Photo Courtesy Larry Bale - Willapa Valley HS senior Brooklyn Strozyk has accepted a double scholarship for cross country and track and field to attend the University of Montana Western in August. Strozyk is shown at last Thursday's tri-district meet at S
MENLO - As a result of hard work and dedication, Willapa Valley HS senior Brooklynn Strozyk has earned herself a double scholarship for cross country and track and field to attend the University of Montana Western, located in Dillon, Montana.
"I chose the University of Montana Western because I loved the atmosphere and all the opportunities for my future career," Strozyk told the Herald. "It has all the benefits of a small town and has an up and coming running program."
Strozyk entertained a few other offers from the likes of colleges from several different cultural locations including the likes of Mississippi College, in Clinton, Mississippi; Crown University, in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota; Viterbo University, in La Crosse, Wisconsin; University of Dallas, in Irving, Texas, and Ottawa University, in Ottawa, Kansas, among others.
"I had my eye on the University of New Orleans for a long time until my track started to flourish, and I was presented with many more opportunities," said Strozyk, who plans to major in interdisciplinary social science. "I chose that field because I could bounce around psychology, sociology, anthropology, criminology, etcetera, while attending, then pinpoint my major by graduation after seeing all the different fields I was interested in."
Strozyk has taught herself some good habits since the pandemic changed all of our lives two years ago.
"The biggest thing I learned from the pandemic was that at the end of the day I am the only person who can control my training habits, diet, etcetera," she said. "I will not have someone to hold my hand through the seasons to succeed. It's truly about what you do when nobody's looking, training early in the morning and late at night. You really can go above your natural talent when you learn to train excessively on your own time."
What are you doing and what have you been doing to stay in shape for the upcoming track and field season?
Prior to this season's track and field season, Strozyk did a bit of running and focusing on distance work and hills. "The weight room has been my best friend - focusing on cardio and working on strength training."
At last Thursday's tri-district meet, Strozyk won the 1600 meters, ran the opening leg on the winning 800-meter relay squad, and finished second in the 400-meter sprint.
"The biggest thing I need to work on in track would be staying competitive, (and) not letting myself fall into the senioritis mindset," Strozyk said.
Willapa Valley HS Assistant Track and Field Coach Jason Pollard has taught Strozyk a lot of the important aspects of track and field.
"The biggest thing I learned from a track coach came from Jason Pollard," Strozyk said. "He taught me that it's what I do on my own time. He has kept track of my times, cheered me on every race and has really guided me to be the best that I can be personally and athletically all through high school. He has truly cared and spent his personal time giving to the athletes in our community. He has shared his love for track with everyone and has shown me that it's so much more than running around a track."
In closing, Strozyk offered perceptive thoughts about the sport of track and field. "In our community, track seems to be overlooked, and it's truly a shame. There is a lot of talent in the kids that participate, and it truly takes a real athlete, mentally and physically.
"Running is a constant battle with your mind and body and anybody who dares to take on that battle is much stronger than people see," Strozyk continued. "It's not always running fast and having fun. It's a competition with yourself. It shatters any mental barriers you have every race. It's getting emotional mid-race because you're tired but having to keep going. It truly takes strength and many more qualities.
"I believe that without the help of community members, other district coaches, and parents who truly care and give their endless time, our athletes would lose such a life-changing challenge known as track."
For a lot of reasons, the University of Montana Western Bulldogs have recruited and signed a good one in Strozyk, who will start school there in late August of this year.