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Track and field star Jared Hiebert is coming off an impressive weekend performance in Ottawa, where he squared off against elite talent, and the La Broquerie product is looking to bring that confidence to the Canada Summer Games.
Ottawa special
"This past weekend I was in Ottawa," Hiebert explains. "I was representing Winnipeg in the Canadian Track and Field Championships. I competed in the 100 and 200 meters."
Late start, no problems
Coming to track and field a little later in life hasn't been an issue for the incredibly talented Hiebert. "It really started in my last year of high school. Before that, it was just a school sport that I'd play recreationally. In my final year of high school, I started taking it more seriously."
Definition of an athlete
While he may have come to track and field a little later, Hiebert has been a multi-sport athlete most of his life. "Growing up, I played hockey, all the school sports like baseball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, but I didn't get to this point of my track career just by being a good athlete. I put the time in, and I work hard."
Pushing himself to be the best
Growing in the sport, Hiebert says he's dedicated himself to being the best he can be, not just pushing himself against other competition, but against himself. "It's definitely been hard sometimes," the star says candidly. "Track is an individual sports, I mean, you have the relays and stuff, but at the end of the day, it's an individual sport, so all your training, all that stuff, it all depends on you and how bad you want it. I had to learn a lot about self motivation and self discipline, just to get where I am today."
"It can be tough, it's not every day you want to go to the track, especially in the summer when it's super hot," he says with a chuckle. "You don't want to go do a super long work out, and then when you get home, you can't just eat junk food, you need to eat right. There have been days where it's hard, but I think playing other sports and learning how to deal with things from other sports, that's really helped me."
Staring down and learning from Olympians
In Ottawa, Hiebert went toe to toe with 2024 Paris Olympians such as Jerome Blake, Aaron Brown, and more, while facing them in the race, he says he learned a lot from them. "It was super cool," he says with an excited smile. "Last year, I was in the stands watching the 200 meter final at the Canadian Nationals in Montreal, but this year, I was on the track competing with them. It was super cool. A little nerve racking, I mean, they're 2024 Paris gold medalists, but it was a very cool experience. It also showed me what I need to do if I want to get to that level."
Pre-race thoughts
Many will never know what it's like to be standing at the blocks, waiting for the start, and Hiebert says he has trained himself to be focused right from the start. "I really just make sure I'm going to execute the race before hand. I mean, not letting nerves get to me. Cycle through the blocks, trying to be the fastest out the blocks, stuff like that. Really, remaining calm. The nerves can get the best of you sometimes, but you really have to remind yourself, especially when you're lined up, just stay calm, and execute what the coaches have planned out to do in the race."
Couldn't do it alone
Through it all, Hiebert says the support around him has lifted him up, helping him be at his best to achieve his dreams. "They've been great. From financial help, to mental help, to physical help, they've been there. I couldn't have done this on my own, they make it all so much easier."
Best still to come
Being a part of Team Manitoba, Hiebert is getting ready to compete at the Canada Summer Games, and he details what he'll be doing. "In under two weeks, we leave on the 17th, as part of Team Manitoba, we'll be flying to St. Johns, Newfoundland, for the 2025 Summer Games. I'll be representing Manitoba in the 100, 200, and 4x100 relay."