It was late September (2025) and Jenna Hellstrom was accompanying her team to a game in Muncie, Indiana.

Now an associate coach with the NCAA team she once starred for, the 30 year-old native of Sudbury was loath to pass up a battle between her Kent State Golden Flashes and the arch-rival Ball State Cardinals, both schools typically among the contenders in the MAC (Mid-American Conference) women’s soccer bracket.

Besides, the expected birth of the first child for Hellstrom and spouse Luke Trondson was still three and a half weeks away.

Unfortunately, baby Blakely had other ideas – leaving Hellstrom relegated to watching the big 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon (Sept 21st) from the comfort of her hospital room. That said, a blessed new arrival and a huge victory had made for a truly wonderful weekend.

And yet still, there was more to come.

Well-tenured Kent State head coach Rob Marinaro – the same gentleman who coached Hellstrom during her playing days in Ohio – had made plans to link Hellstrom in to the team dressing room back home following Monday practice, a chance to share her growing family with the team that had travelled this journey with her.

“I introduced the team to Blakely; they were so excited,” said Hellstrom, home in northern Ontario for a stretch over the holidays. “I had no idea what was planned.”

Apparently, Marinaro had other news to share with his former scoring sensation and her current crop of talent. While the official announcement would not come until the end of October, the assembled group were informed that Jenna Hellstrom was part of the nine-person group that would be inducted into the Varsity K Athletic Hall of Fame in February of 2026.

“My emotions were everywhere,” said Hellstrom. “I had just had the best thing to ever happen to me in my life – and then to have this accomplishment and be able to share it with all of the players; it was the best surprise.”

“It couldn’t have come at a better moment.”

Good timing has always been part of the symbiotic relationship between Hellstrom and Kent State. A graduate of Lasalle Secondary, the talented multi-sport star (she was also a city champion sprinter) was part of the National Training Centre group in Vaughan throughout much of her high-school career, but was one of the very last cuts from the Canadian team named to compete in the U17 World Cup.

“About a week after I got cut, they (Kent State) invited me to visit their school,” recalled Hellstrom. “I was super upset with not making the team. I wasn’t enjoying soccer as much as a 17 year-old should.”

“But during the visit to Kent State, I could feel the enjoyment coming back. I got the feeling that this was home.”

Hellstrom had barely departed the campus, making her way back to Sudbury when she called Marinaro and informed him that she would most definitely accept the Golden Flashes scholarship offer.

She never looked back.

“I loved it there in all aspects,” she stated. “I am a person who is successful when I am comfortable. As an athlete, I am fine with being uncomfortable, because that makes you better.”

“But in an environment where I am enjoying life outside of soccer, that’s when I am most successful.”

And successful, Jenna Hellstrom most definitely was.

During the course of her four-year career, she rewrote the team’s record book, registering 37 goals, 33 assists and 17-game winning goals. She made school history by becoming the first ever All-American in 2016 after leading Kent State to their first ever MAC championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

“Individual accomplishments are great, but that is the one accomplishment that we all had together,” said Hellstrom. “You work your whole four years to win a ring (conference title). I can’t even explain the moment; everything just fell into place.”

A soccer standout throughout her youth in Sudbury, Hellstrom had to adjust significantly when she made her way south of the border. “I had to develop the technical side with the ball – and also playing smarter,” she said. “In college, you just can’t be running everywhere; you’re playing in a system.”

“I was lucky; I was the speed to keep up. My teams in Sudbury used me a lot with my speed. You get to college and the girls are just as fast.”

Based on the sprint to the finish line for young Blakely, there are reasons to believe the Hellstrom speed is heritary. Her early arrival, however, only served to make a weekend in September of 2025 one that Jenna Hellstrom will never forget – for many a good reason.