MileSplit SC talks with Ethan Moody of Richland Northeast before Friday night's SCTCCCA Bob Jenkins Coaches Classic Elite Meet in Columbia.
How do you look at having the top 400 hurdles time for South Carolina?
It feels amazing I feel like a king and most conceded as ever, I knew this day would come.
How is your senior year going in your words? Do you plan on running collegiately?
My senior year started off strong and outstanding I managed to PR and break my own school record in my 110 hurdles prelims and then turnaround and break my own school record with another PR all within my first meet of the season. Yes, I do plan on running on the collegiately level, I'm ready to get into some real smoke.
What is your favorite event to run and why?
My favorite event is the 400 hurdles because it allows me to stay come and relax while also dominate. At the same time only thing I do is remember my pattern. From there I just go with the flow and make sure I see no one in front of me.
Guide to 2025 SCTCCCA Bob Jenkins Coaches Classic Elite Meet
What is your go to pre-race meal?
My pre-race meal can change sometimes depending on the meet and what all I'm competing in that day, but its usually some bananas, sliced mangos, sandwiches with turkey breast plus anything with high carbs. I usually try to stay very hydrated with water or electrolytes, most times with both.
Which event that you do not compete in is your favorite to watch?
The 800 because it seems very competitive. How could you run two laps at almost full speed?
What's a week of practice and competition like for you?
A week of practice for me is pretty smooth because everything is already planned out: Monday's are dog days, Tuesdays are technical days, meet day is on Wednesday and Thursday is a relax stretching day. Friday is another technical day because we have Saturday meets.
Favorite workout?
My favorite workout is probably me going over four hurdles with perfection to make sure I'm good for the 400m hurdles.
Least favorite workout?
My least favorite workout is multiple 500's because I can say the last 50 meters are the worst but it helps.
What has been your motivation?
Winning is my motivation as I've been winning my whole life. I just go into my next race knowing I'm going to win again and again.
What has been your biggest challenge over time? How did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge to overcome was my fear of hurdles and confidence. This is actually the first season where my confidence has been sky high. I overcame it by just staying on myself and locking in with God, myself and my grandma, mom and my coaches (Wilson and Sams). They make sure every meet they stay in my ear about how great I am and I'm in this position because of me and my talent.
But just a big shoutout to my mom for making sure I'm beyond good in public and behind closed doors. I give it up for her and my grandma because they the real ones that play the mother and father-figure role to help me get to this point.
With your team, do you have a leadership role? If so, please explain.
I do have a leadership role because it's like every one on the team looks up to me. I try my best to set the standards high by practicing the correct way to show them at meets that the hard workouts do pay off and also as me being an hurdler I help with the new up and coming hurdlers all the time. That's pretty cool to teach others.
"Stay focused. Most of all do what you're supposed to do. By time you get in high school (by staying on top of your grades) and just put yourself first and stay around people that make good choices and people that want to see you win in life because winning comes with a lot of hate. " - Ethan Moody, Richland Northeast track and field
How do younger track and field athletes talk with you at practice and meets? Do you feel a responsibility to help younger track and field athletes?
I can definitely tell that I aspire younger athletes as they are so excited after I compete they tell me that I'm the goat and they would like to run like you one day. I tell them just stay focused and motivated, you will get there one day. I definitely feel responsible enough to guide and speak knowledge to them where I know they will understand.
What are some goals you have or experiences you are looking forward to for this outdoor season?
Some great experiences I would love to experience Is being a state champion again for the third year in a row, but doing it kind of differently this year and competing in four events & and winning all, but also becoming Gatorade Player of the Year, breaking the state record and getting more than one national title this year.
Any advice that you have for up and coming runners?
Stay focused. Most of all do what you're supposed to do. By time you get in high school (by staying on top of your grades) and just put yourself first and stay around people that make good choices and people that want to see you win in life because winning comes with a lot of hate. Most of all just be yourself. It's always going to be something that someone has to say. Let your talent speak for itself and leave it on the track. Period, no other way around it.
When and why did you start running track?
I started running track in sixth grade. I joined the varsity track team and from there Coach Hicks noticed the talent in me. I started running track because when I was on the baseball team the coaches saw how fast I was getting to each base. The coaches told my mom that I was pretty fast and that I had a talent. So she should put me in track. Ever since than I've been running.
How was your experience with cross country, and how was the transition from that to now hurdling?
Well cross country was great endurance work and I can definitely say I didn't too much like it but it helped a lot. I fought through it because I'm not a quitter. If I start something I'm going to finish it.
The transition to hurdling was definitely smooth for me, previously being a smooth runner. For 400 hurdles, it was definitely easy as I was already a 400 runner so I just added hurdles and I started them the end of my freshman year. Then boom, it all started my sophomore year and I became a state champion. I can definitely give myself a round of applause for that one because I came into the event and did what I was supposed to do.
2025 South Carolina track and field rankings
How do you manage long seasons all year round with AAU indoor, school, and then AAU summer track?
I manage my season by scheduling when I'm going to practice and when I'm going to have my off days. I maintain a healthy body throughout the whole season and also eating healthy. If you don't eat good you're not going to perform good. I also train my body to know when I'm going to peak and my body going with it. From that, I'm happy enough to say I've never had a serious injury.
What hobbies do you have outside of the sport? What's one thing you'd like to do in life?
Hobbies I have is that I love to shop. I love fashion and dressing up to take pics. I love traveling and site seeing and I love animals. I grew up on a mini farm growing up. I remember my grandma took me to get my first ducks from the Feed & Seed store. I also was always around ducks, chickens, geese, dogs, cats, rabbits, snakes, hamsters, guinea pigs and rescue deers while growing up. That played a big role on my love for animals. One day I would love to have a big farm with many more animals to care for and then a separate life with being in the flashing lights of being a one of the top models in the world.
Anything else?
I want to give a big thank you to John Olson for giving me this opportunity to voice myself on this interview and getting my name out there. Thank you.
