Hayden Scott '17 Recruiting Profile

Hello Coach, My name is Hayden Scott.  I started my athletic life at 10 years old playing competitive ice hockey.  I learned how to be physically strong and keep pushing through pain playing 3 years of USA youth hockey; but my mental toughness really came from competitive running.  I started running and racing at age 10, while still playing hockey, and realized I was pretty good.  My dad asked if I wanted to do the local Hershey track meet and I said sure and I'm glad I did because I went all the way to the National Championship and placed 5th in the 400 Meters at age 11 even after coming down with a fever before my race and then Carl Lewis helped me at the finish line and later told 5000 people he'd never seen so much heart as I had that day; I told him I just wanted to win. Two years later, I did it again qualifying for Hershey nationals  in both the 800M and 1600M at age 13.  I placed 3rd in the Mile and a Nike executive asked if I would like to run for Bowerman Cross Country team in Jr. Olympics that year.  I said yeah that sounded great.  After that I stopped playing hockey and transitioned to running both in school and for Bowerman.  I was proud to be a member of  three National Contender XC teams placing third as a team all three times and earning all-american status in my third and final campaign as a Bowerman guy.  Now I am 17 and in High School as a serious student-athlete.  I work equally hard at both school and training and let one reward the other.  My teammates might say I can be a bit of a lone wolf when I get serious about preparing for a hard effort, but I am a social guy too and really enjoy motivating my teammates and just keeping it light when things get intense. I tell my guys just trust your training and remember to run to win and don't expect to be carried across the finish line; I say often that "yes we are a team but a team of unique and talented individuals".  I try and balance everything and just stay sharp and keep healthy.  I have learned that recovery is an essential part of training; especially after a super hard effort.  I am no where near peaked out in my running career.  I will get better every week and every year.  Thank you for considering me for your program; no regrets - I will work exceedingly hard for whatever team I commit to.  My career goals after collegiate life include medical school and a chance to serve my country as an in-flight Combat Medical or Rescue Officer in any branch of the Armed Forces. I also want to run a marathon and start trail running and just be a good American.  Again - Thank You very very much for considering me for your program.  It would be an honor to be one of your guys for the next few years.