Emma Hoferer has always loved sports, but as she approached the start of high school, she had not yet found the right fit. It was at that time she decided to pursue running.
“My dad used to run in high school, and I hadn’t really found a sport that I loved,” says Hoferer. “So I decided to try out for cross country.”
The Rosary Academy senior is a four-year varsity member of the Royals cross country and track teams, and has found running to be that outlet she needs to balance her busy schedule.
“I love that I’m able to just run any time,” says Hoferer. “If it’s on the weekend and I’m feeling stressed out, I can go for a jog. It’s something I can do after school to take a break from doing homework. Running is really calming, and I love being with my team and with my coach. It’s really fun.”
Having already been named 2nd Team All-Trinity League, Hoferer’s goal is to better her times enough to make 1st Team. As an integral member of the cross-country team that helped Rosary qualify for CIF Finals in 2015, Royals head cross-country coach, Jen Murphy, is looking to Hoferer for leadership during her senior year.
“Emma is a successful runner with immense talent, and she loves to run,” says Murphy. “She truly loves training and racing in this sport.”
Hoferer has battled a number of injuries during her high school running career, but the 17-year-old has respect for the opportunity she has been given to run as a Royal.
“I enjoy being able to do it for something other than myself,” says Hoferer. “To be able to say I did it for someone gives it more meaning.”
In addition to the mental balance that running has brought her, Hoferer has developed a number of life skills that she takes off the track.
“I think it’s taught me confidence, perseverance and it’s helped time management,” Hoferer says of running. “Being able to balance those different things, it’s helped.”
Hoferer serves her local community as a member of the Assisteens of Fullerton and as a confirmation leader at her church. The Fullerton resident would like to continue running at the collegiate level alongside studying engineering. Additionally, Hoferer has a running “bucket list” she is working on that includes completing a marathon and a Ragnar Relay Series race.
Hoferer’s role models include her father, who she leans on for running advice, as well as her grandmother, who has shown significant strength in the face of many trials.
Her faith is a cornerstone in her approach to each race, as Hoferer works with her mother to come up with special prayers that says before meets and while she runs to keep her calm.
“My faith is huge to me,” says Hoferer. “It helps me focus on what I’m truly running for.”