Athlete Feature: Sophie Hummitsch, Tinley Park HS Track Star

By: Chloe Shapkauski, BDTV228 Sports Multimedia Intern

Video games are blamed for excessive violence, explicit content, as well as eating up children’s valuable time. Contrary to popular belief, successful runner Sophie Hummitsch debunked the critique at the mere age of nine.

“I was playing on my Wii and I accidentally jogged a 5K in place.”

With the blunder, the young girl began a journey that would permanently alter her future.

Currently, the high school junior participates in cross country and track, training in the fall for three-mile races, the winter for track conditioning, and the spring season for track competitions.

Throughout the year, Hummitsch also actively plays the flute in Tinley Park High School’s Symphonic Band while working on the weekends. At work, a local tea and coffee shop called Pekoe & Bean, she highlights one of her outside interests: baking. Her creations are occasionally featured for a limited time since she makes the goods fresh in-house.

Following a year of loose scheduling, the new loaded routine was taxing at first.

“The first couple weeks of school were hard to adjust to because it was something really new,” Hummitsch shared.

Fortunately, Hummitsch handled the schedule surplus well as seen in her coaches’ comments pertaining to her running career.

“Sophie is our leader and has done a great job of leading by example and encouraging the girls on the team by being one of their biggest supporters. She has taken it upon herself to train year-round and it is showing by her ever-improving three-mile times,” said Coach DJ Brown.

One of the speedy star’s aspirations for the current season is to score a three-mile time under 22 minutes. Given head cross country coach Brown’s testimony, the runner’s ready attitude will get her there!

Another future goal Hummitsch wishes to complete? A marathon - or two.

“Eventually,” she added.

As for shorter goals, she wishes to partake in a half marathon and 13.1-mile race.

What may be considered a daunting task to many, is the perfect bucket list for Hummitsch since her longest run is currently 15.5 miles.

“I can just run after a long day and reflect. It’s a relaxing part of my day where I don’t worry about anything while seeing beautiful nature outside.”

Overall, the spirit Hummitsch supplies during her running performance in practice as well as during after-school meets are greatly appreciated by Tinley Park High School.

Dubbed by Coach DJ Brown, “Sophie is a tremendous asset to the Tinley Park Girls Cross Country Team."