Student Athlete of the Week: Kate Schmidthuber

Senior Kate Schmidthuber has made a name for herself on the track, not just for her individual achievements, but also for the way she thrives as part of a team. As a key member of the Niwot High School track and field team, she helped lead the 4x200-meter relay to a 2024 state championship and earned All-State and All-Conference honors along the way.

Now, as her senior year winds down, Schmidthuber is focused on finishing strong and reaching new personal records.

Schmidthuber first started running in sixth grade, but was not able to compete seriously until high school due to the disruption caused by COVID-19. It was not until the summer of her sophomore year, when she joined REAL Training, that she began taking track to the next level. Since then, her passion for the sport has only grown.

"There's always so much excitement (at the meets), and it's so fulfilling to see all the work you've put in come together in your races," Schmidthuber said. "I also really love being part of the relay teams. It's a different kind of excitement, competing for your team and running for their personal record as much as your own."

Her journey to a state championship in the 4x200-meter relay was a defining moment in her high school career.

"State was definitely the highlight of my year," Schmidthuber said. "I was extremely nervous to compete in state, due to an ongoing injury, but the second my feet hit the track, all the nerves went away. It was also so fun to be able to win that title with my teammates, and to see us run a time that we had never run before."

Still, Schmidthuber is focused on continuing to improve her personal records and enjoying the process. "Most of my goals are to continue to PR in my open events, and also to have fun," she shared. "There has been a lot of stress the last couple of weeks and pressure about running, and being able to deal with that stress and once again allow myself to just have fun, is really all I want."

She continued, "I do really want our 4x200-meter team to not only beat our school record but also win state again." The current school and state meet record is 1:39.49. Last year at the state meet, Schmidthuber, alongside Eliana Henriques, Simocea Esquibel, and Reese Kasper, posted a time of 1:41.99.

The Stutler Twilight Invitational on April 25, where Schmidthuber not only achieved a personal record in the 200-meter, but also helped her relay team run an incredible time in the 4x200-meter at 1:40.45.

"The meet was also so fun because it started to rain and was very foggy the last couple of hours, so we got to run our 4x400-meter in the rain," she said. "The vibes are always amazing at that meet, and it is a fun and fast track to run at."

Schmidthuber's mental preparation for her races is just as important as her physical training. "Truly, I just kind of talk to myself while I'm warming up," she said. "I tend to talk about letting all the work I have put into practice do what it is supposed to do."

She added, "During the race, my mind is blank. I really can't hear much besides my breathing, and all I'm focused on is moving down the track."

As a senior, Schmidthuber has a unique perspective on the difference between running relays and running individual events. "When running an individual race, the pressure is only on you, you are running against the clock to beat your personal record," she said. "In a relay, you are running for your team."

"For me, the adrenaline rush is so much more during a relay than compared to an individual event. Both are such rewarding races, and both are exciting to run."

Schmidthuber has been with REAL Training since the summer before her sophomore year, and she credits the club team with playing a significant role in her growth as an athlete. "Being a part of a club team means I not only get to train a lot, but also alongside kids from other schools," she said. "It's fun being able to run and train with them for most of the year, and then getting to see them at meets and compete against them."

"The program is so well-rounded, and I don't think I would have become the athlete I am now without the insane workouts I have done over the years."

Outside of track, Schmidthuber's favorite class is IB Biology. She plans to pursue pre-med in college, with aspirations of going to medical school. "I love science," she said. She is still weighing her college options, making sure she finds the right fit.

As Schmidthuber's high school career comes to a close, she is cherishing the moments with her teammates. From personal bests to team victories, she is determined to finish strong and make the most of her final high school season on the track.