Badgering: Olin Hacker
September 26, 2018 | Men's Cross Country, Varsity Magazine
Junior runner shares more on his family’s running legacy and his name’s tie to Madison
MADISON, Wis. — Last year you battled an injury that kept you out the entire year. What was going through your head while you were rehabbing and on the road to recovery?
A: "It was a long year and a tough year, definitely. The whole time, especially during cross country season, it was hard watching our guys run and know that I couldn't be out there to help. I know they are always trying to be out there for me. That was what motivated me to get through rehab. Every time I had a setback, I just kept thinking about that."
Q: Do you have a preference running on grass in cross country or running on a track during track and field season?
A: "I've always thought of myself as a cross country runner. I think I can do both, but in cross country I like the change of pace, even if it is just a little up and down or turns. I definitely like running on grass."
Q: I assume treadmills are the worst?
A: "Yes, I've only done five minutes ever on a treadmill and was done."
Q: Your dad was an NCAA champ and helped the Badgers win a couple of NCAA team titles, so did he have you running 5Ks in kindergarten?
A: "He actually didn't want me or my siblings to start running early. He encouraged us to play other sports and I played soccer growing up. But I did know that he was a really good runner when I was younger. I didn't really know how good he was, I didn't really understand it. But knowing that, it was always kind of in the back of my head like 'when I get to high school, I want to run cross country.' I did that and it's worked out."
The #NuttyInvite is almost here! If you can't make it to Madison watch it LIVE on @FloTrack! 📺 - http://bit.ly/2AumWmy
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) September 26, 2018
Q: How much of your dad's history do you know and how did you learn it?
A: "He's really modest. I wanted to know about his career and I really have to ask him a lot of questions to get him to talk about it. But one way I definitely know is the stairway at my parent's house where his All-American plaques are hanging, along with a picture of him winning the NCAA Championship in 1985 and a picture of when they won the team championship when he was a sophomore. I've seen those for as long as I can remember, and the older I got the more I started realizing what those meant. I'd look at them every day like, 'Wow, I want to do that. I hope I can get an All-American plaque and put it up there with his.'"
Q: During your dad's career, the team didn't have a dedicated cross country course like you guys have today. How cool is it to have a dedicated cross country course that hosts some of the top meets in the country?
A: "I love the cross country course. It's honestly one of my favorite parts of cross country, getting to go out there, even on workout days. It is always so beautiful in the fall just getting to run out on that course knowing it is just for cross country definitely makes it more special. Being able to race out there is exciting."
Q: This team has national championship aspirations and this year's NCAA championships will be hosted at the Zimmer Championship Course. What do you think an NCAA Championship here in Madison will be like?
A: "I think it is going to be really cool. I think the Madison community actually has a lot of running fans which is great. I know, in past meets like the Nuttycombe, I see my neighbors out there or people that my parent's know. I think there will be a lot of support for us. I think that is just going to make it that much more electric to be out there knowing that a lot of people are cheering for you."
Q: What did you do over the summer besides run?
A: "I ran miles and then I worked in a lab at the Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research. We work on cardiovascular research. I did a lot of great work, helping take care of the mice colony and working with data spreadsheets and organizing it to be published in studies."
Q: What are you interested in pursuing in your career after Wisconsin?
A: "If there is a possibility for me to be able to run professionally, that is definitely something I want to do. But past that, I'm in my research lab and I'm kind of thinking about pursuing a career in research."
Q: You have a wide-open Saturday with nothing to do, no miles, no anything. What would you do on campus?
A: "I think my favorite thing to do on campus on a day like that is go down to the terrace with some friends. We've gotten really into euchre and different card games, so honestly that is what I would like to be doing."
Q: Why are you named Olin?
A: "I'm named after John Olin, who was responsible for making a lot of the parks in Madison and setting aside a lot of land for parks. So actually, Olin Park is named after him as well. Around when I was born my parents were actually thinking about moving away from Madison so they wanted my name to remind them of their time in Madison a little bit. But they ended up staying. I like that because it makes me feel even more connected to Madison."
