April 26, 2024

Off and running in no time

Less than a year into running, NV’s Broers is a state qualifier.

By KALEB CARTER

NV's Sophia Broers qualified for state with her 14th-place finish Thursday. (CNA photo)

MOUNT AYR — Sophia Broers statement about running after qualifying for the state cross country meet Thursday in Mount Ayr was about as relatable as could be.

“I actually really hated running, and I didn’t want to hate it anymore, so I started doing a running sport,” Broers said.

The first-year cross country freshman turned a dislike into a strength.

She and her father Steven worked through the summer to get in shape. It made a world of confidence for her fitness and confidence.

“We just ran when we had time. Slow runs at first, and they just got faster and longer as the summer went on.”

Thursday, Broers finished in 14th in 22:13 among a field that consisted of powerhouse girls squad Panorama and 26 other teams.

Teammate Reagan Weinheimer, a qualifier herself a year ago and a 12th place finisher Thursday, was within sight of Broers for almost all of the race.

Broers acknowledged that Weinheimer has been a good leader of the group, but was modest about the fact that she has had to be the leader of the group this season for much of the year after surpassing even Mallory Kuhns, another state qualifier from a season ago.

The freshman runner knew a state opportunity was a possibility, but it wasn’t something she paid much mind to.

“I knew I had a chance, but I was nervous and I just did my best, and God did the rest,” she said.

Burmeister has been singing Broers’ praises for weeks, and was quite pleased to see the work she has put in pay off.

“Sophia Broers, what an addition. Freshman girl. Nicest girl in the world. Works hard,” he said.

Now, Broers and Weinheimer, two runners still in the early stages of their running careers, have a chance to best one another in Fort Dodge. Given the time Broers has taken to nearly catch up with Weinheimer, makes her commitment all the more incredible.

“I guess I just need to be a little bit less nervous,” Broers added, about performing better at state.

If Thursday represented Broers not at her best, the 1A field in Fort Dodge had better be on high alert.