Since he was 9 years old, Caleb Hagan’s father knew he was a runner. After watching him play soccer, he encouraged his son to try out track and field. Now, entering his freshman year, Hagan has proven to be a formidable sprinter for the University of Idaho track and field team.
Hagan tends to specialize in short distance running, which includes the 55, 100, 200 and 400-meter dash. These races are intense and quick. Unlike long-distance running, where athletes have some time to build up their speed, short distance runners have to be ready to go full throttle right as the starting gun shoots off.
Hagan tried a couple other track events as well throughout middle school and high school. He tried a three-kilometer race, considered a long-distance race and decided that he was more suited to sprinting short distance. He also tried javelin and long jump. He did well with the long jump but decided not to continue because it was taking a toll on his shins and knees. He stuck with sprints and wanted to continue the sport throughout college.
Hagan won the 100-meter with a time of 10.46 seconds and the 200-meter with a time of 21.23 seconds at the Idaho Invitational on April 24. He has also won the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes at both the Weber State Indoor Invitational and the Bobcat Bonus as well. Hagan said he works to maintain a healthy body and mind in order to keep his speed up.
“Healthy diet is a big thing,” Hagan said. “I try to watch my diet, eat right and take full advantage of the training, getting sleep. Just all the little things to get me ready for competition day.”
When working out Hagan primarily lifts weights, but also does applied plyometric lifting as well, which Hagan explained are exercises that help the central nervous system get used to moving fast.
“We do jumps where we are jumping up onto a high platform, or we’re jumping with something resisting us,” Hagan said. “It could be we’re jumping over hurdles, or we’re standing on a tall platform and jumping and landing and jumping back up again.”
These exercises do pay off, since the moment the starting gun goes off, sprinters have to be able to bolt off the starting block quickly and go into overdrive.
Hagan said he enjoys the sport a lot, and he chose UI because he liked the campus and the athletic department as well. He was worried there wouldn’t be a season this year due to COVID-19 but was relieved to be able to run this year.
Hagan said he is proud of his times and that his motivation is all about self-improvement.
“I want to be the best I can be,” Hagan said. “Whatever I do, I want to be the best at it, or be the best that I can be at it.”
The next track meet is the Buc Scoring Invitational in Spokane, Washington on April 30. Hagan will also be going to the Big Sky Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Ogden, Utah, which runs from May 12 to May 15.
Ryan Hill can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @RyanHil32959860