Medford football star earns statewide academic honor

Only 15 players in the entire state of Minnesota are selected to the Class AA All-State Academic Team and one of them calls Steele County home.
That student-athlete is Josiah Hedensten who starred at running back and linebacker for the Medford Tigers.
Medford Activities Director and Hedensten's college-level math teacher for the past two years Kevin Werk said he's a worthy selection for this award because of his dedication to school and football.
"To earn Academic All-State in football, you have to have the grades, but you also have to have the football stats to go with it. There are a lot of football players that have good grades; Josiah sets himself apart because he is an unbelievably good football player," he said.
He explained that the main reason Hedensten is able to do both school and football at such a high level is because he's a hard worker.
"He doesn't take a day off and is always trying to get better in the classroom and on the football field. [Thanks to] his work ethic, he seems to be good at whatever he does," Werk said.
Despite being a star football player and an ideal student, he said Hedensten is a grounded and well-balanced kid.
His success at Medford is even more impressive when taking into account he transferred there as a junior.
"It is hard to move schools that late in your high school career, but he has done a great job adjusting and fitting in," he said.
Werk is also impressed with how hard he studies not only in the classroom, but in football as well.
"Josiah is a hard worker that never complains about anything. He is always prepared and that is the key to his success," he said. "He is always positive, even when the content is really hard. I think other students see that and that makes him a great role model for other students."
 
The Steele County Times could not connect with Josiah Hedensten in time for our Monday deadline.