While students may not be familiar with the athletes standing on the Olympic Podium accepting their medals, this may change in four years if two FHS athletes dreams materialize. Senior Hunter Hauk and freshman Maddie Hall are currently training in hopes of competing in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Summer Olympics.
It was not until five years ago when she hit four out of six bullseyes that Hauk realized her love for archery. In fact, until that point, she had never even picked up a bow and arrow.
“I first shot at Livingston Conservation and Sports Association with my cousin and aunt,” Hauk said. “I like archery because when you are up on the line shooting you’re in complete control. You feel like you have the power; when you shoot the perfect bullseye you get this feeling you’ve just accomplished something great.”
Although Hauk received offers from Michigan State University, Ohio State University and Northern Michigan University she will invest her time in private training instead.
“Private training will be more beneficial to me,” Hauk said. “That way I can focus on school and shoot on my own schedule.”
With private training under her belt, Hauk would like to take her talent to the next level and compete in the Olympics.
“Asking athletes why they want to be in the Olympics is like asking writers why they want to work for a big newspaper,” Hauk said. “It’s in their blood to strive for the highest achievement.”
While Hauk spends her time shooting arrows, Hall propels her legs forward in the long jump pit. Jumping runs in her blood as both of Hall’s parents competed in field events, her mom in the long jump and her dad in the pole vault.
“I like long jump because of the thrill I get,” Hall said. “There is a sense of accomplishment when I do really well. My parents have helped me by working with me (in the pit).”
Hall has been long jumping for eight years and broke the high school record of 17 feet 7 inches by jumping 18 feet 7 inches as an 8th grader. Although the record couldn’t be counted because she wasn’t in high school, this spring Hall will long jump for the girls varsity track team.
“My best jump was at Eastern Michigan University,” Hall said. “It amazing to know that me, an 8th grader at the time, jumped a foot farther than the high school record, something some seniors couldn’t even reach. I want to win states as a freshman.”
Also, during her 8th grade year, Hall attended the Junior Olympics (Nationals). There she placed first, making her the national champion in her age division.
“I jumped 17 feet 7.25 inches and took first,” Hall said. “It felt really cool to stand up on the podium because I had finally achieved one of my goals: be a national champion at 14 years old.”
Like Hauk, Hall would like to compete in the Olympics. In order to reach her goal, she must jump at least 21 feet 3 inches.
“I want to at least go to trials in 2016,” Hall said. “If not then, I want to go to the Olympics in 2020. If you are really committed and good at something the next step would be to try to go to the Olympics and that is exactly what I want to do.”
Whether it’s shooting a bullseye or jumping far in the long jump pit both female athletes are constantly training to be the best in their respective sport.
“I usually train five hours a week at MJC Archery and in Clarkston at Oakland County Sportsman’s Club (OCSC),” Hauk said.
However, training isn’t the only thing athletes need to be successful. They also need the ability to overcome failures and stay mentally focused on their goals.
“If you hate what you’re doing you won’t try,” Hauk said. “You have to be there mentally as well. If your mental game is gone you have already lost. Be determined, set a goal and stick with it, never let anyone tell you otherwise.”