JEFF FIELDER Editor
GERING – Maddie Seiler, a freshman on Gering High School’s varsity cross country team, is this week’s Nspire Today! Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Seiler has had a spectacular season so far, including earning a runner-up finish Monday in the UNK Invite, one of the biggest meets of the high school season. Seiler also competes in basketball and track and field. She has two brothers – Peyton, 17, and Nate, 13. Her parents are Shawn and Amy Seiler.
Q: Do you like how Gering’s season has been going so far?
SEILER: “Our season has been going very well. We’ve been placing high, and individually, we’ve been where we’ve wanted to be throughout the season. We’ve been wanting to place in the top three in every meet. That has been our goal, and we’ve accomplished that almost every meet.”
Q: Talk about the unity that exists on this year’s team. Are all the runners pretty close, and if so, how much of a difference does that make in your team’s success?
SEILER: “At the beginning of the season, we were still getting to know each other. A lot of our girls are freshmen and sophomores, and we have a few seniors, too, so we didn’t know each other that well. But I think we’re becoming more of a family every week. It’s enjoyable to go to practice and be around them. We’re really positive with each other, and we motivate each other.”
Q: How did the team’s summer training go?
SEILER: “It went well. Most of us ran every single morning this summer – Monday through Friday. We would talk and get to know each other.”
Q: How many miles did you run each day?
SEILER: “Sometimes we would run four miles, and other days we would run six or seven.”
Q: How pleased are you with how your season has been going individually?
SEILER: “I’ve been wanting to place in the top three every race. Trying to have a positive mindset can be hard sometimes because of the weather. When it’s 95 degrees – like it was for our last race – it’s kind of hard to have a positive mindset. But you have to try to stay positive and tell yourself, ‘OK, I’m going to get up this hill. We’re going to finish this race.’ It really helps.”
Q: Have you run pretty relaxed this season, or do you get kind of nervous before races?
SEILER: “I’ve been pretty relaxed during races. I think the only race I was just a little bit nervous for was the one at Kearney. But every race I’ve told myself that everything is going to go smoothly, so that’s helped.”
Q: What has helped you be successful on the course?
SEILER: “I think my teammates and my coach. They’re very supportive. I’m so glad they’re on my team.”
Q: You earned a runner-up finish in the UNK Invite despite running in very hot weather. What did you think of that meet?
SEILER: “When we first started off, it was very hot. But I was very excited when I finished that race.”
Q: How much did the hot temperates affect you?
SEILER: “It bothered me a little bit, but I just had to push through the pain. I just focused on finishing the race. I kept a positive mindset and told myself, ‘I can do this.’”
Q: How exciting was it to finish second in that race?
SEILER: “I was very excited and relieved. I thanked my coach afterward. I said, ‘Thank you for what you’ve done for me this season and for getting me to where I am now.’”
Q: What place were you hoping to get going into the race?
SEILER: “I wanted to place in the top 10. That was my goal. Getting second, though, I was shocked.”
Q: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
SEILER: “As a team, we want to win districts, and we would love to win state. That is our number one goal.”
Q: Individually, what do you hope to accomplish at districts and state?
SEILER: “I am shooting for first place. That’s my goal.”
Q: How much are you enjoying your freshman year of school?
SEILER: “It’s been great. We have a new school, and that is awesome. We have new classrooms and a new gym. Everything has been wonderful. It’s been exciting to have all of these new changes.”
Q: What is your favorite class this year?
SEILER: “Probably math. I’ve always enjoyed math. Mr. [John] Boswell is my math teacher, and he’s so much fun to be around. The way he teaches is awesome.”
Q: Does it feel a lot different being in high school this year compared to being at the junior high last year?
SEILER: “Yes. When we were in middle school, we were like the kings and queens of the school. Now, we’re just the little babies. Seeing all of these older kids walking by, it’s totally different.”
Q: I know there’s a few weeks left of the cross country season, but are you already getting excited for the basketball season?
SEILER: “Yes, I am.”
Q: What are your hopes for the basketball season?
SEILER: “I hope we do well. For me, I hope to make varsity as a freshman, which would be an awesome [accomplishment] for me because I’ve always dreamed of being on varsity as a freshman. That’s my goal.”
Q: Outside of sports, what other activities are you involved in?
SEILER: “I volunteer at the Midwest Theater [in Scottsbluff]. My mom and I go there about four times a month to volunteer.”
Q: What are your duties at the Midwest Theater?
SEILER: “We help with the snack stand. Then we’ll help clean up after the movie is done.”
Q: Do you enjoy volunteering there?
SEILER: “Yes, it’s very enjoyable. The people there are awesome. I love being around them.”
Q: How long have you been volunteering there?
SEILER: “Two years.”
Q: At school, are you involved in any other activities besides sports?
SEILER: “I’m a percussionist in band, and I’m on the dance team.”
Q: How much do you enjoy participating in those activities?
SEILER: “Band is fun. I love band. It’s a blast. And the dance team is also a blast. The other girls and I have so much fun.”
Q: Outside of those activities, what do you like to do for fun?
SEILER: “I like to read sometimes, and I also like to skateboard.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Gering?
SEILER: “It’s a small town. I love knowing everyone in this town. It’s awesome. Some of the community events we have are really fun.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
SEILER: “Runza, by far.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
SEILER: “I like to order chicken strips. I love chicken strips.”
Q: If you were talking to someone who had never been to Gering/Scottsbluff before, what’s one place that you would recommend he or she visit?
SEILER: “Probably hiking in the Wildcat Hills. Our family loves to do that. It’s so much fun, and it’s beautiful there, too.”
Q: What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
SEILER: “Probably our trip to California. We went to San Diego, and it was a blast. We had so much fun.”
Q: Up to this point in your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
SEILER: “Probably my seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher, Blair McDonald. I really like science, and she is so supportive. She’s just an awesome person.”
Q: Name one person in the Gering community who you feel is a big difference-maker.
SEILER: “Jack Martin. He has committed so much to this community.”
Q: In your opinion, who is the kindest freshman at Gering High School this school year?
SEILER: “One of my friends who I just met this year is Ella. She just came to Gering this year. She has been amazing. She’s so sweet and nice to everyone, and she’s so intelligent. She and I have become really close.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in October to the Panhandle Humane Society.
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.
