Riverview Bailey Hertenstein a rising force statewide

Riverview sophomore Bailey Hertenstein exploded onto the track and cross country scene last season. In 2014, she cracked 19 minutes, made the state finals and placed 15th. In the 2015 track season, she made the state meet in the 1600m and took second (5:01.9), and she made it in the 800m and took fourth (2:14.41). Hertenstein had some practice in middle school for track but was almost new to cross country. In one short year of school, Hertenstein has emerged as a force of nature and has aims that are sky high.

It's not going to her head.

"She never goes out thinking she's going to win every race, she knows that you never know what can happen in a cross country race," Riverview coach Shanna Brown said. "It's what makes her fun to coach, she never thinks she's got it, she goes into each race just wanting to do the best she can."

In fact, Hertenstein deals with fraying nerves and uncertainty just like any other runner, maybe even more so. Her freshman season was a constant battle against nervousness and uncertainty.

"I don't know if it affected her running, but it certainly affected her leading up to running," Brown said. "There was a lot of confidence building and talking her throughout things (last season)."

Hurricane Hertenstein went into the September Flrunners Invitational in Titusville and emerged as one of the top contenders for the Class 4A state title. In the meet's Race of Champions, Hertenstein ran an 18:02.40 to win it and at the time, log one of the top cross country times in the state. More than a month later, that time still ranks seventh in Florida regardless of classification. Hertenstein's track record, no pun intended, has helped build up her confidence to the point where she has much less nervous energy to deal with, and she can channel what's left of it.

Friends - Josie Garba and Bailey Hertenstein

"This year, so far, I've never been too nervous for a meet like I was last year," Hertenstein said. "I'll get to a meet, and sure I'll be nervous but I'm with my team, and they keep me happy. It's never a dull moment when I'm with them."

Having a year not just of experience but a year of competing at a high level has Hertenstein on a steep trajectory gaining in maturity.

"She has better confidence (this year) all around," Brown said. "She realizes she's done it, realizes where she stands; there aren't many surprises."

Hertenstein has even gained local celebrity status, and area runners throw in behind her, chatting about running tips, even getting their shirts autographed.

"When others are cheering for me, I will admit it does encourage me to push a bit because I want to believe they way to support me in all that I do," Hertenstein said.

Hertenstein remains humble, meek even, but the meekness is slowly being driven out as she continues to discover what her limitations are.

"She's starting to realize just how far she's able to push her body and see what she's capable of," Brown said. "She's gained confidence with that realization and can fight through a lot more pain."

And her times keep dropping. Coming in at low 19's in 2014, Hertenstein is chasing getting under 18 minutes this season. It's hard to imagine she could drop a minute each year of her high school career, but it's not hard at all to imagine she'll drop some time each year peaking into unknown heights by her senior year. Without getting too far ahead, Hertenstein isn't thinking about her senior year. She competed in the 4A Regional 2 meet today, winning easily in 18:43. In all likelihood, she'll be amongst the co-favorites November 7th at Apalachee Regional Park near Tallahassee for states. She'll have her work cut out for her as Class 4A is probably the toughest classification for girls cross country this season with the top four marks all coming in under 18 minutes.

Even if Hertenstein doesn't achieve state immortality in November, she is a star on the rise and a force to be reckoned with and will be for years to come.