A state qualifier in the 400 meter hurdles as well as a competitor at the cross country state meet as a senior at Southeast Polk, Brianna Hersom showed off his range and athleticism in her final year of high school. Hersom was the Central Iowa Conference champion this spring in the 400 meter hurdles, while running a personal best of 1:05.82 at her 4A district meet held at Indianola to advance onto the state meet in Des Moines.
Name: Brianna Hersom
School: Southeast Polk
What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment?
In the Drake Relays this past April when we were running the 4x400. I am the third leg and our second leg runner, Sydney Milani, handed me the baton in a close second place and I passed the Assumption runner in the turn onto the home stretch. Our anchor runner, Mackenzie Woodard, kept the 1st place lead and we won the 4x400 at Drake!
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
At the Drake Relays, I would say our biggest competition as a relay team would be Assumption, as for our own class it would definitely be Linn-Mar and Waukee. On a personal level, I can't pin-point one or a few specific people. It changes year to year.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was winning the 4x200 and 4x400 at State and winning the 4x400 at Drake. It was the time of my life.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would start off with a better mind-set about running. In previous years I would sometimes dread a meet or running, but this year I kept a really positive attitude and it made all the difference. It caused track to be fun.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I've had arthritis all for most my life in my knees and that would cause my knees to just kill after every race and soccer game in the spring. I loved the sports too much to let go of one, so I kept working and icing and stretching and everything I had to do to still compete.
During State Track this year I had gastritis and I ate nothing and threw up 7 times on Friday. I felt terrible after the Distance Medley Relay and the 4x200 and I tried my best at the 400 hurdles, but I was about to pass out. My coach made me go home and rest for the 4x400 pre-lims. I came back the next day and still didn't feel the best, but I put that aside for the 4x400 finals. We ended up winning the 4x200 and 4x400 so feeling like death really payed off!!
What will you miss the most?
I will definitely miss my teammates, especially Mackenzie and Sydney. I will miss my coaches a lot as well because I can honestly say they are the best coaches I've ever had in a sport. Not only did they push me, but they could be your friend, and still stern when they needed to be. I remember when a couple of us were having a very stressful week and one of my coaches took the time to write us letters and deliver them to our classrooms and it added happiness and a spark onto my day. Not only will I miss the people, I will miss the sport. The sense of competition this sport brings out in people is awesome. I'll miss trying to beat my PR and the results that I see on a personal level.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Running is 90% mental. Have a positive outlook and you will do better, I promise.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
Not only has my head coach, Chad Willeford, helped to guide me but also the assistant coaches Denny Muller and Anne Otte. All three of these coaches has helped me throughout my 4 years in high school. They have never doubted my ability and always set high expectations for myself which helped me to gain self-confidence. I couldn't have run three 400's and a 200 in multiple meets without them assuring me what I am capable of. They displayed overwhelming support with whatever I had going on through life whether it was the decision to quit basketball, what I should do in college, how to deal with drama, or whatever it would be, they would always help out. They showed me the type of coach I would like to be. One that pushes the athletes to their limits and is authoritative, but also is a friend in the sam instance. We always make a joke that Willeford is our dad during track season because we see him more than our own parents {insert laughing emoji}.
What are your college plans?
I am going to play soccer and study sports psychology and dietetics at Northwest Missouri State! I may minor in coaching and spanish as well!
Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
My parents for always understanding and pushing me to my limits. They always told me I could do even better after every meet and that helped to drive me to do just that.
My teammates, especially Mackenzie, for running with me since 8th grade and always being there to push me to be the best I can be on and off the track.
My coaches for challenging me everyday and always believing in my ability.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I'm going to miss the announcer at Drake and State, I am unsure of his name, but I LOVE his voice. It's inspirational!!!!