Hitting his stride: Austin grad Pat Hagan thrives in sophomore year
Published 9:47 pm Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Austin grad Pat Hagan has always been a competitor, and now he’s starting to find where his strength is most effective.
Austin graduate Pat Hagan is hitting his stride as a thrower for the University of Sioux Falls Cougers. Photos provided
Hagan thrived as a sophomore thrower for the University of Sioux Falls track and field team this past year and it has him motivated to keep pushing harder next season.
At USF, Hagan has benefited from the guidance of assistant coach Alissa Rausch, who won a national title in discus when she was competitor.
“It’s been a lot of practice; we work on throwing from Septmber until May. Coach Rausch has helped us a lot,” Hagan said. “My teammates have also pushed me and it was great to have a chance to learn from them.”
Hagan competed on the USF indoor team as a freshman, but he missed the outdoor season with an injury. This year he bounced back and was named the Most Improved Male Track Athlete for the Cougars.
Hagan readies to throw the javelin.
Hagan now has a top-10 throw in four separate events at USF. He holds the eighth best javelin throw, the seventh best discus throw, the fourth best indoor weight throw and the fourth best outdoor hammer throw.
“The competition in the NISC is ridiculous,” Hagan said. “We have a lot of guys who go to nationals and they’re all great guys. It’s fun to compete with them.”
Hagan gained his competitive edge when he was a three-sport athlete for the Austin Packers. He competed in football, he played for Austin in the Minnesota Class AAA State Boys Basketball Tournament and competed in the Minnesota Class AA State Track and Field Meet.
“I always set the high standards for myself,” Hagan said. “I want to be the best and I want to get back up on the podium.”
