Hustlin' Hojnacki

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By Brittany Brownrigg, September 25, 2009

His passion for running developed long before his experiences at Franklin College. In his freshman year at LaPorte High School – from which he would eventually graduate in 2007 –Hojnacki tried out for the soccer team. He had played soccer since the first grade, playing on travel and competitive teams. He made his high school team, but did not have the best of experiences. Hojnacki’s older sister Rachel, who is now 23, ran for the track team in high school which is one of the reasons he decided to go out for the team.

 

Ironically, Hojnacki had tried cross country in sixth grade and hated it. Despite this experience, he decided to try out for the team. He made the team his freshman year, and has been running ever since. The following year, Hojnacki decided to give up soccer and participate not only in track but in cross country, as well. Making the decision to run in high school has greatly affected where Hojnacki is today. In high school Hojnacki ran with seven other guys on his varsity team who all went on to run in college. Hajnacki knows that practicing and being on a team with other great athletes helped him.

           

“It instilled a good work ethic in me,” Hojnacki said.

 

When the time came to move on to college, Hojnacki was unsure of where he should go. He also wondered if running competitively was a possibility in college.

 

“I never really knew what my options were [for participating in collegiate athletics],” Hojnacki said.

 

Hojnacki first discovered Franklin College through the opportunity to run for the school, and after looking around he decided to call Franklin home. Hojnacki is now a junior and majors in secondary education life science. 

 

“My ultimate scheme would be to get a teaching job back at LaPorte,” Hojnacki said.

 

Hojnacki’s goal is to teach high school life science, but he has also considered teaching middle school. 

 

“You can influence kids in the classroom,” Hojnacki said.

 

 Hojnacki knows that teaching provides the possibility coaching. He said that his high school coach had an immense influence on him and wants to be able to do the same for others. Although teachers have a profound affect in the classroom, Hojnacki admits that the connection between a coach and a player is something special.

 

As for right now, Jake is excited about the advancements he has made in his abilities in track and cross country.

 

“The volume of work that I do is a lot greater [in college than it was in high school],” Hojnacki said.

 

Hojnacki has not only seen improvement from high school to college, but even from his freshman year of college to now. Last year he was able to take 45 seconds off of his time from his freshman year. He said that his college involvement in track and cross country has been better than his high school experience simply because of the experiences he has gained and the people that he has been surrounded by.

 

Hojnacki prides himself on his work ethic. He said that although he may not be the most naturally talented athlete he works to achieve what he wants. Hojnacki said he knows that in time his hard work will pay off, even though he has to forego some of the fun college has to offer. However, he knows that there is a “time and a place” for having fun and that during track and cross country season he is fully focused on achieving his goals.

 

Hojnacki has set goals for the season, including being top three in conference. Every year Hojnacki continues to build on his skills for what is to come. This week alone, Jake will run 100 miles.

 

Hojnacki admits that the real reason he loves running so much is to simply see what he can do.

 

“Pushing the limits of my physical capabilities [is what truly appeals to me when I run],” said Hojnacki.

 

Concerning favorite athletes Hojnacki said, “[There are no] athletes I idolize, but some that inspire me”.

He especially admires division three athletes who have gone on to achieve big things, such as making it to the Olympics.

 

When he is not running or competing, Hojnacki can be found playing his guitar in the Phi Delta Theta house. He taught himself how to play guitar in eighth grade and still plays to this day. Hojnacki has lived in the Phi Delta Theta house since the second semester of his freshman year. While at the house Hojnacki spends time on Facebook, e-mail and just hanging out.

 

Last year in track, Hojnacki placed in the top eight in the HCAC. In cross country, he helped Franklin win conference as a team and placed seventh as an individual, which made him All-HCAC. Hojnacki also set a new school record last year in the steeplechase race. With Hojnacki’s work ethic and focus who knows what goals he will be accomplishing next.