Athlete of the Week: Peyton Castell, Dr. Phillips track and field

As a freshman in high school, Dr. Phillips High girls track-and-field athlete Peyton Castell reached the State Championships and placed 13th in the 200-meter dash and 16th in the 100-meter dash. She returned to states her sophomore year but improved to sixth in the 100m and seventh in the 200m. 

Now as a junior, Castell is sprinting toward her third consecutive states appearance. Most recently, Castell recorded a 12.40 time in the 100m and 25.06 in the 200m, and captured first in both events at the Windermere Friday Night Lights Friday, March 27. Her personal record is 11.89 in the 100m and 24.14 in the 200m. 

What do you enjoy most about track? 

What I enjoy most about track, as a sprinter, is the purity of the challenge. It’s just me, the lane and the clock. Sprinting forces me to be fully present and fully accountable. Every hundredth of a second reflects my preparation, my discipline and my ability to execute under pressure. 

 When did you start track, and why did you join? 

I started running track when I was 7 years old. At first, it was just something I was naturally good at, but the more I trained, the more I realized how much I enjoyed the discipline and the challenge. Over time, it became more than just speed — I began to enjoy the competitive energy.

How would you describe yourself as a teammate? 

I’d describe myself as a team player who brings energy, accountability and support to the group. Whether it was stepping up in relays, helping younger sprinters with technique or bringing energy to practice, I’ve grown into someone my teammates can rely on. That leadership growth means just as much to me as any medal or PR.

What advice would you give someone who just joined track? 

The biggest advice I’d give someone new to track is to be patient with themselves and trust the process. Sprinting and track in general take time. Your form, your strength and your confidence all build gradually. You won’t see every improvement right away, but the work always shows up eventually.

If you were a coach, what speech would you give the team?  

Always show up with purpose, compete with heart and trust your training. You don’t have to be the fastest today; you just have to be better than you were yesterday.

If you could pick a different sport, what would it be? 

Volleyball, because I love the combination of teamwork, energy and constant movement that the sport demands. 

Who do you look up to the most? 

I look up to my parents the most because they’ve shown me what hard work, resilience and character look like in real life. They don’t just talk about values; they live them. They’ve always pushed me to be my best but also supported me when things got tough. That balance of high expectations and unconditional support is something I really admire. They’ve taught me the importance of discipline, staying humble and treating people with respect.

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida? 

I would like to live in Los Angeles, California. LA has this unique mix of creativity and ambition that pushes people to grow. Whether it’s sports, academics or career goals, the city attracts people who are driven, and being in that environment motivates me to aim higher.

What future career do you want to have? 

My future career goals are to earn a full scholarship to an SEC school, run track professionally and eventually compete in the Olympics and win gold medals. I also plan to earn a degree in physical therapy, so I can become a sports physical therapist and stay connected to athletics even after my competitive career.

If you had to pick a spirit animal, which would you choose? 

If I had to pick a spirit animal, I’d choose a cheetah. Not just because it’s the fastest animal but because of the qualities behind its speed. Cheetahs are explosive, focused and efficient. They don’t waste energy and when it’s time to move, they commit fully. That’s exactly how I approach sprinting.

What jersey number would you pick and why? 

The number 13 is special to me because it represents strength, confidence and standing out. A lot of people see 13 as an unlucky number, but I like that. It makes the number feel bold and different, almost like a reminder to embrace things that others might avoid.