Schechinger commits to Simpson for running
As she prepares for her final track season as a Cyclone, HCHS Senior Brylee Schechinger is looking forward to her future. She recently committed to Simpson College.
“I’m really excited,” Schechinger said. “It took me a lot to be here, and I wouldn’t be here without my coaches, my family, and definitely my friends. They all push me to do my best, and I really like that. I love the environment we have here at Harlan and the environment I’ll get to see at Simpson.”
After visiting a lot of colleges, Schechinger decided on Simpson.
“I fell in love with the campus right away and the food was great,” she said. “I really connected with the professor and I really saw myself excelling in his classes. Education is the most important thing at college. I wanted a place that felt like home.”
Schechinger will major in biology while minoring in chemistry pursuing a pre-veterinarian degree, which she plans to complete at Iowa State University.
Schechinger credited her coaches, Zach Klaassen and Jenny Hamilton for their guidance and help along the way.
“They mean a lot to me,” Schechinger said of her coaches. “They talk about encouraging others because this sport is about yourself and how good you do, but you wouldn’t be able to do your best without the people around you encouraging you and I really love the team environment. Most of my friends are in cross country or track.”
She also acknowledged her parents, Monte and Julie, and brother, Brayton, for their support.
“They’ve pushed me to do everything and really helped step out of my comfort zone,” she said. “They came a long way with me in cross country. My dad actually wanted to bring lawn chairs to our first meet. I said, no he had to run around and squirt me with a water bottle.”
Before Schechinger graduates, she hopes to have one final strong season of track and field with her teammates.
“I really hope to make a lot of memories with the team and coaches, and I also hope to push myself in the 800m. I would also like to focus on the 1500m and get faster and improve my times,” she added.
