JEFF FIELDER Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF – Brooke Holzworth, a senior at Scottsbluff High School, is Nspire Today!’s Female Athlete of the Month for April, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Holzworth is one of the top long distance runners in western Nebraska. She qualified for the Nebraska state cross country meet all four years of high school, including placing sixth as a junior and eighth as a senior. She also finished in the top four at districts all four years, including winning the district title her sophomore and junior years and placing third last fall. She’s also been a standout in track and field, qualifying for state in the 1,600 and 3,200 her freshman and sophomore years. Last year’s track and field season – Holzworth’s junior year – was cancelled because of COVID-19. This track and field season, Holzworth is planning to run the 1,600, 3,200 and possibly the 4×800 relay. Not only does Holzworth excel in athletics, but she also excels in the classroom as she holds a 4.0 GPA and is in National Honor Society. She’s also been involved in Key Club, Bearcats Committed, and FCA. Outside of school, she helps with Awana every week at Mitchell Berean Church. After graduating from high school, Holzworth plans to compete in cross country and track and field and study pre-vet at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. Her parents are Amy and Byron Holzworth. For being named an athlete of the month, Brooke will receive a gift card for a free drink at Scooter’s Coffee.
Q: What are your goals for this track and field season?
HOLZWORTH: “One of my main goals is to make it to state and, hopefully, medal in the top eight. I would also really like to get a PR in both the 1,600 and 3,200. My best times right now are 5:27 in the 1,600 and 11:56 in the two-mile.”
Q: Describe how your track and field career has gone up to this point?
HOLZWORTH: “I would say it’s gone pretty well. My freshman season was a great start for me. That’s when I got my PR’s. My sophomore year, I was hoping to improve, but I didn’t improve my times. Last season, unfortunately, got cancelled.”
Q: For you, how disappointing was it to have the track and field season cancelled last year because of COVID?
HOLZWORTH: “It was definitely hard because I had trained the whole winter for the outdoor season. Thankfully, I did get to go to a couple indoor meets, but I was excited to start racing outdoors. It was definitely disappointing.”
The entire Q&A with Holzworth is in the April issue of Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues), you may send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Please include your name, address, phone number, and email. You may also sign up with a credit card by calling 308-220-8865 any time, any day of the week.
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week or Athletes of the Month, 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.
