Hilldale’s Micah Chewey is just beginning his high school career, but the freshman is already developing the habits and mindset that coaches look for in young athletes. Whether he is on the football field, in the weight room or competing in another sport, Chewey enjoys the challenge of getting a little better every day.

That drive comes from someone close to home.

“I’d say my dad probably inspires me the most because he was a great athlete in school as well and is always pushing me through the tough times in sports and to put in the extra work on and off the football field,” Chewey said.

Chewey will suit up at running back, linebacker and kicker for the Hornets, embracing the physical demands that come with each position. For him, playing running back requires as much toughness as talent.

“The hardest thing about that position is being able to take all the hits over and over again and getting back up after each one,” he said.

His love for football goes beyond the competition. Chewey said the relationships built with his teammates are what make the sport special.

“What I love most about my team is how close everyone is and how no one puts anyone down when they make a mistake,” he said. “We’re all together like brothers.”

That atmosphere has helped create a culture where players constantly challenge one another to improve.

“What I enjoy most is how everyone pushes each other to be great,” Chewey said.

One teammate who has had a lasting impact is Drayden Jimenez.

“My teammate Drayden Jimenez, because we push each other to be great and he is always putting in the same amount of high effort in the weight room and on the football field,” he said.

Chewey’s dedication extends well beyond football. He also competes in soccer, basketball, track and powerlifting, and he has grown to enjoy the process of becoming a stronger, faster athlete.

“I enjoy working out lifting weights and running,” he said. “I’ve really fallen in love with getting stronger and faster.”

He believes consistency is what separates good athletes from great ones.

“To show up every day and to be consistent with my work,” Chewey said.

Before kickoff, Chewey settles into a routine that helps him stay focused.

“I listen to music in my headphones, visualize all the moves and techniques that I will use in the game, and I also go over all the plays in my head,” he said.

Away from athletics, Chewey enjoys spending time outdoors, especially fishing the ponds and river near his hometown. In the classroom, history is his favorite subject, and he credits his seventh-grade science teacher and basketball coach, Mr. Harrison, for making a positive impact on his life.

As Chewey begins his freshman year at Hilldale, he is focused on continuing to improve, trusting that the work he puts in today will prepare him for the opportunities ahead.