All Hunter Hutchison has ever wanted to do was win.
And after three years of running behind Athenian greats, the Crawfordsville senior finally got the opportunity for his own shining moment.
Hutchison won the Montgomery County meet with a time of 17:55, holding off Southmont freshman Mason Cass. He also took the win at the Tiger Cub Invite with a run of 16:43 and placed second at Southmont’s Leap into September meet and North Montgomery’s Charger Classic. Hutchison was sixth at the Sagamore Conference meet in 17:50 to make first-team all-conference. At the IHSAA Sectional, Hutchison helped the Athenians to a fifth-place finish with a sixth overall placing individually with a time of 17:28. He improved his time one week later with an effort of 17:04 to place 25th at the regional and advance to the semi-state.
Hutchison is the 2020 Journal Review Boys’ Cross Country Runner of the Year.
“I started running in fourth grade and all I’ve ever wanted to do was in,” Hutchison said.
Crawfordsville cross country has been dominate in the local racing scene over the last few years under the direction of coach Megan Craig. And Hutchison has been a part of the Athenians’ success since he was a freshman, just as a role player before becoming the No. 1 runner.
“It really just made me work harder for it,” he said. “All I wanted to do was win, so I just kept putting in the work and kept wanting it more.
“It’s definitely been just putting in the time and trusting the process. Whatever part I play, whether it was seventh man or the No. 1, I believe all positions are important.”
The hard work eventually paid off.
“Hunter did a good job playing a supportive role in past seasons,” Craig said. “It was good to see him achieve success as the No. 1 runner for us.”
The only thing that stood in the way was the COVID-19 pandemic, which canceled Hutchison’s junior track season and halted offseason cross country workouts.
It meant Hutchison would have to prepare for his senior season on his own.
The incoming senior chose to buddy up with a friend, and the dedication to put foot to pavement daily through the spring and summer paid off.
“I was actually running at his pace,” Hutchison said. “We weren’t really full on training, but we were still getting out and running everyday. It (success) definitely meant a lot. It definitely paid off and gave me that satisfaction knowing I had put in all that work to be that guy.”
Hutchison’s senior season closes another successful chapter for Crawfordsvil
