Today we salute Jared Elters of Coatesville.
Elters finished up a great career in the hurdles. Elters was a two-time indoor state qualifier and two-time outdoor state qualifier in his career. He ran 8.33 in the 60-meter hurdles, a PR, to place seventh at indoor states. Elters twice won the PIAA District 1 AAA title in the 110-meter hurdles. He was eighth at states as a junior and fifth as a senior. He ran a career best of 14.55 at the Black Knight Invitational this past spring.
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What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race was winning my first individual Ches-Mont Championship race, during my sophomore year. Before then, I wasn't very serious about track. When I won the 110 meter hurdles, I saw that my efforts were valuable to my team's success, and that I was capable of more than I thought.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
My biggest competition has always seemed to be at states. Throughout my career, I have faced faced many great competitors, but I have always been pushed the most when I ran against best of the best here in Pennsylvania.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Being able to not only defend my title at Districts in 110 meter hurdles, but also helping lead my team to our first District championship since 1977 will always stand out to me as one of my greatest high school accomplishments.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I would have made track more of a priority early on in my career, and I would have tried harder to spend more time working on my weaknesses.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Balancing my schedule of being an involved student athlete was my biggest struggle. I was never able to be at practice as much as my coaches would have wanted, but trying to make the best of my time was my biggest hurdle in high school.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss the culture and tradition that exists at Coatesville, the connections I have made with the people I have competed against and ran alongside, and the great races and meets I have been able to participate in.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Trust that God will never give you any challenge, obstacle, or hurdle that you cannot overcome. It won't be easy, you won't always be great right away, but if you commit yourself to doing your best during every practice and competition, you will see the benifits of all your hard work.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
My coaches have pushed me to not only strive to do my best, but to be an example to others so that they will want to do their best. They encouraged me to trust in my own abilities, and to not be distracted by what other people may be saying. They would always tell me, "You have to have a short memory".
What are your post-high school plans?
I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this fall, where I will continue running track, and pursing a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Any shoutouts?
Shout out to my Coatesville Coaches: Coach Henry, Coach Ahlum, Coach Smith, Coach Andrew, Coach Zor, Coach Ingram, Coach Eberly, Coach Barry, Coach Gray, as well as Coach D, Coach Horsey (Downingtown East), Coach Smith (Downingtown West), my teamates from 9th-12th grade, and all the family, friends, and loved ones that supported me through all my endeavors in my career!
