In a recent interview, Webb City’s Brooke Hedger shared with us her goals for the future. Expressing “Some of my personal goals for the year include running below 2:20 for the 800 & possibly setting the school record in that event; running below 5:20 for the 1600; being all-state for both 1600 & 800 in track; running below 19 minutes for a 5k in cross country; also being all-state for cross country. I also want to start a business of some kind and get more involved at my church.”

Hegder also shared her favorite part about being on this year’s team saying “My favorite part of being on this team is definitely the people. My teammates & my coaches have shaped the kind of person I’m becoming. We have a lot of fun together, but we also work hard together. We’re there for each other. We’re each other’s second family. My coaches have pushed me to be better. They believe in me even when I don’t believe in myself. My coaches have helped me change my mentality & not give up even when it’s hard.”

When asked to name someone on the team who has had the biggest impact on her Hedger responded by saying “My teammate Abi has definitely left the biggest impression on me. She is always my hype girl & she comes to practice every day with a positive attitude. She reminds me that if one race doesn’t go the way it was planned that it’s ok, & we just need to move forward and not let it ruin what’s ahead. I have a very vivid memory Of Abi hugging me after I won the 800 at the Pittsburg State track meet. She kept telling me how proud of me she was, and after the fact, I thought, “This is a moment I’m going to remember forever.”

Outside of athletics Hedger is involved in “Leadership, which is the stepping stone you have to be a part of before you get into Student Council.” She also pointed out that “Running cross country & track takes a lot of time & dedication. There’s not a lot of time left over for me to be involved with school clubs & still spend time with my family & rest.”