JEFF FIELDER Editor
SIDNEY – Cameron Brauer, a sophomore at Sidney High School, is this week’s Nspire Today! Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Brauer earned a runner-up finish Thursday in the Panhandle Classic at Riverview Golf Course in Scottsbluff. He finished with a time of 18:09. His performance helped the Red Raiders place first in the team standings. Brauer also competes in wrestling and track and field. His parents are Casey and Celeste Brauer.
Q: Are you pleased with how things went in the Panhandle Classic?
BRAUER: “Yes. Our pack time was great. We went 2, 3, 5, and 11, and one through four was 46 seconds [apart], so it went awesome, I think.”
Q: How did you think the team would compete going into that meet?
BRAUER: “We had high expectations. We wanted to win, but we knew there would be some tough competition.”
Q: Were you pretty excited about your performance individually?
BRAUER: “I wanted to start off with a first place, but second is pretty good. I just need to keep working hard and try to get faster.”
Q: How did your freshman season go?
BRAUER: “I placed at every meet except for state.”
Q: Were you happy with how your freshman season went?
BRAUER: “Yes. I wanted to go to state and place, but it just wasn’t my day. But we still ended up with the state title as a team, so it was a pretty good year.”
Q: How much stronger do you feel this year as a runner compared to last year?
BRAUER: “I’ve been working a lot harder this year, and I feel like I’ve gotten a lot faster.”
Q: What are your goals this season?
BRAUER: “I would like to get in the top five every race and go down to state and try my best and maybe get a state medal.”
Q: At the Panhandle Classic on Thursday, did you get the time you were wanting?
BRAUER: “No. I was hoping for a 17:35.”
Q: How many miles did you average running each week during the summer?
BRAUER: “Probably around 22 to 28.”
Q: How long have you been competing in cross country?
BRAUER: “I started my eighth-grade year, so this is my third year.”
Q: Have you had a lot of success each year you’ve competed in cross country?
BRAUER: “In middle school, we won state as a team. Then last year as a freshman, we won state again, so this will be my third year in a row trying to win state.”
Q: What’s been the key for you to have the success you’ve had in cross country?
BRAUER: “Probably just my amazing teammates. We’ve got a lot of natural talent on our team.”
Q: As far as mental toughness, has that been a big key to your success as well?
BRAUER: “It comes naturally, but it’s still tough sometimes. The last mile in a race is really tough, so you’ve just got to push through it.”
Q: How good can this year’s team be?
BRAUER: “I think things look really good. Our pack time at districts last year, one through four, was about 48 seconds, and [on Thursday] it was 46, so I think we might be even better this year.”
Q: How many seniors did Sidney lose off of last year’s team?
BRAUER: “We lost three seniors who were on varsity last year.”
Q: One of those seniors was your brother, Collin. What is he doing now?
BRAUER: “He’s running for Black Hills State University in Spearfish.”
Q: How cool was it to run cross country with your brother last year?
BRAUER: “It was awesome. I’m really sad he’s gone.”
Q: How much has he helped you with your cross country performance?
BRAUER: “He’s helped me a lot. There would be some days when I wouldn’t want to go run; I would feel tired. But he would push me to go run to get better.”
Q: I know you also compete in other sports. Talk about how your track and field season went in the spring.
BRAUER: “It went pretty good. I made it to state in the 4×800, but we didn’t place there.”
Q: You also wrestle. How did your wrestling season go last year?
BRAUER: “I made it to state, and I won one match.”
Q: Which sport is your favorite?
BRAUER: “Probably cross country just because it’s like a family. That makes it really fun.”
Q: Outside of sports, what do you like to do for fun?
BRAUER: “I like to hang out with friends and play video games.”
Q: What’s your favorite video game?
BRAUER: “Madden 19.”
Q: Have you lived in Sidney your whole life?
BRAUER: “Yes. I was born and raised here.”
Q: What’s the best part about living in Sidney?
BRAUER: “It’s not too small, but it’s not too big. Also, I have a lot of friends here. I love it here.”
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in Sidney?
BRAUER: “Dairy Queen.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
BRAUER: “The four-piece chicken strip with gravy.”
Q: What kind of music do you listen to?
BRAUER: “Rap. Post Malone is my favorite artist.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in the Sidney community.
BRAUER: “Definitely Donna Wiedeburg. All summer she would volunteer the cross country team to go help pull weeds at a nursing home or help veterans. She’s just an amazing person.”
Q: Which teacher has made the biggest influence on you?
BRAUER: “Nicky Banzhaf. She taught high school English.”
Q: On Sidney’s cross country team this year, which athlete makes people laugh the most?
BRAUER: “Treyson Johnstone.”
Q: What is your favorite class this school year?
BRAUER: “Weights class.”
Q: When you’re running, what do you think about?
BRAUER: “I think about how tired I am but that I can push through it. I think about how I’ll regret it if I slow down and give up.”
Q: Do you have any other siblings?
BRAUER: “Yes, I have one sister, Carissa. She is 4 years old.”
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 to the Irrigation Disaster Relief Fund.
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.
