FORT SMITH, Arkansas — Whether she was on the track or in her cheer uniform, Southside graduate Cadence Hodge was setting records.
"It was kind of just like a fever dream," said Hodge. "I just went through the motions and it's all lined up."
Hodge was a part of the cheer competition team that won nationals in February and she broke records in cross country and track, including a 39-year-old record in the 1600 meters.
"It's a great opportunity," said Hodge. "My neighbor is actually one that I broke. I think just getting in to the environment and finding a love for the sport and all the people. It just made it all more fun."
However without two pivotal moments in her life none of this would have been possible: her parents pushing her to do a new sport after stopping gymnastics and meeting the then Southside cross country and track coach Aaron Kareus in the seventh grade.
"He wanted me to join the cross country team," said Hodge. "I was like, 'Yeah, I don't know about that.' Finally I was like, 'Okay, I'll do it for one year.' Then I just fell in love with it."
Unfortunately though, Coach Kareus passed away from an inoperable brain tumor right before her junior year. However he is still with her on every run as he continues to be her purpose to this day.
"He just built more of like a family than a team," said Hodge. "It's just kind of like having a purpose to run."
She looks to continue his legacy by being the purpose why the next generation of Mavericks fall in love with running. That's why she decided to continue her athletic career close to home at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
"I wanted to stay in Fort Smith to just be able to watch the Southside and help their program," said Hodge. "It's just being able to stay home and help with that and watch my teammates, who are younger, just grow as athletes."
In fact, she wouldn't even mind helping someone else replace her name in the record books.
"I actually would think that was really cool especially if it's someone that I've ran with," said Hodge. "It would be an accomplishment for me, too to just see that we're getting places with Southside and that it's the program is building."