Hart signs with University of Cincinnati
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Hillsboro senior Jarrod Hart is becoming a Cincinnati Bearcat.
The three-sport student-athlete of HHS signed his National Letter of Intent to run Division I men's track & field for the Bearcats Thursday, making it official surrounded by friends, coaches and family at the high school.
Hart, who also played soccer and basketball for four seasons at HHS, placed sixth at the 2012 Division II State Track & Field Championships in the 800-meter run with a time of 1.57.60.
"This is exciting, but it's another factor to work hard for the remainder of this season," Hart said of signing with UC. "I took an official visit a couple months ago, really liked the coaches and the facilities and fell in love with the program."
The current HHS senior has accomplished all of his track feats without his school having its own track, though the construction of a track is currently under way.
"My freshman year, I didn't know it was a possibility," Hart said of signing with a Division I school. "Coach (Bud) Marsh looked into it my sophomore year, and since then I've wanted to be a part of a Division I school.
"Early on in the recruiting process, I wasn't sure where I was going, but I talked to my parents, coaches and others and they steered me in the right path."
Leading up to the state championships last season, Hart won in the South Central Ohio League, district and regional championship meets.
In the SCOL meet, Hart finished at 2:02.17 (London H.S.), followed by a district time of 1:57.74 (Washington H.S.) and a regional time of 1:55.62 (Athens H.S.).
"The type of kid he is … he has great work habits, he's a great kid and he's set some goals," Marsh said. "He wants to not only go back to state, but improve overall there. He wants to get to the top of the podium, and he does have an opportunity to get there.
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"I can't say enough about him, and as a coach, you don't have many opportunities to coach an athlete like Jarrod."
Hart has a couple goals left, this being his final year. One goal is to qualify and improve at the state championships, and the second is to break the current 800m school record, held by Jim Buck since 1974. When Buck raced in the mid-70s, the event was 880 yards, a time he raced at 1:54.1, but with a conversion chart, the time for the 800m would be 1:52.1.
"Jarrod is such an competitor," Marsh said. "He's made for the 800 because he not only has the speed, but he has the endurance. To run the 800, you have to have the 400 in you.
"Right now it is just about finding the competition for him to get used to the pace he'll run at state. Last year at state, the experience was invaluable to him. He's continued to work hard, and he's a great leader. He's had a lot of success, and when he gets in a Division I program and works with the program all year long, they will find out he's an 800 guy, too."
This season for Hart, he has added more wins to his overall totals at HHS, as the senior is looking forward to continuing his season, and in his own words, to "keep improving."
"The season has gone really well thus far," Hart said. "I'm not where I want to be in my 800 times just yet, and my 400 times are better. The coaches are working us harder in practice, and all I can do is keep working hard and working to improve."
The boys head coach spoke about one "problem" with Hart.
"The only problem I have is I can only use him for four events," Marsh said with a laugh. "I'm so happy for him, and he proves hard work pays off. He's really happy to be going to UC. They were his first interest, and it's a pleasure to coach him."
The three-sport student-athlete of HHS signed his National Letter of Intent to run Division I men's track & field for the Bearcats Thursday, making it official surrounded by friends, coaches and family at the high school.
Hart, who also played soccer and basketball for four seasons at HHS, placed sixth at the 2012 Division II State Track & Field Championships in the 800-meter run with a time of 1.57.60.
"This is exciting, but it's another factor to work hard for the remainder of this season," Hart said of signing with UC. "I took an official visit a couple months ago, really liked the coaches and the facilities and fell in love with the program."
The current HHS senior has accomplished all of his track feats without his school having its own track, though the construction of a track is currently under way.
"My freshman year, I didn't know it was a possibility," Hart said of signing with a Division I school. "Coach (Bud) Marsh looked into it my sophomore year, and since then I've wanted to be a part of a Division I school.
"Early on in the recruiting process, I wasn't sure where I was going, but I talked to my parents, coaches and others and they steered me in the right path."
Leading up to the state championships last season, Hart won in the South Central Ohio League, district and regional championship meets.
In the SCOL meet, Hart finished at 2:02.17 (London H.S.), followed by a district time of 1:57.74 (Washington H.S.) and a regional time of 1:55.62 (Athens H.S.).
"The type of kid he is … he has great work habits, he's a great kid and he's set some goals," Marsh said. "He wants to not only go back to state, but improve overall there. He wants to get to the top of the podium, and he does have an opportunity to get there.
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"I can't say enough about him, and as a coach, you don't have many opportunities to coach an athlete like Jarrod."
Hart has a couple goals left, this being his final year. One goal is to qualify and improve at the state championships, and the second is to break the current 800m school record, held by Jim Buck since 1974. When Buck raced in the mid-70s, the event was 880 yards, a time he raced at 1:54.1, but with a conversion chart, the time for the 800m would be 1:52.1.
"Jarrod is such an competitor," Marsh said. "He's made for the 800 because he not only has the speed, but he has the endurance. To run the 800, you have to have the 400 in you.
"Right now it is just about finding the competition for him to get used to the pace he'll run at state. Last year at state, the experience was invaluable to him. He's continued to work hard, and he's a great leader. He's had a lot of success, and when he gets in a Division I program and works with the program all year long, they will find out he's an 800 guy, too."
This season for Hart, he has added more wins to his overall totals at HHS, as the senior is looking forward to continuing his season, and in his own words, to "keep improving."
"The season has gone really well thus far," Hart said. "I'm not where I want to be in my 800 times just yet, and my 400 times are better. The coaches are working us harder in practice, and all I can do is keep working hard and working to improve."
The boys head coach spoke about one "problem" with Hart.
"The only problem I have is I can only use him for four events," Marsh said with a laugh. "I'm so happy for him, and he proves hard work pays off. He's really happy to be going to UC. They were his first interest, and it's a pleasure to coach him."