|
Watching quiet, mild-mannered Hanni Buettner shyly weave between the multitudes in Senior Hall doesn’t rightly reflect her ability to move. If she wanted, she could just sprint right through as fast as anyone. But Buettner’s other identity —as a competitive cross-country runner who knows how to push her way through a crowd — only comes out on the trail.
“Hanni is not real outgoing in a large group,” said cross country head coach Paul Jorgenson. “But when the girls get together, she becomes a leader. She’s very coachable, but at the same time takes charge in a quiet way.”
Buettner’s quiet determination has earned her a coveted legacy in the cross-country program at FHS. She is one of the few girls who have been named to the all-state team for four consecutive years.
Jorgenson said he recognized Hanni’s talent right away.
“It doesn’t happen a whole lot,” said Jorgenson. “Everything’s got to go well for you for four years — consistency, and you need luck in not being injured.”
All-state runners are the top 15 placers at state on a three-mile run. Buettner’s times have improved each year. Freshman year she was clocked in at 20:01, sophomore at 19:32, and junior at 19:28. Her senior year, Buettner ran a career best race at 19:04.
“My goal was to break 19 minutes,” said Buettner. “I was running in and I saw the clock at the finish line read 18:59, 19:00, then 19:04. I was so disappointed.”
But Buettner’s accomplishments are nothing to be ashamed of. A senior co-captain, she placed eighth at the state meet in Helena this year Oct. 24.
“Hanni started out a little slower than usual,” said Jorgenson. “She was in 40th place at the first mile. But she ran strong all the way through and it worked out to her advantage. She ended up finishing in eighth place.”
“This year was probably one of my favorites,” said Buettner. “Jane and I had so much fun being captains together.”
Jorgenson agreed that this year was Buettner’s best.
“She had a nagging injury, but she ran well the whole season,” he said.
Like most other die-hard runners, cross-country is not something Buettner could be persuaded to give up. She wants to continue running in college and is considering the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls.
“My favorite place to run is in California for the Foot Locker race,” said Buettner. “But during the summer, I like to run the trails throughout the valley. I probably run about 40 miles each week.”
“I love running,” she said. “I love it. It’s so relaxing. And I like being in shape.”
Non-runners would agree that you have to love a sport to run a half-marathon, 13.1 miles, around Seely Lake in February. Buettner’s aggressive half accomplished this grueling feat last winter, but it was her modest side that came through after the race.
“It wasn’t that bad,” said Buettner. “I ran it in just under two hours.” |
|
