel like I’ll be an Aggie forever.”
He said that since there is not much to do in Logan, he can’t get into too much trouble.
McNeal said that there was a time when he was headed down the wrong path. That is why he is majoring is sociology, because he wants to talk to youths.
“I can talk to them because I was going through the same thing,” he said. “I got a new start [and] I’m trying to get the best of it.
“I made a big change [and] they gave me a second chance because they aren’t giving up on me. They keep helping me. It’s a good experience.”
He said that Utah State is his life. McNeal moved to Logan last August and while he likes the city, the snow is another story.
“It’s my first time in snow,” McNeal said. “It’s too cold.”
In football he is a receiver, although he calls himself the utility guy because he play offense wherever he is needed. McNeal also plays on special teams.
In track, McNeal said he would like to see his times improve and in order to do that, he said he will have to improve his starts.
“Once I get it all together, I should be back to my usual times,” he said about improving his running. “I am running against the clock. In order for me to go to nationals my times have to get better.”
McNeal, who previously recorded an Olympic-qualifying time of 10.22 in the 100 meters, said it is hard for him knowing that he is capable of faster times.
“I like to play basketball in my free time. It’s the best conditioning because you are constantly running up and down the court,” he said.
The USU sprinters are headed to BYU Friday and for the 20-year-old McNeal, it is just another opportunity to improve his times.
-vramirez@cc.usu.edu