MANSFIELD, Ohio — Natalie Hershberger is among the elite.
The 11-year-old taekwondo phenom has been named one of five finalists for the Sports Illustrated “SportsKid of the Year” award.
This award, eligible to youngsters ranging from age seven to 15, honors a competitor for superior performance in athletics, in the classroom and service to the community.
As a finalist, she will be featured in the December issue of “Sports Illustrated for Kids” magazine. If she wins, she will land a spot on the cover of the magazine and will also take a trip to New York City for the Sportsman of the Year ceremony.
People have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist until Oct. 13. The nominee who is the top vote getter will be named SportsKid of the Year. To vote, click here.
Chris Hershberger, Natalie’s father and coach, said she’s approaching this contest just like she would a match.
“So it’s full speed ahead,” he said.
He said they’re thinking creatively to help get the word out, potentially planning a “SKOTY voter blast” on Facebook in the future. To stay up-to-date with the latest information, visit Natalie’s Facebook page.
A five-time Ohio State Taekwondo champion, five-time National Taekwondo champion and two-time AAU Junior Olympic champion, Natalie is no stranger to victory. She’s gone undefeated this year.
“That’s really hard to do in our sport because you’re fighting so many matches in a year,” Chris noted.
Also, Natalie competes against opponents who could be up to 17 years old.
“She’s definitely made a name for herself in the sport of taekwondo at a really young age, which is hard to do,” Chris said.
Natalie is a straight-A student at Malabar Intermediate School and has written two books, “Tough Girls Finish First” and “Kicking It With Natalie.”
She speaks to Girl Scout troops, athletic clubs and community organizations about the importance of hard work and following your dreams, and she also teaches free youth martial arts classes.
Describing her reaction to the news that she was named a SportsKid of the Year finalist, she said, “I was really surprised because taekwondo is not really that big of a sport and I didn’t think anyone would actually nominate me because they wouldn’t know what taekwondo was, but it happened to be a taekwondo parent, so of course she knew what it was and then she just thought I was going to be perfect for it. And it’s a really big honor.”
She said her classmates and teachers have been supportive, coming up to her at school sharing how many times they’ve voted for her.
“Everyone in Richland County is being very supportive,” Chris said. “We’re so thankful.
“As a coach, I’m super excited because this [award] is going to open up opportunities for her in the future for potential sponsors and things of that nature.
“As a dad, I’m so proud. She made the cut among 14-and 15-year-olds. She’s the youngest in the group–so that’s an honor right there. And these athletes are amazing…so for her to be in the same category is pretty neat.”
She’s also the first taekwondo athlete to ever make the finals.
Though she never fixates her attention on earning recognition in her sport, Chris said, “It’s nice to see her recognized because she is in a sport that she trains 11 months out of the year. She really trains 12, but she trains 11 months hard.”
Natalie spoke highly of her fellow finalists, saying what a privilege it is to be among such high caliber athletes.
“If I don’t win, it’s still a huge honor that I was actually part of it,” she said.
