Sometimes the obstacles we face push us to go farther than we ever dreamed. It's the challenges that help us appreciate our accomplishments.

Hartford Union High School's Nikki Reinwald knows all about it. The junior cross country phenom qualified individually for a second consecutive year for the WIAA state cross country championships at the Ridges Golf Course, in Wisconsin Rapids on November 1.

"It was an incredible opportunity, just to go and compete," said Reinwald. "It was great to be around a group of girls that try to improve each day and care about their sport. It's a great place to be and it's lovely to be around. I wish I could go back again."

She'll have another chance next season.

Nikki finished in 19:33, which was the fastest 5k recorded at a state cross country meet by any Hartford Union High School girl. She finished 61st out of 190 runners.

It's impressive, considering her season was up in the air last summer. Reinwald wasn't sure if she would be able to run. And to understand why, we need to go back to her eighth grade year.

"Starting in eighth grade, I had my first ACL tear with my knee," Nikki recalled. "I wasn't sure if I would be able to run my freshman year, but I did. Last year, I tore it again less than a year later. During this year's soccer season, my knee was swollen in May and there was no explanation for it."

A knee scope was the next step in her recovery, which involved examining, treating and eventually removing some tissue. The swelling was reduced, which was great news.

Reinwald went through physical therapy last summer and didn't start running until late August of this year. She was cleared in September.

"This season, I was so unsure about things," Nikki admitted. "I didn't think I was going to run for the first half of the season. I didn't think I would be able to compete. I just stayed positive and put in the work."

It paid off. After missing the first two meets of the season, Reinwald's first chance to compete with her teammates was September 20 at Tendick Park, in Saukville. The rain created a wet and muddy course, which forced Nikki to run conservatively. She made it through and her season had begun.

She continued to get stronger in the next few weeks leading up to the North Shore Conference meet. Reinwald's sub-20-minute time of 19:30 was a big moment. 

"The conference meet was great, it was the first time I had reached into the nineteens again. I was so happy. Our team was doing really well. I felt like I was back."

Her First Team All-North Shore Conference honor provided plenty of momentum into sectionals at Meadow Links Golf Course, in Manitowoc on October 25. Nikki delivered one of her best performances (19:10) and broke her own school record.

"This season has been like a fever dream. It was a time to be happy and be in the moment. I did not take anything for granted. My focus was to be competitive, have fun and don't let anything slip."

Reinwald joins an elite group of runners at Hartford Union High School, becoming just the third girl in the history of the cross country program to qualify for state a second time.