Earl “Peaney” Widmyer graduated from Hagerstown High School and the University of Maryland. While attending high school he started setting track records — the 50- and 100-yard dash records and the broad (long) jump record of 21 feet, 9½ inches. He placed second in the 100-yard dash at the Penn Relays with a time of 10.25 seconds while in high school in 1931. “Peaney” won every race and broad jump while in high school, and was a county and state champion — as well as a standout in football.

Widmyer received a scholarship to the University of Maryland, where he played varsity football as a halfback. But it was track where he excelled and set many records. He won every dual meet he ran all four years in college. In 1932, “Peaney” ran his first 10-seconds-flat 100-yard dash as a freshman and set a 220-yard record of 22.8 seconds. In June 1932, he entered the Boston Games, winning his 100-yard heat in 10.3, only to lose the event to Emmett Toppino, the Olympic winner that year. He was asked to be the alternate for the 1932 Olympics, but in those years financial problems during the depression kept him home.

In 1933, “Peaney” set another 100-yard dash record at Maryland, clocking 9.9. He attended the Penn Relays again, placing second, and was extended an invitation to run in the track meet at the Chicago World’s Fair. Again, the depression kept him home. He was the Southern Conference champion in the 100-yard dash that year.

In 1934, Earl successfully defended his title as the Southern Conference champion in the 100-yard dash, running another 9.9. He also set the District of Columbia AAU record of 10.8 in the 100-meter dash. “Peaney” then won the Penn Relays 100-yard dash with yet another 9.9.

Earl Widmyer was awarded the Maryland Ring as the “Most Outstanding Athlete.” “Peaney” came back to Hagerstown High School, where he taught for two years.