Campus Life

Setting the pace: UWF runner shows promise

Named "Most Promising Freshman" last year by the University of West Florida Women's Cross Country team, UWF sophomore Bailee Hedstrom continues to exceed expectations. Placing first in almost everything she participates in, Hedstrom is the first UWF female cross country runner to earn a Gulf South Conference "Runner of the Week" award and she took the top spot for the Argos in her first collegiate race.

Named “Most Promising Freshman” last year by the University of West Florida Women’s Cross Country team, UWF sophomore Bailee Hedstrom continues to exceed expectations. Placing first in almost everything she participates in, Hedstrom is the first UWF female cross country runner to earn a Gulf South Conference “Runner of the Week” award and she took the top spot for the Argos in her first collegiate race.

“Bailee is a great asset to our sport and UWF Athletics,” said John Bergen, cross country coach for UWF. “She is a smooth runner with good mechanics, and she could be one of the top runners in UWF Women’s Cross Country history. But more importantly, she is a great teammate who will be a good team leader this year.”

Assuming a leadership role on UWF’s team is a comfortable and natural fit for Hedstrom who grew up in a large family with 18 siblings. She says her family grew even larger when she became an Argonaut.

“When I visited the campus, I felt at home,” she said. “UWF is a nice community with a beautiful campus that is full of great resources. At UWF, I have had the opportunity to make great friends, become a better person and a more competitive athlete. I feel honored be able to represent this school as an Argonaut.”

Majoring in nursing, Hedstrom aspires to earn her master’s in nursing and become either a nurse practitioner or a physician’s assistant. With a successful first year behind her and a bright future ahead of her, Hedstrom is ready to hit the ground running this fall semester.

“Bailee had a strong spring season, breaking 19 minutes in the 5,000 meters on the track, and if she can carry that into this season, she could compete for a top five spot in the Gulf South Conference,” said Bergen.

UWF Athletics is Building Champions for Life. To learn more about Cross Country at UWF, visit goargos.com or contact Coach Bergen at (850) 474-2141 or e-mail jbergen@uwf.edu.

Written by Lauren Smith, University Marketing Communications