JEFF FIELDER Editor
MORRILL – Ashton Hoffman, a senior at Morrill High School, is this week’s Nspire Today! Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Hoffman competed in volleyball, and she also competes in track and field. Hoffman is one of the top track and field athletes in western Nebraska. She’s qualified for the Nebraska state track and field meet each of the last two seasons, including placing 10th last year in the shot put. Other school activities she participates in are choir, cheerleading, FBLA and One Acts. The NSAA has suspended all high school athletic and activity practices and competitions through May 1 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. In early March, Hoffman signed to compete in track and field at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Her parents are Tom and Cheryl Hoffman.
Q: I know you had big goals for this track and field season. Talk about how the COVID-19 outbreak has interrupted the spring sports season.
HOFFMAN: “It’s really disappointing because I was looking forward to accomplishing some big things this season. I had been looking forward to this season since last season ended. But things happen, and the most important thing is to try to keep everyone safe.”
Q: What were you goals coming into this track and field season?
HOFFMAN: “I was hoping to make it to state again and hopefully place. Also, I was aiming to break the school records in both the shot put and discus.”
Q: How do you feel this spring compared to last season?
HOFFMAN: “Coming in, I definitely felt like I was the strongest I’ve ever been, and I also felt like I was in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I worked with a coach throughout the entire summer. We worked on my form, and it’s so much better now than what it was. With the amount of training I did, I felt like I was in really good shape coming into the season.”
Q: What is your mindset right now as it pertains to track and field?
HOFFMAN: “I’m really hoping we can get some part of the season in, even if it’s just a couple meets. But if not, then I’ll plan to focus on competing at UNK. I’m looking forward to that. I’m glad I’ll have a chance to keep competing, even if my high school career is over.”
Q: The coronavirus outbreak, of course, has also affected all students being able to go to school. How are you dealing with that?
HOFFMAN: “It’s been really hard to have a positive attitude about this, just because for all of us seniors, it’s like all the sudden all of our ‘lasts’ are taken away. You just have to stay at home. You don’t even get to spend time with your friends. But that’s life.”
Q: For you, is it hard to believe this is even happening?
HOFFMAN: “Yes. I’ve been telling people that. It feels super surreal, especially since it hasn’t really reached our area yet.”
Q: Are you staying busy at home, or do you get bored sometimes?
HOFFMAN: “Oh, I’m bored all the time. [laughs]”
Q: When you signed to compete in track and field at UNK, how special was that moment for you?
HOFFMAN: “It was super exciting. I’ve been wanting to compete in college track since I was really young. It’s such an amazing opportunity.”
Q: Why did you pick UNK?
HOFFMAN: “I have been talking to the [UNK] coach since volleyball season. I finally got to go down there earlier this winter, and I was really impressed with their facilities and the coaches and the school. I’m excited to go there. I feel like that’s where I need to be.”
Q: Is track and field your favorite sport?
HOFFMAN: “Yes. I’ve always enjoyed track, especially the atmosphere at meets.”
Q: Have you always competed in the same events?
HOFFMAN: “I didn’t start throwing the shot and discus until my freshman year. I used to be a triple jumper, and I also sprint.”
Q: Were you planning to compete in the sprints this spring along with the shot put and discus?
HOFFMAN: “Yes.”
Q: What is your favorite event?
HOFFMAN: “Definitely the shot put, but I also really enjoy the 4×100 because we have a really fun 4×100 team.”
Q: Does anyone seem surprised when you tell them all the different events you’ve competed in?
HOFFMAN: “It definitely shocks people when I tell them I sprint and throw. It’s kind of cool. It makes me feel good. I work hard at everything I do. It’s fun.”
Q: What’s helped you achieve so much success in the throws?
HOFFMAN: “I’ve gone to a lot of camps over the past three years, and those coaches have definitely helped me out. Also, this summer I worked with another coach who worked with me strictly on form. That helped me a lot. Our weights coach [Adam Jantzi] has been super good with us. He’s been around since my freshman year, and he’s made me so much stronger than what I was. I don’t think I could be throwing what I am without him.”
Q: Talk about how your senior volleyball season went.
HOFFMAN: “It went really well. We almost made it past sub-districts. We lost to Bridgeport in the fifth set of our sub-district final. It was really heartbreaking, but it was still a great season overall. We had a great team. We believed that we could do good things. We all made it fun and tried our hardest.”
Q: How much are you going to miss playing volleyball?
HOFFMAN: “I’m definitely going to miss it. I’ll miss the team aspect of it.”
Q: What do you plan to major in at college?
HOFFMAN: “I’m looking into either physical therapy or dental hygiene.”
Q: What got you interested in those two areas?
HOFFMAN: “I like physical therapy because I really like learning about the human body, and I like helping people, especially helping athletes recover from injuries. I think that would be a really cool job. I also like dental hygiene because I like doing things that are kind of meticulous. I feel like cleaning teeth would be satisfying.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
HOFFMAN: “I bake a lot. I’m kind of known for my cookies. My mom always baked when I was younger, so I kind of picked that up from her. It’s just a fun activity to get your mind off of things, and you can kind of be creative with it.”
Q: What do you like to bake the most?
HOFFMAN: “Sugar cookies.”
Q: Which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
HOFFMAN: “I would say either my English teacher, Mr. [Craig] Hall, or my history teacher, Mr. [Scott] Muir. They’re both super good about teaching everything we need to know, and they’ve taught us how to have a really good work ethic – in the classroom, in sports, and also outside of school. Also, they both know how to get things done while still making it fun and interesting for all of us. They’ve also always been there for me and all of my classmates throughout high school.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed living in Morrill?
HOFFMAN: “It’s such a nice, small town. We have a really close-knit community. Even our senior class is super close. Being away from them has been super hard, and it’s going to be even harder when we all go off to college.”
Q: What kind of music do you like to listen to?
HOFFMAN: “Most of the time, I listen to either country music or pop music.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
HOFFMAN: “The Office.”
Q: What are your three favorite apps on your cell phone?
HOFFMAN: “Snapchat, TikTok, and Spotify.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Morrill High School?
HOFFMAN: “Rylie Mason. She’s super kind-hearted and sweet, and she’s always there to help people whenever they need it. She was also a really good leader for our volleyball and basketball teams. She’s a really good person overall.”
Q: What’s the coolest place you’ve ever traveled to?
HOFFMAN: “I haven’t traveled a lot, but I really like being in Rapid City and the Black Hills.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Morrill, which one would it be and why?
HOFFMAN: “I would say Platte Valley Bank because they’re so in touch with what’s happening with our schools, and whenever any of us do something, they make sure to acknowledge us about it. They’re always supporting our school. Everyone who works there is so kind-hearted and will put a smile on your face when you walk in.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in your community.
HOFFMAN: “I feel like Josh Guerue, our school’s basketball coach, has definitely made a big difference because I used to play basketball but then I quit because of injuries. He’s always been there for me, and I know the girls on the basketball team think of him as a dad. He’s there for you no matter what. You can call him at anytime and he’ll answer, and he’ll be there for you. He does so much for our school. He’s just a great person overall.”
Q: What’s one thing you wish people would do more of?
HOFFMAN: “I wish people people would be more willing to help other people, whether it’s in school, in sports or anything around the community, because the world would be a better place.”
Q: While we’re all social distancing, what is something you suggest people do to help pass the time at home?
HOFFMAN: “Definitely read a book or do something at home that’s somewhat active, even if it’s doing a couple pushups. Do things that make you happy and are good for you and don’t just sit on the couch.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
HOFFMAN: “I’m the youngest of six. The others are Thomas Hoffman (35); Taylor Dickey (33); Josh Hoffman (30); Joey Hoffman (26); and Jake Hoffman (23).”
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.
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