by By Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
Zoey Real Bird is an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe of Indians. She is a freshman at Hardin Senior High School, Hardin, MT and participates in cross country, basketball, and track.
Real Bird’s athletic accomplishments include as an eighth grader: ninth place at State / All-State Class A Cross Country Champions; Runner Up at State Class A Basketball Tournament, and placed third in the 3200m at the State Class A Track Meet. She was the 2023 Youth Ultimate Warrior Champion and placed fifth at the 2023 State Class A Cross Country Meet and is a team member of the State Class A Cross Country Champions.
“The indigenous core values that I incorporate into my training and competition are things like honoring my whole well-being,” said Real Bird. “Mind, body, and spirit. Taking care of my body by staying away from substances. I keep my mind and spirit right by listening to my elders and participating in church on a consistent basis.”
Cindy Farmer is the Hardin HS head cross country coach and coached Zoey for the past two years in cross country and basketball. She talked about one of her athletes and said, “Zoey is a remarkable young lady. She has the kindest yet most competitive heart of any athlete I have ever seen. She makes sure everyone is taken care of and on task. She is always offering to help each team member and puts others before herself.”
“Zoey was always willing to sacrifice her personal achievements for the betterment of the team, yet still being an All-State runner her eighth grade year and again this year as a freshman. She keeps things light and happy. Her presence alone brightens everyone’s day. She has a heart of gold and is truly inspirational to her teammates, coaches and opponents,” added Coach Farmer.
Chris Fuchs worked with Zoey the past two years as the assistant cross country coach at Hardin HS. “Zoey’s work ethic has been tremendous,” said Coach Chris Fuchs. “Despite being overshadowed by her teammate’s accomplishments, Zoey has played an important role in securing the last two state championships for the Hardin Lady Bulldogs.”
“Even though Zoey has had much success on the cross country course, I think Zoey performs to the best of her abilities in how she lives life. She is the type of kid who has a very generous heart and always carries a smile along with a very positive attitude towards life,” added Coach Fuchs.
Coach Fuchs remembered Zoey taking care of her teammates. “I remember Zoey helping her teammates fill out their lunch order forms when they were confused or replacing spikes in teammates’ shoes when they struggled, just as a few examples. She is the type of person who emits positive energy and others gravitate towards. I have a renewed joy of coaching over the past two years because of Zoey’s joy towards running and life.”
Real Bird’s mentors include Coach Cindy Farmer and her mom Mallory Venne. “I say this because they push me to be better on and off the course and court,” said Real Bird. “My academic goals are to be a 4.0 student throughout my high school years. I plan to go to college, and I would study being a medical doctor and specializing in surgery.”
Real Bird also participates in basketball, and her performance goals are to become better at ball handling skills and her defensive ability as well as incorporating the team work ethic.
Zoey Real Bird has made a statement that she intends to be one of the leaders of current and future state level athletic teams representing the Hardin HS Bulldogs and the Crow Nation.
Photo: Casey Kills Pretty Enemy
