Student-Athlete of the Year: Corbin’s Jace Hatfield talks statewide recognition, hopes for the future

Corbin High School junior Jace Hatfield has a lot going on. He is a lineman on the Redhound football team. He throws shot put and discus for the school’s track and field team. He is an A student taking classes in HVAC repair, and oh yeah, he was recently recognized by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association as the Midway University Student-Athlete of the Year for archery. How does Hatfield feel about this recognition, and a wide range of other subjects? Read on to find out.

Did you know that you were being considered for Athlete of the Year?

I actually didn’t know. Our coaches went through the KHSAA, and they picked who they wanted. I didn’t have any say in it, but then it came out and I was very happy. I try to be the best that I can in everything that I do, so this was great.

This is awarded based on a combination of grades and performance in your given sport, correct?

I’m not sure what all they looked at, but I do try to keep my grades high. I have a 4.3 GPA.

How did you react when you found out that you had been selected?

They informed my coaches, so they knew. When it came out I had a coach contact me and send me a screen shot, because the KHSAA had posted about it. They congratulated me, and then I called my mom. She was really happy about it. Then it started getting around the school and they announced it over the intercom.

Last week, you and your teammates competed in the KHSAA state archery championships in Lexington. Talk about that experience. 

In order to make it to the KHSAA state championships you have to place first or second overall at region, either as an individual or as a team. We were lucky enough to place second as a team, so we all got to go together.

We did really well. As a team, we just tried to stay positive and have fun. It’s really hard to get up there, and you’re going against some of the best in the state, but I was able to finish in the top ten.

When did you first get involved in archery?

It was actually in the fourth grade. They were making announcements about tryouts, and I just went. It’s something that just came naturally. Once I got going with it, I didn’t take a year off from it. I’ve loved it.

You are involved in other sports at CHS, correct?

I do archery, track and football. I have been playing football ever since I can remember, and when I did track my eighth grade year I really enjoyed it, so I decided to just stick with it.

What track events do you compete in?

I do shot put and discus throw.

How has the track season gone this spring?

I feel like our season has gone really well. Last year, we placed second in the region, so this year we are trying to bring home first place. As far as the throwers go, we have some more work to do in order to place at region, but I think that with a little bit more time we could make it.

What position do you play in football?

I play defensive tackle and offensive guard.

Talk about spring practices (ongoing)…

We lost a lot from last year’s team, so we’re working to rebuild a little bit. The goal is always to win a state championship, though. That has been my goal ever since I got here. We just try to be the best that we can be, but there is a lot of work to be done.

Getting back to archery, you said that you finished in the top ten at state recently, correct?

Yes. Out of 286 people, I think.

How did you approach this year’s state championships?

I went up there, and didn’t have any nerves. I just kept a positive mindset, and focused on aiming every arrow where it needed to go.

You have a brother, Luke, who placed in the top 20 at state, correct?

Yes. He is a freshman, and actually won region this year. He took number one from me, so he’s doing really well too.

It sounds like yours is a very competitive family…

Yes. We always compete. When we’re at practice we may talk a little bit of smack to each other, and try to get one up on each other, but that just makes us better.

You have one more year at Corbin, but are you thinking about what you might want to do after high school?

Ever since I was a little kid my goal has been to play Division I football. That’s what I want to do. I also want to get a business degree, and maybe start my own business. I’ve been taking classes in HVAC here, so I might start my own HVAC business one day.

Although the KHSAA archery season has concluded, Hatfield and his teammates will continue to compete in National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) tournaments this spring. He will make the trip to Midway University later this year to be recognized alongside other KHSAA Athlete of the Year award recipients.