David Hatch '18 Recruiting Profile

Distance running is a sport that not only requires a natural athletic ability, but calls for intense training, preparation and an unmatched amount of dedication. I believe that my character matches all these requirements, and even goes above and beyond to create a runner who would be a perfect fit with any highly dedicated distance team.

When it comes to college, my goals are to attend an academically competitive school while pursuing a college career in distance running. My natural competitiveness makes me stand out as someone who never gives up and always finishes a race headstrong and out of breath. I hope to join a distance team that incorporates the values of friendship and hard work to be the best they can, and to surprise the ones who don’t believe.

As an athlete I continue to shoot for the stars, consistently breaking and setting new goals as a runner. I take time to plan my weekly meals, coordinate with other teammates in the same race about strategy and I trust my coaches knowledge and do everything he asks.

I believe my main value isn't in my ability as a runner by my worth as a teammate. In High School I started out as a slacker, someone who didn't really participate all that much, but through the years I met new people that showed me the value of hard work and truly motivated me to want to be the best and to win. From this experience I know what it's like to not try, I also know what it's like to goof around and not take things seriously. Now I am the captain of a state champion xc team as well as a strong indoor and outdoor track team. I used my experiences from my past to help motivate others to not make the same mistakes I did and our team went from nobody’s to the team to beat the following year. I will continue to do this through the rest of my life.

My high school career as a student is very similar to my athletic career. During the first few semesters of school I dismissed the thought of college completely and therefore was unmotivated to get stellar grades. At one point I came to realize that I was better than this, so I started putting in extra effort and my gpa shot up, surprising my entire family. I continue to be the best student in the classroom, handing in assignments early and always going the extra mile, trying to make up for my younger selves mistakes.

For me running isn't about the money or the glory, I run because I am a competitive person, without something to dedicate my time and resources too in order to be the best, my character would collapse. It's become a part of my daily routine and it's something I've come to love.