JEFF FIELDER Editor
CHADRON – Olivia Reed, a freshman at Chadron High School, is this week’s Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance Female Athlete of the Week. Reed is among the region’s best track and field athletes in the 400 (1:01) and the high jump (5-2). Reed also competes in volleyball and basketball. She was a starter during the basketball season. Her parents are Houston and Leah Reed.
Q: How do you feel like your track and field season has been going so far?
REED: “I think it’s been going good. I was kind of nervous at first because I’m a freshman, so I didn’t know how things would go. But overall, it’s been good. It’s been fun.”
Q: What events do you compete in?
REED: “I do the high jump, 400, 4×100 and 4×400.”
Q: What were your hopes coming into this season?
REED: “To be honest, I didn’t really come into the season with any expectations. I didn’t really know what high school track was going to be like, so I just focused on doing the best I could do.”
Q: How did your junior high track and field career go?
REED: “It went good. I was happy with how things went.”
Q: Which sport is your favorite?
REED: “I like basketball the best just because I’ve grown up doing it my whole life.”
Q: How serious are you about track and field?
REED: “It’s mostly just something to do [in the spring] because if I didn’t, I really wouldn’t be doing anything else. But this year I’ve started to take it a little more serious because I’ve seen that I can do better, so I’ve set some goals for myself.”
Q: Do you have a specific goal in the 400?
REED: “I want to hit 60 for sure in the open 400.”
Q: Have you always been a pretty good 400 runner?
REED: “No, not really. The first meet, my coaches threw me into it. I didn’t really want to do it, but I had to do it, and I did pretty good.”
Q: So you didn’t have any desire to run the 400?
REED: “No, I just got thrown into it. I didn’t want to do it because it’s so long. It’s a hard race.”
Q: What do you hope to accomplish at districts this year and possibly even state?
REED: “I hope I can get to state. I’ve thought about that – that’s one of my big goals.”
Q: How are the relays going?
REED: “I love the 4×400. That’s my favorite event.”
Q: Besides sports, are you involved in any other activities at Chadron High School?
REED: “I’m in FCA.”
Q: What class have you enjoyed the most this school year?
REED: “I really like English. I like writing.”
Q: Have you adjusted pretty well to going to high school?
REED: “It’s been going pretty well. The biggest change is going from being the oldest to being the youngest in school. That’s been different.”
Q: What teacher has influenced you the most in your educational career?
REED: “Probably Mrs. [Jill] Paopao. She’s super sweet, and she does a great job. She teaches speech.”
Q: What’s been the top highlight of your athletic career so far?
REED: “This year in basketball I got to start as a freshman, and that felt really cool to be able to play with older kids and get that experience.”
Q: What kind of music do you like to listen to?
REED: “I like R&B.”
Q: What app do you use the most on your cell phone?
REED: “Snapchat.”
Q: Do you feel like you use your cell phone too much?
REED: “Yes, sometimes. [laughs].”
Q: What’s the coolest place to hang out in Chadron?
REED: “McDonald’s. Everybody usually goes there after games.”
Q: What makes going to Chadron High School special?
REED: “It’s just super fun. Everybody is super nice, and there’s a lot of activities to participate in. It’s like one big family there.”
Q: Who’s the neatest person to hang around with at Chadron High School?
REED: “Probably Macey Daniels. She’s a freshman.”
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in Chadron?
REED: “I like China House.”
Q: If you could snap your fingers and have one new restaurant or business be in Chadron, which one would it be?
REED: “Chick-fil-A, definitely. I just love that place. I used to go there all the time.”
Q: Have you lived in Chadron your whole life?
REED: “No. My dad is a college basketball coach, and we used to live in Colorado. But he got the job at CSC, so we moved here when I was going into seventh grade.”
Q: What’s it like being the daughter of a college basketball head coach?
REED: “It’s fun. I’ve always had a chance to meet the players and spend time in the gym, so it’s been fun.”
Q: What’s the best piece of advice that he’s given to you?
REED: “Probably just to do everything I can to help my team.”
Q: Where did you live in Colorado?
REED: “La Junta.”
Q: How do you like living in Chadron compared to La Junta?
REED: “It was hard at first. They had really good Mexican food down there, so I miss that.”
Q: Do you have any brothers and/or sisters?
REED: “I have one little brother. His name is Johnathan. He’s in seventh grade.”
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
