Lexie Sondgeroth is only a freshman at UW-Whitewater and she is already making a name for herself as a successful track athlete.
She currently holds a total of eight season-best times, four from the indoor season and four from the outdoor season.
From the indoor season, she holds season bests in the 60-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the long jump and the triple jump.
From the outdoor season she holds season bests in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the long jump and the triple jump.
She even already has her name in the school record book for the best time in the 4×200 relay along with teammates Kristen Heitsman, Kelsey Jones and Courtney Windisch.
“I’ve really liked competing here and I really like the coaches,” Sondgeroth said. “I never had a jumping coach in high school and having one here has really helped.”
Sondgeroth also credits some of her early success on the track to a more routine based practice schedule.
She said she practiced running and jumping every single day in high school and it was harder to focus on one thing.
“Now I run on certain days so it’s easier to focus on that, and I only jump on certain days,” Sondgeroth said.
Sondgeroth  said her high school coaches really influenced her as she looked to them for advice.  While she has enjoyed some early success as a Warhawk, she admits she probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her family.
“My family has been really supportive,” Sondgeroth said. “They have never missed a track meet and they have always given me what I need.”
“It’s hard doing a college sport and keeping up with academics at the same time so if it wasn’t for them I probably wouldn’t be here.”
While she has impressed coaches as well as family and friends, her teammates have noticed her success as well.  Three time All-American teammate and junior Shelby Demos had nothing but good things to say about the freshman runner.

“Strength is her competitive edge and nothing stops her,” Demos said. “She will be hurt or sick and she just powers through it.”
Even though Sondgeroth has had plenty of success early on in her career, Demos points out there might be a few bumps along the road.
“She is such an amazing athlete and I know from experience that not everyone can be good all the time,” Demos said. “She just has to stay positive and enjoy it.”
Sondgeroth said she doesn’t take for granted the learning experiences offered from teammates and competitors.
“I enjoyed being a freshman at indoor nationals competing with older girls and talking to them about their success,” Sondgeroth said.
She hopes to continue down the road she is currently traveling as the outdoor season is coming to a close. She hopes to break the top three in various post season events as an individual and with her team.
“Hopefully we do because we all have been working hard with what we have been given,” Sondgeroth said.
Head coach Mike Johnson sees her potential and believes she can only get better.
“After coming off her first college season as an indoor All-American, I think it keeps her hungrier and more determined to keep building on that success,” he said.