Stellar Senior: Sturgeon Bay’s Allison Alberts
Allison Alberts seemingly has a never-ending supply of positivity.
The Sturgeon Bay senior’s positive mental attitude has helped her maintain a 4.0 GPA while competing in cross-country, basketball and track.
Alberts is the student council president at school and is always willing to help others with a bright smile.
She also happens to be one of the toughest individuals you could ever meet.
Alberts has to be in order to administer weekly and bi-monthly shots to herself to help offset the effects of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which she was diagnosed with at the age of 12.
The autoimmune disorder can be debilitating for her as she deals with swelling and tenderness in her joints.
Still, that has never stopped her from becoming a runner and earning first-team all-Packerland Conference honors last year.
Alberts’ long-term goal is to become a pediatric rheumatologist, just like one of her heroes, Dr. David Keim of Prevea Health.
Alberts discusses her career aspirations, running past arthritis and the beauty of Door County as AP’s Stellar Senior this week.
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What would you say if you could write a letter to yourself following your diagnosis in sixth grade?
I think I would say just to get up every morning. You don’t know what will happen in your life, but be grateful for what you have and make sure you don’t let your illness take away from what you want to do in life.
Why did you choose to become a runner?
I like to stay determined and challenge myself. Ever since I was diagnosed, I knew I didn’t want this to ruin my life. I wanted to push through. Ever since then, I wanted to make sure my arthritis does not define me. People won’t know that I have it because I don’t want them to think I’m using it as a crutch or anything. I just want to be me.
Has your arthritis gone into remission at all since you’ve been in high school?
Sadly, no. I’m back on weekly shots. Then I have my other one every two weeks. I’m on all my medications still. Whenever I try to decrease it, I get a flare up and I have to go back. I’m still on everything, but I’m pushing through.
What are your goals this season?
First-team all-conference, that’s the goal, and to get sub 21 minutes. That’s the goal right now. Last year my PR was a 21:12, so that’s a goal to get sub 21.
Do you have any routines before races?
I always do a quick prayer before every race. I ask God to let my joints work for about 23 minutes and I should be good.
What do you think about when you run?
I think about all the people who have my back. I also think you’ve had your shots and your nasty medications, so get to that finish line because you can do it.
How fun is it having your sister, Ashley, as a freshman on the team this year?
I can’t explain how much my sister means to me. We’re very close. I was able to watch her when I was running varsity and she ran JV the first meet. To see her run by, it made me feel like such a proud sister.
You’re a part of the “A TEAM” at school. What does that entail?
It’s a club we made my freshman year. We get together at lunches and work with students that have special needs. I have not only learned more about disabilities, but I made connections with them. I’m just so grateful that we were able to start that off.
Where do you want to go to college?
My top school right now is La Crosse. I feel really comfortable there. It feels like home. They have a really strong medical program. If not La Crosse, my close second is Madison.
What do you want to study in college?
I want to go into a pre-med program. The end goal is to be a pediatric rheumatologist. I want to do what my doctor does for me. Ever since I got diagnosed in sixth grade, that’s been my goal. I feel like I’ll be able to connect with the patients on a different level than a different doctor. I’m excited to get started.
How has dealing with JIA helped you get a jumpstart on your career goals?
I can connect to kids on that kind of emotional level since I’ll be in the same shoes as them. I’m challenging myself with AP Chemistry, and I’ll be doing Human Bio. I’m trying to strengthen my skills already. I already know a lot of medications, too. It’s interesting whenever I go to my appointments I ask my doctor, “What does this medication do?” or “What does this help?” I’m trying to get as much information as I can.
Do you have a part-time job anywhere?
I love where I work. I work at the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center. I get to help tourists and answer their questions. The ladies are great and they are huge with my arthritis. They’re very understanding. Whenever we can do a donation jug, they write “Allie’s Allies” for my team. I’m just so thankful for all the people that have my back.
What’s it like living in Door County?
During the summer we have so many tourists. My top place to send them is Potawatomi State Park. Not only is it great for running with the cross-country trails, but we have the tower. I love Sturgeon Bay. Walking down on 3rd, there are so many nice businesses down there. It’s just home.
What’s one of your earliest sports memories?
I grew up going to all my brother’s baseball games, so there are so many memories there. My sister and I would dance around during his games, so that was a lot of fun. When I was real little, my brother and I used to play baseball with the plastic bats. We would play outside by the pool or inside and try not to destroy the house.
What’s your most embarrassing sports memory?
For track season, my coach needed somebody to high jump, and I’m not a very good high jumper. I didn’t even clear opening height. It was so embarrassing.
What’s your favorite sports memory?
I think my favorite sports memory would be last year during my cross-country season taking first-team all-conference. It stuck with me because all my teammates were very proud and supportive. I think cross-country, overall, has been a huge memory that I’ll never forget because of my teammates. They are just very encouraging. It’s by far my favorite sport.
What do you feel makes the Packerland Conference special?
It’s definitely the schools. I text girls from other schools about the meets and how they’re feeling, specifically, Alli Spitzer from Algoma. She will text me after a meet and ask, ‘How are your joints today?’ or ‘How are you feeling now?’ There are just some very good people from around the Packerland Conference. They make it special because we care about each other. We’re competitive, but at the end of it all we’ll be there for one another.
Who among your teammates should have their own reality TV show?
On my basketball team, Allison Bridenhagen. She’s hilarious and can always make me smile.
Which teammate would you give half of your winnings to if you won the lottery?
Tori Ferry. Not only is she my best friend, but I know she strides to be successful at school and her sports. She has always been there for me. I’d give her the other half for sure.
Who on your team is most likely to be scared of a spider?
McKenzie Daoust. She might be a little scared of it because she has a funny personality, so I would probably give that one to her. She would probably make a big scene out of it, but I love her.
Which teammate would you want with you on a deserted island?
I would bring Anna Fischer. She is one of my close friends. She knows a lot about my past with arthritis and everything. She encourages me and when I have bad days. I can just straight up tell her, “Hey, it’s a rough day today.” She’ll give me a hug and bring bananas over or something to make it a little better.
What will it mean to you to complete high school as a three-sport athlete?
I’ll probably be crying at the end for all three sports. The fact that I could push through, it makes me happy. I hope that other people know that have arthritis that you can still live with it, and you can still push through.
Favorites
Classes: AP Chemistry and AP Calculus.
Food: Peanut butter.
TV show: “Impractical Jokers.”
Athlete: Allyson Felix.
App: Snapchat.
Childhood toy: Puppy doll.
Coach’s comment
“It’s amazing what she can do every day. She’s a leader. I entrust the team to her a lot of days because I can say, ‘Hey, I’m going to be late. Can you lead the team?’ She’s like, ‘Absolutely.’ She’s completely amazing. Every day she comes and is able to push through. You can’t even tell she has (arthritis). It doesn’t show at all.” – Sturgeon Bay cross-country coach Leanne Pinkert