Grove’s Allie Hasselman
By Bryce McKinnis
Grove High School junior Allie Hasselman, the state’s reigning 5A 800m state champion and one of the area’s most talented multi-sport athletes, has centered her life around faith.
“The first thing everybody should know about me is that Jesus has truly changed and saved my life,” said Hasselman, a cross country, track, basketball and soccer player for the Ridgerunners. “He is my greatest joy, and it seeps into everything I do, especially sports.”
Her unbreakable faith met a challenge that would harden anybody, especially the average pre-teen, nine years ago. In 2016, Hasselman’s father passed away.
The circumstances were understandably overwhelming for Hasselman, but she’s no average kid. As it has her entire life, her faith anchored her.
“It’s still hard to see people around me interacting with their dads. Sports did not help. I actually started to find identity in them,” Hasselman said. “It wasn’t until I had made a life-changing decision to actually follow God. I asked Him to be my father in every sense, and He answered.”
Her mother, Lynn, has also had a tremendous impact on Allie, who maintains a 4.0 GPA while playing four sports.
“My mom has instilled good work ethics in me, but I would say I am self-motivated. This stems from my walk with the Lord,” Hasselman said. “Working hard in my academics is a non-negotiable for me, and I get things done.”
As Allie has climbed the mountain of healing over the years, racing has been a stable retreat for her.
“What I love most about running is the feeling of accomplishment after I’m done. It changes my mood and makes me more confident,” Hasselman said. “I hope to finish in the top 10 at state for cross country before I graduate. I also want to lower my time in the 800m and All-State in soccer my senior year.”
Already a school-record-holder in the 800m, it’s safe to assume that there’s no goal too high for Hasselman. Five years from today, she plans to be finishing her college degree and “perhaps close to marrying a man who fears the Lord.”
“I know my dad is proud of me for my success in sports,” Hasselman said, “but even more that my aim in life is to please God.”
