Justin Hodge

Making an impact as a freshman in high school sports is a tough thing jumping right into varsity level competition but that is what Hiawatha Red Hawk freshman, Justin Hodge has done in the sport of cross country as he’s burst onto the scene and in a big way.

Hodge and the Red Hawk boys won the Big Seven League title in the most recent action and Justin in his first League meet at the high school level earned the Big Seven title after posting a time of 16:26.20. He won by 45 seconds and helped the Red Hawks repeat as League champs.

On the season Hodge has recorded a first place finish in every race but one this season that one being Rim Rock which features runners from multiple classifications across the State and has helped the Red Hawks notch several Top three team performances. He opened his high school running career at Jeff West Invite winning by 40 seconds with time of 17:40.54, while he won at the Holton Invite (18:11.78), Hiawatha Invite (17:51.15) and Sabetha Invite (17:20) all by over 20 seconds. He also recorded a first place finish at the Horton Invite (20:33.17).

At Rim Rock Hodge competed against 349 other runners in his race and finished ninth behind a time of 17:16.40.

The Red Hawks and Hodge are set to compete at 3A Regionals at Riley County on Saturday, October 21st as Justin and his teammates look to earn spots at the State meet.