When East Rochester’s Jake Hanss began the cross country season earlier this fall, the junior was eager to compete for the usual prizes that come along with being an elite runner like first-place finishes and outstanding times in dual meets and invitationals.
Hanss though was also chasing a little bit of history. His biggest goal was to qualify for the state championship meet, becoming the first Bomber to do so in seven years.
Hanss chased down the milestone, earning a spot in the state championship earlier this month in Buffalo. After a successful cross country season he has his sites set on the indoor track season, which kicked off last week.
“It’s very exciting,” Hanss said about getting to run in the state meet. “I didn’t know how well I was going to do but it was a new experience. Hopefully I can do well and get back next year.”
Hanss qualified for states by finishing in first in the Class C race at the Section 5 championship earlier this month on the cold, snowy GCC course. His time (17:39) was the second fastest time in all of Class C.
Hanss’ sectional performance was even more rewarding because he finished 50th at the Monroe County Championship the previous week.
Hanss has excelled in some of the Bombers toughest meets, earning sixth place in his race at the McQuaid Invitational and winning the Marion Invitational.
“When he was a seventh grader, he was a tiny runt of a guy but he showed a lot of talent as an eighth grader on the modified team,” said Jim Bathgate, Bombers head coach. “We knew he was going to be good, he just needed time to develop.
His biggest change came over from his sophomore to his junior year. He got stronger, faster and his capacity for running got better. He went from being in good shape to leading the pack.”
Hanss credits running in the Monroe County League, where ER is the only Class C school in a league dominated by Class A teams, with helping him post faster times. He excelled against the top runners in Section 5 finishing in the top-10 in every race.
The Bombers, who finished second in the team standings in Class C, will look to win their first team title since 2002 next year as they return their entire top-seven.
“It is really tough sometimes because obviously every school in Monroe County is a larger school than us,” Hanss said. “But it works out pretty well too. The competition is tough at the county and league meets.”
When East Rochester’s Jake Hanss began the cross country season earlier this fall, the junior was eager to compete for the usual prizes that come along with being an elite runner like first-place finishes and outstanding times in dual meets and invitationals.
Hanss though was also chasing a little bit of history. His biggest goal was to qualify for the state championship meet, becoming the first Bomber to do so in seven years.
Hanss chased down the milestone, earning a spot in the state championship earlier this month in Buffalo. After a successful cross country season he has his sites set on the indoor track season, which kicked off last week.
“It’s very exciting,” Hanss said about getting to run in the state meet. “I didn’t know how well I was going to do but it was a new experience. Hopefully I can do well and get back next year.”
Hanss qualified for states by finishing in first in the Class C race at the Section 5 championship earlier this month on the cold, snowy GCC course. His time (17:39) was the second fastest time in all of Class C.
Hanss’ sectional performance was even more rewarding because he finished 50th at the Monroe County Championship the previous week.
Hanss has excelled in some of the Bombers toughest meets, earning sixth place in his race at the McQuaid Invitational and winning the Marion Invitational.
“When he was a seventh grader, he was a tiny runt of a guy but he showed a lot of talent as an eighth grader on the modified team,” said Jim Bathgate, Bombers head coach. “We knew he was going to be good, he just needed time to develop.
His biggest change came over from his sophomore to his junior year. He got stronger, faster and his capacity for running got better. He went from being in good shape to leading the pack.”
Hanss credits running in the Monroe County League, where ER is the only Class C school in a league dominated by Class A teams, with helping him post faster times. He excelled against the top runners in Section 5 finishing in the top-10 in every race.
The Bombers, who finished second in the team standings in Class C, will look to win their first team title since 2002 next year as they return their entire top-seven.
“It is really tough sometimes because obviously every school in Monroe County is a larger school than us,” Hanss said. “But it works out pretty well too. The competition is tough at the county and league meets.”
Hanss is eager to run in the state meet during the track season after competing in the state qualifiers last spring. He runs in the 3200 in the winter and spring and competes in the steeplechase during the spring.
Hanss always expressed an interest in running cross country, starting the sport in the seventh grade. He was convicned into doing both seasons of track later that year and he hasn’t stopped since.
“Steeplechase is my favorite event, I love it,” Hanss said. “It is a lot like the 3200 but with the extra challenge of barriers and the water. It is a ton of fun.”
