BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
Addie Berens is currently a junior at Fort Hays State University majoring in Elementary Education. Berens regularly attends a Bible study class that meets once a week at Messiah Lutheran. She also works for the FHSU athletic department in the concessions stands, is a substitute for USD 489, and “on the side”, she walks a dog named Suzy for a lady in the Hays community.
When the Tampa, KS native is not running around in the Hays community spreading her joy, excitement, and talents, she is competing as an FHSU athlete on the FHSU Women’s Track and Field Team.
The April 11 MIAA Women’s Field Athlete of the Week walks through a typical day for her during the offseason.
Berens said her day-to-day in the offseason is busy. The offseason runs for seven months, but that time is filled with training, learning, and – when she has time – leisure.
“A normal day starts with a sprinting/ jumping workout two days a week followed by weights six days a week,” Berens said. “Then, I head to the elementary school to observe for my internships and/or go to class. On days that I don’t have classes or I don’t go to my internships, I sub for the district. After that, I have practice. Then, I end my day with either some homework or hanging out with friends.”
With everything that Berens is involved in, each day is a balancing act. Berens explains that the first few weeks of each semester prove to be a little difficult with trying to figure out how she is going to fit everything into her schedule and figuring the best fit.
“After those first few weeks, then I get comfortable with knowing what needs to be done and when,” she said. “It is important to prioritize homework early in the week, but that does not always happen.”
Another obstacle that Berens struggles with is the lack of an indoor competition season.
“As just a javelin thrower, I do not get to compete for the indoor season like all of the other track and field athletes. I love being a part of a team, but it is hard staying back to train while the rest of the team gets to compete,” Berens said.
Berens goes on to explain that the months of December and January are especially difficult.
“By that time, I am itching to compete. Then, when competition season finally gets here, it seems to go by way too fast, just like all things seem to do in the spring,” she said.
One way Berens’ teammates help to combat this struggle is by challenging each other to do their best and to push through the seemingly never-ending lull.
“Us throwers all get along and we have a good time while working hard,” she said. “This definitely makes the offseason go by faster, and in turn, makes things easier.”
Another way that Berens is able to keep her head up during these months is with her participation in the community. Berens is involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization of Ellis County. Her “little” is in first grade and they have been matched for a year.
“I absolutely love hanging out with her. She is a ball of energy who loves the Arc Park and doing crafts. In more ways than one, she energizes me during those times that I feel lackluster,” Berens said.
Berens said she fell in love with javelin during middle school when her school offered track.
Berens fell in love with javelin in middle school when her school offered track and field.
“My dad was a good hurdler and I loved sports so I went out for track and absolutely loved it. I did the hurdles, long jump, 4×100 meters and the 200 meters. I guess I would classify myself as a sprinter,” she said. “Freshman year I decided to try javelin. I was not the best at javelin, but each year I got a better personal record. Finally, my junior year I made it to state and placed fourth. I was so excited and ready to improve yet again for my senior year.”
Unfortunately, Berens did not get a senior year season due to COVID.
“When looking at colleges, I really liked the small-town feel of Hays and I was fortunate enough to be able to throw javelin at FHSU as well,” she said. “I wasn’t sure how to feel about it at first because I didn’t have a senior season, but as soon as competition season came, I trusted my coach with all of the training and technique and that all paid off.”
Berens said her favorite thing as a track athlete is the competition.
“I believe that our conference (MIAA) is the most competitive conference in the nation. Last year at nationals, four out of eight All-Americans for women’s javelin were from our conference. And seven of the 21 girls were from the MIAA,” Berens said. “This makes competition throughout the season very competitive. It’s nice seeing your competitors in the postseason.”
Berens explains her favorite thing about this sport is how individualized it is.
“I love that my results at the end of the meet rely on me. If I had a bad meet, then I don’t place as high, but if I throw a PR, then I might place higher,” she said. “The best part of that is that all of us girls get to score as a team. Each event that a girl scores in gets compiled and we get to score as a team.”
Berens also believes that a major benefit of being a student-athlete is the opportunity to see new places.
“My first two years I was fortunate enough to make it to nationals which was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I had never been to Michigan, but that was such a cool experience and it’s such a pretty state,” Berens said. “My coach took my teammate and me to see Lake Michigan on a day that we did not compete and I think that is something I will never forget.”
Berens is incredibly proud to represent FHSU as an athlete and she states that Fort Hays State University has an absolutely wonderful track and field program.
“Our team may be smaller than others in our conference, but every meet, someone comes back with a qualifying time or distance. With my time of being here at Fort Hays, there have been several athletes that have broken school records. Some athletes have even broken their own record. I think this is huge,” she said. “We have very talented athletes who work hard and get the results they deserve. I love watching my teammates compete no matter what event, and our team really feels like a family because of the support we give each other.”
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