PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — For years, Simone Sideris questioned whether she was good enough.

The Nelson High School senior played basketball, soccer and track, constantly searching for where she truly belonged. Now, after battling injuries, doubt and setbacks, Sideris is headed to NCAA Division I San Jose State as one of Oregon’s top hurdlers.

“It felt like a dream come true,” Sideris said. “I never thought this would happen to me.”

Sideris’ journey to this moment was anything but easy.

A four-year varsity athlete in both basketball and track, the Nelson standout burst onto the scene early in her high school career. As a freshman, she won district titles in the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles and long jump. But just as her track career was taking off, injuries threatened to take it all away.

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During the state prelims in the 100 hurdles as a sophomore, Sideris suffered a lower back injury after a fall. Despite the pain, she still managed to finish fourth in the state in the 300 hurdles. The injury lingered into her junior year and eventually forced her to miss most of the season.

“All summer I had to take off,” she said. “My doctor told me I couldn’t do hurdles anymore. That was my thing. I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

Without sports, Sideris said she had to rediscover who she was outside of competition. Through support from family, coaches and teammates, she rebuilt both her confidence and mindset.

“I figured out my values are being loving, joyful, kind, patient and passionate,” she said. “Wherever I go, I carry those values with me.”

Instead of giving up, Sideris attacked her senior year with a new perspective. She continued playing basketball, despite considering quitting, because of the bond she had with her teammates.

“I love supporting other people,” she said. “I wanted them to know I was there for them.”

At the same time, she committed herself fully to track.

The results followed quickly.

Sideris set new Nelson school records in both hurdle events this spring, posting a 14.38 in the 100-meter hurdles and a 44.16 in the 300 hurdles. She also broke the conference meet record in the 100 hurdles with a 14.42.

Her basketball résumé was impressive too. Sideris earned second-team all-league honors during both her junior and senior seasons and was named Player of the Game at state in the semi-final matchup against West Linn.

Despite the success, recruiting opportunities came late.

Sideris said San Jose State entered the picture only weeks ago after her parents connected with coaches through social media. Once she visited campus and spoke with the head coach, everything changed.

“He made me feel like I belonged,” Sideris said. “Like I actually had something left in me.”

Now, the athlete who once thought she was “late in the game” is preparing for the next chapter at the Division I level.

“You can do anything you put your mind to,” Sideris said. “No matter if you think you’re late, it does not matter.”

Sideris will be competing in her last Track & Field state championships this week representing the Hawks one last time.


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