Fierce Weather Conditions Push Track and Field Star to Drive His Inner NHL Passion at Hayward Field Stadium

“Hockey helped with his speed, in a weird and indirect way,” revealed Simeon Birnbaum’s father Paul Birnbaum when talking about the young athlete’s sprinting prowess. The 2023 HS Boys Athlete Of The Year, Simeon Birnbaum, has never shied away from clinching accolades ever since he stepped into the track and field arena. However, Simeon always credited the major chunk of his success to hockey, as it “helped him anaerobically.”

Despite winning the Gatorade State Player of the Year award, Birnbaum mentioned on multiple occasions that hockey is one sport that he always falls back on. Now, as the country is swept over with snow, the University of Oregon student has come across the unexpected opportunity to take a moment to hone his ice skating skills yet again.

Track and field athlete making the most of the icy weather

Growing up in Alberta, Canada, Simeon Birnbaum was exposed to ice hockey from an early age. While the cross-country sprinter aims to become one of the greatest in the sport, his adoration for hockey has remained a constant in his life. And now, as Oregon’s Hayward Field is covered in a sheet of white, Birnbaum has the chance to make the most of the adverse weather conditions.

In a post shared by Chris Nickinson of RunnerSpace, Birnbaum’s Instagram story is highlighted. “You don’t see ice skating at Hayward Field every day“, reads Nickinson’s post and it looks like Birnbaum is having a field day having a brilliant time practicing for the sport that could have been his alternate profession if track and field hadn’t worked out.

The accompanying video clip shows Simeon skating across the frozen track of Oregon as he displays his natural ability to carry out the task with ease. From the looks of it, we believe Birnbaum could have easily pursued a career in the NHL if he set his mind to it.

Birnbaum blitzing into the record books

After moving back to the US from Canada, Birnbaum forged a name for himself with some exquisite performances during the fall season. Despite having a packed schedule, Birnbaum continued to put out sensational displays week after week and proved to be nearly unbeatable in the outdoor track and field events.

Read more: “200m Gold Medalist Pending”: Fans Can’t Hold Back as Noah Lyles Shares Training Regime to Get 2024 Paris Olympics Ready

Birnbaum made the headlines yet again by clocking an impressive 8:34.10 at the Arcadia Invitational in California. In spring 2023, Simeon became the youngest American teenager to break four minutes in a mile a the MileSplit50 and continues to promise a promising future ahead for himself as well as fanning more wind to the USA’s international track and field aspirations.

Watch this story: Noah Lyles Is All In, Rooting for the $155M Esports Giants at World 2023