Tatum Hilger '21 Recruiting Profile

I'm a student-athlete in the class of 2021. I enjoy being involved inside, and outside of school. The main thing I do is track, but I also partake in many other sports, and activities. In my highschool career I have been on the Dance team at Lincoln North star, receiving a letter award and placing fifth in the state. I've also been on the North Star varsity swim team, and cross-country team. Outside of school I've been involved in studio dance, youth group, and competitive shooting. With all the activities I do, I've always put academics first, receiving multiple honor roll awards, Academic letters and pins, Highest distinction scholar-athlete awards, and Academic all-conference. 

My track highschool career has been very helpful to me, and has taught me a lot. I have had many accomplishments in track. One accomplishment that meant a lot was making varsity my freshmen year in a class A school , and going to state on a 4x4 team where 3 out of the 4 of us were freshman. On that same 4x4 team we ended up being 3rd in our city, and had many more great accomplishments. After my freshman year the next two years would teach me a lot. With not the best sophomore season, starting hurdles at the end of the year, and injuries keeping me from going to state I had to refind my passion for track. As the season ended, I went straight to work, strengthening and refinding my purpose in track after it had faded. I came to realize that track is more than just me, and the even if I wasn't at my best I had teammates and underclassmen that look up to me as a leader, that I had to push, and help maximize their potential. I started off my junior season with plans for the season, and getting back to state, not by myself, but with my team. I became a great leader, and even without a season now I am continuing to lead the team, and prep them for success in our 2021 season.

There are many reason I want to run in college. I want to continue growing my leadership skills, grow as an athlete, and strengthen my purpose for being on the track. If I end up running collegiately I won't just be the first college athlete in my family, but I will be the first college student to graduate with a degree. I have many goals I want to reach, and I will do anything it takes to get there. The way I go about drive, dedication, and leadership is something the sets me apart from most athletes, and is/will be beneficial to any team I'm on, collegiate, highschool, or club.