PA Salute To Seniors: Evan Hatton - Mount Lebanon HS
What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race came at the 2013 PIAA Foundation Meet. It was the first and only time that I came in first for my team and that was pretty special to me. I missed medaling by about 6 spots, but it felt great to lead my team.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
The biggest competition I ever faced was at Red, White and Blue this past cross country season. It was the first time I had ever toed the line with some truly big name PA runners (The Martin brothers, Brent Kennedy, etc.). That race is also just so deep and so fast. Even back in the finishers in the high 16s where I was, we were still running 4 or 5 across leading up to the finish.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Definitely making it to the state meet. For me to go from not even being able to run at meets my freshman year because I was just so bad, to being on Mt. Lebanon's state qualifying team as a senior was an amazing experience for me. It felt great to be one of seven kids that made up one of the best teams in the state.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I like to think about my freshman year, specifically the summer leading up to it, and wonder if my career would have been any different had I taken running seriously during that time. I've come to the conclusion that the mistakes that I made as a freshman (and there were many) made me the runner that I am today and I would not change a thing.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I began running with very little work ethic and little to no motivation to do well at the sport. Forcing myself to work hard at the sport when I was younger was rather difficult for me.
What will you miss the most?
My teammates and coaches. I love the cross country and track teams more than anything in the world. The friends that I made throughout my running career are friends that I hope will stay with me for life.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
First, just do the work and good things will happen. When I buckled down and put in the work, good things happened for me. Doing the work includes actually going to practice and not going and hiding in the woods during practice.......things that I was known for as a freshman. Secondly, have faith in your training. Know that everything that you have done leading up to your race has set you up to do your very best.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
Coach Agostinella had an incredible impact on my life. I would be nowhere in running if it weren't for him. I hope to become a track coach myself someday, and I cannot say that I would have the same goal if he hadn't been introduced into my life.
What are your college plans?
I am attending Ohio State University in the fall. I will be joining the school's running club where I plan on continuing to better myself as a runner.
Shout-Outs?
-Billy Dougherty and Patrick Quirk. You guys are my two best friends in the entire world and I can't thank you both enough for helping me to improve as a runner and as a person in general. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you two as you continue your running careers in college.
-My parents. My dad especially for telling me going into the 8th grade that maybe 5'10", 95 pound me should play football. I'm very grateful for that.
-Coach Agostinella. I know I pushed you to the edge a few times as a stubborn freshman who just wouldn't do the work, but you continued to give me chances and let me improve as a runner. I would be absolutely nowhere if it wasn't for you and I cannot thank you enough.
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