By Rich Palzewic
Sports editor
Rachel Hoffman is a senior at Bay Port High School who runs cross country and track.
Hoffman is hoping to study exercise science in college and run as well. Her top choice is Winona State in Minnesota, but Concordia St. Paul or UW-Eau Claire are also options.
In her spare time, Hoffman likes to read and travel.
Name: Rachel Hoffman
Nickname: Rach
School: Bay Port
Sports: Cross country, track
Parents: Kristin Cisar (mom), Jeff Hoffman (dad), Brian Cisar (step-dad)
Twitter: @R_Hoffman612
Do you have any siblings?
“My older sister Jenna just graduated from Bay Port with my step-sister Bailey and is going to UW-Eau Claire. Bailey is at St. Thomas, and my step-brother Mac just graduated from Minnesota.”
Do you come from a sports family?
“Jenna was involved in the running sports and swimming at Bay Port and will run track at Eau Claire next spring. Bailey will be running track, Mac was involved in football and baseball, my mom is a big runner and my step-dad played football in college.”
Have you always just done the running sports while at Bay Port, or did you ever try any others?
“When I was younger I played softball, but nothing more at Bay Port.”
How about a high school sport you wish you would have done or at least tried?
“I would have wanted to continue with softball or maybe swimming because Jenna did that.”
Running a cross country race looks excruciating. I have some pictures from the past of you where you face is pretty distorted.
“Oh, I know! It’s definitely a hard sport and I don’t mean to make those faces. You need a lot of mental toughness to compete – it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I know most runners don’t look all that good when they run.”
What’s the furthest distance you’ve run in a day?
“Probably eight miles but I will be doing a 12-miler this fall. We will run to Pulaski on the Mountain Bay Trail, get ice cream and then the coaches will pick us up.”
Last year was a pretty special year with making it to the state cross country meet in Wisconsin Rapids.
“That was awesome qualifying with Savannah (Huben). The guys also went as a team. The whole race I didn’t think I’d make it – finally, towards the last mile, coach Nuthals showed me the girl I had to pass to make it. I beat her by one second to grab the last spot to state. I hope to get back this year as well.”
Do you have a goal to run a marathon someday?
“The dream is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.”
What is something about you most people wouldn’t know?
“I’m a nerd in a way – I like Harry Potter and Star Wars.”
Besides running the Boston Marathon, name one other thing on your bucket list.
“I would love to travel to Ireland.”
If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be?
“Probably Boulder, Colorado, or Sedona, Arizona. I’d love to hike for hours.”
What’s one state you’d like to visit that you haven’t been to?
“California, just because it’s a cliché place to go and I’d love to see it.”
What three words best describe you?
“Friendly, hard-working, determined.”
How will Rachel Hoffman be remembered at Bay Port?
“I hope for running but also as a hard worker in both sports and school. I really try to balance out the student-athlete life.”
Spring or fall?
“Fall.”
Twitter or Snapchat?
“Snapchat.”
Steak or chicken?
“Chicken.”
Do the dishes or vacuum?
“Vacuum.”
Thanksgiving or Christmas?
“Christmas.”
Favorites
Athlete: Runner Emma Coburn
Board game: Monopoly
Candy: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Food: Cereal
Color: Blue
Notes: Suggestions for the senior spotlight can be submitted to Rich via email ([email protected]) or via Twitter (@richpalzewic). All spotlights can be found online at thepress.media. Check out last week’s spotlight on Bay Port’s Noah Stascak.