The face of Liberty High track and field would rather not be in that role.
As the junior high jumper, Nick Hruch handles a lot of responsibility. And the team relies heavily on their standout to produce in meets.
They also rely on his poise and confidence to keep them relaxed with a wide grin, or some gentle humor.
“He just never wants to ever take a break from competition, and he?s always working hard to motivate his teammates,” Liberty track coach Robert Ward said.
“I would say without Nick on the team, we would not be as strong as we are,” said Mike Hruch, who is Nick?s younger brother and specializes in the shot. “He really gets the entire team pumped and ready to perform with jokes before every meet.”
Hruch certainly has a hard-working side, especially when it comes to the classroom. He has a 3.7 grade-point average. Hruch has a rigorous course level of Advanced Placement classes such as Chemistry and Mathematics; he wants to major in electrical engineering in college.
Hruch?s school days are packed with sports, studies, clubs and service community projects. He joined the Student Government Association and the Multicultural Club, and continues to be an active member in the National Honors Society.
But Hruch flashed a rueful smile when asked if he enjoys the status ? the pressure and expectations ? of juggling several activities.
The versatile 6-feet-5 athlete has competed in the long and triple jumps and participated in several relays, adding the 800-meter run to his resume this year.
He captured the 800 at the Carroll County meet with a record time of 2 minutes, 5.6 seconds and ran the anchor leg of the 3,200-relay squad that swept titles at the county, Class 2A-1A West regional and state levels.
“I just like staying busy because if I wasn?t, I would probably just sit on the couch after school and watch television,” Hruch said, jokingly. “It actually keeps my mind straight when I?m always doing something.”
THE HRUCH FILE
School: Liberty
Sport: Track
Position: high jumper/sprinter
Did you know? Hruch won the high jump at the county with a record height of 6 feet, 4 inches and placed second in the event at the state championships … In his spare time, he likes to snowboard; he is also part of the school?s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Quotable: “Nick has such a passion for track that he has asked me several times to compete in 15 of 18 events during a track meet. The thrill of competing is what really sets him apart from the rest of the pack.” ? Liberty track coach Robert Ward
