Hiatt in the hunt for state title
Huskies senior runner Trevor Hiatt fights for his time as he runs down the home stretch at Brooktree Golf Course during the Section 1AAA meet last week. Hiatt crossed the finish line in 16:05.29, earning him a seventh-place finish and a trip to the state meet this week. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
-David Chatelaine, Huskies Coach
After securing a seventh-place finish at the Section 1AAA meet a week ago, Owatonna senior cross-country runner Trevor Hiatt was able to recognize a dream that he set out for from the beginning of his career as a Husky: making it to the state meet.
Hiatt earned his place amongst the state’s best by running a personal-best mark of 16:05.29 in possibly the biggest meet of his career to date.
“It was an up-and-down roller coaster, I would say. It was fun to stay around the front of the pack and watch kids come back to me. It was a good race all-in-all. The last 400 meters hurt kind of hurt a little bit, but that happens to the best of us,” said Hiatt with a chuckle after the section race.
With five years under his belt as a Huskies’ runner, Hiatt is one of his team’s most experienced athletes, and has found steady improvements in his races since becoming a varsity runner as an eighth-grader.
“We’re really proud of Trevor,” said Owatonna Head Boys Cross-Country Coach David Chatelaine. “He’s been a great captain for this team, and we’re looking forward to seeing him compete at state.”
According to Hiatt, there are two clear-cut goals for the state meet: qualify as an all-state runner, and run a sub-16-minute race.
However, accolades are not all Hiatt is searching for.
“Coach [Chatelaine] always tells us about the guys who have come through this team before us, and it’s really cool to be able to compete for him and be a part of that group. It really pushes me to be better, to hopefully put myself in the position to be one of his top runners.”
With one race left in his Huskies career, Hiatt said he will not be approaching this race in a different manner.
Rather, the senior will stick to his strict routine that has brought him his success this season.
“I usually go to bed between 9:30 and 10 p.m. to get about nine hours of sleep. Then I wake up, and my mom makes me French toast and a breakfast burrito. That’s my go-to meal. Then for lunch, it’s Subway. I get a cold-cut combo every time and that’s about all I eat the rest of the day.”
Huskies fans looking to support Hiatt’s trip to the state meet can watch him compete at St. Olaf College on Saturday.
Hiatt will be joined by fellow Huskies runners Carsyn Brady and Kendra Melby, who will compete in the State AAA Girls Meet.