Academic All-State awarded to Hunter High golfer

For Jared Hancock, a senior at Hunter High School, sports are an important part of who he is.

Hancock plays multiple sports, including basketball, baseball and golf. Academics are also an important part of who he is. He is working hard in school now so he can study medicine in college.

Because of his excellence in school and in sports, Hancock made the Academic All-State team for golf this fall. The award recognizes his ability to maintain excellent grades while contributing to the school’s sports programs.

But for Hancock, there is something else that is an important part of who he is.

As a volunteer for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Hancock helps raise money and awareness for the foundation and helps those who are in need. He balances his time in school and in sports with several activities and outreach events for JDRF.

“I actually just went to a diabetes sing-along this morning,” Hancock said.

Both Hancock’s father and his younger brother suffer from type 1 diabetes. “I’ve always wanted to find a better way to help them especially,” he said. “That’s even why I want to go into studying medicine—so I can find a way to help them and others who are dealing with this disease.”

Hancock is on a good academic track to enter college after graduating next year. He currently holds a 3.97 grade point average, which he only looks to improve by getting a 4.0 each term this year. “That’s my goal for my senior year, and I already did it in the first term and I want to do it for the three terms that are left.”

With several advanced classes, such as AP government, public speaking and a college level intro to writing course, Hancock’s good grades are even more hard-earned. “I like to study lots of different things so that I can be well-rounded,” Hancock said.

Hunter High School Athletic Director Ryan Shaw agrees.

“Jared is definitely a well-rounded kid,” he said. “He is very intelligent, very outgoing and very focused on improving himself. He has always been a leader in the classroom and in any sport that he plays.”

This year, Hancock competed with his golf team in the state tournament. He is also gearing up for spring when he plans on taking the role of one of the senior leaders for the Wolverine baseball team where he plays shortstop.

“Making Academic All-State means a lot to me,” Hancock said. “It’s a good program to help recognize people who focus on school along with the sports they play. It makes me want to strive to get even better, which is the ultimate goal."