South Tahoe track athlete Maya Brosch is currently a Viking, but will soon be an Aztec. The senior was recently awarded an athletic scholarship to run track for the San Diego State University Aztecs.

Even though Brosch has been at the top of her game locally, she doesn’t let it go to her head and remains humble about competing at the collegiate level.

“I know I’m going into a level of sports where the girls are unbelievable,” said Brosch. “The girls are very serious about it. It’s going to be hard to adjust, but it will be good for me.”

According to Brosch, she has been a runner for most of her life and competing on track teams since seventh grade, but it was actually playing soccer that had a hand in getting Brosch on the track.

“I played soccer when I was younger and noticed I was pretty fast compared to some of the other girls,” she said. “There was a track team and I’m fast, so I thought it was a good idea to join.”

If you’ve read the Tribune sports section over the past few years, you’ve probably seen her name in print.

Brosch mostly competes in the 100 through 400 meters and the 100 through 300 hurdles races. Dating all the way back to her freshman season in 2014, Brosch was getting recognition for her speed and ability to take on the upperclassmen. She placed first in several meets that year and even managed first place finishes in the 300 hurdles at the regional meet. She later placed third in the 400 meters at that year’s state championship.

After some coaching and using her natural abilities, Brosch picked up the pace the following seasons by improving personal records and adding more first-place finishes in several events. In her sophomore year at state, she snagged first in the 300 hurdles; at state her junior year, she placed first in both the 300 hurdles and 400 meters. Brosch took first place in the 300 hurdles in all but one meet she participated in, including the state championship, both her sophomore and junior years.

Altogether, Brosch had 17 first-place finishes her sophomore year and 21 her junior year. Although she was mainly recruited for the 400 meters, Brosch said she has always enjoyed competing in the hurdles since it’s a more challenging race for her.

Head track coach Hannah Greenstreet has only been with the Vikings for two seasons, but recognized something special in Brosch.

“Maya has a talent that not only breeds individual success,” said Greenstreet. “But displays a model of leadership and skill that inspires others to push their potential and improve their skills.”

Brosch currently serves as team captain, a role very fitting for her, said Greenstreet.

Brosch says that having ties with SDSU aided in her decision to head south.

“My older sister went there,” said Brosch. “Every time I went to visit her I knew wanted to live there when I was older.”

Bosh said after she had her first official visit to SDSU as a track recruit, she lost interest in the other schools and knew San Diego was where she wanted to be.

Brosch said that she owes a lot to the coaches and the strength and conditioning department at South Tahoe. “I’m going to miss my hurdles coach, coach [Syd] Brown,” said Brosch. “She’s been my coach for as long as I can remember. I will forever owe her for my skill level.” Brosch said that Brown always encouraged her and helped her improve from each season to the next. Brown no longer coaches full time, but does volunteer throughout the season.

“It is an honor to learn under Maya’s primary coach, Coach Syd Brown, and support both of them as Maya excels through her senior year before running in college,” Greenstreet added. Brosch also mentioned that the strength and conditioning center South Tahoe recently opened has helped her perform at a higher level.

“ What has really helped me prepare this year is the new strength and conditioning center that we have at the high school,” she said. “I feel like I’m a lot stronger than I ever have been.”

So far this year, Brosch has first-place finishes in the 200 meters, 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles. She says it may or may not come to fruition, but she wants to take first in all of her events at the state meet in May.

“We’ll see if it happens or not, but I want to win in all of my events at state,” she said. “I want to sweep the podium.”

Including the state meet, South Tahoe has nine competitions left for the season. Brosch said she will spend the summer training and conditioning before heading to San Diego in August. She will be competing for the Aztecs as early as December.