SPORTS

Hiedeman jumps at chance to compete, repeat

Andrew Pekarek
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Green Bay Southwest’s Natisha Hiedeman leaps in the Division 1 triple jump during the WIAA state track and field meet.

Natisha Hiedeman doesn't run away from challenges.

But on this occasion the Green Bay Southwest senior felt she had no other choice but to do just that.

"Everybody jokes at (track and field) practice that I don't run," said Hiedeman, who holds school records in the three jumping events. "They were trying to give me a hard time, so I was like, 'All right, I'm going to run a 400 and show you guys.'"

Hiedeman got her wish April 27, when she was entered into the 400-meter dash in a triangular meet at Green Bay West.

She didn't disappoint.

"She ends up running a 1:03 in the open 400 with no training," Green Bay Southwest girls track and field coach Kelly Tavis said. "She's just amazing. I don't know how long it will be before we come across another athlete with that much natural talent. I think she has the capability to be phenomenal in anything that she does."

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Hiedeman certainly put together a phenomenal finish to her high school career by repeating as the WIAA Division 1 triple jump champion and medaling in all three jumps at the state meet earlier this month in La Crosse.

For her efforts, Hiedeman is Press-Gazette Media's girls track and field athlete of the year.

"She just thrives on competition," Tavis said. "I think no matter what the competition would be she would rise to that."

Hiedeman, a 12-time state qualifier, was the only D1 girl this year to medal in multiple jumping events.

Green Bay Southwest senior Natisha Hiedeman.

Besides her win in the triple jump, the Marquette University basketball recruit placed fifth in the high jump and fourth in the long jump, which saw the top three individuals break the WIAA state record.

Hiedeman, four-time state medalist in the triple jump, led the state honor roll this season with a 40-foot triple jump on May 9. It ranks as the second-best jump on Wisconsin's all-time honor roll.

Hiedeman, however, faced a tough road to repeat as state champion in the event. De Pere junior Sydney Otto edged her for first place at the Fox River Classic Conference and D1 Ashwaubenon sectional meets.

"I like pressure to be honest," said Hiedeman, who was sixth in the long jump (18-73/4) and tied for third in the high jump (5-7) on this season's state honor roll. "I feel like when there is pressure I do better. When there is more competition I push myself further. I think it helps me become a better athlete in the end."

For someone who was hesitant about going out for track and field as a freshman, Hiedeman finishes her career having won seven state medals and holding school records in the triple jump (40-0), long jump (18-73/4), high jump (5-8) and 100 hurdles (15.17 seconds).

She feels her track and field experience has helped her prepare to compete in college basketball at the NCAA Division I level with the Golden Eagles.

"High school was probably one of the best times of my life," Hiedeman said. "It made me see my athletic ability and make me want to go on to the next level."

Green Bay Southwest’s Natisha Hiedeman soars over the bar in the high jump during the FRCC track meet May 19.