Throughout the summer, we will be honoring graduating seniors with our annual Salute to Seniors series! To submit your own questionnaires to be posted on the front page of PennTrackXC, check outthis page and email your responses to Dan Beck (daniel.beck@flosports.tv)
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Today we salute Naomi Hahn of Warren Area.
Hahn, a distance runner, wrapped up an impressive career on the cross country trails and on the track. She is a four-time state qualifier in XC, finishing her best of 21st place to earn a state medal in Class AA as a junior in 2018.
She ran an XC 5K best of 19:09 and holds track PRs of 5:22 for 1600 meters and 11:25 for 3200 meters.
Hahn, bound for VMI in the fall, reflected on her career for PennTrackXC.
What was your most memorable race/competition?
2018 PIAA Cross Country Championships. I was coming up the last hill towards the finish line. A parent yelled at me "you're 26th". I wanted to place, so kicked it in and passed five in the finishing chute to come in 21st.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
Any of the state meets, whether Track or Cross country. You never know what to expect when you are at that level.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
I set out my freshman year to qualify for states each season, and between Track and Cross Country I was able to do so all seven times.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I would do more strengthening exercises to prevent injury.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
My Senior year Cross Country season I hurt my hip. I pushed through and still qualified for the state meet from District 10, but I should have listened to my body sooner.
What will you miss the most?
Pre-race prayer circles with the girls team.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Never look back in a race. It's better to run off of fear than comfort.
Above: Post-race interview with Hahn at the 2018 Sharpsville Blue Devil Invite
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
To be a good runner it's not just what is inside of practice. You need to work outside of practice on core, strengthening, your mental game, and nutrition to become a better athlete.
What are your post-high school plans?
I will be attending Virginia Military Institute and have committed to be a part of their Division 1 Cross Country and Track teams. While there I will be majoring in International Studies with minors in Rhetoric/writing and Arabic. I will also be a part of the Marine Corps cadre and will commission into the Marine Corps after graduation from VMI.
Any shoutouts?
The District 10 running girls. We started running together in seventh grade and that competition turned into friendship. We pushed each other to be the best runners we could be and I am grateful for them
