Ethan Hooter '21 Recruiting Profile

I am currently a Junior at Mandeville High School with a core GPA of 3.7 and an overall GPA of 4.1.

I have enjoyed running since I was very young, and it is a goal of mine to run competitively at the college level.  My love for running increased my 7^th grade year when I tried out for the Jr. High Track team and was the last man cut from the team.  It was devastating, but instead of being discouraged I decided to work hard to make the team the next year.  I decided that since everyone was focused on just running, I would also tryout as a hurdler.  Not only did I make the team my 8^th grade year with the 2^nd fastest mile time of 5:56, I also won District in the 110m hurdles. 

Going into high school I worked up the courage to try out for our Cross Country Team.  The Skipper Cross Country Team is one of the best in state and has had some of the best runners from our district.  I did not know anyone when I joined the team but was blessed to meet some great upperclassman as we trained.  I ran my first Cross Country race on varsity with a time of 19:56. For the rest of the season I ran on our JV team and was the 10^th best runner on the team.  My goal that season was to get my time under 19 minutes, which I did accomplish with a time of 18:36.  I also qualified as an alternate for our Louisiana State meet team.  I also ran JV for outdoor track, running the mile, 2mile, and 800. 

My Sophomore year was great as I made the varsity team as one of our top 7 runners.  My goal was to run under 17:50 before state.  This goal was achieved by finishing with a PR or 17:46. I qualified once again for our Louisiana State Meet team.  The conditions at the state meet were horrible, it was rainy the course was extremely muddy and the temperature was about 28 degrees.  Despite the conditions, I finished well helped my team to a 6^th place finish.  I was also selected that year to run indoor track for the 2 mile.  I also ran various races for Varsity outdoor track and qualified for Regionals in 4X800.  I had a goal of finishing the 1600m in under 5 minutes.  Unfortunately, my PR that year was 5 minutes flat.

My Junior year of Cross Country was a roller coaster.  My goal was to run under 17 minutes before state.  I missed my goal by 7 seconds.  I also missed running for state by less than 7 seconds.  For the last three races of the season I was our team’s 5^th man or 6^th man, including both district and regional races.  The week before state on the coldest day of the year, not to mention  I was feeling under the weather we had time trials for state and I lost my spot by less than 7 seconds.  I was chosen as an alternate. My varsity teammates that I had beaten for the last 3 races secured spots to run.  Again, I was devastated. The team finished 6^th, we were forecasted to finish in the top 4. I took my disappointment and turned it into motivation. 

I was selected to run Indoor track even though I was an alternate for state and ran various races this year.  I was really looking forward to the Outdoor track season with hopes of recording some new PRs, but it has been cancelled due to Coronavirus. Even though we are in “Stay at Home” mode, I have continued to workout on my own at home doing core and by biking and running.  I had plans to attend a great running camp this summer, but that to has been cancelled. Regardless of the situation,  I plan on being in the best shape and top form for the upcoming Cross Country season.