Westside’s head girls golf coach Jered Hellman has had two battlegrounds this fall. The fight for the state championship and the fight for his wife’s life. Hellman’s wife was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in early June this past year. Since then every day has been a battle for the both of them. What started as a desperate fund drive for his wife turned into a miracle run for the Warrior golf team.
“I was at the United States Open to watch Trevor Gutschewski play.” Hellman said. “I had just finished watching Trevor warming up on the range when my wife called.”
It was then that Hellman was informed of his wife Sara’s diagnosis. Instead of avoiding the subject with the golf team all together, Hellman found ways to use it to better the team.
“I have always been an open book and I knew this was something we weren’t going to hide from,” Hellman said. “Reflecting back now, I think it just brought us even closer together.”
As Hellman stood strong, masking the weight he held within from his wife’s battle, his players stood by his side, providing the love and support he needed throughout the entirety of the golf season. Sophomore Audrey Nielson, one of his golfers, thought it was hard not to help out Hellman.
“We gave so much love because that is what we had to do, to know what was going on at home it’s hard to not want to help.” Nielsen said.
Along with this, the girls team has also recognized the truth and reality of the challenge faced by the coach and his family. They have used this to not think of the negative side of things, but instead to look at the glass as half full. Junior Chloe DiPrima reflects on how the diagnosis made Hellman love what he does even more.
“You know we all realize that no one expects it to happen until it happens to you,” DiPrima said. “I think it’s made him more present in what he does and I think it’s made him love what he does even more.”
Victories do not define one’s life. The girls golf team grasped this after losing the state championship to the Marian Crusaders. They realized the steps taken, memories made and the skills they learned throughout the season hold way more memory then any trophy could.
The girls ended their season with their first Metro title since 2011 their 12th in school history with a record score of 300. Their success continued at the state tournament in Grand Island with a runner-up finish. But their journey was not easy as even the happiest moments in life can be turned unexpectedly.
“I think it puts it all in perspective that the journey is what is important,” Hellman said. “This girls’ season showed that and if we don’t always focus on the outcome and just focus on the process of getting better every day.”
The Hellman family is so entwined within the community that it was without hesitation people immediately stepped up to help when it was needed.
“From the second we got the news from the U.S. Open, this community went into action.” Hellman said. “My wife had the best team of doctors that the Midwest has to offer because phone calls were made on our behalf.”
Coach Hellman had a lot of added pressure to his life juggling so much between golf, work, his family and the diagnosis. He soon realized it was too much for one to handle on their own and left leeway for others to help.
“I tried for a long time to manage it all by myself,” Hellman said. “But I was having a hard time paying for the bills and buying groceries. A GoFundMe was started and it was immediate. The response that came relieved so much pressure, so much tension. Part of that was a relief so I could focus on my wife and my kids. It is just an incredibly special community.”
This time of year makes us realize how much we take for granted. This was put into perspective a lot earlier for the Hellman family and has made them realize how much the people around them mean to them. The course hasn’t always been smooth, but they have learned when you love something, whether that’s sports or family, when the course gets hard you will continue to play.
“I think to appreciate what you have,” Hellman said. “But I think it’s rare to find the person that you are meant to spend your life with. To watch them go through something where you can’t put yourself in their position, that is extremely difficult.”
For those looking to help the Hellman family during this time, donations can be made through their GoFundMe page, “Support Coach Hellman and His Family.” https://gofund.me/2029b2c3c
