Izak Hanson '20 Recruiting Profile

I started playing baseball when I was five. I loved it in tee-ball and chose it as my sport. I have played baseball non-stop since then and I still love it today. I played city recreational baseball every year and was chosen for and competed in the Dizzy Dean Starkville All-Stars every year through 12U (the last year of Rec). I played on USSSA travel teams from age 9 through 14 and participated as an outfielder, infielder, catcher, and pitcher.  What I’ve learned since I was young is to be competitive on the next level of baseball, whether it is 12U or college; you have to work hard and push yourself in work-outs off the field and play hard yet smart on the field.  My strengths in pitching have always been precision and awareness of the runners.  My goal is to play college baseball.

            I originally went to a private school because of its Christian values. At the start of the 8^th grade, I switched to the large public school for sports benefits. My high school is a 6A school and has about 1500 students. Both of my parents work at Mississippi State University and are professors in the College of Veterinary Medicine, so bad grades are unacceptable for me. I take all honors and advanced placement courses. I plan to study Chemical Engineering in college. I am also considering the early entry program for the College of Veterinary Medicine. It is very competitive, and I will apply as a senior in high school. If I am accepted, and maintain a high GPA in a biological or chemical field, I can enter the professional program right after college graduation if I am still interested.

            I am on the high school swim team and have qualified for the state finals, freestyle, in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years. I also play the piano and placed 3^rd in the state pre-college piano competition in 2017, and 4^th in 2016 and 2015. These activities work well with baseball.  The combined activities add to my mental and physical strength and coordination.