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Senior Spotlight: Conner Hawley – Notre Dame cross country

Hawley

Hawley
Conner Hawley was a senior member of the Notre Dame Academy cross country team. Submitted Photo

By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent


Name: Conner Hawley

Nickname: Connie

School: Notre Dame Academy

Activity: Cross country

Conner Hawley recently finished sixth at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 Cross Country State Meet at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.

The Tritons finished runner-up to Shorewood in the team competition.

Hawley was named first-team Fox River Classic Conference this past season for his efforts.

What do you attribute the team’s success to?

“We tried to have a strong team bond, which made us have a good workout ethic. My teammates and I ran as a pack, so we were always pushing each other to perform our best.”

What was your toughest race?

“Running the Roy Griak Invitational (in Minnesota). It was my favorite and toughest race of the season. It was a great way to get prepared for state.”

Talk about your cross-country career.

“The past few years gave me a positive experience to move forward. My teammates and I helped support each other to make sure we could accomplish the goals we set.”

What’s the best course you’ve raced on in terms of atmosphere?

“The state course in Wisconsin Rapids my sophomore year. I love the course because it’s not a long and boring race like Two Rivers.”

Talk about your Head Coach John Gard.

“Many people love cross country because there are lots of one-on-one interactions. Coach Gard is one of the many coaches on the team who made me the runner I am today.”

What’s the hardest part about cross country?

“Running the intervals. They were the longest and hardest workouts of the week.”

Celebrity crush?

“Israeli actress and model Gal Gadot.”

What’s something about you most people don’t know?

“I had six surgeries for my ear because of chronic infections.”

Did you have a pre-race ritual?

“My teammates and I would gather in a circle, take a knee and pray the Hail Mary.”

What are your college aspirations?

“I hope to get a double major in finance and pre-med. I’m also hoping to get the Evans Scholarship to help pay for my college tuition and housing.”

A slow or a fast start?

“A fast start.”

What are your hobbies?

“Running, camping, fishing, hunting, boating and skiing.”

The coast or the mountains?

“The mountains.”

What four words describe you?

“Adventurous, athletic, funny, determined.”

What other sport could you have excelled in?

“Golf.”

How do you want to be remembered as a Notre Dame athlete?

“As one of the hardest working students and athletes.”

Talk about the tight-knit community of Notre Dame and how much sports revolve around it.

“Our cross-country team was tight-knit because we all loved doing stuff together. We would get breakfast, play ultimate Frisbee at a park or get smoothies from Limitless Nutrition. At school, we created a stronger bond through our shared faith.”

Favorite sound of spring?

“Bird songs.”

Biggest sports achievement?

“Getting state runner-up as a team three out of four years.”

What’s your most embarrassing cross-country moment?

“When we did hill work my freshmen year. I pushed myself to the max and ended up embarrassing myself because I fainted. When I came back, I kept wanting to push it to the full extent because I didn’t want to be a wimp.”

Iced tea or lemonade?

“Lemonade.”

Name three cities you’d like to visit.

“New York, Seattle, Los Angeles.”

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

“Being an orthopedic surgeon and a financial adviser.”

Favorites

Food: Lobster

Subject in school: Science

Movie: “Dark Knight”

Book: “Lone Survivor”

Vehicle: BMW M8

Sports editor’s note: To read last week’s Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight on Pulaski’s Max Burdette, CLICK HERE

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