Since her freshman year, Junior Chesnie Hoge has been a familiar face on the track at Shadow Ridge High School. But this season, she’s redefining what the sport means to her.
Hoge first joined track in middle school alongside her friends, eager to try something new.
“I joined in middle school with my friends and I just wanted to keep trying new things,” Hoge said. “I also joined track to get buff.”
What started as a fun activity quickly turned into a competitive pursuit, leading her all the way to the state level early in her high school career.
As a freshman, Hoge qualified to compete at state for the 3200 (2 miles), an accomplishment many athletes spend years chasing. By her sophomore year, she reached an even bigger milestone: winning at state. The victory was both rewarding and eye-opening.
“Winning state was such a great success and achievement but I did get burned out,” Hoge admitted. “This achievement teaches me that I am able to achieve state rewards and my work does pay off.”
From freshman to junior year, Hoge says she has matured not only physically, but mentally.
“I have learned how to be more hard working. If you don’t put in the work you will never improve,” said Hoge.
That lesson has shaped her mindset, especially as she navigates one of the most demanding sports offered at Shadow Ridge.
Traditionally competing in the 800 and 1600-meter races, Hoge made a bold decision this year to expand her range. She added the 200, 400, pole vault, and high jump to her schedule, a rare combination of distance, sprinting, and field events. Her motivation wasn’t just about medals or records, but about rediscovering joy in the sport.
“I have lost my love for running and I wanted track to be a positive experience,” Hoge stated. “So I want to try new things that are more fun and I have more fun doing with my friends.”
That shift in perspective has changed her mindset heading into races. While the mile requires mental toughness and preparation for discomfort, sprinting brings a different energy.
“For the mile, I mentally prepare for the hurt,” Hoge explained. “Sprinting is more fun so I am more excited to try to run fast.” She now prefers sprints and field events, describing them as “more chill” with less pressure.
Balancing such a wide variety of events is no easy task.
“Honestly it’s hard to try to be consistently training for one specific event so I try to be trained well rounded,” Hoge explained.
At practice, she begins with a warm-up jog and often decides in the moment which event to focus on, especially outside of meet preparation.
Her goal? “Overall I just try to make track fun, not exhausting.”
Even during intense workouts, Hoge pushes through mental barriers.
“Workouts are super tough and honestly sometimes I don’t think I’m going to make it,” Hoge said. “But when I feel like that I tell myself I’ve done harder. And then I gaslight myself to run faster to get done faster.”
Her coach, Kevin Ferre, highlights that Hoge makes everything fun no matter the difficult task.
“Chesnie always loves to have fun with her friends but in the end it’s what makes her a better runner and what consistently lifts up her teammates around her,” states Ferre.
Now a junior, Hoge’s goals have evolved. Instead of focusing solely on titles, she’s prioritizing growth and enjoyment.
“My goal this season is to improve and have fun. I really want a positive experience so that I can have this with my friends and make good memories with them.”
For Chesnie Hoge, track is no longer just about crossing the finish line first, it’s about balance, resilience, and finding joy in the journey.
